- Branch or tree failure causing damage to property or injury.
- Increased pest or disease spread, especially in older or stressed trees (e.g., the stone pine situation in Rome).
- Higher future costs: corrective or emergency work often costs significantly more than proactive maintenance.
- Loss of canopy and tree value: Urban trees provide ecosystem services (shade, CO₂ absorption, aesthetics); once damaged or removed, the benefits are lost.
Why Leaving It Too Late Can Be Risky
