New Tree Risk Assessment Manual Now Available
Nov 10, 2025
Categories: Industry News, ISA News
ISA offers a variety of educational materials and products to help arborists improve their arboricultural knowledge and experience. Every month, we will feature a product or group of products. In November, ISA is featuring the new third edition of the Tree Risk Assessment Manual, written by Julian A. Dunster, Sharon Lilly, E. Thomas Smiley, Nelda Matheny, Beth Brantley, Brian Kane, and Ryan Klein.
The Tree Risk Assessment Manual is a companion publication for the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (ISA TRAQ) program . The program offers tree care professionals the opportunity to learn a standardized, systematic process for assessing tree risk and to earn the ISA TRAQ credential. This third edition includes topics such as:
- Levels of assessment
- Tree risk factors
- Site assessment
- Tree biology and mechanics
- Tree inspection and assessment
- Data analysis
- Risk categorization
- Mitigation
- Reporting
- And more!
This edition is consistent with the third edition of the Best Management Practices (BMP) — Tree Risk Assessment publication. The terminology has been redefined to meet current industry standards, and case studies have been updated and added. Modules 1, 3, 4, and 5.3 have also been reorganized to improve flow and comprehension.
Some sections have been expanded, including the advanced assessment technique descriptions, guidance for calibrating assessments and ratings, and consideration for wildlife habitat. Plus, new guidance for assessing the likelihood of impact has been included. The third edition also features sidebars with key points for each module as well as additional illustrations, diagrams, and photos depicting key concepts.
Click here to access the Tree Risk Assessment Manual, Third Edition. For those registered for an upcoming ISA TRAQ program, a downloadable digital copy is included as part of the registration, with the option to acquire a print copy at a discounted rate. No discounts or refunds are provided for ISA TRAQ program registration for those who have previously purchased the Manual.