Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSDP 2019-0015; JEFFERSON STREET APARTMENTS; FICUS TREE PROTECTION PLAN; 2020-11-02November 2, 2020 Bejan Arfaa Architects 2900 Fourth Ave. Suite 110 San Diego, CA 92103 RE: Ficus Tree Protection Plan - 3039 Jefferson Street Mr. Arfaa, The following report documents the health of one Indian laurel fig (Ficus microcarpa) in the parkway tree of 3039 Jefferson Street in Carlsbad, CA. It also estimates the impact planned construction would have on the subject tree and provides strategies to preserve and protect the tree during all phases of construction. Briefly, the health of the subject tree was GOOD at the time of assessment on August 27, 2020. The planned demolition and construction should not significantly harm the tree based on current health, response to previous care services, species hardiness, and width of the parkway: •The crown of the tree had no dieback in the crown; the leaves had no significant pest or disease problems; the trunk and surface roots had no signs of oozing or bleeding. •In the past, the subject tree was root and crown pruned without any apparent negative affect, which is normal for Indian laurel figs. Ficus trees in general are a hardy species and tolerate injury and disturbance. •The tree appeared to be getting routine irrigation. Indian laurel figs can grow under most conditions; they prefer moist conditions but can thrive in dry situations. •The size of the parkway, even after construction, is fairly wide and most of the root system will not be affected (including roots under the street). Based on the construction plans, and our meeting October 28th, the tree should be reduced in size before any work begins. The west side of the tree will require specific cuts to reduce branch length; the northwest and southwest will also require reduction pruning, but to a lesser extent. The east sides of the tree should be reduced to balance somewhat, providing atheistic appeal. The crown will be somewhat uneven but that will not affect stability. PO Box 12865, San Diego, CA 92112 www.treelifeconsulting.com The Consultant will need to be present during the pruning to ensure the best cuts are made. Reduction cuts can redirect some west-growing, lower branches towards the north or south. Branch removal cuts are to be avoided. Reductions cuts will occur up to 20 feet above ground level; and branches are to be reduced in length so they extend no longer than five feet west of the curb. The upper branches will not be reduced as much, as they will grow over a patio feature of the building. The top, vertical branches probably will require no reduction. The tree will require regular maintenance to keep branches from growing into the building. This can be done with annual pruning, and only cutting what is needed to achieve clearance. Other options include tree growth regulators and modifying the irrigation. After the asphalt/concrete is removed from under the canopy, a four-inch layer of coarse mulch (one-inch wood chips or larger) and plywood should be placed over the exposed soil. Once the driveway is removed, the parkway planter for the tree should immediately be constructed. Protective fencing should be erected around the parkway strip to restrict vehicle and pedestrian access, and care should be taken to not compact soil within the dripline where concrete or asphalt is removed. Coarse mulch and plywood will help evenly distribute any weight under the canopy until cement can be poured. Roots may be pruned on the west side of the sidewalk, but they must be cleanly cut and covered with soil within an hour. Since the roots have been pruned in the past when the sidewalk was repaired, any new growth will likely be relatively small. Please review the remainder of this report for details about the health assessment, suggested tree protection measures, and other care instructions during construction. My health assessment evaluated aspects of the leaves and upper canopy to determine the trees ability to create enough energy from photosynthesis to resist disrupting biological function. Opinions are valid for one year. Representative photos of the subject tree were included in Appendix A, starting on page three. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you, Bradley Brown Board Certified Master Arborist #WE7754B Registered Consulting Arborist #511 Tree Risk Assessment Qualified PO Box 12865, San Diego, CA 92112 www.treelifeconsulting.com 3039 Jefferson Street Carlsbad, CA Indian Laurel Fig Tree Protection Plan Health Assessment Indian laurel fig (Ficus microcarpa): Based on my observations, the health of the subject tree was rated as GOOD. •Live-crown ratio: The lowest limbs were well below the lower half of the tree. About 3/4 of the overall height of the tree contained foliage (leaves, twigs, branch ends). Crown opacity was high because canopy foliage was dense: photosynthetic capacity was high. •Symmetrical crown: The branch arrangement and crown structure of the tree was evenly distributed and well-spaced. •Vitality: I observed no dieback or necrosis throughout the crown. The entire canopy was free of recent mortality on branches. •Quality: Similar to Vitality, this rating was high based on the normal-sized, healthy-looking leaves in the upper crown. •Branch taper: The diameter of branches noticeably tapers with distance from the trunk or parent branch. Taper is a mechanical advantage associated with better tree health and branch architecture. Though the subject tree has a history of crown and root pruning, I observed no decay, dieback, or discoloration in the roots, trunk, or crown. Based on callous growth, roots pruned when sidewalk repairs were made have compartmentalized/responded well. Representative photos begin on Page Six. Construction Impact The planned demolition and construction should not significantly harm the tree. Based on my review of construction documents, only the west side of the tree will be impacted by demolition and construction. The impact will be minimal if certain protective measures are taken to reduce the tree’s overall size and protect the soil under the canopy. The parkway is sixteen-feet wide, and the sidewalk is five-feet wide; there will be about thirteen feet from the trunk to the new construction. This means much of the root system will not be affected, particularly if protective fencing is erected and mulch applied as suggested later in this report. Tree Life Consulting 1 3039 Jefferson Street Carlsbad, CA Indian Laurel Fig Tree Protection Plan Based on my review of the planned construction, work activities will impact soil that is relatively distant from the trunk. In addition, sidewalk repairs in the past had severed roots growing in the direction of where the planned construction will be. Any new root growth will likely be relatively small; and cutting these smaller roots should not significantly harm the tree. Healthy Ficus trees are hardy and very tolerant of root pruning, particularly when cuts are made more than ten feet from the trunk. Branches throughout the crown should be reduced in length to provide clearance and create a smaller form. Branches should be reduced instead of removed completely (if possible). This can be accomplished by making proper reduction cuts, or heading cuts under two inches in diameter. Crown Pruning Pruning shall adhere to the following pruning guidelines: Tree Life Consulting Pruning Specifications, ISA Best Management Practices, and ANSI A300 standards. Crown pruning shall not be attempted by untrained construction personnel, but shall be performed by a qualified tree care professional or a certified tree care worker approved by the Arborist. •The pruning objective is to reduce branch length and provide clearance for planned construction. After the tree is pruned, it would be a good idea to consider having a plant health care professional apply a tree growth regulator; this will slow the growth of the crown while encouraging finer root growth. Tree Protection Zones A Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) is defined as the area surrounding trees to be protected during construction or renovation. Temporary fencing is erected to physically restrict access into the TPZ. No activities should occur within a TPZ without consulting with the Arborist. The shape of the TPZ for planned construction at 3039 Jefferson Street should be a rectangle around the parkway strip and sidewalk. Tree Life Consulting 2 3039 Jefferson Street Carlsbad, CA Indian Laurel Fig Tree Protection Plan Pre-Construction Before the protective fencing under the tree is erected: I.Install a temporary, slow-emitting irrigation system under the tree. Soaker hoses (e.g. Netafim) are the preferred emitter type because they can be easily adjusted within the TPZ. We must ensure there is adequate water available for the roots inside the TPZ. II.Uniformly apply a four-inch thick layer of organic mulch within the dripline. Do not allow mulch to touch the trunk. Do not exceed suggested thickness of mulch layer. •Preferred Mulch Type: Medium or large, natural wood chips (one-inch diameter or larger). •Mulch should not contain deleterious materials, animal waste, sludge waste, lumber, or C&D wood by-products, trash and debris. III.Irrigate the tree weekly, approximately four weeks before construction work begins. •Apply water using a low-emitting distribution system. •Frequency and duration of irrigation cycles should be once a week for 2 hours. Duration shall be long enough to penetrate 18 inches into the soil without runoff. •Light, frequent irrigation applications shall be avoided. •Water used shall be clean potable water from a reliable source. Specific Recommendations for Tree Preservation and Protection Establish the TPZ around the tree before construction begins (but after the irrigation and mulch has been setup and applied). The shape of the TPZ for planned construction at 3039 Jefferson Street should be a rectangle around the parkway strip and sidewalk. Its width is the dripline of the tree. Once the driveway is demolished, the parkway planter containing the tree should be constructed; that is, the new curb should be poured and fill soil added to “fill-in” that portion of the planter. The soil level should on the north side of the trunk should be the same height as the south side of the parkway. Do not add soil to cover surfacing roots. Tree Life Consulting 3 3039 Jefferson Street Carlsbad, CA Indian Laurel Fig Tree Protection Plan Tree Protection Fencing Fencing demarcating the TPZ should be placed around the trunk as described on the previous page. Protective fencing specifications are: I.Chainlink: Six feet in height. Galvanized steel wire, fabricated with a minimum of 2-inch opening and 0.15-inch diameter. II.Pipe posts: Minimum 2 3/8-inch OD line posts, and 2 7/8-inch OD corner and pull posts; with 0.177-inch-diameter top tension wire and 0.177-inch-diameter bottom tension wire; with tie wires, hog ring ties, and other accessories for a complete fence system. Install protective fencing before any construction materials or equipment are brought on the site and construction begins. Installation of the protective fencing shall comply with ASTM F 567 and manufacturer’s written instructions. Tree fencing shall be erected before any construction-related work begins. It shall remain in place until final inspection of the project, except for work specifically required in the plans in which case the Arborist will be consulted. Other Protection Considerations If foot-traffic within the TPZ is required during the construction process, the route shall be covered by plywood sheets. No vehicle access is permitted unless approved by Arborist. No equipment or debris of any kind shall be placed within the protective barriers of the TPZ. No fuel, paint, solvent, oil, thinner, asphalt, cement, grout, or any other construction material shall be stored or allowed in any manner to enter within the TPZ. Do not direct vehicle or equipment exhaust towards protection zone. Prohibit heat sources, flames, ignition sources, and smoking within or near protection zone. Tree Life Consulting 4 3039 Jefferson Street Carlsbad, CA Indian Laurel Fig Tree Protection Plan Supplemental Water Irrigate the tree weekly before construction begins. Irrigate the tree monthly once the project begins. Duration shall be long enough to penetrate 18 inches into the soil without runoff. Depending on the flow rate of the system this generally takes about two hours. Light, frequent irrigation applications shall be avoided. Water used shall be clean potable water from a reliable source. Protection Zone Signage Install Tree Protection Zone signage in visibly prominent locations in a manner approved by the Client. Install one sign approximately every 20 feet on protection zone fencing, but no fewer than four signs with each facing a different direction. Maintain protection zone fencing and signage in good condition as acceptable to Client. Project Monitor The Arborist will inspect the site before construction begins to verify temporary irrigation has been installed, mulch applied, and protective fencing was erected correctly. The Arborist will monitor the site weekly to ensure tree protection measures are followed throughout construction. Post-Completion Once renovation work is complete and equipment has been removed from the site, carefully remove TPZ fencing. Please contact the Arborist for final review once the construction has been completed. Tree Life Consulting 5 3039 Jefferson Street Carlsbad, CA Indian Laurel Fig Tree Protection Plan Thank you, Bradley Brown (619) 818 - 4013 Board Certified Master Arborist #WE-7754B Registered Consulting Arborist #511 Tree Risk Assessment Qualified #1514 Tree Life Consulting 6 3039 Jefferson Street Carlsbad, CA Indian Laurel Fig Tree Protection Plan Appendix A Photo #1 The health of this tree was GOOD based on obvious characteristics visible at the time of my assessment. Tree vigor, leaf quality, live-crown ratio, and branch taper were all near ideal; the tree was doing well for the location. The planned demolition/construction should not cause significantly harm to the tree. Lower branches should be reduced in length to provide clearance for equipment. Reduction cuts are preferred, but heading cuts under two inches in diameter are acceptable. No “thinning” cuts should be made. Reduction and heading cuts will mostly occur on the west side of the tree. Branches are to extend no further than five feet beyond the sidewalk. Tree Life Consulting 7 3039 Jefferson Street Carlsbad, CA Indian Laurel Fig Tree Protection Plan Appendix A Photo #2 The red arrow points to where a large root was severed to repair concrete. The callous growth around the wound indicates good vigor; I saw no signs of root decay and the wound looked compartmentalized. Furthermore, the trunk showed no staining or other discoloration consistent with a negative reaction to root injury. The subject tree’s resilient response to past injuries suggests the tree is tolerant of minor-to- moderate disruption. The planned demolition/construction should have little effect on the subject tree provided equipment and vehicles do not damage the trunk, branches, and surface roots. Tree Life Consulting 8 3039 Jefferson Street Carlsbad, CA Indian Laurel Fig Tree Protection Plan Appendix A Photo #3 The photo on the left shows minimal pest infestation on some lower branches growing over the parking lot. This is an aesthetic problem that will not harm the tree. The initial stress factor that predisposed these branches to secondary disorders (aphids, thrips, mites, etc.) is the heat from the parking lot. It is normal for any given tree to have a small amount of insect activity in the crown. The photo on the right show healthy leaves, free of any insects and more than six inches of new growth. Overall the appearance of the tree was excellent; long-term tree health should not be affected by the planned demolition, provided equipment and vehicles do not damage the trunk, lower branches, and surfacing roots. Tree Life Consulting 9 3039 Jefferson Street Carlsbad, CA Indian Laurel Fig Tree Protection Plan Assumptions and Limiting Conditions Any legal description provided to the consultant is assumed to be correct. Care has been taken to obtain all information from reliable sources. All data has been verified insofar as possible; however, the consultant can neither guarantee nor be responsible for the accuracy of information provided by others. Loss or alteration of any part of this report invalidates the entire report. Possession of this report or a copy thereof does not imply the right of publication or use for any purpose outside of this proceeding without expressed written consent of the consultant. Neither all nor any part of the contents of this report, nor copy thereof, shall be conveyed by anyone, including the client, to the public through advertising, public relations, news, sales, or other media, without prior expressed written or verbal consent of the consultant particularly as to value conclusions, identity of the consultant, or any reference to any professional society or institute or to any initialed designation conferred upon the consultant as stated in his qualifications. This report and values expressed herein represent the opinion of the consultant, and the consultant's fee is no way contingent upon the reporting of a specific value, a stipulated results, the occurrence of a subsequent event, nor upon any finding to be reported. Sketches diagrams, graphs, and photographs in this report, being intended as visual aids, are not necessarily to scale and should not be construed as engineering or architectural reports or surveys. Unless expressed otherwise: (1) information contained in this report covers only those items that were examined and reflects the condition of those items at the time of the inspection: (2) the inspection is limited to visual examination of accessible items without dissection, excavation, probing or coring, unless otherwise specified. There is no warranty or guarantee, expressed or implied, that problems or deficiencies of the plants or property in question may not arise in the future. Tree Life Consulting 10 3039 Jefferson Street Carlsbad, CA Indian Laurel Fig Tree Protection Plan Certification of Performance I, Bradley Michael Brown, certify that: I have personally inspected the trees and the property referred to in this report and have stated my findings accurately, the extent of the evaluation is stated in the attached report and the Terms of the Assignment. I have no current or prospective interest in the vegetation or the property that is the subject of this report and no personal interest or bias with respect to the parties involved. The analysis, opinions, and conclusions stated herein are my own and based on current scientific procedures and facts. My analysis, opinions, and conclusions were developed and this report has been prepared according to commonly accepted arboriculture 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 nor upon the results of the assessment, the attainment of stipulated results, or the occurrences of any subsequent events. I further certify that I am a life-member of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), a good-standing member of the Western Chapter of the ISA, and an active member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA). I have been involved in the field of Arboriculture in a full-time capacity for a period of more than thirteen years. November 2, 2020 ______________________________________ Signature Date Tree Life Consulting 11