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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA_Arborist_Report_Clover Creek ISA Certified Consulting Arborists Page 1 of 12 19712 147th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 Office: 425-867-2307 Cell: 425-260-4293 Lic# MTREEMT870DO August 5, 2023 Client: Clover Creek HOA Location: 1115 N 27th Pl Renton, WA 98056 Parcel #164450-0070 Project Arborist: Anne M Morey ISA Certified Arborist PN-9302A ISA Qualified Tree Risk Assessor Scope of Work: I was asked to do a Level 2 risk assessment on several trees in the NGPA for hazards and asked to recommend long-term care for the trees retained in this report. Personal qualifications and levels of assessment: I have worked in the tree industry for over 20 years and have obtained my ISA Certifications for Arborist and Tree Risk Assessor. I used my experience in the field and preparing reports for municipalities throughout King, Snohomish and Pierce Counties to create this report/letter. There are three (3) levels of tree risk assessment Level 1: Visual Assessment; distant assessment of 1 or a group of trees to determine any obvious hazards and determine if other levels of assessment are necessary. Level 2: Basic Assessment; detailed visual inspection of a tree and its surrounding site using simple tools to acquire more information about the tree and any potential defects. Level 3: Advanced Assessment; these assessments are used to provide more detailed I information about specific tree parts, defects, targets, or site conditions. ISA Certified Consulting Arborists Page 2 of 12 19712 147th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 Office: 425-867-2307 Cell: 425-260-4293 Lic# MTREEMT870DO Site Observations: The Clover Creek community was established in 2003 and is located in the Kennydale neighborhood of Renton, WA. The trees in this report are located in a NGPA which sits it the middle of the community. There are two critical areas noted consisting of erosion hazard and steep slopes. The bigleaf maples in this report are all located behind the address indicated along the north slope of the NGPA. There is a noticeable decline with the bigleaf maples throughout this area. The remaining trees are located to the east of the address indicated, in a community park which is a mostly flat vegetative area with only a memorial park bench which sits directly next to the sidewalk. There are plenty of native plants and shrubs that surround the poplar and silver maples in this area however the soil is compacted and there are a significant number of exposed roots from all trees. Discussion: The parcel that the trees are actually on is #164450TRCT which is the tract next to the address and parcel noted above. I assessed a total of 9 trees, three (3) silver maples (acer saccharinum) located in the community park, one (1) poplar (populus nigra)also located in the community park, and five (5) bigleaf maple trees (acer macrophyllum) located directly behind parcel #164450-0070 in the sloped NGPA. ISA Certified Consulting Arborists Page 3 of 12 19712 147th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 Office: 425-867-2307 Cell: 425-260-4293 Lic# MTREEMT870DO The maps above show the trees locations and the critical areas per the King County iMaps page. The neighboring homes have dealt with other hazardous trees within the sloped area of the NGPA. The homeowner directly to the north and west of the NGPA has requested that the trees in this report be maintenance as recommended having the hazards addressed. The Trees: In the flat area of the NGPA, which sits directly west of Parcel #164450-0070, are three (3) silver maples that have several larger branches extending into the property. To help maintain clearance from roof access for critters and eliminate dead wood and hangers, minimal pruning per ANSI A300 standards is suggested. The root systems of these trees are exposed and causing damage, uplifting the driveway and sidewalk between 1 - 3 inches in some spots creating a tripping hazard. Filling and grinding the cement to smooth these areas out can help but due to proximity of the trees to the sidewalk and driveway, unfortunately, this will be an ongoing problem as the trees continue to grow and move. Root barriers may be installed along the driveway and sidewalk to help prevent continued damage, however, if the roots are larger than 4 – 6 inch in diameter this could impact the tree if not properly root pruned. ISA Certified Consulting Arborists Page 4 of 12 19712 147th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 Office: 425-867-2307 Cell: 425-260-4293 Lic# MTREEMT870DO Tree #2594 is the largest of the 3 in this group of trees causing the most damage but holding the majority of the canopy as the other 2 are suppressed with limited canopies. There are several past pruning cuts on this tree with good wound wood but there is ooze coming from one that overhangs the driveway, this should be monitored. As the other 2 have limited area to grow, they tend to grow directly towards the home and driveway. Trees 2593 and 2592 have several sharp-angle attached branches that stretch out over the driveway, fence and house. Risk assessments were performed on each one of these trees, all rating moderate and low hazards. Recommend trimming for clearance and end weight reduction as described above to help maintain clearance and eliminate hazards over the property. Also recommend installing a root barrier along the driveway and sidewalk which may call for root pruning. As long as roots are not 4 – 6 inch in diameter, root pruning can occur for root barrier installation. This shall be monitored by a certified arborist to ensure minimal impact to the trees. ISA Certified Consulting Arborists Page 5 of 12 19712 147th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 Office: 425-867-2307 Cell: 425-260-4293 Lic# MTREEMT870DO There is a Lombardy Poplar that sits in this flat area of the NGPA to the west of the parcel mentioned in this report and directly west of the three (3) silver maples. This tree has a very full and overall healthy canopy considering it is well over 20+ years old. There were several hangers in the canopy that should be removed to eliminate hazards. There is a seam from the root crown up to approximately 4’ that has some ooze and lots of epicormic growth which is typical of this species. The seam appears to be compartmentalizing well but should be monitored. If it progresses, I recommend some end weight reduction to help with load factors. As this is a mature tree in an area where other deciduous trees are in decline, I suggest removal of the hangers only and a bi-yearly monitor as well as after any major weather events to inspect the seam area particularly. A risk assessment was completed with a low rating. This whole area could use arborist mulch throughout to help with the compacted soil and exposed tree roots. Most all trees but especially most deciduous trees should be trimmed in winter when nesting and active growing seasons are over. ISA Certified Consulting Arborists Page 6 of 12 19712 147th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 Office: 425-867-2307 Cell: 425-260-4293 Lic# MTREEMT870DO ISA Certified Consulting Arborists Page 7 of 12 19712 147th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 Office: 425-867-2307 Cell: 425-260-4293 Lic# MTREEMT870DO The remaining five (5) trees in this report are bigleaf maples located along the slope behind the parcel mentioned in this report. Each tree noted has some dead parts that targets the properties. As access to these trees was limited, so was my assessment. However, these trees are all in decline and/or completely dead. As the parcel mentioned in this report sits directly north of these trees, with south/southwest prevailing winds the targets increase as do the risk. Trees #2959, 2961, 2962 and 2964 all have dead tops that could target the property during high winds. Tree #2965 is fully dead and sits well within striking distance of the parcel that neighbors parcel #164450-0070 to the west. This tree has 100% chance of failure with any failure that would occur on the north side ending up in the properties back yard/deck/house. A risk assessment was completed on tree 2965 with a high rating. Tree 2965 is recommended for full canopy reduction per Tree Care for Wildlife BMP’s. All material shall be left in the NGPA for habitat. Trees #2959, 2961, 2962 and 2964, only target limbs within canopies shall be removed, dead wood without targets must be left for wildlife. All work must be completed outside of nesting periods Mar-Sept. #2965 ISA Certified Consulting Arborists Page 8 of 12 19712 147th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 Office: 425-867-2307 Cell: 425-260-4293 Lic# MTREEMT870DO The table below lists the trees noted in the report. Below is a link to an ArborPro page which contains the specific detail and pictures of each tree inventoried. https://app.arborprousa.com/viewer/sCiHjn4RRZglXSEU (The link above: in the upper right corner click the gear icon for options on how to view the trees on the map. To view the tree ID #’s select Tree ID box and you can slide the threshold lines to the lowest setting. Feel free to contact me at the numbers below if you have any questions or need help accessing this link- Anne) #2965 #2964 #2962 #2965 #2962 #2962 #2961 #2959 295 ISA Certified Consulting Arborists Page 9 of 12 19712 147th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 Office: 425-867-2307 Cell: 425-260-4293 Lic# MTREEMT870DO Tree ID Common Botanical Tree Condition DBH Range Exact DBH Height Range # of Trunks Recommended Maintenance Notes 2958 Lombardy Poplar Populus nigra var. italica Good 30+39 60+1 Remove Hazards Hangers within canopy some overextended branches tree is reaching for sunlight growing out towards the Park area monitor with some weight reduction as needed 2959 Bigleaf Maple Acer macrophyllum Poor 19-24 0 31-45 2 Crown Reduction Tree is in Decline naturally retrenching suggest to reduce top with dead to eliminate hazard 2593 Silver Maple Acer saccharinum Fair 07-12 10 46-60 1 Trim For Clearance Abnormal bark exposed roots, frass on root crown root structure is uplifting soil cracking soil main stem leans out and reaches directly over property. Pruning for clearance would not be favorable 2592 Silver Maple Acer saccharinum Fair 00-03 1 46-60 1 Trim For Clearance Poor taper exposed root system damaged roots movement in soil cracking of soil abnormal bark signs of pests, if others are removed this will negatively impact this tree being closest to the house 2594 Silver Maple Acer saccharinum Fair 13-18 16 46-60 1 Trim For Clearance Severely exposed and girdled root system, movement is starting to crack and disturb soil. Uplifting, sidewalk and driveway. Elongated branches are majority of canopy pruning to clear would be impactiv 2965 Bigleaf Maple Acer macrophyllum Dead 25-30 0 31-45 1 Snag Fully dead tree reduced to snag 2960 Bigleaf Maple Acer macrophyllum Poor 19-24 0 31-45 1 Remove Hazards Remove one arm with dead tips that reaches out towards property retain the rest of the tree as is 2962 Bigleaf Maple Acer macrophyllum Poor 13-18 0 31-45 1 Crown Reduction Full Crown reduction on this tree remaining main stem has large crack lean towards Cabana 2961 Bigleaf Maple Acer macrophyllum Poor 19-24 0 31-45 1 Remove Hazards Remove one arm with dead tips that reaches out towards property retain the rest of the tree as is 2963 Bigleaf Maple Acer macrophyllum Poor 13-18 0 31-45 1 Crown Reduction Full Crown reduction on this tree remaining main stem has large crack lean towards Cabana 2964 Bigleaf Maple Acer macrophyllum Poor 19-24 0 31-45 1 Crown Reduction Reduce dieback top of crown to eliminate hazard ISA Certified Consulting Arborists Page 10 of 12 19712 147th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 Office: 425-867-2307 Cell: 425-260-4293 Lic# MTREEMT870DO Recommendations for maintenance on the trees in this report is shown in the tree table above. As the trees on this slope were inaccessible for this review detailed risk assessments were limited. All of these trees sit to the south of the target homes on the slope, with South/Southwest prevailing winds the percentage of “chance of failure into targets” increase. Following Tree Care for Wildlife BMP’s and Renton’s code for removals of trees in critical areas full crown reduction or snagging versus full removal is suggested under these circumstances. Attached are the ISA Basic Tree Risk Assessment Forms for each tree assessed. Thank you for the opportunity to help with your trees, please contact me if you have any further questions on this letter. Anne Marie Morey A & M Tree Service NW, Inc. President/Owner ISA Certified Arborist #PN-9302A ISA Qualified Tree Risk Assessor Office Voice Mail: 425-867-2307 Cell: 425-260-4293 Member of PNW and Western Chapters ISA ISA Certified Consulting Arborists Page 11 of 12 19712 147th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 Office: 425-867-2307 Cell: 425-260-4293 Lic# MTREEMT870DO Assumptions and Limiting Conditions 1) Any legal description provided to the A & M Tree Service NW, Inc. is assumed to be correct. Any titles and ownerships to any property are assumed to be good and marketable. No responsibility is assumed for matters legal in character. Any and all property is appraised or evaluated as though free and clear, under responsible ownership and competent management. 2) It is assumed that any property is not in violation of any applicable codes, ordinances, statutes, or other governmental regulations, unless otherwise stated. 3) Care has been taken to obtain all information from reliable sources. All data has been verified insofar as possible; however, A & M Tree Service NW, Inc. can neither guarantee nor be responsible for the accuracy of information. 4) A & M Tree Service NW, Inc. shall not be required to give testimony or to attend court by reason of this report unless subsequent contractual arrangements are made, including payment of an additional fee for such services as described in the fee schedule and contract of engagement. 5) Loss or alteration of any part of this report invalidated the entire report. 6) Possession of this report or a copy thereof does not imply right of publication or use for any purpose by any other than the person to whom it is addressed, without the prior expressed written or verbal consent of A & M Tree Service NW, Inc. 7) Neither all or any part of the contents of this report, nor copy thereof, shall be conveyed by anyone, including the client, to the public through advertising, public relations, news, sales or other media, without the prior expressed written or verbal consent of A & M Tree Service NW, Inc. -- particularly as to value conclusions, identity of A & M Tree Service NW, Inc., or any reference to any professional society or to any initialed designation conferred upon A & M Tree Service NW, Inc. as stated in its qualifications. 8) This report and any values expressed herein represent the opinion of A & M Tree Service NW, Inc., and the fee is in no way contingent upon the reporting of a specified value, a stipulated result, the occurrence neither of a subsequent event, nor upon any finding in to reported. 9) Sketches, diagrams, graphs, and photographs in this report, being intended as visual aids, are not necessarily to scale and should not be construed as engineering or architectural reports or surveys. 10) Unless expressed otherwise: 1) information contained in this report covers only those items that were examined and reflects the condition of those items at the time of inspection; and 2) the inspection is limited to visual examination of accessible items without dissection, excavation, probing, or coring. There is no warranty or guarantee, expressed or implied, that problems or deficiencies of the tree or other plant or property in question may not arise in the future. Note: Even healthy trees can fail under normal or storm conditions. The only way to eliminate all risk is to remove all trees within reach of all targets. Annual monitoring by an ISA Certified Arborist or Certified Forester will reduce the potential of tree failures. It is impossible to predict with certainty that a tree will stand or fail, or the timing of the failure. It is considered an ‘Act of God’ when a tree fails, unless it is directly felled or pushed over by man’s actions. ISA Certified Consulting Arborists Page 12 of 12 19712 147th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 Office: 425-867-2307 Cell: 425-260-4293 Lic# MTREEMT870DO Methods Measuring We measured the diameter of each tree at 54 inches above grade, diameter at standard height (DSH). If a tree had multiple stems. We measured each stem individually at standard height and determined a single‐stem equivalent diameter by using the method outlined in the city of Seattle Director’s Rule 16‐ 2008 or the Guide for Plant Appraisal, 10th Edition Second Printing published by the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers. A tree is regulated based on this single‐stem equivalent diameter value. Evaluating We evaluated tree health and structure utilizing visual tree assessment (VTA) methods. The basis behind VTA is the identification of symptoms, which the tree produces in reaction to a weak spot or area of mechanical stress. A tree reacts to mechanical and physiological stresses by growing more vigorously to re‐enforce weak areas, while depriving less stressed parts. An understanding of the uniform stress allows the arborist to make informed judgments about the condition of a tree. Rating When rating tree health, we took into consideration crown indicators such as foliar density, size, color, stem and shoot extensions. When rating tree structure, we evaluated the tree for form and structural defects, including past damage and decay. A & M Tree Service NW, Inc. has adapted our ratings based on the Purdue University Extension formula values for health condition (Purdue University Extension bulletin FNR‐ 473‐W ‐ Tree Appraisal). These values are a general representation used to assist arborists in assigning ratings. Excellent ‐ Perfect specimen with excellent form and vigor, well‐balanced crown. Normal to exceeding shoot length on new growth. Leaf size and color normal. Trunk is sound and solid. Root zone undisturbed. No apparent pest problems. Long safe useful life expectancy for the species. Good ‐ Imperfect canopy density in few parts of the tree, up to 10% of the canopy. Normal to less than ¾ typical growth rate of shoots and minor deficiency in typical leaf development. Few pest issues or damage, and if they exist, they are controllable, or tree is reacting appropriately. Normal branch and stem development with healthy growth. Safe useful life expectancy typical for the species. Fair ‐ Crown decline and dieback up to 30% of the canopy. Leaf color is somewhat chlorotic/necrotic with smaller leaves and “off” coloration. Shoot extensions indicate some stunting and stressed growing conditions. Stress cone crop clearly visible. Obvious signs of pest problems contributing to lesser condition, control might be possible. Some decay areas found in main stem and branches. Below average safe useful life expectancy Poor ‐ Lacking full crown, more than 50% decline and dieback, especially affecting larger branches. Stunting of shoots is obvious with little evidence of growth on smaller stems. Leaf size and color reveals overall stress in the plant. Insect or disease infestation may be severe and uncontrollable. Extensive decay or hollows in branches and trunk. Short safe useful life expectancy