HomeMy WebLinkAboutTR_Arborist Report ISA Certified Consulting Arborists
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19712 147th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 Office: 425-867-2307 Cell: 425-260-4293
Lic# MTREEMT870DO
May 3, 2024
Client: Michelle Bentz
Location: 16122 128th Ave SE
Renton, WA 98058
Parcel # 143280-0390
Project Arborist: Anne M Morey
ISA Certified Arborist PN-9302A
ISA Qualified Tree Risk Assessor
Scope of Work:
To complete a Level 2 hazard assessment to comply with City of Renton Municipal Codes for hazard
tree removal.
Personal qualifications and levels of assessment:
I have worked in the tree industry for over 20 years and have obtained my Certifications for Arborist
and Tree Risk Assessor through the International Society of Arboriculture. 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
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19712 147th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 Office: 425-867-2307 Cell: 425-260-4293
Lic# MTREEMT870DO
Site Observations:
This is a 7,678 SQFT lot located in the Cascade neighborhood of Renton Washington. The house was
originally built in 1961 and graded average condition in King County iMaps Parcel Viewer
Information. This property has a small area of mature trees that run north to south behind several
houses in this area. One of the few areas with mature trees in this neighborhood. This large Douglas
fir sits to the west and south of the house just outside of the other trees that makeup this area of
trees.
Discussion:
To comply with RMC 4-9-195 Routine Vegetation Management Permit Process, I completed the
ISA Basic Tree Risk Assessment form for the Pseudotsuga menziesii resulting in a high-risk rating.
I’ve also completed the Tree Retention and Credit Worksheet showing that for this property a total of
5 tree credits are required based off 7678 sqft lot. After completing this worksheet and based off the
inventory of trees 12” DBH and larger there are currently a total of 48 tree credits after removal of
this hazardous tree and no replacement trees required.
Doug Fir to
remove
ISA Certified Consulting Arborists
Page 3 of 7
19712 147th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 Office: 425-867-2307 Cell: 425-260-4293
Lic# MTREEMT870DO
Mrs. Bentz contacted me in regards to ongoing damage to her house due to a large Douglas fir that
sits approximately 12’ from the south side of her home. She expressed concerns over damage from
the root system lifting the fence, path and most the area under the trees dripline. The neighboring
home is just outside the dripline of the tree and has also experienced some damage due to branch
failure.
Mrs. Bentz has been in the home since 1995 and has cared for the tree over the years. Recently the
tree hasn’t looked the same and has reportedly been dropping more branches than usual. This is
often a sign of decline. There were past branch failures stacked with other vegetative material at the
base of the tree making it difficult to properly assess root crown. The walkway was lifting
considerably with large cracks creating tripping hazards.
The tree has a noticeable bare area on the north side of the canopy, can’t tell if it was trimmed of this
is due to natural branch failure. It is very obvious. Just below this area is obvious sap sucker
activity, hard to determine severity but noticeable from the ground. There are past branch failures
just below and around this area.
The tree has elongated branch growth over the house and chimney with some of these branches
extending both north and south below and above this bare area.
The Tree:
ISA Certified Consulting Arborists
Page 4 of 7
19712 147th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 Office: 425-867-2307 Cell: 425-260-4293
Lic# MTREEMT870DO
ISA Certified Consulting Arborists
Page 5 of 7
19712 147th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 Office: 425-867-2307 Cell: 425-260-4293
Lic# MTREEMT870DO
This is the link to the inventory through our ArborPro program that shows the tree mentioned in
this report. https://app.arborprousa.com/viewer/AgTFBgzyo9BHvC1b
When you open this link, go to the top right corner and click on the gear icon. A layer management box
will open that show “Points” an eye icon then 3 dots. Click on the 3 dots and click open settings. Choose
“Label Layer Settings” scroll down and move all scale lines all the way to the left except the Label
Opacity or you won’t be able to see what field you want to see. Scroll down further and choose Tree ID
and hit submit. The map should reappear, if no identifying numbers are visible, zoom out and in to get
them to show.
Recommendation:
Due to the high hazard rating with the targets described in this report and the declining health, it is
my professional opinion that the Douglas fir tree should be removed.
As there are other significant trees on the property no replacement trees are necessary.
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
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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
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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