Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33592010›Full record

SynthesisPloS one2021

Understanding tree failure-A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Marinus van Haaften, Yili Liu, Yuxin Wang, Yueyue Zhang, Cornelis Gardebroek, Wim Heijman, Miranda Meuwissen

Abstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in PloS one, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Tree failure - A natural phenomenon with forensic implications.Forensic science, medicine, and pathology · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Marinus van HaaftenAgricultural Economics and Rural Policy Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-4137-4530
Yili LiuInholland University of Applied Sciences, Domain Agri, Food and Life Sciences, Delft, The Netherlands.
Yuxin WangInholland University of Applied Sciences, Domain Agri, Food and Life Sciences, Delft, The Netherlands.
Yueyue ZhangInholland University of Applied Sciences, Domain Agri, Food and Life Sciences, Delft, The Netherlands.
Cornelis GardebroekAgricultural Economics and Rural Policy Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Wim HeijmanAgricultural Economics and Rural Policy Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Miranda MeuwissenBusiness Economics Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Recent research has indicated an increase in the likelihood and impact of tree failure. The potential for trees to fail relates to various biomechanical and physical factors. Strikingly, there seems to be an absence of tree risk assessment methods supported by observations, despite an increasing availability of variables and parameters measured by scientists, arborists and practitioners. Current urban tree risk assessments vary due to differences in experience, training, and personal opinions of assessors. This stresses the need for a more objective method to assess the hazardousness of urban trees. The aim of this study is to provide an overview of factors that influence tree failure including stem failure, root failure and branch failure. A systematic literature review according to the PRISMA guidelines has been performed in databases, supported by backward referencing: 161 articles were reviewed revealing 142 different factors which influenced tree failure. A meta-analysis of effect sizes and p-values was executed on those factors which were associated directly with any type of tree failure. Bayes Factor was calculated to assess the likelihood that the selected factors appear in case of tree failure. Publication bias was analysed visually by funnel plots and results by regression tests. The results provide evidence that the factors Height and Stem weight positively relate to stem failure, followed by Age, DBH, DBH squared times H, and Cubed DBH (DBH3) and Tree weight. Stem weight and Tree weight were found to relate positively to root failure. For branch failure no relating factors were found. We recommend that arborists collect further data on these factors. From this review it can further be concluded that there is no commonly shared understanding, model or function available that considers all factors which can explain the different types of tree failure. This complicates risk estimations that include the failure potential of urban trees.

Indexed as

ForestryModels, BiologicalTrees

Identifiers

PMID33592010
PMCPMC7886209

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.