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DNS REVIEWED PLN BLD2020-0733+ARBORIST REPORT+9.12.2021_10.17.35_PM+2403889Katy Bigelow 206.351.1375 arboristkaty@gmail.com July 5, 2021 Chris Pichner 8120 Talbot Rd. Edmonds, WA 98026 Dear Mr. Pichner: Thank you for asking me to assess trees on property you own in Edmonds, WA for the purpose of providing observations related to their health and stability on the hillside on which they grow. To evaluate the trees addressed in this letter I combined my field experience and education with current accepted practices as defined by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). The tools I used to make an assessment are limited to a rubber mallet, binoculars, compass, laser pointer, diameter tape and hand trowel unless otherwise noted. A visual tree assessment and other methods are only conclusive for the day of inspection and do not guarantee that conditions will remain the same in the future. I was asked by Mr. Pichner to assess two Douglas -fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) trees growing south of his garage on a critical slope. On July 2, 20211 completed a Level 2 tree assessment of both trees and discussed work to terrace the area near the trees with Mr. Pichner. All levels of tree assessment are explained in an attachment to this report. Both trees I assessed are mature Douglas -fir species. They stand close to the top of a steep slope comprised of loose and sandy soils. The trees are generally in good health with few visible defects. Sounding of the base of both trees indicated that both lower trunks were intact with no indication of internal rot. The easternmost tree has very good annual growth increments while the westernmost tree has slightly less than average growth increments. During my site visit Mr. Pichner discussed his work to remove construction trash and hazardous waste from the hillside below the trees that had been covered by decades of blackberry growth. He had also removed the blackberry and other invasive species growing on the slope and built three retaining walls in an effort to better retain slope soils, primarily to decrease soil erosion around the two Douglas -fir trees I assessed. Tree assessment — Pichner 8120 Talbot Rd, Edmonds, WA July 5, 2021 The retaining walls were then backfilled with soil to create a level grade (Photos 1-3). Neither the soil fill or the height of the retaining walls covered up the low trunks of the trees although the westernmost tree was the slightly more impacted of the two by the work on its westernmost side. Mr. Pichner was asked to remove a portion of the newly terraced area as it had been constructed within a stream buffer area. It is my very strong opinion that work to do this will significantly decrease the stability of soils around the westernmost Douglas -fir and will remove feeder roots which have begun to establish in the soil added below its trunk. It is my opinion that the terraced areas should stay intact to decrease the possibility of this tree becoming more mobile in wind (more hazardous) and less viable by losing new roots. It is my strong opinion that the terraced area has created a more stable area of soil around both trees and in particular, the westernmost fir. Although the area below the trees is currently now more exposed to rain and water runoff due to vegetation and trash debris being removed, replanting with trees and shrubs and adding mulch to cover bare soils can decrease this potential. Thank you very much for calling me for your arboricultural concerns. LA��_ Katy Bigelow Board Master Certified Arborist PNWISA member # PN-6039B Tree Risk Assessment Qualified Registered Consulting Arborist® #490 Prepared by Katy Bigelow Page 2 of 7 Tree assessment — Pichner 8120 Talbot Rd, Edmonds, WA July 5, 2021 Levels of Tree Assessment LEVEL 1: The Level 1 assessment is a visual assessment from a specified perspective of an individual tree or a population of trees near specified targets to identify obvious defects or specified conditions. A limited visual assessment typically focuses on identifying trees with an imminent and/or probable likelihood of failure. Limited visual assessments are the fastest but least thorough means of assessment and are intended primarily for large populations of trees. LEVEL 2: This is a basic assessment completing a detailed visual inspection of a tree and surrounding site, and a synthesis of the information collected. This assessment requires that a tree risk assessor walk completely around the treelooking at the site, buttress roots, trunk, and branches. A basic assessment may include the use of simple tools to gain additional information about the tree or defects. Basic is the standard assessment that is performed by arborists in response to a client's request for tree risk assessment. Simple tools may be used for measuring the tree and acquiring more information about the tree or defects. However, the use of these tools is not mandatory unless specified in the Scope of Work. LEVEL 3: Advanced assessments are performed to provide detailed information about specific tree parts, defects, targets, or site conditions. They are usually conducted in conjunction with or after a basic assessment if the tree risk assessor needs additional information and the client approves the additional service. Specialized equipment, data collection and analysis, and/or expertise are usually required for advanced assessments. These assessments are therefore generally more time intensive and more expensive. Prepared by Katy Bigelow Page 3 of 7 Tree assessment — Pichner 8120 Talbot Rd, Edmonds, WA July 5, 2021 Photos iM , dt }_':= .ems--_ .•#r.". qmq�%IMI . yam.. f .. _ - ' • _ ... ' - � - Photo 1: Location of the westernmost tree relative to the garage and newly installed retaining walls. Prepared by Katy Bigelow Page 4 of 7 `I' I fyo ' I OT O �i a Tree assessment — Pichner 8120 Talbot Rd, Edmonds, WA July 5, 2021 Ali Photo 3: Looking downhill from the location of the easternmost tree at the steep grade which used to mimic the angle of the property line fence. Prepared by Katy Bigelow Page 6 of 7 Tree assessment — Pichner 8120 Talbot Rd, Edmonds, WA July 5, 2021 Assumptions, Limiting Conditions and General Waiver I, Katy Bigelow, certify that: I have personally inspected the tree(s) and or the property referred to in this report; I have no current or prospective financial or other interest in the vegetation or the property which is the subject of this report and have no personal interest or bias in favor of or against any of the involved parties or their respective position(s), if any; The analysis, opinions and conclusions stated herein are the product of my independent professional judgment and based on current scientific procedures and facts, and the foregoing report was prepared according to commercially reasonable and generally accepted arboricultural standards and practices for the Pacific Northwest and Puget Sound areas; The information included in this report covers only those trees that were examined and reflects the condition of the trees as of the time and date of inspection; This report and the opinions expressed herein are not intended, nor should they be construed, as any type of warranty or guarantee regarding the condition of the subject trees in the future; Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions ("CC&Rs") may restrict the number, type and height of vegetation on the subject property, and I have made no investigation regarding whether the property is subject to such CC&Rs; and To the best of my knowledge and belief, all statements and information in this report are true and correct and information provided by others is assumed to be true and correct. I am not an attorney or engineer. This report does not cover these areas of expertise and represents advice only of arboricultural nature. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, it is specifically understood that nothing contained in this report is intended as legal advice, or advice or opinions regarding soil stability or zoning laws, and this report should not be relied upon to take the place of such advice. Katy Bigelow Board Master Certified Arborist PNW ISA member # PN-6039B Tree Risk Assessment Qualified Registered Consulting Arborist® #490 Prepared by Katy Bigelow Page 7 of 7