Why is it impossible to maintain trees completely free of risk?

The reason that it is impossible to maintain trees completely free of risk is rooted in the fact that trees are living organisms. As such, they are subject to natural biological processes and environmental factors that can lead to the loss of branches or even entire trees. This includes phenomena such as seasonal leaf drop, branch failure due to weight or wind, and the natural aging process that can weaken structural integrity over time.

While maintenance, pest infestations, and soil conditions can certainly influence the overall health and stability of a tree, they do not capture the fundamental reality that all living organisms undergo change, which inherently carries some degree of risk. The biological nature of trees means that they will inevitably experience life-cycle events and environmental interactions that can affect their health and stability. Therefore, embracing the inherent risks associated with trees is essential in tree risk assessment, rather than striving for an unrealistic goal of eliminating all risk.