HomeMy WebLinkAboutArborist ReportCreative Landscape Solutions
850 & 870 Monroe Ave NE, Renton 1
July 17, 2016
Jamie Waltier
Chris Burrus
Harbour Homes
1441 N. 34th Street, Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98103
Site: 850 & 870 Monroe Ave NE
Renton, Ave
TPN: 0923059117 & 0923059116 Square feet: 107,157 Dear Jamie:
Thank you for requesting my services. On April 26th, 2016, I visited the site located above in Renton, WA to perform a Visual Risk Assessment (VRA) for all significant trees onsite as well as, those offsite
trees with driplines that might extend over the site. The information gathered is included in this report
and is a necessary part to be included with the proposal to short plat.
In summary:
Tree Calculations
Total number of trees 57 Trees
Total number of exempt trees (ROW + Non-viable) 32 Trees
Total number of viable trees 25 Trees
Total number of trees removed for construction 16 Trees
Total number of retained trees 9 Trees
Required 30% retention 25 X 30%= 7.5 Trees
I have included a detailed report of my findings. If you have any questions please call me. I can be
reached on my cell phone: 425.890.3808 or by email: sprince202@aol.com.
Warm regards,
Susan Prince
Creative Landscape Solutions
ISA Certified Arborist: PN #1418A
TRACE Certified Arborist: #418
17518 NE 119th Way
Redmond, WA 98052
* Per city of Renton Municipal Code, a significant tree is one whose Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) is 6” or greater
Creative Landscape Solutions
850 & 870 Monroe Ave NE, Renton 2
Personal qualifications, scope of work and methodology
My examination was limited to a visual one, and did not involve any root excavation, trunk or limb coring,
or any soil testing. To evaluate the trees and prepare the report, I drew on my formal college education
in botany, preparation and training used to obtain my ISA certification in addition to my certification as a
Tree Risk Assessor. I have been an ISA Certified Arborist for over fifteen years and have been
TRACE/TRAQ certified for four years.
I followed protocol delineated by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) for Visual Risk
Assessment (VRA). By doing so, I am examining each tree independently as well as collectively as groups
or stands of trees provide stability and can lower risk of independent tree failure. This scientific process
examines tree health (e.g. size, vigor, insect and disease process) as well as site conditions (soil moisture and composition, amount of impervious surfaces surrounding the tree etc.) Introduction:
Identifying and managing the risks associated with trees is still largely a subjective process. Since the
exact nature of tree failures remains largely unknown, our ability as scientists and arborists to predict which trees will fail and in what fashion remains limited. As currently practiced, the science of hazard
tree evaluation involves examining a tree for structural defects, including genetic problems, those caused
by the local environmental that the tree grows in and those attributed to man (pruning etc.).
The assessment process involves evaluating three components: 1) a tree with the potential to fail, 2) an
environment that may contribute to that failure, and 3) a person or object that would be injured or
damaged (the target). By definition a defective tree cannot be considered hazardous without the
presence of a target.
All trees have a finite life-span though it is not pre-programmed internally in the same manner as annual
plantings. As trees age they are less able to compartmentalize structural damage following injury from
insects, disease or pruning. Trees in urban settings have a shorter life span than trees grown in an
undisturbed habitat. Different species of trees grow differently. Evergreen trees have a “reputation” of growing slowly and defensively. These trees allocate a high proportion of their resources to defending themselves from
pathogens, parasites and wounds. As a rule, trees with this type of growth tend to be long lived. Though
like all other living things, they have a fairly predictable life span. Examples of this type of tree include
the northwest Pseudotsuga menziesii - Douglas fir, and Thuja plicata - Western red cedar.
Deciduous trees are trees that annually shed leaves or needles. These trees have a tendency to grow
quickly and try to “outgrow” problems associated with insects, disease and wounds. They allocate a
relatively small portion of their internal resources to defense and rely instead upon an ability to grow
more quickly than the pathogens which infect them. However, as these trees age, their growth rate
declines and the normal problems associated with decay begins to catch up and compromise the tree’s
structural integrity. Examples of this type of tree include Salix, Populus and Alnus.
Knowledge of the growth and failure patterns of individual tree species is critical to effective hazard
analysis. Species vary widely in their rates of failure. The hazard tree evaluation rating system used by most arborists was developed by the Colorado Urban Forest Council and recognizes this variation in species failure and includes a species component as part of the overall hazard evaluation.
Site Observations:
The site is located South of NE 10th Street immediately off Monroe Ave NE
Method’s used to determine tree location and tree health:
Trees were identified previously by numbered aluminum tags attached to the western side of the tree. All
of the trees on site were examined using the Matheny and Clark1 criteria for determining the potential
hazard of trees in an urban environment as well as the Tree Risk Assessment in Urban Areas and The
Urban/Rural Interface by Julian Dunster2. Tree diameters were measured at DSH (diameter standard
height – 4.5’ above ground) using a logger’s tape. Tree driplines were measured using a PRO Laser
RangefinderTM.
Creative Landscape Solutions
850 & 870 Monroe Ave NE, Renton 3
Spreadsheet Legend:
1. Tree tag #: Numbered aluminum tags attached to the trees in the field*1
2. Species: The Latin and common name five a tree
3. Species: Species ID: Spreadsheet contains common names of trees which correspond to scientific
names as follows:
• Apple: Malus sp.
• American sycamore: Plantanus
occidentalis
• Austrian pine: Pinus nigra
• Bigleaf maple: Acer macrophyllum • Birch: Betula nigra • Bitter Cherry: Prunus emarginata • Blue atlas cedar: Cedrus atlantica
‘Glauca’
• Cedar: Thuja plicata • Cherry: Prunus sp.
• Dawn redwood: Chamaecyparis
nootkatensis
• Deodora cedar: Cedrus deodara
• Colorado blue spruce: Picea pungens
• Cottonwood: Populus trichocarpa
• Dogwood: Cornus nuttallii
• Douglas fir: Pseudotsuga menziesii
• English laurel: Prunus laurocerasus
• Filbert: Corylus avellana var.
• Grand fir: Abies grandis
• Hemlock: Tsuga hetrophylla
• Holly: Ilex aquifolium
• Japanese maple: Acer palmatum
• Leylandii cypress: Cupressocyparis leylandii • Lodgepole pine: Pinus contorta • Mountain ash: Sorbus americana
• Nobel fir: Abies procera
• Pear: Pyrus sp. • Plum: Prunus
• Red Alder: Alnus rubra
• Red maple: Acer rubrum
• Walnut: Juglans sp.
• Western red cedar: Thuja plicata
• Weeping Alaska cedar: Metasequoia
glyptostrobides
• White fir: Abies concolor
• White pine: Pinus strobus
4. DBH: Diameter of the tree measured at 42” above grade
5. Adjusted Diameter of the tree: Calculated equivalent for multi-stemmed tree
6. Dripline Radius: Measurement in feet of the tree canopy from tree trunk to outermost branch tip
7. Health: A measurement of overall tree vigor and vitality rated as excellent, good, and fair or poor
based on an assessment of crown density, leaf color and size, active callusing, shoot growth
rate, extent of crown dieback, cambium layer health, and tree age
• Excellent: Tree is an ideal specimen for the species with no obvious flaws
• Good: Tree has minimal structural or situational defects
• OK: Tree has minimal structural defects AND minimal environmental concerns
• Fair: Tree has structural or health issues that predispose it to failure if further stressed
• Poor: Tree has significant structural and/or health issues. It is exempt from total tree count.
8. Defects/Concerns: A measure of the tree’s structural stability and failure potential and rated as
good, fair or poor based on assessment of specific structural features, eg., decay, conks, co-
dominant trunks, included bark, abnormal lean, one-sided canopy, history of failure, prior
construction impact, pruning history, etc..
9. Proposed action:
• Retain
• Remove due to viability
• Remove due to planned development (tree is otherwise healthy)
10. Limits of disturbance: The area surrounding the tree that defines the area that surrounds the
trunk that cannot be encroached upon during construction. This may be a multiple of the trunk
diameter (1 -1.5 times the trunk diameter converted to feet.) or it may be related to the width
of the canopy. It is always determined by tree species and environment and is up to the discretion of the ISA Certified Arborist to determine
11. Value: The value the municipality assigns a tree with the specific DBH, species or location of the assessed tree
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850 & 870 Monroe Ave NE, Renton 4
Specific Tree Observations:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
#
Tree
Tag
#
Species ID DBH inches
Adj.
DBH
inches
Drip-
line Radius
feet
Health Defects/Comments
Proposed Action CRZ/TPZ/LOD
Radius in feet Retain Non- viable Exempt Removed N W E S
1 913 Cherry 9, 6,
5, 6 13.5 7 OK
Co-dominant leaders with
included bark x4 @ 3',
typical of species, column of
decay, cavity @ root crown
to 3' on north
1 7 7 7 7
2 914 Madrona 12 12 19 OK
Typical of species, column of
decay 4' to 10' on west, dead wood, leaf blight, typical of species, non self-corrected lean to west
1 19 19 19 19
3 915 Douglas fir 17 17 10 Good
Typical of species, dead
wood, dead twigs, moss and
lichen, crack @ 3' on east
1 10 10 10 10
4 916 Douglas fir 38.5 38.5 25 OK
Elongated branches, previous top loss, red ring rot,
abnormal bark, shedding bark, carpenter ants, dead wood, exposed roots, huge
wound @ 6' to 14' on west,
epicormic branch formation
1 25 25 25 25
5 917 Bigleaf maple 9 9 10 Poor
Dead spur @ root crown,
typical of species, column of
decay @ 2' to 10' on east,
column of decay @ 15' to 18'
on east
1 10 10 10 10
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850 & 870 Monroe Ave NE, Renton 5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
#
Tree
Tag
#
Species ID DBH
inches
Adj.
DBH
inches
Drip-
line
Radius
feet
Health Defects/Comments
Proposed Action CRZ/TPZ/LOD
Radius in feet Retain Non- viable Exempt Removed N W E S
6 918 Douglas fir 13 13 8 Fair Previous top loss, suppressed canopy, no taper, slight self-corrected lean to south 1 8 8 8 8
7 919 Cottonwood 21 21 15 Fair
Exposed roots, typical of
species, serpentine trunk,
dead wood, broken branches,
moss and lichen, cavity @
root crown to 2' on south,
girdled root
1 15 15 15 15
8 920 Douglas fir 14, 9 16.5 13 Fair
Co-dominant leaders with included bark x2 @ 1', asymmetric canopy to east & west, OK in grove
1 13 13 13 13
9 921 Douglas fir 11 11 12 Fair
Suppressed canopy, co-
dominant leaders with
included bark x2 @ 30', dead
wood, broken branches, thin
canopy, OK in grove
1 12 12 12 12
10 922 Bigleaf maple 10 10 10 OK Exposed roots, typical of species 1 10 10 10 10
11 923 Douglas fir 17 17 15 Good Typical of species 1 15 15 15 15
12 924 Bigleaf
maple
11,
8, 6 15 15 OK
Co-dominant leaders with included bark x3 @ 2', 1 dead, cavity on south @ root crown to 7', dead wood,
broken branches, low live
crown ratio, hanger, typical
of species, OK in grove
1 15 15 15 15
13 925 Filbert 10 10 15 Fair Failing to north, typical of
species 1 15 15 15 15
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850 & 870 Monroe Ave NE, Renton 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
#
Tree
Tag
#
Species ID DBH
inches
Adj.
DBH
inches
Drip-
line
Radius
feet
Health Defects/Comments
Proposed Action CRZ/TPZ/LOD
Radius in feet Retain Non- viable Exempt Removed N W E S
14 926 Douglas fir 15 15 10 OK
Broken branches, dead
twigs, some sap, moss and
lichen, low live crown ratio -
20%, OK in grove, free
flowing sap, crack @ 6'
1 10 10 10 10
15 927 Bigleaf
maple 8 8 12 OK
Suppressed canopy, low live
crown ratio - 15%, typical of
species
1 12 12 12 12
16 928 Bigleaf maple 9 9 12 OK
Suppressed canopy, low live
crown ratio - 15%, typical of
species
1 12 12 12 12
17 929 Douglas fir 15 15 15 Fair
Ivy to 15', elongated branches, asymmetric canopy to south, dead twigs,
previous top loss, OK in
grove
1 15 15 15 15
18 930 Cottonwood 40 40 22 Fair
Typical of species, 1 leader
failing to north, co-dominant
leaders with included bark x2 @ 6', carpenter ants, decay @ root crown to 6' on west with carpenter ants, woodpecker activity, fallen
onto Douglas fir #929
1 22 22 22 22
19 931 Bigleaf
maple 37 37 20 OK
Co-dominant leaders with
included bark x5 @ 6',
exposed roots, dead wood,
dead scaffold, typical of species
1 20 20 20 20
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850 & 870 Monroe Ave NE, Renton 7
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
#
Tree
Tag
#
Species ID DBH
inches
Adj.
DBH
inches
Drip-
line
Radius
feet
Health Defects/Comments
Proposed Action CRZ/TPZ/LOD
Radius in feet Retain Non- viable Exempt Removed N W E S
20 934 Cottonwood 22 22 22 OK
Exposed roots to south,
decay on east @ root crown,
typical of species
1 22 22 22 22
21 935 Cottonwood 10 10 14 OK Typical of species 1 14 14 14 14
22 936 Cottonwood 30 30 15 OK
Typical of species, trunk
growing to tree @ 1', co-dominant leaders with
included bark x2 @ 15', dead spur @ 15'
1 15 15 15 15
23 937 Cottonwood 40 40 20 Fair
Spur @ 3' on east, column of
decay @ root crown to 9' on
east, carpenter ants,
woodpecker activity, typical
of species, previous top loss
1 20 20 20 20
24 943 Cottonwood 18 18 8 Good
Self-corrected lean,
serpentine trunk, asymmetric
canopy to north, typical of
species
1 8 8 8 8
25 944 Cottonwood 20 20 10 Good Typical of species 1 10 10 10 10
26 945 Douglas fir 36 36 12 Fair
Bulge @ 4' on south, free flowing sap, vertical crack on west, decay, carpenter ants,
abnormal bark, popping
bark, hanger
1 12 12 12 12
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850 & 870 Monroe Ave NE, Renton 8
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
#
Tree
Tag
#
Species ID DBH
inches
Adj.
DBH
inches
Drip-
line
Radius
feet
Health Defects/Comments
Proposed Action CRZ/TPZ/LOD
Radius in feet Retain Non- viable Exempt Removed N W E S
27 946 Douglas fir 19 19 12 Fair
Free flowing sap, vertical crack on south @ 6', dead wood, broken branches,
through and through crack,
previous top loss, branch
dieback
1 12 12 12 12
28 947 Douglas fir 11 11 11 OK
Poor pruning with decay,
suppressed canopy, free
flowing sap, previous top
loss, dead wood, OK I grove
1 11 11 11 11
29 948 Douglas fir 14 14 6 OK
Broken branches, dead
twigs, low live crown ratio - 15%, asymmetric canopy to
west, previous top loss, dead wood, healed wound @ 1' to
3' on south, carpenter ants bark only, OK in grove
1 6 6 6 6
30 949 Douglas fir 37 37 11 Fair/OK
Abnormal bark, shedding bark, asymmetric canopy to west, previous top loss, dead wood, dead twigs, broken
branches, column of decay
on west @ root crown to 9',
OK in grove
1 11 11 11 11
31 950 Douglas fir 9 9 6 Fair
Abnormal bark, shedding
bark, popping bark, previous top loss, asymmetric canopy
to south, bulge @ 3'
1 6 6 6 6
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#
Tree
Tag
#
Species ID DBH
inches
Adj.
DBH
inches
Drip-
line
Radius
feet
Health Defects/Comments
Proposed Action CRZ/TPZ/LOD
Radius in feet Retain Non- viable Exempt Removed N W E S
32 951 Douglas fir 9 9 4 Fair
Previous top loss, low live
crown ratio - 10%, dead
wood, broken branches,
stress blisters, healed wound
@ 9' on north, OK in grove
1 4 4 4 4
33 952 Douglas fir 19, 12 22.5 8 Fair
Co-dominant leaders with
included bark x2 @ root
crown, previous top loss, low live crown ratio - 15%, asymmetric canopy to west & east, free flowing sap, carpenter ants bark only, OK
in grove
1 8 8 8 8
34 953 Douglas fir 34 34 16 Fair/OK
Free flowing sap, typical of
species, poor pruning with
decay, asymmetric canopy to
east, crack on west @ 9', ivy to 6', carpenter ants
1 16 16 16 16
35 954 Douglas fir 24 24 13 Fair
Co-dominant leaders with
included bark x2 reduced to
1 @ 7', large column of
decay to west, carpenter
ants, woodpecker activity,
asymmetric canopy to south,
some stress coning, OK in grove
1 13 13 13 13
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850 & 870 Monroe Ave NE, Renton 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
#
Tree
Tag
#
Species ID DBH
inches
Adj.
DBH
inches
Drip-
line
Radius
feet
Health Defects/Comments
Proposed Action CRZ/TPZ/LOD
Radius in feet Retain Non- viable Exempt Removed N W E S
36 955 Douglas fir 36 36 9 OK
Co-dominant leaders with included bark x2 @ 9', woodpecker activity,
carpenter ants, abnormal
bark, shedding bark, typical
of species, OK in grove
1 9 9 9 9
37 956 Douglas fir 27 27 11 Fair
Dead wood, broken
branches, thin canopy,
declining, previous top loss,
dead twigs
1 11 11 11 11
38 958 Douglas fir 33 33 8 OK
Typical of species, broken branches, dead wood, crack @ 9' on east, free flowing sap
1 8 8 8 8
39 959 Douglas fir 14 14 7 Fair
Non self-corrected lean to north, vertical cracks, low
live crown ratio - 20%,
suppressed canopy, dead
wood, healed wound @ 3' on
south
1 7 7 7 7
40 960 Douglas fir 29 29 12 OK
Typical of species, epicormic
branch formation @ 18',
carpenter ants, abnormal
bark, shedding bark
1 12 12 12 12
41 961 Douglas fir 28 28 10 OK Limbed for power lines on
west, typical of species 1 10 10 10 10
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850 & 870 Monroe Ave NE, Renton 11
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
#
Tree
Tag
#
Species ID DBH
inches
Adj.
DBH
inches
Drip-
line
Radius
feet
Health Defects/Comments
Proposed Action CRZ/TPZ/LOD
Radius in feet Retain Non- viable Exempt Removed N W E S
42 962 Douglas fir 23 23 9 OK
Broken branches, dead twigs, abnormal bark, shedding bark, carpenter
ants, typical of species,
previous top loss, Ok in
grove
1 9 9 9 9
43 963 Holly 7, 5 8.5 6 OK
Typical of species, co-
dominant leaders with
included bark x2 @ root
crown
1 6 6 6 6
44 965 Cherry 8 8 12 OK Typical of species 1 12 12 12 12
45 966 Douglas fir 33 33 12 OK
Typical of species, previous
top loss, dead wood, dead twigs 1 12 12 12 12
46 967 Douglas fir 25 25 10 Fair
Typical of species, dead wood, broken branches, abnormal bark, popping
bark, carpenter ants,
woodpecker activity,
horizontal crack @ 6' on east
1 10 10 10 10
47 968 Douglas fir 34 34 13 Fair
Shedding bark, carpenter
ants, exposed roots, abnormal bark, broken branches, sap, blisters, wound @ 15' on north,
woodpecker activity,
elongated branches
1 13 13 13 13
48 969 Beech 9, 9 12.5 9 Fair
Co-dominant leaders with
included bark x2 @ root
crown, topped multi times @
2', weak laterals, 2 pictures
1 9 9 9 9
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850 & 870 Monroe Ave NE, Renton 12
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
#
Tree
Tag
#
Species ID DBH
inches
Adj.
DBH
inches
Drip-
line
Radius
feet
Health Defects/Comments
Proposed Action CRZ/TPZ/LOD
Radius in feet Retain Non- viable Exempt Removed N W E S
49 970 Apple 16 16 12 Poor
Decay throughout,
sapsucker, ants, poor
pruning with decay
1 12 12 12 12
50 975 Italian
plum?
28,
32 42.5 11 Fair
1 picture, co-dominant leaders with included bark x5 @ 6', dead wood, typical of
species, vertical crack on
east, twisted trunk
1 11 11 11 11
51 976 Cottonwood 21 21 11 OK Self-corrected lean to west,
typical of species 1 11 11 11 11
52 977 Cottonwood 21 21 14 Poor
One side failed, co-dominant
leaders with included bark x3
@ root crown reduced to 2,
large lateral branch @ 12'
with decay
1 14 14 14 14
53 978 Ornamental
plum 7, 4 8 12 OK
Co-dominant leaders with
included bark x2 @ 2',
typical of species
1 12 12 12 12
54 979 Beech 35 35 14 Poor
Multi failures, co-dominant
leaders with included bark x6
@ 6'
1 14 14 14 14
55 980 Cottonwood 15 15 8 Poor
Co-dominant leaders with
included bark x2 reduced to
1, failing on north
1 8 8 8 8
56 981 Bigleaf
maple 9 9 9 Ok Typical of species 1 9 9 9 9
57 983 Maple 13 13 15 OK Ivy to 25', "heavy", OK if ivy
removed 1 15 15 15 15
57 9 17 15 16
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850 & 870 Monroe Ave NE, Renton 13
Offsite Potentially Impacted trees:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
# Tree
Tag #
Species
ID
DBH
inches
Adj.
DBH inches
Drip-line
Radius feet Health Defects/Comments
Proposed
Action
CRZ/TPZ/LOD
Radius feet Viable Non- viable Remove N W E S
1 901 Dogwood
11,
7, 6,
9, 7,
9
20.5 24 OK
Co-dominant leaders with included bark x6 @
root crown reduced to
2, scaffolds dead,
shedding bark,
abnormal bark, decay,
carpenter ants, topped
for power lines, moss
and lichen, typical of
species
1 24 24 24 24
2 902
Western
red
cedar
10 10 14 Good Typical of species 1 14 14 14 14
3 903 Douglas
fir 13 13 14 OK Previous top loss, tip dieback, typical of species 1 14 14 14 14
4 904
Western
red
cedar
9, 9 12.5 14 OK
Co-dominant leaders
with included bark x2 @
root crown, typical of
species
1 14 14 14 14
5 905 Holly 8 8 6 OK Poor pruning with decay, typical of species 1 6 6 6 6
6 906 Bigleaf
maple
8,
10, 7 14.5 18 OK Co-dominant leaders with included bark x3 @ 3', typical of species 1 18 18 18 18
7 907 Douglas
fir 17 17 14 OK
Vertical crack on east @
22', moss and lichen,
dead wood, dead twigs
1 14 14 14 14
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# Tree
Tag
#
Species
ID
DBH
inches
Adj.
DBH
inches
Drip-line
Radius feet Health Defects/Comments
Proposed
Action
CRZ/TPZ/LOD
Radius feet Viable Non- viable Remove N W E S
8 908
Western
red cedar 13 13 10 OK
Topped, decay in one leader, carpenter ants,
woodpecker activity, co-dominant leaders with included bark x3 @ 18'
1 10 10 10 10
9 909 Western red cedar 12 12 9 Good Previous top loss,
typical of species 1 9 9 9 9
10 910 Douglas
fir 16 16 12 Fair
Co-dominant leaders
with included bark x2 @
20' reduced to 1, low
live crown ratio, free flowing sap, dead wood,
dead twigs, horizontal crack @ 6'
1 12 12 12 12
11 911 Douglas
fir 13 13 8 Fair
Broken branches, dead
twigs, suppressed
canopy, low live crown
ratio - 20%, dead wood,
previous top loss,
wound @ 1' on north
1 8 8 8 8
12 912 Douglas
fir 17 17 10 OK
Typical of species, dead
wood, co-dominant
leaders with included
bark x2 reduced to 1 @
18', hanger, wound
healed @ root crown on
north
1 10 10 10 10
13 932 Western red cedar 58 58 13 Good Typical of species, woodpecker activity, carpenter ants 1 13 13 13 13
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# Tree
Tag
#
Species
ID
DBH
inches
Adj.
DBH
inches
Drip-line
Radius feet Health Defects/Comments
Proposed
Action
CRZ/TPZ/LOD
Radius feet Viable Non- viable Remove N W E S
14 933 Spruce 11 11 1' over
fence OK
Asymmetric canopy to
south, dead wood, dead
twigs, lean to south,
non-self-corrected lean
1 1 1 1 1
15 938 Douglas
fir 38 38 16 Good
Typical of species,
wound @ 6' to 8' on
south
1 16 16 16 16
16 939 Filbert 13 13 12 Fair
Failing to west, typical
of species, OK in grove,
fence line @ 2' on east
1 12 12 12 12
17 940 Beech 8, 9,
10 15.5 12 Poor
Cavity on west, co-
dominant leaders with
included bark x3 @ root crown
1 12 12 12 12
18 941 Black
locust 28 28 18 Good Typical of species 1 18 18 18 18
19 942 Douglas fir 10 10 7 OK
Poor pruning with
decay, previous top
loss, dead wood, broken
branches, typical of
species
1 7 7 7 7
20 957 Madrona 18 18 6 Excellent Typical of species
(Within Existing ROW) 1 6 6 6 6
21 964 Douglas
fir 30 30 12 OK
Crack @ 9' on south,
free flowing sap, typical
of species
1 12 12 12 12
22 971 Norway
maple 14 14 14 OK Asymmetric canopy to
west, typical of species 1 14 14 14 14
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# Tree
Tag
#
Species
ID
DBH
inches
Adj.
DBH
inches
Drip-line
Radius feet Health Defects/Comments
Proposed
Action
CRZ/TPZ/LOD
Radius feet Viable Non- viable Remove N W E S
23 972 Japanese
maple
14,
14 20 7 Fair
Co-dominant leaders
with included bark x2 @
5', multi toppings @ 7' to 12'
1 7 7 7 7
24 973 Norway
maple 20 20 15 OK Poor pruning with decay, cavity on east @
12', typical of species
1 15 15 15 15
25 974 Norway
maple 24 24 16 OK
Self-corrected lean to
east, poor pruning with
decay, dead wood,
broken branches
1 16 16 16 16
26 982 Bigleaf
maple
12,
14 18.5 12 OK
Co-dominant leaders with included bark x2 @
4', ivy to 25', dead
wood, broken branches
1 12 12 12 12
27 984
Western
red
cedar
28 28 12 OK
Co-dominant leaders
with included bark x2 @
6', typical of species
1 12 12 12 12
28 985
Western
red
cedar
18,
12 21.5 12 OK
Co-dominant leaders
with included bark x2 @
2', typical of species
1 12 12 12 12
29 986
Western
red
cedar
22 22 12 OK
Co-dominant leaders
with included bark x2 @
7', typical of species
1 12 12 12 12
30 987
Western
red
cedar
12,
16 20 12 OK
Co-dominant leaders
with included bark x3 @
6', typical of species
1 12 12 12 12
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850 & 870 Monroe Ave NE, Renton 17
Site map (See also architect or civil plans):
Discussion/Calculations/Conclusion:
This two parcel site has two homes that appear to be circa 1940’s and several sheds and out-
buildings. A grove of older Douglas fir trees is growing on the northwest portion of the lots. The
healthiest of these trees will be retained as a grove and is identified as “TRACT A” on the tree
preservation plan. The southwestern part of the grove will be removed to allow for site access by a
public street.
Based on the relative youth of the pioneer species of trees (Red alders and Cottonwood’s) that now
inhabit the eastern side of the sites, it appears that this area was cleared of trees except for a small
orchard of fruit trees; these trees are proposed to be removed for eventual building sites.
Tree Calculations
Total number of trees 57 Trees
Total number of exempt trees (ROW + Non-viable) 32 Trees
Total number of viable trees 25 Trees
Total number of trees removed for construction 16 Trees
Total number of retained trees 9 Trees
Required 30% retention 25 X 30%= 7.5 Trees
Currently, there on a total of 57 onsite trees. There are seventeen (17) non-viable trees and fifteen
(15) exempt trees.
Of the twenty five (25) viable trees remaining in the tree count, sixteen (16) are proposed to be
removed for overall site improvements. Nine (9) trees are proposed for retention, located in two
areas. The first is a grove located on the northwest portion of the sites and referred to as “TRACT A,”
and contains eight trees. Also located in this tract, though not healthy enough to be counted as
retained is tree #959, a Douglas fir failing to the north. It is recommended that the tree be retained in
the grove, though cut to habitat height.
Tree number 978 will be retained on the east side of the property with a connecting canopy to offsite
trees.
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850 & 870 Monroe Ave NE, Renton 18
Renton municipal code requires a tree density for properties zoned as R-8 of 2 trees/5000 square feet.
If the site doesn’t contain that number of trees, they are required to be mitigated.
The two lots are a total of 107,969 square feet; 107,969/5000 = 22 X 2 (the number of required
retained trees) = 44.
The site is required to contain a minimum total number of forty-four (44) trees. Proposed
improvements retain nine (9) trees, therefore 44 –9= 35. Thirty-five (35) trees with a minimum
caliper of two (2”) trees need to be replanted; or the equivalent number of caliper inches can be
replanted 32 trees X 2” = 64 equivalent inches.
The species and location of the replacement trees are shown on the Landscape Plans.
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850 & 870 Monroe Ave NE, Renton 19
Tree Protection Fencing: Tree Protection fencing should be erected prior to any site grading
First, protect roots that lie in the path of construction. Approximately 90 to 95 percent of a tree's root
system is in the top three feet of soil, and more than half is in the top one foot. Construction activities
should be avoided in this area. Protect as much of the area beyond the tree's dripline as possible.
Some healthy trees survive after losing half of their roots. However, other species are extremely
sensitive to root damage even outside the dripline.
Do not disturb the Critical Root Zone (CRZ). The CRZ is defined by its "critical root radius." It is more
accurate than the dripline for determining the CRZ of trees growing in forests or that have narrow
growth habits. To calculate critical root radius, measure the tree's diameter (DBH) in inches, 4.5 feet
above the ground. For each inch, allow for 1 to 1.5 feet of critical root radius. If a tree's DBH is ten
inches, its critical root radius is 10 to 15 feet.
In addition to the CRZ, it is important to determine the Limits of Disturbance (LOD) for preserved
trees. Generally this is approximates the CRZ however in previously excavated areas around the
dripline the LOD may be smaller, or in the case of a tree situated on a slope the LOD may be larger.
The determination of LOD is also subject to the particular tree species. Some tree species do better
than others after root disturbance.
Tree protection is advised throughout the duration of any construction activities whenever the critical
root zone or leaf canopy many be encroached upon by such activities.
The Critical Root Zone (CRZ) or LOD should be protected with fencing adequate to hinder access to
people vehicles and equipment. Fencing detail is provided. It should consist of continuous 4 ft. high
temporary chain-link fencing with posts sec at 10’ on center or polyethylene laminar safety fencing or
similar. The fencing must contain fencing signage detailing that the tree protection area cannot be
trespassed on.
Soil compaction is one of the most common killers of urban trees. Stockpiled materials, heavy
machinery and excessive foot traffic damage soil structure and reduce soil pore space. The effected
tree roots suffocate. When construction takes place close to the protected CRZ, cover the site with 4
inches of bark to reduce soil compaction
Tree Protection fencing must be erected prior to soil excavation, boring, grading or fill operations. It
is erected at the LOD. If it is necessary to run utilities within the LOD, the utilities should be combined
into one cut, as practical. Trenching is not allowed in the LOD. In these areas boring or tunneling
techniques should be used. In the event that roots greater than 1” diameter near the LOD are
damaged or torn, it is necessary to hand trim them to a clean cut. Any roots that are exposed during
construction should be covered with soil as soon as possible.
During drought conditions, trees must be adequately watered. Site should be visited regularly by a
qualified ISA Certified Arborist to ensure the health of the trees. Tree protection fencing is the last
item to be removed from the site after construction is completed.
After construction has been completed, evaluate the remaining trees. Look for signs and symptoms of
damage or stress. It may take several years for severe problems to appear.
In the event that fencing around portions of the CRZ of a tree to be retained are not practical to erect
due to construction or obstacles, tree protection fencing should be placed three feet laterally from the
obstruction (ex. three feet back of a curb, building, or other existing or planned permanent
infrastructure.
Tree trunk protection is required where CRZ fencing is not practical. Tree trunks should be wrapped in
pine 2X4’s and accessible critical structural root zones covered with wooden pallets.
Creative Landscape Solutions
850 & 870 Monroe Ave NE, Renton 20
Glossary:
ANSI A300: American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards for tree care
Chlorotic: discoloration caused by lack of chlorophyll in the foliage
Conifer: A tree that bears cones and has evergreen needles or scales
Crown: the above ground portion of the tree comprised of branches and their foliage
Crown raise pruning: a pruning technique where the lower branches are removed, thus
raising the overall height of the crown from the ground
DBH or DSH: diameter at breast or standard height; the diameter of the trunk measured 54
inches (4.5 feet) above grade
Deciduous: tree or other plant that loses its leaves annually and remains leafless generally
during the cold season
Epicormic: arising from latent or adventitious buds
Evergreen: tree or plant that keeps its needles or leaves year round; this means for more
than one growing season
Increment: the amount of new wood fiber added to a tree in a given period, normally one
year.
ISA: International Society of Arboriculture
Landscape function: the environmental, aesthetic, or architectural functions that a plant can
have
Lateral: secondary or subordinate branch
Limits of disturbance: The boundary of minimum protection around a tree, the area that
cannot be encroached upon without possible permanent damage to the tree. It is a
distance determined by a qualified professional and is based on the age of the tree,
its health, the tree species tolerance to disruption and the type of disturbance. It
also considers soil and environmental condition and previous impacts. It is unique to
each tree in its location.
Limited visual assessment: a visual assessment from a specified perspective such as foot,
vehicle, or aerial (airborne) patrol of an individual tree or a population of trees near
specified targets to identify specified conditions or obvious defects (ISA 2013)
Live crown ratio: the percentage of living tissue in the canopy versus the tree’s height. It is
a good indicator of overall tree health and the trees growing conditions. Trees with
less than a 30% Crown ratio often lack the necessary quantity of photosynthetic
material necessary to sustain the roots; consequently, the tree may exhibit low vigor
and poor health.
Monitoring: keeping a close watch; performing regular checks or inspections
Owner/manager: the person or entity responsible for tree management or the controlling
authority that regulates tree management
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850 & 870 Monroe Ave NE, Renton 21
Pathogen: causal agent of disease
Phototropic growth: growth toward light source or stimulant
ROW: Right-of-way; generally referring to a tree that is located offsite on a city easement
Reaction wood: Specialized secondary xylem which develops in response to a lean or similar
mechanical stress, it serves to help restore the stem to a vertical position
Self-corrected lean: a tree whose trunk is at an angle to the grade but whose trunk and
canopy changes to become upright/vertical
Significant tree: a tree measuring a specific diameter determined by the municipality the
tree grows in. Some municipalities deem that only healthy trees can be significant,
other municipalities consider both healthy and unhealthy trees of a determined
diameter to be significant
Snag: a tree left partially standing for the primary purpose of providing habitat for wildlife
Soil structure: the size of particles and their arrangement; considers the soil, water, and air
space
Sounding: process of striking a tree with a mallet or other appropriate tool and listening for
tones that indicate dead bark, a thin layer of wood outside a cavity, or cracks in
wood
Structural defects: flaws, decay, or other faults in the trunk, branches, or root collar of a
tree, which may lead to failure; may be genetic, or environmental
Tree credit: A number assigned to a tree by a municipality that may be equal to the
diameter of the tree or a numerical count of the tree, or related to diameter by a
factor conveyed in a table of the municipal code
Trunk area: the cross-sectional area of the trunk based upon measurement at 54 inches
(4.5 ft.) above grade
Visual Tree Assessment (VTA): method of evaluating structural defects and stability in trees
by noting the pattern of growth. Developed by Claus Mattheck (Harris, et al 1999) detailed visual inspection of a tree and surrounding site that may include the use of
simple tools. It requires that a tree risk assessor walk completely around the tree
trunk looking at the site, aboveground roots, trunk, and branches (ISA 2013)
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850 & 870 Monroe Ave NE, Renton 22
References
Dirr, Michael A. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, Their Identification, Ornamental
Characteristics, Culture, Propagation, and Uses. Champaign: Stipes Publishing
Company, 1990.
Dunster & Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd. Assessing Trees in Urban Areas and
the Urban-Rural Interface. US Release 1.0. Silverton: Pacific Northwest Chapter ISA,
2006.
Dunster, J. A. 2003. Preliminary Species Profiles for Tree Failure Assessment. Bowen Island:
Dunster & Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd.
Dunster, Julian A., E. Thomas Smiley, Nelda Matheny and Sharon Lilly. Tree Risk
Assessment Manual. Champaign, Illinois: International Society of Arboriculture,
2013.
Harris, Richard W, James Clark, and Nelda Matheny. Arboriculture, Integrated Management
of Landscape Trees, Shrubs, and Vines. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall,
2004.
Lilly, Sharon. Arborists’ Certification Study Guide. Champaign, IL: The International Society
of Arboriculture, 2001.
Matheny, Nelda and Clark, James R. A Photographic Guide to the Evaluation of
Hazard Trees in Urban Areas. Second Edition. Champaign, IL: The International
Society of Arboriculture, 1994.
Matheny, Nelda and Clark, James R. Trees and Development: A Technical Guide to
Preservation of Trees During Land Development. Champaign, IL: The International Society of Arboriculture, 1998.
Mattheck, Claus and Breloer, Helge. The Body Language of Trees: A Handbook for Failure
Analysis. London: HMSO, 1994
Schwarze, Francis W.M.R. Diagnosis and Prognosis of the Development of Wood Decay in
Urban Trees. Australia: ENSPEC Pty Ltd. 2008
Sinclair, Wayne A., Lyon, Howard H., and Johnson, Warren T. Diseases of Trees and Shrubs.
Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press, 1987.
Smiley, E. Thomas, Nelda Matheny, and Sharon Lilly, Tree Risk Assessment Best
Management Practices, ANSI A300 Part 9: Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant
Management—Standard Practices (Tree Risk Assessment: Tree Structure
Assessment). The International Society of Arboriculture Press. Champaign. IL. 2011.
Thies, Walter G. and Sturrock, Rona N. Laminated root rot in Western North American.
United States Department of Agriculture. Pacific Northwest. Resource Bulletin PNW-
GTR-349. April 1995.
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Assumptions and Limiting Conditions
1. Any legal description provided to the consultant/appraiser 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 thou
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.
3. Care has been taken to obtain all information from reliable sources. All data has been verified
insofar as possible; however, the consultant/appraiser can neither guarantee nor be
responsible for the accuracy of information provided by others.
4. The consultant/appraiser shall not be required to give testimony or to attend court by reason
of the 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 invalidates 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 the consultant/appraiser.
7. Neither all nor any part of the contents of the 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 the consultant/appraiser
– particularly as to value conclusions, identity of the consultant/appraiser, or any reference to
any professional society or instate or to any initialed designation conferred upon the
consultant/appraiser as stated in her qualification.
8. The report and any values expressed herein represent the opinion of the consultant/appraiser, and the consultant’s/appraiser’s fee is in no way contingent upon the reporting of a specified value, a stipulated result, the occurrence of subsequent event, nor upon any finding to be reported.
9. Sketches, diagrams, graphs and photographs in this report, being intended as visual aid, are
not necessarily to scale and should not be construed as engineering or architectural reports or
survey.
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 not warranty or guarantee, expressed or implied, that
problems or deficiencies of the plants or property in question may not arise in the future.