Factors driving professional and public urban tree risk perception

摘要

Urban tree risk assessment and mitigation is a process that is strongly influenced by professional experience, risk perception, and risk tolerance. While arborists and other tree risk assessors document all of the risk factors they see in an effort to provide their clients a comprehensive assessment of a tree and its surroundings, the homeowner or property manager ultimately determines what mitigation measures are adopted. Using photographed urban tree scenarios and conjoint analysis, we assessed the level in which seven commonly taught risk factors related to target, likelihood of failure, and consequences of failure contributed to risk ratings given by non-professionals, professionals, and advanced professionals. While risk ratings from all three respondent groups were influenced by the presence and severity of a tree defect and proximity to target, defect severity accounted for approximately half of the risk rating decision (48.5-55.3%). Some risk factors (e.g., tree size, tree species) had little influence on risk ratings. Findings from this research highlight the need to educate both the public and tree care professionals regarding the importance of risk factors beyond tree condition. (C) 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.