HomeMy WebLinkAboutArborist ReportTeter y. riarnism
(626) 945 3176
peter@harnischtreecare.com
1022 Santa Ana St.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Theresia Liem
72 W. Pamela Rd.,
Arcadia, CA 91007
8/23/20
Background
1I5L ISA Certified Arborist WE -0773A
Registered Consulting Arborist #595
ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified
ASCA Tree and Plant Appraisal Qualification
Member American Society of Consulting Arborists
You recently contacted me regarding oak trees at 1141 Oakwood Drive in Arcadia. You
informed me that you had the trees pruned a short time ago to provide clearance. The
City of Arcadia thought that the pruning was excessive and asked you to have an
arborist provide a written evaluation.
I traveled to the site on August 21, 2020 to inspect the trees. I took photographs and
measurements and plotted subject trees on a satellite image. I assigned numbers to
each one (1-3) for reference purposes (see Appendix A: Satellite Image).
Observations
There are three large coast live oak trees (Quercus agrifo/ia) on the property that had
been recently pruned. They have the following dimensions;
Oak #1 is located on the north side of the house adjacent to the attached garage (see
Appendix B: Photo 1). It has grown very close to the structure. Its trunk is within a foot
of the roof line (see Appendix B: Photo 2). It is the largest of the three trees. Soil
conditions appeared to be dry and compacted. Its trunk flare was not adequate where it
met the soil line (see Appendix B: Photo 3). Oak root fungus activity may be present
there, however, more detailed inspections would have to be done to be more
conclusive. Pruning appears to have been excessive; adequate terminals were not
maintained at the pruning site in many cases.
Oak #2 is located on the south side of the house within the fenced in portion of the
residence. It has grown between the structure and the southern property line (see
Appendix B: Photo 4). Soil conditions were dry and compacted. Pruning also appeared
to be excessive. Adequate terminals were not always maintained.
er @ Breast Canopy
ei ht S read
Height (laser range finder)
E3720.4"
33.2" 33'
34.5'
23.7" 28'
30'
15'
35'
Oak #1 is located on the north side of the house adjacent to the attached garage (see
Appendix B: Photo 1). It has grown very close to the structure. Its trunk is within a foot
of the roof line (see Appendix B: Photo 2). It is the largest of the three trees. Soil
conditions appeared to be dry and compacted. Its trunk flare was not adequate where it
met the soil line (see Appendix B: Photo 3). Oak root fungus activity may be present
there, however, more detailed inspections would have to be done to be more
conclusive. Pruning appears to have been excessive; adequate terminals were not
maintained at the pruning site in many cases.
Oak #2 is located on the south side of the house within the fenced in portion of the
residence. It has grown between the structure and the southern property line (see
Appendix B: Photo 4). Soil conditions were dry and compacted. Pruning also appeared
to be excessive. Adequate terminals were not always maintained.
Oak #3 is also located on the south side of the property near oak #2, however, it is
closer to the front of the house (see Appendix B: Photo 5). Soil conditions and pruning
treatments were similar to what was observed with the other oaks.
Conclusion
All three oaks appear to have been pruned excessively. Pruning practices were less
than desirable in my opinion. Adequate terminals did not appear to have been
maintained at the pruning site in many cases. Decay may form into parent wood as a
result. The associated foliate loss has induced a stressed condition. I am also
concerned about the possible oak root fungus activity within oak #1. 1 believe, however,
that the oaks will survive if steps are taken to improve their condition.
Recommendations
I recommend that you hire a qualified consulting arborist (CA) to supervise, direct or
perform the following;
• Perform a root crown excavation and inspection of oak tree #1. Provide further
recommendations based on findings.
• Carefully cultivate soil within the root zone of all three oaks to break up
compaction.
• Provide vertical mulch procedures to the root zone of the tree oaks with time
release fertilizer when needed. Materials and application to be approved by the
CA.
• Deep root water the oaks monthly until adequate rainfall is realized. Deep water
should be applied within root zones but not near trunks.
• Provide and install a three-inch layer of coarse mulch which is disease and pest
free. Mulch to be installed around the root zone but not piled directly against the
tree trunks. Type of mulch used to be approved by the CA.
• Monitor trees monthly until December 2020 and provide additional
recommendations including further monitoring intervals/schedule.
Let me know if I can be of further assistance in this matter,
i
Peter Harnisch
Appendix A: Satellite Image
VINt
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