Tree tags identify inspected trees and guide safety work

Numbered plaques on trees show that they have been professionally inspected, ORF reports. Tree owners are legally required to have their trees checked regularly for safety.

Aeneas Knapp of the Austrian Federal Forests inspects up to 15,000 trees a year in Carinthia. The certified tree assessor works for municipalities, cities, property managers and private landowners, checking tree health and stability, possible risks to public safety or nearby buildings, and hazards such as dead wood or broken branches.

Each inspected tree receives its own identification number on a stainless-steel plaque. The nail holding it is driven only partway into the trunk, allowing the tree to grow without the plaque being swallowed by the wood.

Inspections are recorded in a digital tree register that is accessible only to the client. Clients also receive a list of necessary maintenance work and deadlines. Assessors coordinate access in advance when trees are in gated residential complexes or private gardens.

Villach also keeps a digital tree register. Newly planted trees receive plaques, and a city gardening department employee checks about 12,000 trees each year, prioritising places with more visitors. Trees near children’s playgrounds receive particular attention. The city says insurance claims related to tree damage have remained in the single digits for years.

Regular checks are intended to identify risks from falling branches or collapsing trees before damage occurs. Owners are responsible for their trees’ safety and may be liable for damage caused by inadequate inspection or maintenance.