HomeMy WebLinkAboutArborist ReportTree Inspection Report
815 Camino Grove Avenida
Arcadia, CA 91007
Prepared for:
David Gutierrez Madrigal/Gisella Bartolome Gomez
Castaneda Tree Service
February 25, 2021
Prepared by:
Ron Semen, Growth Rings Services
American Society of Consulting Arborists- RCA #709
International Society of Arborists # WE -5812
6882 Calmbank Avenue
LaVerne, CA 91108
(626)712-3745
Erowthringsservices(@gmaii.com
growthri n esservices.com
Table of contents
Google Earth Image-
3UMMatcr--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4-5
INTRODUCTION-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6
Background and Assignment---------------------------------------------------------------------------6
Limitations of Assignment and Purpose of This Report ----------------------------------------------6,7
OBSERVATIONS----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7,8
Investigative Methods-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7
Site Observations, Subject Tree Observations & Related Pests,
Flora and Fauna ----------------7,8
TESTING& ANALYSIS--------------------------------------------------------------------------------8
DISCUSSION-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8,9
CONCLUSIONS--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9
RECOMMENDATIONS-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------9
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS----------------------------------------------------------------------------------10-20
ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITING CONDITIONS ----------------------------------------------------)I
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February 26, 2021
David Gutierrez Madrigal
Gisela Bartolome Gomez
815 Camino Grove Avenida
Arcadia, CA 91007
A. SUMMARY
I received a call from call from Heidy, employee of Castaneda's Tree Trimming, on February 19, 2021,
regarding some concerns from their client/property owner, regarding a mature Pinus canariensis tree
(Canary Island Pine) located in the front yard of 815 Camino Grove Avenida in Arcadia. Heidy requested
me to provide a visual inspection of the subject tree to evaluate the current health, note any observed
conditions that may be of concern related to the conditions of the tree and provide a written arborist
report. The current owner of the property is focused on removing the tree if approved by the City of
Arcadia.
On Wednesday, February 24th, 2021, 1 performed a visual inspection of the subject trees focusing on
their health, location and positive and/or negative impacts to the property. I also focused on how the
removal of the tree might impact the property. I also inspected the area surrounding the tree and the
adjacent landscape areas and noted all of my observations. I took photos of the subject tree and general
observations of surrounding site. I also performed a root collar and trunk inspection to identify any
possible signs of decay or other disease concerns.
I determined that overall, the Canary Island Pine tree appears to be in good health, but the structure of
the tree is not favorable, due to poor pruning practices in the past. The tree currently has four (4) co-
dominant leaders versus a single/strong central leader. Structural pruning will not be of much benefit to
the tree due to the significant amount of foliage and branches that would need to be pruned over time
in an effort to re-establish a single trunk tree with a central leader.
In addition, the Canary Island Pine tree is in a small planter relative to the size of the tree and the
expansiveness of the root system for a similar tree of the same species. Impacts to the surrounding
sidewalk, driveway and garage are likely and any significant root pruning is not in the best interest of the
tree. Overall, the tree is out of scale for the property due to its large size.
Finally, the Pine tree has some significant root and trunk concerns including but not limited to root
decay and internal trunk decay. Previous removal and replacement of the adjacent sidewalk included
root pruning/removal, which has negatively impacted not only the root system, but the base of the
trunk on the southwest side of the tree. The continued root and trunk decay may result in the decline of
the tree as well as negatively impact the stability of the tree. Once decay has initiated, one may be able
to slow down with proper plant health care, but this will not stop the decay from progressing and there
are no viable treatments to control or stop the decay.
Front yard:
1. Pinus canariensis-Canary Island Pine Tree
2. Olea europaea- Olive Tree
3. Cupaniopsis anacardioides-Carrotwood Tree
INTRODUCTION
Background
On February 19, 2021, 1 communicated with Heidy, representative from Castaneda's Tree Trimming
Company, regarding the process and feasibility of removing a large/mature Pinus canariensis tree
(Canary Island Pine) located in the front yard of 815 Camino Grove Avenida in Arcadia. Heidy is acting
on behalf of the property owner to secure this report and provide to the City of Arcadia for
consideration. The City of Arcadia requires an arborist report to be submitted for further consideration
on the potential removal of the tree.
Assignment
Heidy requested me to provide a visual inspection of the subject tree to evaluate the current health and
note any observed conditions that may be of concern related to the conditions of the tree. The current
owner of the property was focused on removing the tree if approved by the City of Arcadia through the
tree removal permit process.
After the initial telephone conversation referenced above, and a site visit on February 24th, we agreed
that my assignment is as follow:
1. Provide a written letter report including the following:
• Summary of observations from site visit.
• Results of tests performed on the trees at the site.
• Opinion as to overall health, vigor and conditions of the subject tree.
• Recommendations on any necessary mitigation measures or request for removal based on the
findings.
Limitations of the Assignment
• The recommendations and conclusions provided in this report around the health of the tree and
the overall condition of the tree is based on visual observations conducted at ground level only.
No digging or trenching was conducted to uncover roots below the surface. A canopy inspection
from a bucket truck, with a ladder or by climbing the tree was not conducted.
• A Hazardous Tree Risk Assessment was not performed on the subject tree.
• No trunk drilling or internal trunk decay assessment with a Resistograph device was performed
on the subject tree.
• The heath condition of any tree is static and can quickly change and/or be impacted by weather
conditions including wind, rain or a combination of these at any level. Continued assessment is
necessary to note and changes that may be unforeseeable.
Purpose and Use of the Report
The purpose of this report is to provide a summary of all of the observations, testing/analysis,
discussion, conclusions and recommendations regarding the of the overall health and vigor of the
subject tree, as well as to note and evaluate any observed site issues that may be of concern related to
the tree and the property. In addition, the purpose of this report is to consider how the subject tree
removal(s) may Impact the property and what efforts should be made to improve the site and create a
sustainable and practical landscape on the property. The tree evaluated is one (1) Pinus canariensis
(Canary Island Pine) tree.
OBSERVATIONS
Investigation Methods
The primary tasks listed in the "assignment' section above is to first of all, perform a visual inspection of
the subject tree to try to evaluate the current health and overall condition.
In addition, the "assignment' included evaluating and confirming the current and potential future safety
concerns related to the poorly structured Pine trees and adjacent utility lines.
Finally, I decided to perform a root collar and trunk inspection to determine if and roots and/or trunk
decay was present. I utilized a small hand trowel to remove areas of soil around the roots for inspection
as well as a small rubber mallet to sound the trunk and to note any irregularities in the wood.
Site Observations
When I first arrived at the site to observe the tree, I performed a general evaluation of the area within
close proximity to the tree. The site is located within the City of Arcadia. The neighborhood is
composed of single-family homes. The drip line environment of the subject Canary Island Pine tree
consists of an irrigated planter area, driveway, sidewalk and the adjacent street. The area directly
around the tree is void of plant material but does have a layer of course mulch covering much of the
area. There is also a property line hedge that runs from north to south along the west property line.
Subject Tree Observations
Tree #1- Pinus carariensis- Canary Island Pine
• Diameter 46.5 inches at standard height (DBH) and a canopy radius of approximately 22 feet.
• The height of the tree is approximately 61.5 feet.
• The tree has good root flare and trunk taper
• The tree has four (4) co -dominant leaders originating from the trunk of the tree -improper pruning
when tree was young to develop one (1) strong/central leader.
• The pine needles appear normal in size and fullness/density throughout the canopy.
• Scaffold limbs and secondary limbs appear well attached
• Much of the canopy from the subject tree extends over the neighbor's property and over the
adjacent sidewalk/street.
Related Pests, Flora, and Fauna
• Fugal activity found on roots severed near sidewalk
• Decayevidenton southwest side of lower trunk
TESTING and ANALYSIS
First, I conducted a visual inspection of the canopy, trunk and surround roots on the subject tree to
determine if there were any concerns present. I noted the foliage/needles in the canopy of subject tree
to be normal in size and density/fullness throughout the canopy. Previous sidewalk and driveway apron
replacement resulted in severed roots and associated decay. The decayed root is connected to the
trunk area where sunken trunk tissue is present. The sunken areas are signs that trunk and root decay is
present.
Next, I performed a visual root collar inspection around the balance of the tree to identify any possible
root disease or decay that may present. A root collar excavation is the process of removing the dirt for
other foreign materials from around the trunk of a tree to inspect the base. This is done to investigate
the extent of decay that is present or to view the structure of the roots to see if there may be a girdling
root issue. Girdling roots are roots that have been misdirected and grow around or across the tree trunk
causing tree health issues. Other than the sunken area on the southwest side of the trunk, no other
significant issues were issues found that are currently compromising the health or stability of the tree.
Finally, I also sounded the base of the tree to determine if there were any potential areas of decay in the
trunk that could compromise the structural integrity of the tree. The sounding was performed around
the entire perimeter of the subject tree just above the natural grade around the trunk of the tree. I did
note a change in sound when striking the sunken areas on the southwest side of the trunk but there
were no noticeable changes sound in the balance of areas around the trunk of the tree.
DISCUSSION
Overall, the Canary Island Pine tree appears to be in good health, but the structure of the tree is not
favorable, due to poor pruning practices in the past. Structural pruning will not be of much benefit to
the tree due to the significant amount of foliage and branches that would need to be pruned over time
in an effort to re-establish a single trunk tree with a central leader.
In addition, the Canary Island Pine tree is in a small planter relative to the size of the tree and the
expansiveness of the root system for a similar tree of the same species. Impacts to the surrounding
sidewalk, driveway and garage are likely and any significant root pruning is not in the best interest of the
tree. The tree is quite large and out of scale for the property.
Finally, the Pine tree has some significant root and trunk concerns including but not limited to root
decay and internal trunk decay. Previous removal and replacement of the adjacent sidewalk included
root pruning/removal, which has negatively impacted not only the root system, but the base of the
trunk on the west side of the tree as well. The continued root and trunk decay (sunken area and bulging
areas) may result in the decline of the tree as well as negatively Impact the stability of the tree.
CONCLUSIONS
The subject Pine tree appears to be in good health overall, but there is internal trunk decay, adjacent
root decay and the structure of tree is less than favorable. The continued root and trunk decay may
result in the decline of the tree as well as negatively impact the stability of the tree. Once decay has
initiated, one may be able to slow down with proper plant health care, but this will not stop the decay
from progressing and there are no viable treatments to control or stop the decay.
Corrective pruning will not be of much benefit to the tree due to the mature age of the tree and the
significant number of branches that would need to be pruned, over a period of time, to develop a single
trunked tree.
Due to the findings and conditions of the subject Canary Island Pine tree, my recommendation is for the
removal of the tree. The replanting of appropriate quantity and species of trees to offset the loss of
foliage in the front yard must meet the City of Arcadia's requirements. Given the small available
planting space in the front yard, I would recommend planting 1-36" box dwarf Pine tree adjacent to the
existing Canary Island Pine tree.
All work must be performed by a state licensed tree contractor with a City business license. In addition,
an approved tree removal permit, as required, to be posted at the site during the work.
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Assumptions and Limiting Conditions
I, Ron Serven, 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 Consultant 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 owner and client of the trees may choose to accept or disregard the
recommendations of the Consultant or seek additional advice to determine if a tree
meets the owner's risk abatement standards.
• The Consultant has no past, present or future interest in the removal, retention or
preservation of any tree. The opinions contained herein are the independent and
objective judgements of the Consultant related to circumstances and observations
make on the subject site.
• The recommendations contained in this report are the opinion of the Consulting
Arborist at the time of the inspection. These opinions are based on the knowledge,
experience, and education of the Consultant.
• The field inspection was a visual, grade level tree assessment.
• The Consultant shall not be required to provide testimony, provide site monitoring,
provide further documentation, be deposed, or to attend any meeting without
subsequent contractual arrangements for additional fees for such services as
described by the Consultant.
• The Consultant assumes no responsibility for verification of ownership or location of
property lines, or for results of any actions or recommendations based on inaccurate
information.
• This Arborist report may not be reproduced without the expressed written permission
of the Consulting Arborist and the client to whom the report was provided to. Any
changes or alteration of this report invalidates the entire report.
• Consulting 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.
• Consulting 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 arbodst'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.
Thank you and feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Your truly,
Ron Serven, Growth Rings Services
Registered Consulting Arborist #709
I.S.A Certified Arborist- WE -5812
erowthrinesservicesCeDgmail com
growthri ngsservices.com
626-712-3745