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REDUCED APPROVED PLN Tree Removal CRA PLN2025-0005RECEIVED PLN2025-0005 Jan 21 2025 CITY OF EDMONDS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT ARBORIST REPORT DATE: January 4, 2025 PREPARED FOR: Arlene Harrison SITE ADDRESS: 7002 Meadowdale Beach Rd Edmonds, WA 98026 / Parcel # 00559800000100 PREPARED BY: Kim Ettari - ISA Certified Arborist PN 1301 A / TRAQ Seattle Tree Service Provider - TSP #18856 Laughing Trees Landscapes 5607 40th Ave NE Seattle, WA 98105 828-318-6088 / laughingtreeslandscapes@gmail.com NARRATIVE SCOPE OF WORK You have asked me to complete health and risk assessments on three (3) Red Alder trees on your property. You've expressed concern regarding the safety of the trees and their proximity to your residence and to the power lines that run to the house. This risk assessment will evaluate the current condition of the trees in question and assign the trees a risk rating commensurate with my professional opinion of their potential to fail within three years of the date of this report. All documentation below should comply with requirements set forth in the Environmentally Critical Areas General Provisions section of the Edmonds Community Development Code (ECDC 23.40.220.C.8.b.iv.) METHODOLOGY The methods used for this assessment are as outlined in Tree RiskAssessment and as adopted by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). The end goal of most assessments is to provide the owner or manager of the tree(s) with factual information, enabling them to make decisions about the management of the tree(s). For this particular assessment, I used a Level II Assessment that includes inspection of the root collar, lower trunk, upper limbs and canopy of the tree as can be seen from the ground. Basic assessment does not include climbing the tree or excavation of soils to inspect root structure or condition. I visited the site on 12/31/24 and measured three (3) trees for their diameter at breast height (DBH), an industry standard of measuring trees at 4.5' above grade. Details regarding species/common name, size (DBH), drip line/ canopy extension, condition and suggested action are also included. (See attached narrative and photos.) A tree map was created that indicates the locations of the assessed trees as well as suggested varieties and locations of any required replacement trees. (See attached tree map.) FINDINGS AND OBSERVATIONS The site is a sloped, .45 acre residential parcel in an established neighborhood in Edmonds, WA. The residence sits in the northern tip of the lot and heavily -wooded critically -sloped areas line the east and south sides. The trees in question grow on the north eastern side of the property on the steep, ivy-covered bank. The power line to the residence runs from the north east corner of the property to the north east corner of the residence. Recent storms have caused significant limb failures from the assessed trees to fall onto the power lines cutting power to the home. Tree #1 -14" DBH - Alnus rubra I Red Alder - POOR CONDITION At 70' tall, this tree presents with overall poor vigor and a small, thin canopy weighted to the south and west towards the residence. The top 15' leader failed in a recent storm and significant limb failures show a tree in serious decline. The trunk leans approximately 30 degrees to the south and west and the ivy-covered soil on the bank has been eroding from the west side of the buttress. Tree #2 - 20" DBH - Alnus rubra I Red Alder - POOR CONDITION This tree has overall poor vigor and is approximately 90' tall with a 30 degree partially -corrected trunk lean to the west. Previous large limb failures have fallen onto the power lines. Significant soil erosion under the tree and Mountain Beaver burrowing on the west side of the buttress have undermined the stability of the tree. Exposed roots are visible at the base on the west. Tree #3 - 24" DBH - Alnus rubra I Red Alder - POOR CONDITION This 90' tall tree grows at the lip of the 45 degree slope and leans precariously over the north east corner of the residence. The trunk exhibits a significant bow to the north west and the canopy is weighted to the west towards the residence as well. Ivy grows up the entire length of the tree. Overall, the tree shows poor vigor and decline. t4 if- VT�l TA- 4L_ Mm" All 7-i RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS TREE REMOVAL Due to overall poor vigor and decline, undermined soil stabilization, previous and on -going significant limb failures and proximity to the high -occupancy and high -value residential target I have assigned these three trees HIGH RISK ratings and recommend that they be removed or cut to snags. Edmonds Community Development Code requires that any tree debris from removals/snags be left in place for wildlife habitat and soil conservation. TREE REPLACEMENT ECDC also requires that any trees removed in a critical area be replaced at a ratio of 2:1. The following replacement trees are recommended to be planted on the north east section of the property at the base of the ivy- covered critical slope: (3) 1.5" Acer circinatum / Vine Maple (3) 1.5" Amelanchier alnifolia / Serviceberry LIMITATIONS This report was based on the conditions of the trees and site at the time the report was written. Weather and site changes can alter the conditions at any time. Trees inherently pose a certain degree of hazard and risk from breakage, failure or other causes and conditions. Recommendations that are made by Laughing Trees Landscapes are intended to minimize or reduce hazardous conditions that may be associated with trees. However, there is and there can be no guarantee or certainty that efforts to correct unsafe conditions will prevent breakage or failure of the tree. Any recommendations made should reduce the risk of tree failure but they cannot eliminate such risk, especially in the event of a storm or any act of God. There can be no guarantee or certainty that all hazardous conditions will be detected.