STF20170003 haz tree ltr.pdf0c. I 99
March 6, 2017
CITY OF EDMONDS
1215th Avenue North, Edmonds WA 98020
Phone: 425.771.0220 • Fax: 425.771.0221 • Web: www.edmondswa. ov
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT • PLANNING DIVISION
Sarah Stine
2170298 th Ave. W
Edmonds, WA 98020
Subject: Hazard Tree Removal (STF20170003)
Dear Sarah,
You have contacted the City of Edmonds regarding the removal of three trees located on your
property at 21702 98th Ave. W. The trees in question —a birch, a Douglas fir, and a pine — are
located near the northern property line west of your house at the top of a slope. The slope is
classified as a critical area pursuant to Edmonds Community Development Code (ECDC) 23.40
and 23.80.
Generally, the removal of trees or vegetation within a critical area or critical area buffer is not
an allowed activity unless it involves the removal of invasive species or hazard trees pursuant to
ECDC 23.40.220.C.7.
A report prepared by certified arborist Kyle Henegar was submitted which evaluated the risk of
each tree. According to the report, these trees have been stressed and poorly maintained and
have become a higher risk for failure and thus are candidates for removal.
ECDC 23.40.220.C.7.b.iv requires that hazard trees be replaced with new trees at a ratio of two
to one. The arborist report listed a number of native trees that would be suitable replacement
trees. Any of the species identified by the arborist would be appropriate for replacement trees.
An exemption for the tree cutting is granted with the following conditions:
1. Only the three trees identified in the March 1, 2017 report prepared by certified arborist
Kyle Henegar may be removed.
2. Six replacement trees from the species identified in the arborist report must be planted
to replace the three trees being removed within one year of the tree cutting activity.
Evergreen species must be a minimum of 6 -feet in height while deciduous species must
be a minimum of one to two inches diameter at breast height consistent with ECDC
23.40.220.C.7.b.iv. Replacement trees should be planted in the general vicinity of the
trees being removed.
3. If the identified replacement trees cannot be found in the required size, substitute
replacement trees that are native and indigenous to the area may be approved by the
Planning Division. Please contact the City before substituting replacement tree species.
4. The downed wood may be removed from the site and the stumps either left in place or
ground out. The stumps shall not be pulled from the ground unless recommended by a
geotechnical engineer in a report reviewed and approved by the City.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Mike Clugston
Associate Planner
Attachment: March 1, 2017 Henegar report
March 1, 2017
Sarah Stine
Homeowner
21702 98th Ave W
Edmonds, WA 98020
Dear Sarah,
a7l
!KYLE HENEGAR
CONSULTING ARBORIST & HORTICULTURIST
• IBA Certified Arhorlat PN6"5A
• Tree Rfak Aaeeaamant QuaUfled
• Mem6er, Amerlo= 8—tety of Comeniting Arborlata (ARCA)
l P 00" 2017
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
COUNTER
I visited your site on February 28, 2017 and documented three trees you would like to remove and
replace with healthy native trees better suited to the site conditions.
Tree #1 is a birch or Betula spp. with a dbh of 20 inches presenting as two co dominant stems, both
trunks measuring 14 inches. The trunk flare of this tree is buried in debris including remnant
construction rubble, blackberry and ivy. The main trunks are covered in ivy up to 40 feet from the
base while the top of this tree is dead suggesting drought stress and or other possible secondary pest
or disease common in birch in our area.
Tree #2 is a Douglas fir or Pseudotsuga menziesh with a dbh of 12 inches. The trunk flare of this tree
is buried in debris including remnant construction rubble, blackberry and ivy. The main trunk of this
tree is covered in ivy up to 40 feet from the base and there is a low trunk to crown ratio from exces-
sive limbing up of the lower branches and ivy. This tree is situated inches away from the chain link
fence north of the property. The canopy of this Douglas fir is sparse for the species suggesting stress
from the current site conditions.
Tree #3 is a pine or Pinus spp., a five needle pine with a dbh of 17 inches. The trunk flare of this tree
is buried in debris including remnant construction rubble, blackberry and ivy. The main trunk of this
tree is covered in ivy up to 40 feet from the base and there is a low trunk to crown ratio from
excessive limbing up of the lower branches and ivy. There are indications of excessive sap flow from
flush cut wounds. There is a co dominant limb at approximately 20 feet from the base. The canopy of
this pine is sparse for the species suggesting stress from the current site conditions.
This is a double lot with two conifers and nine deciduous trees that you plan to retain. The conifers
include a Western red cedar, Thuja plicata, and a Sawara cypress, Chamaecyparis pisifera, both in
good condition. The deciduous trees are mostly cherry trees in fair condition and native willow trees
situated in the lower, wetland portions of the property.
The three trees you would like to remove and replace are situated in a row along the north property
boundary on the most easterly lot of the properties. All three of these trees show signs of stress and
neglect with no proper maintenance provided. In my professional opinion, the lack of maintenance
afforded these trees has placed them at a higher risk of failure and shortened their longevity in the
landscape. Replacing these three trees with healthy native species better suited to the site conditions
would add beauty and longevity to the landscape, meet your objective for deciduous fruit bearing
trees and comply with the goals of the City of Edmonds.
Recommendations for deciduous native trees include;
Pacific serviceberry or Amanalchier alnifolia
Black Hawhorne or Crataegus douglassii
Western crabapple or Malus fusca
Cascara or Rhamnus pursiana
Vine maple or Acer circinatum
Your double lot is wonderful and full of opportunity. In my professional opinion, your desire to
remove and replant these three trees with healthy native species is reasonable.
Thank you for the opportunity to be of service. Let me know if you any questions regarding the
contents of this report.
Sincerely yours,
Kyle Henegar
Stine/ Arborist Letter
Kyle Henegar, Certified Arborist
March 1, 2107
Glossary of Terms:
Canopy/crown: Upper part of a tree bearing foliage, limbs, and branches, measured from the lowest branch
including all branches and foliage.
Co -dominant Stem: A structurally unstable branch union often associated with a high risk of failure. A term used to
describe two or more main stems (or "leaders") that are about the same diameter and emerge from the same location
on the main trunk.
Condition Rating:
• Good: no apparent problem
• Fair: minor problems
• Poor: major problems
Conifer: Plant that bears seeds in a cone.
Deciduous: Perennial plant that loses all its leaves at one time during the year.
Diameter at Breast Height: A standard measurement of a tree most often taken at 4.5 feet from the base of the tree;
however, this can vary depending if the tree has multiple trunks or is growing on a slope.
Excessive Pitch: Pitch tubes, pitch masses, gummosis, and sap flow are not directly produced by insects. They are
the plant's response to mechanical wounding and are often closely associated with insect attack. Pine trees and other
conifers have pressurized resin canals as part of their defensive arsenal. Upon entry, bark beetles puncture resin
canals, releasing resin that can entrap and physically expel the invader. The resin accumulates and hardens to form
pitch tubes extending from the bark. Pitch tubes are good indicators of attack by bark beetles. Pitch masses are
common on branches and terminals of conifers and thick flows of sap called gummosis are often seen on deciduous
trees when insects with jaws like caterpillars and beetle larvae attack.
Flush Cut: Pruning cut through and/or removing the branch collar, causing unnecessary injury to the trunk or parent
stem.
Trunk Flare: Transition zone from trunk to roots where the trunk expands into the buttress or structural roots.
Trunk -to -Crown Ratio: Ratio of the height of the crown containing live foliage to the overall height of the tree.
Stein/ Arborist Letter
Kyle Henegar, Certified Arborist
March 1, 2107
Appendix: Photos
Beginning in upper right hand corner and moving clockwise,
Photo 1. showing view looking northwest of the three trees
the homeowner would like to remove and replace and replant
with healthy native trees. Photo shows low trunk to crown
ratio's and sparse foliage in canopies.
Photo 2. showing close up of remnant construction rubble
piled up at base of trees covering trunk flares, ivy infestation
and proximity of chain link fence.
Photo 3. showing view looking northeast of trees and current
site conditions.
The homeowner has expressed an interest in cleaning up
and restoring this area with native trees better suited to site
conditions.
1.
3
Stine/ Arborist Letter
Kyle Henegar, Certified Arborist
March 1, 2107
2.
Report Name
Client
Report Date
WajVY-9j-�hjWft
There are many conditions affecting a tree's health and stability which may be present but cannot be ascertained
such as root rot, previous or unexposed construction damage, internal cracks, stem rot and more. Changes in
circumstances and conditions can also cause a rapid deterioration of a tree's health and stability. Adverse weather
conditions can dramatically affect the health and safety of a tree in a very short amount of time. While I have used
every reasonable means to examine this plant, this evaluation represents my opinion of the tree health at this point in
time, These findings do not guarantee future safety nor are they predictions of future events.
The tree evaluation consists of an external visual inspection of an individual tree's root flare, trunk, and canopy from
the ground only, unless otherwise specified. The inspection may also consist of taking trunk or root soundings for
sound comparisons to aid the evaluator in determining the possible extent of decay within a tree. Soundings are only
an aid to the evaluation process and do not replace the use of other more sophisticated diagnostic tools for
determining the extent of decay within a tree.
As conditions change, it is the responsibility of the property owners to schedule additional site visits by the ISA
Certified Arborist. It is the responsibility of the property owner to obtain all required permits from city, county, state,
or federal agencies. It is the responsibility of the property owner to comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and
permit conditions. If there is a homeowners association, it is the responsibility of the property owner to comply with
all Codes, Covenants, and Restrictions (CC&R's) that apply to tree pruning and tree removal.
This tree evaluation is to be used to inform and guide the client in the management of their trees. This in no way
implies that the evaluator is responsible for performing recommended actions or using other methods or tools to
further determine the extent of internal tree problems without written authorization from the client. Furthermore, the
evaluator in no way holds that the opinions and recommendations are the only actions required to insure that the tree
will not fail. A second opinion is recommended. The client shall hold the evaluator harmless for any and all injuries
or damages incurred if the evaluator's recommendations are not followed or for acts of nature beyond the
evaluator's reasonable expectations, such as severe winds, excessive rains, heavy snow loads, etc.
This report and all attachments, enclosures, and references, are confidential and are for the use of the client
concerned. They may not be reproduced, used in any way, or disseminated in any form without the prior consent of
the client concerned and ISA Certified Arborist Kyle Henegar.
Thank you for allowing me to be of service. Please contact me with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Kyle Henegar
206-293-1270
ISA Certified Arborist PN6445A
Tree Risk Assessment Qualified
Member, American Society of Consulting Arborists
Stine/ Arborist Letter
Kyle Henegar, Certified Arborist
March 1, 2107
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