HomeMy WebLinkAboutArborist Report
245 W Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007
Prepared for:
Eric Tsang “Eric Tsang Design Studio”
440 E Huntington Dr.
Arcadia, CA 91006
March 8, 2020
Revised December 22, 2020
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
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 1
Table of contents
Summary ----------------------------------------------------------------- pg. 3
Background and assignment Summary ------------------------------ pg. 3
Site Conditions &Google Earth Image ------------------------------- pg. 4
List Inventory ------------------------------------------------------------ pg. 5
Site Plan With Trees ---------------------------------------------------- pg. 6
Tree Pictures ------------------------------------------------------------- pg. 7 thru 22
Protection Guidelines --------------------------------------------------- pg. 23 thru 28
Certificate of performance --------------------------------------------- pg. 29
Arborist Signature Page ------------------------------------------------ Pg. 30
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 2
Summary
Mr. Tsang,
You have retained my consulting arborist services to provide a tree inventory and protection plan for the
property described as 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007. You are in the planning and permitting process of
demolishing the existing single-family home and redeveloping the property with a new single-family home.
The proposed demolition and construction are expected to have minimal to no impact to the protected trees that
will remain due to the distance of excavations, trenches, and footings to the tree trunks. A complete tree
protection plan will be included to protect above and below ground tree parts from physical damage, soil
compaction, and chemical damage.
Background and assignment
Mr. Tsang is the Architectural Design firm that is overseeing the proposed development and
improvements from design to construction of the proposed development.
Mr. Tsang has requested that I provide the following arboricultural services.
1) Identify all trees on the property and label them on the architectural drawings as provided to the
arborist by Mr. Eric Tsang.
2) Evaluate the current health of the trees and possible impacts of the proposed construction based
on the provided site plan and make recommendations.
3) Provide a tree protection plan that will help ensure the short- and long-term health of the trees
that will remain during and after construction activities are completed.
The following report is based on my site visit on March 2, 2020 and my analysis of the trees, site plan,
and surrounding landscape. For the purpose of this report I will address these trees as Trees # 1 thru 14.
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 3
Site conditions
A one-story single-family home currently exists on this property located 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007.
This lot is between two single family residences on both sides of the property line.
1) There are (14) total on-site trees on the subject property of which (3) trees qualify for protection due to
their species, location, and diameter at four- and one-half ft. above natural grade.
2) There is one off-site Oak tree #14 on the inventory that is not expected to be impacted due to its distance
from any foundations and lower elevation than the subject property.
3) Of the total of (3) protected on-site trees (1) Coast live oak tree is proposed to be removed because it is in
severe state of decline as evidenced by its severely defoliated canopy and the lower trunk invaded by
fruiting bodies. The quantity of fruiting bodies or conks are a sign that the wood at the base of the trunk is
extremely decayed and poses a very high risk of failure. The lean of the tree to the southeast further
increases the risk of the tree falling on the neighbor’s property and has a high potential to cause personal
injury and property damage.
Google Earth Image
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 M arch 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 4
A) - Healthy, vigorous tree, reasonably free of disease, with good structure and form typical of the species.
B) - A tree with slight decline in vigor, small amount of twig dieback, minor structural defects that could be
corrected.
C) - A tree with moderate vigor, moderate twig and small branch dieback, thinning crown, poor leaf color,
moderate structural defects that might be mitigated.
D) – A tree in decline, epicormics growth, extensive dieback of medium to large branches, significant structural
defects that cannot be abated.
F) – A tree in severe decline, dieback of scaffold branches and or trunk, mostly epicormics growth, extensive
structural defects that cannot be abated.
List Inventory pg. 1
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 5
Site Survey With Trees (full scale)
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 6
Tree # 1 (facing west)
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 7
# 1 Holly oak
(DBH = 30 in.)
Trees # 2 & 3 (facing east)
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 8
# 3 Plum
(DBH = 6 in.)
dead
# 2 Pin oak
(DBH = 8+ 9 in.)
Tree with no leaves
Trees # 4 thru 6 (facing northwest)
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 9
Tree # 7 (facing northwest)
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 10
Tree # 7 Guava
(DBH= 1+1+1+1+1+1+1+1+2+2+2+2 in.)
Tree # 8 (facing south)
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 11
Tree # 8 Elderberry
(DBH= 1+1+1+2+2+2+2+3 in.)
Tree # 9 (facing west)
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 12
Tree # 9 Camelia
(DBH= 1+1+1+1+2+2+3 in.)
Tree # 10 (facing north)
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 13
Tree # 10 Grapefruit
(DBH= 5+5+5+5 in.)
Tree # 11 (facing east)
This Coast live Oak tree is in severe state of decline as evidenced by the sparse canopy, small discolored
leaves, deadwood in the canopy but especially by the almost completely dead lower trunk. The tree has
no root flare which indicated that the roots were either severed or stopped growing due to disease. The
very large number of fungal conks indicate a huge amount of dead and decayed wood in the lower trunk.
It is my professional opinion that this tree has very little root system anchoring it to the ground and that
the severely decayed lower trunk can contribute to complete tree failure in the near future. Based on the
severity of the decline of this tree, the lack of mitigation measures to nurse it back to health, and the
hazard posed to people and property it is my recommendation that this tree be removed as soon as
practically possible and after receiving the approval of the City of Arcadia Planning department.
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 14
Tree # 11 Coast live oak
(DBH= 30 in.)
Severely defoliated and sparse
canopy suggests that dead branches
have been consistently pruned off.
Tree # 11 (facing north)
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 15
Tree # 11 Coast live oak
(DBH= 30 in.)
Dead wood underneath
peeling, cracked & dead bark
Sunken area of lower trunk
indicates root loss
Lack of root flare indicates root
loss and minimum root growth
Tree # 11 (facing west)
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 16
Large conks indicate severely decayed
wood in the entire lower trunk
Large amounts of dead cracking bark
indicate severely decayed tree wood
underneath
Large conks indicate severely decayed
wood in the entire lower trunk
Tree # 11 (facing south)
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 17
Large amounts of dead cracking bark
indicate severely decayed tree wood
underneath
Tree # 11 (facing east)
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 18
Large amounts of dead cracking bark
indicate severely decayed tree wood
underneath
Tree # 12 (facing north)
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 19
Tree severely topped in the past.
# 12 Plum
(DBH = 21 in.)
Tree # 13 (facing north)
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 20
Tree # 14 (facing east)
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 21
# 14 Coast live oak
(DBH = 21 in.)
Protected Tree Removals
Tree # 11 Coast live oak
This Coast live Oak tree is in severe state of decline as evidenced by the sparse canopy, small discolored
leaves, deadwood in the canopy but especially by the almost completely dead lower trunk. The tree has
no root flare which indicated that the roots were either severed or stopped growing due to disease. The
very large number of fungal conks indicate a huge amount of dead and decayed wood in the lower trunk.
It is my professional opinion that this tree has very little root system anchoring it to the ground and that
the severely decayed lower trunk can contribute to complete tree failure in the near future. Based on the
severity of the decline of this tree, the lack of mitigation measures to nurse it back to health, and the
hazard posed to people and property it is my recommendation that this tree be removed as soon as
practically possible and after receiving the approval of the City of Arcadia Planning department.
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 22
# 11 Coast live oak
(DBH = 21 in.)
General Tree Protection Guidelines
1) Avoid damaging the roots, stem, and branches with mechanical and manual equipment. No roots shall be
severed within the Tree Protection Zone “TPZ” which is the same as the area within the Tree Protection
Fencing “TPF.” Roots greater than two inches in diameter outside of the TPZ shall be cleanly severed with a
sharp tool such as a hand saw or manual pruners.
2) Avoid soil compaction by prohibiting the use of heavy equipment such as backhoes and bobcats under the
tree drip line. If access within the TPZ is required during the construction process, the route shall be covered
in a 6-inch layer of mulch in the TPZ and the area shall be aerated and fertilized at the conclusion of
construction.
3) Do not store or park tools, equipment, vehicles, or chemicals under the tree drip line. No equipment or
debris of any kind shall be placed within the TPZ. No fuel, paint, solvent oil, thinner, asphalt, cement, grout,
or any other construction chemical shall be stored or allowed in any manner to enter within the TPZ.
4) Avoid washing of equipment and tools such as wheel barrels, shovels, and mechanical motors under the tree
drip line.
5) Prevent flooding and pooling of service water under the drip line. Grade changes that will flood the TPZ are
prohibited unless a drainage plan is implemented. No grade changes within the TPZ shall be allowed.
6) Avoid cutting tree roots whenever possible. This can sometimes be accomplished by bridging roots,
tunneling, or radial trenching. If roots must be cut use a sharp tool that will make a clean flush cut and not tear
the roots. If possible, all digging under the tree drip line should be done manually to avoid tearing out of
roots. Roots outside of the TPZ may be cleanly severed vertically with a sharp garden tool.
7) Do not raise or lower the grade within the tree protection zone of any protected trees unless approved by the
project arborist. Roots greater than 1 inch in diameter that are exposed or damaged shall be cut with a sharp
tool such as a hand saw, pruners, or loppers and covered with soil in conformance to industry standards. If
any work is required within the TPZ the Arborist shall be consulted previous to beginning. The Arborist shall
be contacted as soon as possible to arrange for a timely inspection and prevent delays.
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 20 20
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 23
8) Place a protective barrier or temporary fencing as directed by the consulting arborist in the diagram below.
The protection fencing shall be in place before demolition begins and shall only be removed or reduced
when all heavy equipment such as back-hoes, bobcats, loaders, and other heavy equipment with tires
and tracks will not be required. Fencing can be adjusted, or sections reduced or removed as the project
advances into the landscaping phases of the project. The consulting arborist shall be contacted if there are
doubts about the placement or removal of fencing.
9) Landscape preparation & excavation within the TPZ shall be limited to the use of hand tools and small
hand-held power tools and shall not be of a depth that could cause root damage. No attachments or wires
other than those of a protective or non-damaging method shall be attached to a protected tree.
10) Construction personnel should be briefed on the importance of the guidelines before construction begins
and reminded of it during tailgate meetings and as necessary. A printed copy should be posted where
employees can be reminded of it.
11) All protected trees shall be watered before, during, and after construction as needed to prevent drought
stress and tree death until sprinklers have been installed and are functional.
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 24
Site Plan With Protection Fencing
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 25
Tree # 1 Coast live oak Protection Details
a) Structural excavation and over-excavation: The canopy of this tree is not within the foundation for the
proposed home and it will not be impacted by the excavations.
b) Concrete walkway: The concrete walkway northeast of the Oak tree trunk is approximately 17 ft. from the
trunk. At this distance the impact to the tree is expected to be minimal to zero.
c) New Landscaping: No roots greater than 2 inches shall be severed for installation of plants within 15 ft. of
the tree trunk on all sides of this tree.
d) New Sprinklers: No broadcast trenching shall be allowed within 15 ft. of all sides of the tree trunk.
Alternatives can sometimes be accomplished by radial trenching, Tunneling under roots, and above ground
drip systems.
e) Canopy pruning: No pruning will be required to complete the proposed construction project.
f) Root pruning: Any roots encountered for the walkway and beyond 15 ft. of the trunk edge can be cleanly
severed with a sharp tool.
g) Protection Fencing: shall consist of 6 ft. high chain-link free-standing panels and shall be in place before any
works begins including demolition. It shall only be removed or adjusted for installation of the concrete patio
north of the tree. Heavy equipment with wheels or tracks shall never enter the TPZ including after the
protection fencing has been removed for landscaping.
h) Maintenance: During the hot summer months the tree shall be watered as needed until the sprinkler system
is installed and working.
i) Encroachment impacts: This project is expected to have a minimal impact on the short- or long-term health
of this Oak tree and it is expected to survive in good health if the protection recommendations are followed
and adhered to.
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 26
Tree # 2 Coast live oak Protection Details
a) Structural excavation and over-excavation: Structural Excavation: The canopy of this tree is not within
the foundation for the proposed home and it will not be impacted by the excavations.
b) Driveway: The new driveway is proposed slightly further away than the existing driveway. For this
reason, the impact is expected to be minimal.
c) New Landscaping: No roots greater than 2 inches shall be severed for installation of plants within 5 ft. of
the tree trunk on all sides of this tree.
d) New Sprinklers: No broadcast trenching shall be allowed within 8 ft. of all sides of the tree trunk.
Alternatives can sometimes be accomplished by radial trenching, Tunneling under roots, and above
ground drip systems.
e) Canopy pruning: No pruning will be required to complete the proposed construction project.
f) Root pruning: No root pruning will be required for this proposed construction project.
g) Protection Fencing: shall consist of 6 ft. high chain-link free-standing panels and shall be in place before
any works begins including demolition. They shall only be removed or adjusted for installation of the
concrete walkway between the tree and new house and for the installation of the new lawn. Heavy
equipment with wheels or tracks shall never enter the TPZ including after the protection fencing has
been removed for landscaping.
h) Maintenance: During the hot summer months the tree shall be watered as needed until the sprinkler
system is installed and working.
i) Encroachment impacts: This project is expected to have a minimal to moderate impact on the short- or
long-term health of this tree and it is expected to survive in good health if the protection
recommendations are followed and adhered to.
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 27
Tree # 14 Coast live oak Protection Details
a) Structural excavation and over-excavation: Structural Excavation: The canopy of this tree is not within
the foundation for the proposed home and it will not be impacted by the excavations.
b) Driveway: This tree will not be impacted by the proposed driveway.
c) New Landscaping: Tilling of the soil for the proposed new lawn within the dripline of this tree shall be
no deeper than 4 inches.
d) New Sprinklers: No broadcast trenching shall be allowed within 12 ft. of all sides of the tree trunk.
Alternatives can sometimes be accomplished by radial trenching, Tunneling under roots, and above
ground drip systems.
e) Canopy pruning: No pruning will be required to complete the proposed construction project.
f) Root pruning: Any roots encountered for the foundation of the proposed new home and sprinklers
system but no closer than 12 ft. from the edge of the tree trunk can be severed manually with a sharp
tool that will leave a flush and clean cut.
g) Protection Fencing: shall consist of 6 ft. high chain-link free-standing panels and shall be in place before
any works begins including demolition. Heavy equipment with wheels or tracks shall never enter the TPZ
including after the protection fencing has been removed for landscaping.
h) Maintenance: During the hot summer months the tree shall be watered as needed until the sprinkler
system is installed and working.
i) Encroachment impacts: This project is expected to have a minimal to zero impact on the short- or long-
term health of this tree and it is expected to survive in good health if the protection recommendations
are followed and adhered to.
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 28
Certificate of Performance & Arborists Disclosure Statement
I Javier Cabral certify the following:
• No warranty is made, expressed or implied, that problems or deficiencies of the trees or the property
will not occur in the future, from any cause. The Arborist shall not be responsible for damages or
injuries caused by any tree defects and assume no responsibility for the correction of defects or tree
related problems. The Arborist assumes no responsibility for damage to trees as a result of the
construction activities as the Arborist cannot be present at all times to witness all construction tasks
near the subject trees.
• The owner and client of the trees may choose to accept or disregard the recommendations of the
Arborist or seek additional advice if the owner decides not to accept the Arborists findings or
recommendations.
• The Arborist has no past, present or future interest in the removal or preservation of any tree. The
opinions contained in the Arborist report are independent and objective judgements of the Arborist.
• The findings, opinions, and recommendations of the Arborist are based on based on the physical
inspection of said property. The opinions are based on knowledge, experience, and education.
• The Arborist shall not be required to provide testimony, provide site monitoring, provide further
documentation for changes beyond the control of the Arborist, be deposed, or to attend any meeting
without contractual arrangements for additional fees to the Arborist.
• The Arborist assumes no responsibility for verification of ownership or location of property lines, or
for any recommendations based on inaccurate information.
• This Arborist report may not be reproduced without the expressed written permission of the Arborist
and the client to whom the report was provided to. Any changes or alteration of this report invalidates
the entire report.
• 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 proje cts, 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 under 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 li nes, 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.
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 29
Eric Tsang 245 Naomi Ave Arcadia, CA 91007 March 6, 2020
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 30