Tree Evaluation.pdfPage 1 of 5
Washington Tree Experts
9792 Edmonds Way #123
Edmonds, WA 98020
206-362-3380
wtetree@yahoo.com
April 11, 2016
Client name: Dieter Schmidt
Street: 17020 741h Ave W
City, Zip: Edmonds, WA 98026
Re: Neighboring trees growing into view.
Discussion:
Tree evaluation and recommendation for pruning to enhance and maintain view.
Trees:
9 Red Alder (Alnus rubra) = 5-17" diameter at standard height (DSH)
2 Elm (Ulmus parvifolia) = 3 and 6" DSH
Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) = 5-9" DSH
Trees are found in a group in two adajacent properties (see attached site map):
Greg and Kathy Strands 17035 76th Ave W
Ray Williams 17015 761h Ave W
Observations:
There may be or have been in this neighborhood covenants that legally bound homeowners to
keep vegetation on their property low enough to preserve their views and the views of other
property owners in the development. In order to achieve these ends, many trees were topped
and slopes were cleared of native vegetation that grew into view areas.
Over time, as homeownership changed, many of the properties began to be re -colonized by
native or naturalized tree species as in this case. Vegetation maintenance was neglected.
Additionally, city regulations were put into place that protected vegetation in ECAs, including
steep slopes, wetland areas, and their associated buffer areas. Due to these regulations,
vegetation that grew up and that has not been maintained consistently low is now protected
from being removed, altered significantly, or topped.
The Schmidt property previously had views of the Puget Sound and has since lost a portion of the
view due to vegetation growing up on adjacent properties.
Washington Tree Experts Certified Arborist
Dieter Schmidt
April 11,2016
Page 2 of 5
Recommendations:
In order to open up previous views as much as possible, management of the trees will need to be
done routinely over the next several years. This management may include several pruning
prescriptions including windowing and crown reduction. Pruning will be done according to ANSI
300 standards and will take no more than one third of live growth in any one growing season.
Procedure:
To evaluate and to prepare the report we drew upon our 15 plus years of experience in the field
and our formal education in Forestry and Horticulture. We also followed the protocol of the
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) for tree risk assessment while looking at the overall
health of the trees and site conditions.
In examining each tree, we look at such factors as:
-size
-vigor
-root health
-crown health
-deadwood and hanging branches
-pest and disease
While no one can predict with absolute certainty if a tree will or will not fail, we can, by using
scientific process asses which of the trees is most likely to fail and take appropriate action.
Prepared by
6"1�5u"_
Jennifer Wells
Certified Arborist
#PN6209A
ISA Qualified Tree Risk Assessor
Reviewed by
Eugene Wells
Certified Arborist
#PN6834A
Washington Tree Experts Certified Arborist
Dieter Schmidt
Page 3 of 5
April 11, 2016
Waiver of Liability
This information represents the tree health assessment at this point in time. My findings do not guarantee future safety nor are
they predictions of future event. Information contained in this report covers only those items that were examined and reflects
the condition of those items at the time of inspection. The inspection is limited to visual examination of accessible items without
dissection, excavation, probing, or coring.
Attachments
-site map
-photos
Glossary
ANSI A300: American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards for tree care
codominant stems: stems or branches of nearly equal diameter, often weakly attached (Matheny
et al.
1998)
crown: the aboveground portions of a tree (Lilly 2001)
DBH or DSH: diameter at breast or standard height; the diameter of the trunk measured 54
inches (4.5 feet) above grade (Matheny et al. 1998)
ISA: International Society of Arboriculture
mitigation: process of reducing damages or risk (Lilly 2001)
monitoring: keeping a close watch; performing regular checks or inspections (Lilly 2001)
owner/manager: the person or entity responsible for tree management or the controlling
authority that regulates tree management (ISA 2013)
retain and monitor: the recommendation to keep a tree and conduct follow-up assessments
after a stated inspection interval (ISA 2013).
Texts
M. Dirr-Manual of Woody Landscapes
R. Harris, J. Clark, N. Matheny-Arboriculture Third Edition 1999
ISA Tree Risk Assessment Handbook
Washington Tree Experts Certified Arbori
Dieter Schmidt
Page 4of5
April 11, 2016
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Washington Tree Experts Certified Arborist
Dieter Schmidt
Page 5 of 5
April 11, 2016
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Washington Tree Experts Certified Arborist