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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEx06_Updated_Arborist_ReportKennydale 320 Reservoir Arborist Notes Urban Forestry Services, Inc. April 2, 2018 Page 1 of 3 FIELD NOTES SITE: Kennydale 320 Zone Reservoir Project VISIT DATE: March 14, 2018 ATTENDING: Eric Ott, City of Renton; Marshall Meyer, MurraySmith DATE: April 2, 2018 BY: Christina Pfeiffer ISA Certified Arborist #PN-0124A, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified Anna Heckman ISA Board Certified Master Arborist #PN-6153B, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified SCOPE: Review root zone protection and root pruning along the west side of the project area. 1. Site grading and tree root zone protection at the west side of the project area Recent grading work stripped the sod and soil from the upper few inches of ground along the west edge of the project site. There is a grove of mature conifers mixed with some smaller deciduous trees on the adjacent property that are within proximity to the property line. Observing these trees looking through the fence from the project site, we noted Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menzeisii), coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), Alaska yellow cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis), and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica). From this one-sided view, all the trees appear to be in good health. At least four of the conifers appear to be at least 30-inches in diameter. This group of mature trees provides significant screening benefits. Within the recently graded area, we observed some damage and severing of roots 2-inches or more in diameter that originate from the trees on the adjacent property. Recommendations Provide Critical Root Zone (CRZ) protection for the large trees on the adjacent property to the west:  Protection of the ground over an area extending 25-feet east from the fence should provide adequate CRZ protection for the larger diameter coast redwood trees located on the adjacent property (Photo 1, Figure 1.  No further grading or significant grade changes should occur within this zone. EXHIBIT 6 DocuSign Envelope ID: EBD590F4-4493-4D53-B777-F51C36D33E6E Kennydale 320 Reservoir Arborist Notes Urban Forestry Services, Inc. April 2, 2018 Page 2 of 3 Photo 1. Mature trees on the adjacent property provide significant screening. View is looking west. The circle indicates the general area for the 25-foot wide CRZ area to protect for these trees. Photo 2. Cleanly prune damaged ends of severed roots larger than 2-inch diameter. Photo 2. Make clean cuts to repair damaged ends of roots over 2-inches in diameter.  Utilize construction options to build up from the existing grade to install new pavement, keeping the base grade layer shallow (IE: up to 4-inches gravel). Do not excavate into the existing grade.  Utilize trenchless construction, such as boring, hand digging, or the careful use of an air spade, for the installation of underground utilities that pass through the CRZ area where large diameter roots are present. The goal is to keep the larger diameter roots and their bark covering intact.  Root pruning should be conducted to make clean cuts to any severed roots that are 2-inches or greater in diameter to promote replacement growth (Photo 2). Immediately cover the pruned roots with existing soil from the site.  Any areas within the CRZ area that will not be paved should be covered with a 4-inch depth of arborist wood chip mulch (or material that meets the WSDOT wood chip mulch specification).  Provisions for supplemental irrigation may be needed over this next summer in event of prolonged drought or heat conditions. 2. Considerations for the walnut tree near the reservoir tower construction. This tree has been identified for removal due to its proximity to the limits of construction. There has been some community interest in the potential to preserve this tree. During our field meeting, we discussed potential options for minor adjustments that may improve the potential for retaining this tree. Due to the placement of the construction fencing, we were only able to view one side of the tree. From the previous UFS, Inc. tree assessment done for this site in fall of 2017, this tree was noted to have an old injury with basal decay behind the new wood that has grown around it. As such, this specimen doesn't merit extensive efforts to retain. However, it may be reasonable to consider retaining it if that does not result in extensive cost or effort, and with the understanding of the tree's current defects. DocuSign Envelope ID: EBD590F4-4493-4D53-B777-F51C36D33E6E Kennydale 320 Reservoir Arborist Notes Urban Forestry Services, Inc. April 2, 2018 Page 3 of 3 Figure 1. The green outline indicates the approximate location of the trees on the adjacent property. The red outline indicates the overall CRZ area to protect for the entire group of trees , extending 25-feet from the property line fence. Walnut tree 4 Alaska yellow cedar 4 Coast redwood 2 Douglas fir 1 Green ash DocuSign Envelope ID: EBD590F4-4493-4D53-B777-F51C36D33E6E