HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibit 2_Anne Thayer Email_20170823_v1From: Anne Thayer
Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2017 9:23 AM
To: Alex Morganroth
Cc: Terrence J. Flatley
Subject: RE: Routine Vegetation Management Permit - 4108 NE 22nd Pl.
Hi Alex,
The following is a general statement regarding retaining trees for hardscape repairs, followed by some
links. There are certainly more links available online.
Once pavement is installed over a tree's roots, the tree loses some of its ability to get water and air,
since most pavement is nonporous and will seal the roots away from the aeration and rainfall the tree
needs. In addition, the tree roots are liable to push up the pavement as they grow, resulting in damage
to driveway. The roots may also cause a tripping hazard as they push through the pavement. Once the
tree becomes less healthy, it may blow over in a windstorm, or the tree may simply die from its inability
to get water and air.
If you can get by just cutting one or two roots, neatly cutting them with a hand saw helps them heal
properly. It is recommended that buttress roots not be cut closer to the trunk than a distance equal to
three times the trunk diameter (DBH). If they need to be severed closer than 1.5 times trunk diameter,
tree removal should be considered since it is very likely that tree stability will be affected at this
distance, depending on tree species and condition. When reinstalling the pavement next to a root cut
tree, allow space for callus and trunk diameter growth. Installation of a root barrier or root excluding
base (foam board or washed gravel) should also be considered under the new pavement to avoid
reoccurrence of the problem.. Cutting multiple roots of the tree is not an option, since the health of the
tree will likely decline and the tree may become structurally unstable.
Pavers offer a beautiful option in place of concrete or tar paving since they do not show cracks from
roots invading the pavement. Pavers allow water and nutrients to reach the roots. If the roots continue
to grow, it's easy to lift the pavers and regrade the area. Another option includes the use of permeable
paving, also known as permeable concrete. Permeable paving offers an effective way to allow water and
air to seep into the ground around the roots of your tree. Another advantage to permeable paving
includes its ability to collect rainwater while reducing stormwater runoff and erosion.
Replacing concrete with interlocking paver blocks or rubber pavers. This alternative will not slow
pavement lifting, but will allow for a smoother transition and the removal of blocks that have lifted too
high. Pavers are installed by removing the concrete and base materials above the roots and removing
the soil between the roots if needed using a supersonic air excavation tool, installing a new sub-base of
coarse sand or pea gravel, leveling and compacting the sub-base slightly above the existing roots, install
a geotextile fabric (e.g. Typar 3341) on top of the base, then installing and compacting a coarse sand
base layer, and finally installing the pavers. Paver joints should not be mortared.
Here are a few links to alternatives for hardscape repair around tree roots:
Rubber is an alternative product to concrete or asphalt.
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/rubber.shtml
www.rubbersidewalks.com/
Porous pavement allows air and nutrients to get to the tree roots
Use of Geotextile products
http://www.typargeotextiles.com/paved.html
Polymer as a repair for areas in driveway
http://www.pavement-repair-products.com/fastpatch-dpr-asphalt-repair-c-34.html
Using reinforcements in concrete reduces heaving from roots and weather related heaving
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/reinforced-concrete.shtml
Expansion joints and ramping over roots
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/443054
This is a must have for maintaining our Urban Forest:
Tree Protection on Construction & Development Sites (OSU)
http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/13729/EM8994.pdf?sequence=5
Please feel free to contact me if I can be of further assistance at 425-430-6698.
Anne Thayer
Contract Arborist Inspector
Davey Resource Group for City of Renton
From: Alex Morganroth
Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2017 4:22 PM
To: Anne Thayer
Subject: RE: Routine Vegetation Management Permit - 4108 NE 22nd Pl.
Great, thanks Anne!
Alex
Alex Morganroth, Associate Planner
City of Renton | CED | Planning Division
1055 S Grady Way | 6th Floor | Renton, WA 98057
(425) 430-7219 | amorganroth@rentonwa.gov
From: Anne Thayer
Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2017 4:17 PM
To: Alex Morganroth <AMorganroth@Rentonwa.gov>
Subject: RE: Routine Vegetation Management Permit - 4108 NE 22nd Pl.
Alex,
I will get a list together for you first thing tomorrow morning.