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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTree Assessment1 Rochelle Nguyen Level 1 Tree Assessment Prepared For: Rochelle Nguyen 1409 Union Ave NE Renton, WA 98059 Prepared By: Ryan Seeley ISA Certified Arborist PN-8096AT ISA Certified Climber Specialist ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified Date: March 28, 2023 Contents: Introduction Summary Findings and Recommendations Introduction As requested by Rochelle Nguyen, I visited the property on March 28, 2023. I provided an assessment of the trees located at 1409 Union Ave NE Renton, WA 98059 to discuss a violation by the City of Renton for a landmark tree being removed on the property without a proper permit. Summary I was contacted by Rochelle Nguyen to report the measurements, health, and condition of the remaining trees on the property as well as an assessment of the trees that were removed. Findings and Recommendations On the property of 1409 Union Ave NE Renton, WA 98059 there are 3 landmark trees remaining on the property that are to remain. 2 habitat snags were left from the 2 trees that were removed. The full health assessment of the trees on the property are explained in further detail on page 6. 2 Figure 1. Map is marked as follows: RED – Trees that were removed and left as habitat snags GREEN- Trees that are to remain unharmed on the property 3 Figure 2. Tree #1, Deodar Cedar, Cedrus deodara, was measured at 30” DBH and was improperly removed without a permit. 4 Figure 3. The remaining 3 trees on the property are all in Fair to Good health. They are to remain unharmed. 5 Rochelle Nguyen, Level 2 Risk Assessment/Inventory Prepared For: Rochelle Nguyen 1409 Union Ave NE Renton, WA 98059 Prepared By: Ryan Seeley ISA Certified Arborist PN-8096AT ISA Certified Climber Specialist ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified Date: March 28, 2023 Attachments: Tree Matrix with Comments and Action Item Waiver of Liability Contents: Introduction Findings and Recommendations Retention Calculations Glossary Introduction As requested by Rochelle Nguyen, I provided an assessment and inventory of the trees located at 1409 Union Ave NE Renton, WA 98059. I was onsite on March 28, 2023, to measure and assess the conditions of the trees and to create a tree matrix to include comments and action items for each tree in this stand. (Matrix provided on page 6). 6 Findings and Recommendations Trees inventoried on the property of 1409 Union Ave NE Renton, WA 98059 are as follows: 1 Deodar Cedar, Cedrus deodara 1 Douglas Fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii 1 Black Willow, Salix nigra 1 Silver Poplar, Populus alba 1 Pacific Dogwood, Cornus nuttallii Rochelle Nguyen – (1409 Union Ave NE) DATE 3/28/2023 Tree # Botanical Name Common Name DBH Vigor Structure Comments/Action Item 1 Cedrus deodara Deodar Cedar 30” Poor Poor *Violation* Removed and left as a snag at approximately 20ft 2 Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas Fir 25” Poor Poor Removed and left as snag at approximately 20ft 3 Salix nigra Black Willow 32” Fair Fair Retain and monitor. 4 Populus alba Silver Poplar 41” Good Fair Retain and monitor. 5 Cornus nuttallii Pacific Dogwood 25” Good Good Retain and monitor. 7 Retention Calculations With the preservation of trees 3, 4 and 5 Mrs. Nguyen has a total of 34 retention credits on her lot. However, RMC 4-4-130-J4b VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES states under Tree Replacement Quantity: For each tree that was improperly cut and/or removed in violation of this Section, replacement planting shall occur at a rate based on the credit value of the tree(s) removed pursuant to the table shown in subsection H1b of this Section. Tree # Botanical Name Common Name DBH Tree Credits 1 Cedrus deodara Deodar Cedar 30” -11 2 Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas Fir 25” -10 Total Credits - - - -21 Replacement trees must meet City or Renton’s Tree Replacement Standards outlined in s “The Administrator shall have the authority to approve, deny, or restrict the tree species for proposed replacement trees. Replacement trees shall be planted with a minimum size of two-inch (2") caliper, or evergreen trees with a minimum size of six feet (6') tall. The City may require a bond to ensure the survival of replacement trees.” This would require Mrs. Nguyen to add 21 credits to her property using a combination of newly planted species as shown in Figure 4 on page 8 in combination with a Fee in Lieu as there is not adequate room to plant a minimum of 11 large species trees on the property. 4-4-130-J4e Tree Replacement Fee in Lieu: If the Administrator determines that it is infeasible to replace trees on the site, payment into the City’s Urban Forestry Program fund may be approved in an amount of money approximating the current market value of the replacement trees and the labor to install them. The City shall determine the value of replacement trees. 8 Figure 4. Subsection 4-4-130-H1b Tree Credit Requirements. 9 Glossary Arborist: A person possessing the technical competence through experience and related training to provide for or supervise the management of trees or other woody plants in a landscape setting. Basic Level 2 Risk Assessment: A detailed visual inspection of a tree and its surrounding site and a synthesis of the information collected. Canopy/crown: Upper part of a tree bearing foliage, limbs, and branches, measured from the lowest branch including all branches and foliage. Codominant Stem: A structurally unstable branch union often associated with a high risk of failure. A term used to describe two or more main stems (or "leaders") that are about the same diameter and emerge from the same location on the main trunk. Crown Cleaning: In pruning, the selective removal of dead, dying, diseased and broken branches from the tree crown. Diameter at Breast Height (DBH): A standard measurement of a tree most often taken at 4.5 feet from the base of the tree; however, this can vary depending if the tree has multiple trunks or is growing on a slope. Hazard Tree: A tree that meets all the following criteria: a. Has a combination of structural defects and/or disease which makes it subject to a high probability of failure; b. Is in proximity to moderate to high frequency targets (persons or property that can be damaged by tree failure); and c. The hazard condition of the tree cannot be lessened with reasonable and proper arboricultural practices nor can the target be removed. Live Crown Ratio: The ratio of the size of a tree's live crown to its total height. Used in estimating a tree’s health and its level of competition with neighboring trees. Mechanical Damage: Trees are often wounded by careless use of yard equipment like mowers, weed whackers, and other trimming equipment. These injuries cut through important vascular tissue just inside the bark that can lead to decay and ultimately death of the tree. A ring of natural mulch or arborist wood chips around the tree eliminates the need to trim or mow close to the tree's base. Extreme care should be taken when digging up or tilling the soil under a tree. Many large and small roots will be cut by such digging, especially if it occurs close to the trunk. 10 Monitor: It is important to monitor mature trees on a regular schedule, at least once a year. Monitoring would include a Visual Tree Assessment to look for changes in habit and structure, and to document signs of weakness or decline in health and integrity of the trees. Options for Mitigation of Risk Trees: • Remove the risk altogether, if possible, by cutting off one or more branches, removing dead wood, or possibly removing the entire tree. Extreme risk situations should be closed off until the risk is abated. • Modify the risk of failure probability. In some cases, it may be possible to reduce the probability of failure by adding mechanical support in the form of cables braces or props. • Modify the risk rating by moving the target. Risk ratings can sometimes be lowered by moving the target so that there is a much lower probability of the defective part striking anything. Moving the target should generally be seen as an interim measure. • Retain and monitor. This approach is used where some defects have been noted but they are not yet serious and the present risk level is only moderate. • Convert those trees slated for removal into Wildlife Habitat Snags. Reduce the overall height of the tree using natural fracture pruning techniques to heights relative to the targets. Pruning: Selective removal of woody plant parts of any size, using saws, pruners, clippers, or other pruning tools. The reason for tree pruning may include, but is not limited to, reducing risk, managing tree health and structure and/or improving aesthetics or achieving other specific objectives. Pruning objectives should include pruning out all dead, diseased, weak and/or broken branches in all tree canopies, and crown cleaning. Snag or Habitat Snag: A standing, dead or dying tree, often missing a top or most of the smaller branches important for wildlife in both natural and landscaped settings, occurring as a result of disease, lightning, fire, animal damage, too much shade, drought, root competition, or old age. May also be a component in slope stability and ongoing vegetation management practices. Threshold for Risk: Each individual is entitled to and can determine his or the own threshold for risk. Threshold for risk is subjective, and can be influenced by a person’s view, taste or opinion. Topping: Topping is the indiscriminate cutting of tree branches to stubs or to lateral branches that are not large enough to assume the terminal role. Other names for topping include “heading,” “tipping,” “hat-racking,” and “rounding over.” Topping is not a viable method of height reduction and does not reduce future risk. In fact, topping will increase risk in the long term. Topping is not considered an acceptable arboriculture practice. Urban Forestry: Management of naturally occurring and planted trees in urban areas. 11 Vigor: Overall health; the capacity to grow and resist physiological stress. • Good: Shoot growth, leaf size and leaf color are typical of the tree age and species. • Fair: Shoot growth, leaf size, and leaf color are below average for the tree age and species. Some deadwood is evident in the crown. Treatment may be required to foster improved future growth. • Poor: Shoot growth, leaf size, and leaf color are highly stunted, and there is a significant number of dead twigs and branches in the crown. 12 Waiver of Liability There are many conditions affecting a tree’s health and stability which may be present but cannot be ascertained such as root rot, previous or unexposed construction damage, internal cracks, stem rot and more. Changes in circumstances and conditions can also cause a rapid deterioration of a tree’s health and stability. Adverse weather conditions can dramatically affect the health and safety of a tree in a very short amount of time. While I have used every reasonable means to examine this plant, this evaluation represents my opinion of the tree health at this point in time. These findings do not guarantee future safety nor are they predictions of future events. The tree evaluation consists of an external visual inspection of an individual tree’s root flare, trunk, and canopy from the ground only, unless otherwise specified. The inspection may also consist of taking trunk or root soundings for sound comparisons to aid the evaluator in determining the possible extent of decay within a tree. Soundings are only an aid to the evaluation process and do not replace the use of other more sophisticated diagnostic tools for determining the extent of decay within a tree. As conditions change, it is the responsibility of the property owners to schedule additional site visits by the ISA Certified Arborist. It is the responsibility of the property owner to obtain all required permits from city, county, state, or federal agencies. It is the responsibility of the property owner to comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and permit conditions. If there is a homeowner’s association, it is the responsibility of the property owner to comply with all Codes, Covenants, and Restrictions (CC&R’s) that apply to tree pruning and tree removal. This tree evaluation is to be used to inform and guide the client in the management of their trees. This in no way implies that the evaluator is responsible for performing recommended actions or using other methods or tools to further determine the extent of internal tree problems without written authorization from the client. Furthermore, the evaluator in no way holds that the opinions and recommendations are the only actions required to ensure that the tree will not fail. A second opinion is recommended. The client shall hold the evaluator harmless for any and all injuries or damages incurred if the evaluator’s recommendations are not followed or for acts of nature beyond the evaluator’s reasonable expectations, such as severe winds, excessive rains, heavy snow loads, etc. This report and all attachments, enclosures, and references are confidential and are for the use of the client concerned. They may not be reproduced, used in any way, or disseminated in any form without the prior consent of the client concerned and ISA Certified Arborist Ryan Seeley. Thank you for allowing me to be of service. Please contact me with any questions or concerns. Sincerely, Ryan Seeley (253)-266-5665 ISA Certified Arborist PN-8096AT ISA Certified Tree Worker Climber Specialist ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified