HomeMy WebLinkAboutArborist Report
15 Corto Rd. Arcadia, CA 91007
Prepared for:
Phillip Chan “PDS Studio Architect LLC”
711 S. First St.
Arcadia, CA 91006
October 9, 2018
Prepared by:
Javier Cabral Consulting Arborist
International Society of Arborists # WE- 8116A
1390 El Sereno Ave
Pasadena, California 91103
(626)818-8704
jctcabral@sbcglobal.net
Phillip Chan 15 Corto Rd. Arcadia, CA 91007 October 9, 2018
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 1
Table of contents
Summary ----------------------------------------------------------------- pg. 3
Summary & Background & Assignment ---------------------------- pg. 3
Assumptions, Limiting Conditions, & Scope of Work ------------ pg. 4
Subjective Data and Tree Appraisal ---------------------------------- pg. 5 & 6
Google Earth Image ----------------------------------------------------- pg. 7
Tree Pictures ------------------------------------------------------------- pg. 8 thru 12
Site plan ------------------------------------------------------------------- pg. 13
Certificate of Performance & Arborist Signature Page ------------- pg. 14
Arborist disclosure Statement ------------------------------------------ pg. 15
Phillip Chan 15 Corto Rd. Arcadia, CA 91007 October 9, 2018
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 2
Summary
Mr. Chan,
You have retained my consulting arborist services to provide a tree appraisal based on the Guide for
Plant Appraisal 10th Edition for one Western juniper “Juniperus occidentalis Tree #19 on the existing
tree inventory that I personally prepared for you on October 24, 2107 that was located in the southwest
corner of the rear property line of the property described as 15 Corto Rd. Arcadia, CA 91007. During our
initial conversation on September 27, 2018 you informed me that your demolition crew had miscommunicated
with each other and accidentally removed the aforementioned tree that was protected by the City of Arcadia Tree
Ordinance as a mature tree 12 inches or greater within the rear and side set-back of the property. The City of
Arcadia Planning Department informed you and confirmed with me verbally through their designee Vanessa
Quiroz that a tree appraisal was required to place a monetary value on the removed tree. The property was vacant
for a period preceding the tree removal and the existing structures have been demolished and cleared from the
site.
Background and assignment
PDS Studio Architect is a luxury home designing corporation that has been hired to design and build the
proposed home and separate structures. Mr. Chan is acting as the official representative for the
homeowner for the purpose of this report. Mr. Chan stated The City of Arcadia had granted a permit to
proceed with the construction of the single family home and at a later date granted a permit to build a
swimming pool in the vicinity of the removed Tree #19.
Mr. Chan has requested that I provide the following arboricultural services.
1) Provide a retrospective tree appraisal due to the fact that the tree was removed prior to the
request for the appraisal.
2) Appraise the removed tree as real property because it was planted in the landscape at the time of
removal.
Phillip Chan 15 Corto Rd. Arcadia, CA 91007 October 9, 2018
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 3
Assumptions & Limiting Conditions
I was not present during the removal of the subject tree and did not participate in the process of removal. I
am limited to only one picture of the removed tree because the initial report was an inventory and
protection plan and not a recommendation for removal.
This report does not confer upon the appraiser an obligation to testify or otherwise participate in
subsequent litigation proceedings unless or until arrangements have been made to compensate the
appraiser.
The appraiser is not aware of any local history of purchasing and installing large tree specimens like the
subject tree. The client nevertheless has directed the appraiser to estimate the cost to install a similar
specimen, under the assumption that is economically feasible.
Cost estimates from licensed nurseries are considered to be reliable and presumed accurate. The appraiser
does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of information furnished by other parties.
This report was prepared using forms developed by the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers.
However, the content, analyses, and opinions set forth in this report are the product of the appraiser.
Scope of Work
The appraiser was able to personally collect the Diameter at breast height of the removed Tree # 19
because of the previous tree inventory and protection plan provided prior to the accidental removal of the
Juniper tree. This will be the most contributing factor in arriving at the appropriate tree appraisal.
This tree is not commonly planted as a tree with the intent of allowing it to grow to the height that this
tree acquired when it was removed. This plant is sometimes sold and used as a small Christmas tree for
the indoors or by entrances then discarded or rarely planted in the landscape. The appraiser was not able
to find this species in any local nurseries. A Hollywood juniper “Juniperus chinesis was the closest related
specimen that was found in a 24 inch box and used in place of the subject species. Normans Nursery in
Duarte, Boething Treeland in Woodland Hills, and West Covina Nursery in San Gabriel.
The Cost Approach “cost to reproduce” the item will be used to appraise the removed Tree # 19 and
arrive at the assignment result or l valuation for the removed tree. This approach as defined by the
Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers Guide for Plant Appraisal states that the client will not pay
more for an asset than the cost to acquire an asset with similar utility.
The Basic Cost will be determined using the Reproduction Method Trunk Formula Technique and
then adjusting for depreciation for the difference between the cost of the new or ideal item and the item
being appraised, which typically has a lower level of quality due to less than ideal features in its
placement, or the site that it occupies. General appraisal practice holds that depreciation is the
combination of three factors: (1) physical deterioration, (2) functional obsolescence (3) external
obsolescence.
Data for the condition rating of the tree was subjective and derived from the appraiser during the site
visit of the initial inventory; follow up visit no October 7, 2018, one picture during the initial inventory,
and the appraiser’s recollection of the location, trunk, and canopy structure.
Phillip Chan 15 Corto Rd. Arcadia, CA 91007 October 9, 2018
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 4
Depreciation Factors:
Physical Deterioration (Factors associated with condition)
This Juniper has good health, structural integrity, and form.
Rating = 90%
Functional limitations (factors associated with the interaction of a tree and its planting site.)
This tree is planted in a very poor location in the southwest corner of the property line very close
to the concrete block wall and was likely to damage the foundation and integrity of the wall
adjacent to it as the tree trunk was already making contact with the wall.
This Juniper because it is planted very close to the walls and in a narrow planter and surrounded
by concrete on the subject property is subject to an underdeveloped root syste as the walls would
have inhibited normal root growth on two sides and the concrete driveway on the other side.
Trees with unbalanced and underdeveloped root systems often
Trees in a location this close to property line CMU Walls often are required to be removed to
preserve the structural integrity of the walls and or minimize damage to walls.
Rating = 45%
External limitations: (Factors that are outside of the property and control of the property owner and
that affect condition.)
The tree canopy encroaches onto the subject property and two other properties restricting the
owner’s ability to trim and maintain the tree on the adjacent properties.
Rating = 45%
Phillip Chan 15 Corto Rd. Arcadia, CA 91007 October 9, 2018
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 5
Tree # 19: Western juniper “Juniperus occidentalis”
Diameter at breast height: 18 inches --------- Height: = ---------- 35 ft. ---------- Spread: = ---- 30 ft.
Condition = -------- good
Structure = --------- good 90%
Health = ------------ good 90%
Form = -------------- good 90%
Assignment Result
Tree # 19 species = Juniperus Occidentalis
Basic Cost
Cross - sectional area. (3.14 x 9 x 9) -------------------- 254 sq. inches
Unit cost of the largest commonly available tree ---------- $74 per sq. inch
Basic cost (254 sq. in. x $74) --------------------------------- $18,796
Depreciated cost
Physical deterioration “condition” ---- 90% (restrictions on canopy growth from neighboring hedge and vines)
Functional limitation ------------------- 45% (due to trunk against the walls and very narrow planter
External limitations --------------------- 45% (due to large amount of power lines directly above the tree canopy)
Total depreciated cost (18,796 x 0.90 x 0.45 x 0.45 x 1) = $3,426
Total Tree Appraisal Amount = $3,426 dollars
Phillip Chan 15 Corto Rd. Arcadia, CA 91007 October 9, 2018
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 6
Google Earth Image
Phillip Chan 15 Corto Rd. Arcadia, CA 91007 October 9, 2018
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 7
Western Juniper is a shrub or tree native to the western United States that propagates naturally in the mountains
but is not a commonly used tree in the urban landscape. I t is a shrub or tree that is difficult to find in local
nurseries.
Phillip Chan 15 Corto Rd. Arcadia, CA 91007 October 9, 2018
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 8
canopy
Tree # 19: Western juniper “Juniperus occidentalis”
Phillip Chan 15 Corto Rd. Arcadia, CA 91007 October 9, 2018
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 9
trunk
Lacation of removed Juniper # 19
Phillip Chan 15 Corto Rd. Arcadia, CA 91007 October 9, 2018
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 10
Tree trunk was here
Picture strongly suggests the Juniper was pushing the wall behind it away from the trunk.
Phillip Chan 15 Corto Rd. Arcadia, CA 91007 October 9, 2018
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 11
Wall leaning away from the removed tree trunk
This hedge of Photinia and a vine were constraining the Junipers canopy from growing freely south away
from the subject property. And the vine had grown into the tree canopy.
Phillip Chan 15 Corto Rd. Arcadia, CA 91007 October 9, 2018
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 12
Full Scale Site Plan
Phillip Chan 15 Corto Rd. Arcadia, CA 91007 October 9, 2018
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 13
CERTIFICATE OF PERFORMANCE
I, Javier Cabral, certify that:
I have personally inspected the tree 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.
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 International Society of Arboriculture.
Phillip Chan 15 Corto Rd. Arcadia, CA 91007 October 9, 2018
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 14
ARBORIST DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
Arborist: Javier Cabral Date: October 9, 2018
Arborists are tree specialists who use their education, knowledge, training and experience to examine
trees, recommend measures to enhance the beauty and health of trees, make recommendations to prevent
or minimize damage to trees during and after construction projects, and attempt to reduce the risk of
living near trees. Clients may choose to accept or disregard the recommendations of the arborist, or to
seek additional advice.
Arborists cannot detect every condition that could possibly lead to the structural failure of a tree. Trees
are living organisms that fail in ways we do not fully understand. Conditions are often hidden within
trees and below ground. Arborists cannot guarantee that a tree will be healthy or safe un der all
circumstances, or for a specified period of time. Likewise, remedial treatments, like any medicine,
cannot be guaranteed.
Treatment, pruning and removal of trees may involve considerations beyond the scope of the arborist’s
services such as property boundaries, property ownership, site lines, disputes between neighbors, and
other issues. Arborists cannot take such considerations into account unless complete and accurate
information is disclosed to the arborist. An arborist should then be expected to reasonably rely upon the
completeness and accuracy of the information provided.
Trees can be managed, but they cannot be controlled. To live near trees is to accept some degree of risk.
The only way to eliminate all risk associated with trees is to eliminate all trees.
Name of Client: Phillip Chan
Address: 15 Corto Rd. Arcadia, CA 91007
Phillip Chan 15 Corto Rd. Arcadia, CA 91007 October 9, 2018
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 15