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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.
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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
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Figure 2. Tree #1, Deodar Cedar, Cedrus deodara, was measured at 30” DBH and was
improperly removed without a permit.
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Figure 3. The remaining 3 trees on the property are all in Fair to Good health. They are to
remain unharmed.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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Figure 4. Subsection 4-4-130-H1b Tree Credit Requirements.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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