HomeMy WebLinkAboutArborist ReportArbor Care, Inc.
arboricultural consulting & plant health care
(626) 737-4007 mail@ArborCareInc.net
DATE
July 18, 2018
SUBJECT
163 E. Longden Ave.: Evaluation of recently removed oak tree with mitigation
recommendations.
A Coast Live Oak tree (Quercus agrifolia) was erroneously removed without a permit.
The property owner was unfamiliar with the city's tree ordinance protecting oaks,
sycamores and many other species. The tree was located just off-site on the property to
the west and permission to remove the tree was given by the owner of that property. It
had been identified in the Tree Report recently prepared for the redevelopment of the
property and this information was used to appraisal the monetary value of the subject
oak, which is $3,800. The recommended mitigation of one 60" box size oak tree will
replace the oak with another oak at nearly equal value, with the replacement tree given an
improved setting to increase its value over time that will far exceed the original tree.
BACKGROUND & ASSIGNMENT
A Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) located on the neighboring property to the west, 155
E. Longden Ave., was recently removed without a permit by the owner of 163 E. Longden
Ave. The property owner of 155 E. Longden gave permission to remove the tree so the
removal was in violation of the city's tree ordinance and only and not of any trespassing
or property damage. All oaks are protected under the city's tree ordinance (Ord. 1962)
which was adopted in January 1992. The property at 163 E. Longden Ave. is currently
being redeveloped and the encroaching portion of the tree was a detriment to the function
of the planned landscape. The tree was included in an Arborist's Report that was prepared
as part of the planning process; nevertheless, the property owner was unaware of the oak's
protected status.
The city will review the unpermitted tree removal and make final determination for
adequate mitigation. This report is meant to assist in that review. The subject tree was
appraised for its monetary value and mitigation is recommended based on replacing the
lost value with a tree or trees that will contribute to the landscapes value to equal parity. I
made my site visit to examine the site on July 17, 2018. I also used the original Arborist
Report written by Steve Andresen, dated October 2017, for essential information on the
tree including its trunk size, health and condition rating, and photos of its appearance. A
site plan of the design for the new home and landscape was also provided for my analysis.
OBSERVATIONS
According to the Arborist Report written by Steve Andresen in October 2017, the subject
tree is a Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) with a trunk diameter measuring 14 inches,
an approximate height of 40 feet and an average crown spread of 40 feet. Its condition
and aesthetic quality is rated as "C", which according to the report is "a tree in average
condition. Most trees growing in a landscape setting are in average condition. Trees may
have branching and trunk defects from improper ongoing pruning and maintenance
practices. In general, letter "C" grade trees are healthy and will continue to grow in the
landscape." Photos of the tree included in the Arborist Report concur with the
description. The subject tree was completely removed.
The property is planned for redevelopment with another single family home to be built.
The new landscape design has a substantial area in the front yard where a tree has been
specified to be planted. This area is well suited to accommodate the mature height and
spread of a Coast Live Oak or similar oak species.
PLANT APPRAISAL
Method
The Trunk Formula Method of plant appraisal was used to determine the value of the
tree. This particular appraisal formula is the most widely accepted method in landscape
and nursery industries to appraise the monetary value of trees considered too large to be
replaced with nursery or field -grown stock. It was developed by the Council of Tree and
Landscape Appraisers and is outlined in the Guide for Plant Appraisal, 9th edition.
Four primary factors help determine the value of landscape plants: Size, Species,
Condition and Location. Size is determined by measurement and comparison of
common nursery material. Species ratings are compiled and published by the Western
Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture. The species rating often varies
geographically, depending on the species' relationship with its environment. Condition
and location are subjective, and expressed as a percentage determined by the plant
appraiser relative to what would be considered a "high-quality" specimen. Condition
rating is based on the subject plant's structural integrity and state of health prior to being
destroyed or damaged. Location rating involves three components: The site of a
property, which is based on market value; contribution, based on the plant's functional
and aesthetic contributions; and placement, which is the positioning of the plant on the
property in order to showcase or utilize its qualities.
I appraised the subject tree using the following factors
• Species rating was taken from the most regional information published in 2004.
Replacement tree costs was determined from regional data and recent professional
experience.
• Condition is equivalent to a native oak tree in average health, structural condition,
and aesthetics.
For the Location, the site is rated as a residential neighborhood with high home
values compared with average prices in Los Angeles County. Contribution is
based on the tree possessing good habitat for nesting birds and other small
wildlife, some screening effect, but little functional value for its shading of
structures. Placement is based on it being somewhat awkwardly positioned near
the property line where its typical crown spread encroaches into the neighboring
property and may intrude or diminish the function of the neighboring landscape if
it is not accommodated.
The tree has an appraised value of $3,800. The appraisal worksheet is located on page 7.
RECOMMENDED MITIGATION
The installed cost of a 60" box tree as used in the appraisal worksheet is $3,500. This is
very close to the $3,800 appraised value of the subject tree, so a 60" box nursery grown
tree is a very appropriate mitigation that will immediately mitigate the tree to its
monetary value. The front yard area provides a good location for the tree. The current
design is for a Buffalograss lawn area in front and the tree can be installed in this area
instead of the lawn. The tree can be placed so that its full mature spread will be vastly
contained within the boundary lines of the property; it will be located on the south side of
the home so shading will be maximized for energy saving on cooling the home; and it
will be visible from the street so it will offer additional aesthetic contribution to the
visible tree canopy of the neighborhood. The mature crown will not detract from the
effects or performance of the span of large Canary Island Palms that line the north side of
Longden Ave., which is a significant attribute to the street.
A few oak species will be appropriate: Coast Live Oak, Southern Live Oak, and
Engelmann Oak. Coast Live Oak is the most commonly found native oak in the area and
is the same species as the one that was removed, so this is a logical choice. Southern
Live Oak isn't native to California but performs here very well nevertheless. It has size,
form and longevity similar to Coast Live Oak, but can tolerate summertime watering
better and its foliage has smooth margins as opposed to the spiny leaf margins of Coast
Live Oak, so the foliage isn't as much of a nuisance in a front yard where children may
play. Engelmann Oak is a rare native species, and Arcadia is its native habitat. Because
of its rarity a 60" box specimen will be hard to find so the size of the mitigation tree
would likely need to be adjusted to the largest available size among 24" to 60" boxes.
The mitigation tree should be planted at the end of the redevelopment project during the
landscape installation.
Site Plan of the planned redevelopment. The subject oak is circled in red
and the recommended location of the mitigation oak is circled in green.
I
14tiqjt, I
TRUNK FORMULA METHOD
LOCATION: 163 E. Longden Ave., Arcadia TREE #: 11
Field Observations
1. Species
Quercus agrifolia
2. Condition 60
3. Trunk Diameter _ 4 inches
4. Location 60 %=(Site 80 % + Contribution 50 %+Placement 50 %) =3
Regional Plant Appraisal Committee and/or Appraiser -Developed or Modified Information
5. Species rating
6. Replacement Tree Size: (Diameter)
(Trunk Area)
7. Basic Tree Cost (regional info.)
8. Installation Cost
9. Installed Tree Cost (#7 + #8)
10. Unit Tree Cost (regional info.)
Calculations by appraiser using Field and Regional information
11. Appraised Trunk Area: (diameteO x 0.785)
154
incheS2 (ATA)
12. Appraised Tree Trunk Increase = 130.25 incheS2
[appraised trunk area (#11) 154 - replacement tree trunk area (#6) 23.75 ]
13. Basic Tree Cost = $ 11,726
[trunk area increase (#12) 130.25 x Unit Tree Cost (#10) 63.16 + Installed Tree Cost (0) 3.500 ]
14. Appraised Value = $ 3,800
[Basic Tree Cost (#13) 11.726 x Species rating (#5) .90 x Condition (#2) .60 x Location (#4) .60 ]
if the appraised value is $5000 or more the value is rounded to the nearest $100, if it is less, it is rounded to the nearest $10
90 %
5.5 inches
23.75 incheS2
$
1,500
$
2,000
$
3,500
$
63.16 per inch 2
Calculations by appraiser using Field and Regional information
11. Appraised Trunk Area: (diameteO x 0.785)
154
incheS2 (ATA)
12. Appraised Tree Trunk Increase = 130.25 incheS2
[appraised trunk area (#11) 154 - replacement tree trunk area (#6) 23.75 ]
13. Basic Tree Cost = $ 11,726
[trunk area increase (#12) 130.25 x Unit Tree Cost (#10) 63.16 + Installed Tree Cost (0) 3.500 ]
14. Appraised Value = $ 3,800
[Basic Tree Cost (#13) 11.726 x Species rating (#5) .90 x Condition (#2) .60 x Location (#4) .60 ]
if the appraised value is $5000 or more the value is rounded to the nearest $100, if it is less, it is rounded to the nearest $10
AUTHOR'S CREDENTIALS
;
ƒ
d
-V -u
}
y
`
\
%=?\G
00
?/k&#
`
f
I
Z Ul
.®/
(
\ \mid§
-
\)
\
\
_
{~�0
/
}�
!
j ;
2§
§
}$
/
0�§\
�
�>\\
\��
}
0
-
(
�
- §
;R
/a
OC
\
IL2
00
2
\FA
;
ƒ
d
7
-V -u
y
`
%=?\G
?/k&#
`
Z Ul
.®/
(
\ \mid§
-
\)
\
_
{~�0
}�
j ;
2§
§
/
0�§\
�
�>\\
}
-
(
�
- §
;R
/a
OC
\
\/
00
\FA
)m
— ---
-
(Jim
7
CERTIFICATION OF PERFORMANCE
I, Michael Crane, certify that:
• I have personally inspected the tree(s) and the property referred to in this report
and have stated my findings accurately.
• I have no current or prospective interest in the vegetation or the property that is
the subject of this report and have no personal interest or bias with respect to the
parties involved.
• The analysis, opinions, and conclusions stated herein are my own and are based
on current scientific procedures and facts.
• My analysis, opinions, and conclusions were developed and this report has been
prepared according to commonly accepted arboricultural practices.
• No one provided significant professional assistance to me, except as indicated
within the report.
• My compensation is not contingent upon the reporting of a predetermined
conclusion that favors the cause of the client or any other party not upon the
results of the assessment, the attainment of stipulated results, or the occurrence of
any subsequent events.
I further certify that I am a member in good standing of the American Society of
Consulting Arborists and the International Society of Arboriculture. I have been
involved in the field of Horticulture in a full-time capacity for a period of more than 20
years.
Signed:
Registered Consulting Arborist #440; American Society of Consulting Arborist
Board Certified Master Arborist #WE 6643B; International Society of Arboriculture
Licensed California Agricultural Pest Control Adviser #AA08269
Date:
July 18, 2018