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HomeMy WebLinkAboutArborist Report4-23-2020 Protected Tree Report 905 Magnis Street project Arcadia, CA To Whom It May Concern: On Tuesday October 27th, 2020 1 visited the property located at 905 Magnis Street in Arcadia to see if there were Protected tree (s) on the property and to examine the adjacent properties to determine if there were other Protected trees near the proposed forthcoming construction. Once there I discovered a young Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) located on the undeveloped portion of this property in the area intended as the location for the new building. This Oak features a DSH of 12.9 inches, has a near -circular crown of 22' at widest, is 21' tall, was topped fairly recently at 19' and is probably somewhere between 15 and 25 years old. It has been inexpertly pruned and features an atypical upright "lollipop" form, unnatural for this normally decurrent species (see photo 1). The most recent pruning episode looks to have been performed within the last year or two and the tree is shrubby and rather unlovely. This is not a venerable old Oak and its relative youth coupled with the pruning that it has undergone means that this tree does not evince any of the sprawling majesty for which these trees are famous. The regrowth is vigorous and as this is a fairly young tree it could be expected to grow back towards its native form over time if left unmolested. It should be noted, however, that the trunk features a surprising number of included -bark crotches (see photos 2 and 3), areas of structural concern. Notwithstanding the tree's shortcomings and previous misfortunes, it is of a species and size that qualifies it as a protected tree and therefore its elimination needs to be for a compelling reason. I am advised by the architect/builder that the dimensions and layout of the lot coupled with the restrictions imposed by the Arcadia Municipal Code are such that the only location on this lot that would satisfy the City of Arcadia setback requirements mandate placement of this proposed structure atop the tree in question. The tree is removable whereas the City Ordinances are not. Therefore, the tree must be removed. The Urban Lumberjack Steve Marshall Steve Marshall 5937 Great Oak Circle, Los Angeles, CA 90042 ISA Certified Arborist (323) 664-9473 • www.theurbanlumberjack.com WE -8830A Insured • Bonded • CA Lic. # 740167 Page 2 Protected Tree Report 905 Magnis Street project Arcadia, CA As a younger specimen, its elimination would have a very modest impact on the urban forest, an impact that could be readily addressed by the installation of another Oak (or two) in a more well-chosen location on the property. More on that topic will follow. As for nearby examples of protected trees there is also a juvenile Engelman Oak (Quercus engelmonnii), approximately 5" DSH to the north of the property in a neighbor's backyard set back 11' from the frontier of the Magnis property. As the proposed building's footprint at nearest will be over 20' from this very modest specimen, this tree will not even notice the new structure's erection and presence. Presuming that permission is granted for elimination of the Oak sited on the property where the construction will occur, the next question is what mitigation should be undertaken. I propose the installation of 2 Native Oaks on the property which will, in time, provide an offset for the loss of the single existing specimen. This leads us to considerations of species, size, placement and timing. The tree facing removal is, as referenced above, a Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia). I would argue that replacing this tree with another of similar species is ill-advised. Agrifolia is a species under some threat from the brutal summer heat that is becoming all too familiar in Southern California. In addition, this tree's natural form is sprawling, and it likes to grow down to the ground, neither of which considerations make sense on this lot. Therefore, I would recommend replacing this tree with either a Douglas Oak (Quercus douglasii) or an Engelmann Oak (Quercus engelmannii), both California Natives. Consideration might also be given to the Texas Live Oak (Quercus fusiformis). All three of these trees are more upright in form, come from regions of higher average temperatures and are therefore better fits for what nature seems destined to bring our way for the foreseeable future. Next comes the question of container size. The Urban Lumberjack Steve Marshall Steve Marshall 5937 Great Oak Circle, Los Angeles, CA 90042 ISA Certified Arborist (323) 664-9473 • www.theurbanlumberjack.com WE -8830A Insured • Bonded • CA Lic. # 740167 Page 3 Protected Tree Report 905 Magnis Street project Arcadia, CA 24" boxed trees are the common choice, but it must be acknowledged that 24" container -sized specimens of these proposed specimens may be of limited availability in nearby nurseries. Be that as it may, I suggest that it makes better sense to plant the tree that has the best prospects for the future regardless of container size rather than to plant a tree with dubious prospects for the future merely because it is readily available in a larger container. After all, a 15 gallon container -sized specimen will grow into a size that would merit a 24" box in a year or two and will, of course, continue to grow larger throughout its long life. If 24" container -sized examples of the recommended species are to be had let us by all means install them. If only 15 gallon container -sized specimens are available, let's plant those. But in either case let's plant the right trees in the right locations on this property and enjoy watching them become specimens of real value to the urban forest. Finally, we come to the questions of location and timing. I propose planting 2 specimens of the appropriate species on the locations marked with the letter X on the plot plan. Standing to the west of the two structures (SFD and the forthcoming ADU), these trees will, in time, provide a welcome pattern of shade to these two buildings. As for timing, they should be planted after construction is completed to diminish the potential for harm that all trees face when they are proximate to the rough-and-tumble process of creating a new building. Thanks for your time and attention and please feel free to get in touch if I may provide additional information. Sincerely yours, Steve Marshall ISA Certified Arborist WE -8830A Member, American Society of Consulting Arborists The Urban Lumberjack LLC CA LIC 740167 The Urban Lumberjack Steve Marshall Steve Marshall 5937 Great Oak Circle, Los Angeles, CA 90042 ISA Certified Arborist (323) 664-9473 • www.theurbanlumberjack.com WE -8830A Insured • Bonded • CA Lic. # 740167