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ENG ARBORIST REPORT 10-17-2022CITY OF EDMONDS 700 MAIN STREET • EDMONDS WA 98020 • PHONE: 425-771-0230 • FAX: 425-771-0253 www.edmondswa.gov PARKS, RECREATION, and CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IhC. l Oc)V 3/14/2023 — Assessment report Date of assessment: 2/16/2023 Location: SE corner of the 2nd and Bell St intersection. The trees are located below in blue. Client: City of Edmonds Tree species covered in this report: Acer rubrum (red maple) and Pyrus calleryana (Callery pear) Scope of work: To perform a level 2 basic tree risk assessment using ISA best management practices for tree risk assessment methods to determine the health and stability of the trees. Purpose of the report: To provide information about the condition of the trees and a summary of my observations. The risk rating and assessment are provided in order to help determine the likelihood of the tree or its parts failing and striking a target with the next 5 years and what the consequences of failure may be. Pruning history of the trees: ■ All seven trees: These trees have been routinely topped over the last few years since they were installed. The branches have clean cuts, but have what would be considered indiscriminate heading cuts. The crowns of the trees have been left in an unbalanced state. Current conditions of the trees: ■ Current height ranges: The maple trees are approximately 10' to 12' with a dbh range of 3.25" to 4.5". The pear trees are approximately 10' to 12' with a dbh range of 2.5" to 5.5". ■ The trees are somewhat exposed to wind tunneling from the south and west. ■ Epicormic response growth is vigorous, creating overly dense canopies when in full leaf. This response growth is also weak and poorly attached. ■ Wound wood has been slow to set or is removed at each successive pruning cycle. Additional information: Topping is perhaps the most harmful tree pruning practice known. Topping is the indiscriminate cutting of tree branches to stubs or to lateral branches that are not large enough to assume the terminal role. Topping is often used to reduce the size of a tree or as an attempt to reduce risk. However, topping is not a viable method of height reduction and certainly does not reduce future risk. In fact, topping will increase risk in the longterm. ("Why Topping Hurts," n.d.) The survival mechanism that causes a tree to produce multiple shoots below each topping cut comes at great expense to the tree. These shoots develop from buds near the surface of the old branches. Unlike normal branches that develop in a socket of overlapping wood tissues, these new shoots are anchored only in the outermost layers of the parent branches and are weakly attached. Unfortunately, the shoots are prone to breaking, especially during windy or icy conditions. While the original goal was to reduce height and/or risk, risk of limb failure has now increased. ("Why Topping Hurts Trees," n.d.) A topped tree is weak and deprived of nutrients from its leaves which leads to weak branches, pests, decay, and disease. ("Myths About Tree Care — Myth: Topping Is the Right Choice," n.d.) There are ongoing costs to maintaining a topped tree. Those costs include: • Increased maintenance costs. If the tree survives, it will likely require corrective pruning every two to three years. If the tree dies, it will have to be removed. • Reduced property value. Healthy, well -maintained trees can add 10 to 20 percent to the value of a property. Disfigured, topped trees are considered an impending expense. Increased liability potential. Topped trees may pose an unacceptable level of risk. Because topping is considered an unacceptable pruning practice, any damage caused by branch failure of a topped tree may lead to a finding of negligence. ("Why Topping Hurts Trees," n.d.-b) Notes: There are several potential targets within the target zones of the trees. Currently those targets include: Pedestrians along the sidewalk and vehicles parked in designated parking stalls next to the trees. It should be noted as well that the trees do not sit in a designated critical area. References used: Why Topping Hurts (n.d.). ISA. https://www.oregon.gov/odf/Documents/forestbenefits/WhyToppingHurts.pdf Why Topping Hurts Trees. (n.d.). ISA. https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/TreesAreGood Why%20Topping%2OHurts 0321.pdf Myths About Tree Care. (n.d.). ISA. https://isarmc.org/Myths About Tree Care Why Topping Hurts Trees (n.d.-b). ISA. http://www.lvsnag.org/pdf/WhyToppingHurtsTrees.pdf Tree -Topping: The Cost is Greater Than You Think (n.d.). https://extension.psu.edu/tree-topping-the- cost-is-ereater-than-vou-think Summary: The seven trees located along the SE corner of the intersection at 2nd and Bell have been routinely topped over the last several years by the adjacent property owner. The trees have responded with excessive new growth, creating weakly attached branches and poor branching structure. The trees' overall structures have become compromised as well and have the potential to become hazardous if allowed to grow to full stature at this point in time. Besides compromised structures, the trees are also showing a diminished capacity to uptake the proper amount of nutrients for proper growth. Wound wood on all four trees is showing a slow and uneven response leaving the trees vulnerable to pests and decay. The likelihood of failure for all seven trees within the given assessment time frame is possible. The overall risk rating at this time is low; however, it is my opinion that any mitigation efforts to save the trees would not be fully effective and the tree's risk ratings will only increase as the trees mature. A level 3 three risk inspection would be needed to be truly conclusive about the statements made in this report. Recommendations: It is my recommendation to have the trees removed and replaced. Replacement requirements: A 1:1 ratio replacement requirement will be used if the trees are removed. �� � •'� j� , ors ;. Report submitted by: Debra Dill, Field Arborist ISA Certified Arborist and ISA TRAQ Qualification Greenhouse 1 600 3rd Ave. S I Edmonds WA 98020 425.771.0230 (office) 1425.771.0230 x 1383 (direct) 1425.478.9962 (cell) debra.dill@edmondswa.gov 4EDMONDSPARKS, RECREATION & CULTURAL SERVICES Arborist Disclosure Statement: Arborists are tree specialists who use their education, knowledge, training and experience to examine trees, recommend measures to enhance the beauty and health of trees, and attempt to reduce the risk of living near trees. Clients may choose to accept or disregard the recommendations of the arborist, or to seek additional advice. There is no warranty suggested for any of the trees subject to this report. Weather, latent tree conditions and future man -caused activities could cause physiologic changes and deteriorating tree condition. Over time, deteriorating tree conditions may appear and there may be conditions which are not now visible that could cause tree failure. This report or the verbal comments made at the site in no way warrant the structural stability or long- term condition of any tree, but represent my opinion based on the observations made. Arborists cannot detect every condition that could possibly lead to the structural failure of a tree. Trees are living organisms that fail in ways we do not fully understand. Conditions are often hidden within trees and below ground. Arborists cannot guarantee that a tree will be healthy or safe under all circumstances, or for a specified period of time. Likewise, remedial treatments, like any medicine, cannot be guaranteed. Treatment, pruning and removal of trees may involve considerations beyond the scope of the arborist's services such as property boundaries, property ownership, site lines, disputes between neighbors, and other issues. Trees can be managed, but they cannot be controlled. To live near trees is to accept some degree of risk. The only way to eliminate all risk associated with trees is to eliminate all trees.