Case Study: City of Kent, WA improves tree safety with Davey Resource Group resistance drilling inspection

City of Kent, WA lowers tree failure risk with Davey’s Level 3 inspection and 13 resistance drill tests

The City of Kent, Washington faced a challenge with a historic and leaning Deodar cedar tree in a local park. A visual assessment had rated it as high risk for trunk failure, threatening nearby roads and parked cars. To obtain a definitive analysis, the city engaged Davey, specifically its Davey Resource Group (DRG), to perform an advanced Level 3 tree risk assessment using resistance drilling technology.

Davey implemented a detailed inspection, drilling at 13 points around the tree to map decay and measure remaining wood strength. The data showed acceptable strength at critical locations, allowing DRG to downgrade the tree's risk rating to "Low" and deem trunk failure improbable within three years. Davey's solution provided the city with a clear retention plan, including annual visual inspections and a follow-up drill test in 2024, alongside long-term recommendations to improve park safety and tree health.

City of Kent, WA