Understanding Uncertainty in the Residential Landscape Using a Pilot Tree Risk Perception Scale

Background Residential damage from trees results in millions of dollars in insurance claims each year. In turn, insurance carriers have been increasingly forcing homeowners to prune or remove their yard trees for risk mitigation. Reduction of risk may or may not occur; however, the removal of tree canopy reduces the ecosystem benefits provided by trees. Methods Our research employed a homeowner survey in the Southeastern United States to understand and describe influences on homeowners’ tree-related risk perceptions and subsequent decisions regarding their trees using a pilot tree risk perception scale. Results Most respondents and their neighbors were influenced by their insurance carrier to prune or remove trees. Higher levels of tree-related risk perception significantly correlated with trust and satisfaction in their insurance. Respondents who had local insurance agents and personal relationships with their agents were significantly more concerned about tree risk than others. Tree-related risk perception negatively correlated with average tree canopy cover in the participants’ zip code. Conclusions The study informs arborists and insurance carriers of the factors affecting homeowners’ tree-related risk perceptions and will therefore aid in policies and practices regarding mitigation and communication of the risks involved with privately owned trees. In the context of climate change, improved communication between these industries—both of which impact the community’s tree canopy—will become increasingly necessary to mitigate natural hazard-related risks to human health and safety while maintaining ecosystem services.