Loading...
STF2021-0008 hazard landmark tree memoCITY OF EDMONDS 121 5tn Avenue North, Edmonds WA 98020 Phone: 425.771.0220 • Fax: 425.771.0221 • Web: www.edmondswa.gov DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT • PLANNING DIVISION `ne. I STJ April 14, 2021 Jennifer Wells wtetree@yahoo.com Subject: Hazard Landmark Tree Removal at 715 Walnut St. Dear Ms. Wells, Thank you for contacting the City of Edmonds regarding the removal of a 40-inch Western red cedar located at 715 Walnut St. The tree is located on a small slope which has a grade of less than 25% but it is near the property line between 715 and 717 Walnut. Both property owners are aware of the proposed work. The subject tree has a diameter at breast height (DBH) greater than 24 inches and so is subject to the emergency ordinance for landmark trees adopted under Ordinance No. 4217. Ordinance No. 4217 allows for the removal of landmark trees outside of the development review process only if the tree is a hazard or nuisance as defined by Edmonds Community Development Code (ECDC) 23.10.020.G and 23.10.020.K. Ordinance No. 4218 adopted new tree code in Chapter 23.10 ECDC, which includes the documentation required to justify the removal of hazard and nuisance trees exempt from permit in ECDC 23.10.040.F. For landmark hazard trees not located on slopes greater than 25%, ECDC 23.10.040.F.2 provides: Hazard tree located outside a critical area with a tree risk assessment prepared by the applicant's qualified professional documenting how the tree meets the definition of a hazard tree. On March 30, 2021, you provided documentation to justify that the subject cedar meets the standard for removal as a hazard tree: "Hazard tree" means a tree that is dead, dying, diseased, damaged, structurally defective or exposed by recent removal of adjacent trees, which makes it subject to a high probability of failure as determined by a qualified tree professional. The attached report and TRAQ forms identify the cedar as a high hazard due to decay and rot and note the only way to cure the defect is to remove the tree. As a result, the removal of the referenced cedar tree as a hazard per ECDC 23.10.040.F.2 is allowed subject to the following conditions: 1. Trees shall be fell onto private property. 2. Vehicles and equipment shall be located on private property. Should it be necessary to utilize any portion of the City right-of-way, including the street or sidewalk, to perform any of this work then the contractor shall apply for and obtain a right-of-way construction permit in advance of starting work. A traffic control plan will be required as part of the right-of-way permit application. 3. Contractor/owner is responsible for keeping all debris on site and preventing any silt laden runoff from leaving the site and/or entering the city storm system. 4. Contractor/owner shall repair/replace any damaged sections of curb/gutter, sidewalk or other public improvements in City right-of-way per City standards that is caused by or occurs during the permitted project. 5. Contractor/owner is responsible for locating all on -site utilities and any utilities on neighboring properties that could be impacted by the tree removal. Relocation/revision/repair to any utilities may require separate permit. If you have any questions, please contact me at michael.clugston@edmondswa.gov or 425-771- 0220. Sincerely, c, Mike Clugston, AICP Senior Planner Attachments cc: John Richardson Martin O'Leary Richardson (Edmonds) March 23, 2021 Page 1 of 4 Washington Tree Experts 9792 Edmonds Way #123 Edmonds, WA 98020 206-362-3380 wtetree@yahoo.com To: Michael Clugston, Senior Planner City of Edmonds Client name: John Richardson Street: 715 Walnut St. City, Zip: Edmonds, WA 98020 Re: Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) = 40" DSH Dear Mr. Clugston, This letter accompanies the application to remove a hazard cedar tree located between the rear yards of 715 and 717 Walnut Street. The application is for hazard tree exemption. Conditions of concern (see attached tree risk assessment form): Tree has an open cavity of advanced decay that extends from the ground to approximately 20' on the west side of the tree. There is evidence of boring insects that feed on decayed wood. The size and depth of the cavity indicates a loss of wood strength. I suspect brown rot which destroys cellulose in the wood and creates brittle and weak wood. The foliage is off color which means the nutrient transport system is being interrupted by the rot. There is no treatment for wood decay and unfortunately pruning will not mitigate the condition. The tree is probable to fail with a significant consequence of failure. Tree rates as high risk. Recommendations: Remove tree as soon as practical. We use methods from 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 Washington Tree Experts Certified Arborist Richardson (Edmonds) March 23, 2021 Page 2 of 4 -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 assess which of the trees is most likely to fail and take appropriate action. Prepared by Jennifer Wells Certified Arborist #PN6209A ISA Qualified Tree Risk Assessor 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 events. 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. Our fee is in no way contingent upon a result or occurrence of a subsequent even, or upon any finding to be reported. Texts M. Dirr-Manual of Woody Landscapes R. Harris, J. Clark, N. Matheny-Arboriculture Third Edition 1999 ISA Tree Risk Assessment Handbook ISA Trees Are Good pamphlet series Attachments Site maps Photos Application Washington Tree Experts Certified Arborist Richardson (Edmonds) March 23, 2021 Page 3 of 4 Site map (not to scale for illustration purposes) City of Edmonds GIs Map I N 0 = cedar tree removal Washington Tree Experts Certified Arborist �. � � . � +,., ., Ikt 4 ,,� �_.'�, i� ,� �� � �. �',,' y , ax>t• �" �� t ��' YL ��J�j f� µ 1 '+M - a_ �1k' �'� C� 1;� J' .. .. \, '. n' ,, � . � \ � �" �� +� ,4 ? 1 lat �!t !,i � ' � f ,�� � 7i� t,� � a � r � �'� � ro�t ;:. ; ,�;,;ti � a � . �r !9/ _� - '�t �� �• F�< , � �. 7 � �{' iA �/�',7 >�� �, . � � � _ �� a• �. �t .. . . � � i � �3.. a m �� �'' z��'� `'�� r t`. �j � ' � s- ,� � , ,s �f'� � �� �� r. Target zone E Occupancy at. 1-rare § C 0 n� C Target description X `1 14 2 - occasion occasional 3-frequent 0 4-constant 6 2 . a 0. 9e5\6evu 1 2 0 '1 A k 1,--) 4-F �en 4j 3 4 History of failures tVI FN Topography FlatIR Slopeo % Aspect Site changes None Grade changeEl Site clearing[] Changed soil hydrologyO Root cuts El Describe Soil conditions Limited volume 0 Saturated 0 Shallow 0 Compacted 13 Pavement over roots 0 —ILV. Describe S120 K+ C C)U)- + Prevailing wind direction Common weather Strong winds 0 1ce0 Snow[] Heavy rain Describe Vigor Low A Normal High 0 Foliage None (seasonal) El None(dead)[11 Normal % Chlorotic % Necrotic % Pests -P)A r- 'I " I n .5 e C � Ablotic Species failure profild Bra nches)q Trunk 0 Roots,0 Describe -ad t<actoirs Wind exposure ProtectedO PartialO Full 9L, Wind funneling 0 Relative crown size Small El MediumEl Largep Crown density Sparse* Normal DenseEl Interior branches Few Normal [] Dense ❑ Vines/Mistletoe/Moss El Recent or planned change in load actors dof Faikire Crown and Branches Unbalanced crown 11 LCR (k % Cracks 0 Lightning 0 damage Ej aa. j- Dead twigs/branches)k %overll Max. diCodominant 13 Included bark [3k Broken/Hangers Number Max. dia. Over -extended branches E3 Weak attachments 11 Cavity/Nest hole %circ, Pruning history Previous branch failures 11 Similar branches present 0 Crown cleaned 0 Thinned 0 Raised 0 Dead/Missing bark 0 Cankers/Galls/BurlslEl Sapwood damage/decay 0 Reduced 0 Topped Lion- ailed 0 Conks 0 Heartwood decay LI Flush cuts Otherr-J Response growth Main concern(s) Load on defect N/A D Minor 13 Moderate 0 Significant El Likelihood of failure improbable 0 Possible 0 Probable El imminent 0 —Trunk Roots and Root Collar — Dead/Missing I bark texture/color 0 Collal� urled/Not visible 13 Depth Stem girdling [I Dead//Missing bark e, Codominant stems E3 included bark 0 Cracksx 1 [3 Decay 11 Ccnks/�&dhrooms El Sapwood damage/decay Cankers/Galls/Burls 0 Sap ooze M ooze 13 avity 0 % ci m Lightning damage 0 Hear' decay Conks/Mushrooms 0 T, .�v Cracks 0 Cut/Damag oots.p -6istance from trunk Cavity/Nest hole % circ. Depth_ Poor taper 0 Root plate lifting 0 'weakness C3 Lean Corrected? Response growth A Response growth CY Main concern(s) Main concerns) Load on defect N/AO MinorEl Moderate[3 Significant Loyd o'n defect N/A 1:1 Minor El Moderate 0 Significant 0 likelihood of failure A Likelihood of failure ImprobableD Possible 13 Probablex lrnnrinmnt ❑ \improbableO Possible 13 Probable El Imminent 13 Pap I nil Matrix 1. Likelihood matrix. Matrix2. Risk rating matrix. J North Mitigation options Residual risk Raciririml rielr Residual risk Residual risk Overall tree risk rating low la Moderate CI HighAl Extreme 0 Work priority 1 E3 2 O 3 ❑ 4 ❑ Overall residual risk low © Moderate 11 High ❑ Extreme 0 Recommended inspection interval Data kinal ❑ Preliminary Advanced assessment needed ONo ❑Yes-Type/Reason Inspection limitations VNone OVisibiiity ❑Access ©Vines ORoot collar buried Describe This datasheet was produced by the International Society of Arboriculture (TSA) and is intended for use by Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ) arborists - 2013 Page 2 of 2