Arborist Report. Prepared for. Elaine and Jeff Klemzak 2861 Piedmont Ave. La Crescenta, CA 91214

Transcription

1 Arborist Report Prepared for Elaine and Jeff Klemzak 2861 Piedmont Ave La Crescenta, CA Prepared by James Komen ISA Certification #WE-9909A (703)

2 Arborist James Komen 1061 Jedburgh St Glendora, CA October 20, 2012 Elaine and Jeff Klemzak 2861 Piedmont Av La Crescenta, CA Elaine and Jeff: Enclosed is the Arborist Report for the trees on your property. I have closely inspected the 9 most significant of the trees on the property, taken measurements, and conducted an appraisal according to the methods specified in the book A Guide to Plant Appraisal as generally accepted by the International Society of Arboriculture. First I discuss the background of our relationship and of the care of your trees in the recent past. I then talk about my observations from the site analysis and how they may affect the growing environment for your trees. Next, I assess each individual tree, its current vitality, and its likely potential for growth or failure. The assessment leads into the appraisal section where I assign a dollar value to each tree using the most appropriate appraisal method. Lastly, I give you my recommendations for the property and what could be done to improve the health and vitality of your trees. Thank you for this opportunity to provide you with arboricultural analysis and recommendations. If you have any questions, please feel free to give me an or phone call. James Komen, Arborist International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist #WE-9909A Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 2

3 Background I ve had an arboricultural relationship with this client for about a year now. Back in 2011, I helped them in the removal of a dead avocado tree and a dead peach tree in their backyard. I replaced the avocado with a camphor tree, and the peach tree with a lemon tree. Since then, the Klemzaks have undertaken a significant landscape remodeling in their backyard: removing weeds and dead brush, planting flowers, and adding wood chip mulch to a subdivided region of the backyard. The Klemzaks used to have a large (3 diameter) pine tree in the front yard. It had subsidence issues over the years and leaned precariously over their house. About two years ago, they had it removed and replaced with a 60 box Deodar Cedar. This made the formerly shaded camphor tree the new dominant tree in the front yard. Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 3

4 Site Observations The Klemzak property is located in lower La Crescenta on a gradual north to south downslope. The general slope of neighborhood is both good and bad for cultivation. The slope improves drainage and reduces the likelihood of soil saturation and root suffocation; however, it also causes water to drain away quickly. To facilitate the change in grade, there is a retaining wall on the property line to the north. Rapid drainage of the soil is also due in part to the rocky, sandy soil texture. Sandy soil tends to have rapid infiltration and percolation rates, and so water will quickly drain away, leaving little moisture for roots to absorb. The best trees for this location must be either drought tolerant or irrigated. La Crescenta soil has very little A and E soil horizons (more commonly known as topsoil) and consists almost entirely of rocky parent material, which tends to makes tree establishment more difficult because of the added obstructions to the roots throughout the soil. The climate of Southern California is generally arid, with several large rainfalls per year, concentrated in the fall and winter seasons. There is usually little or no rain for the spring and summer months. Non-irrigated trees must be capable of withstanding long periods of drought and absorbing much of their water during the rainy season. Though there is significant drought and desiccation potential, the temperatures are relatively moderate throughout the year, allowing a wide variety of species to grow, provided that they receive sufficient irrigation. The Klemzak property is south-facing, and the front yard receives extended sunlight exposure. This is advantageous for sun-loving species such as the pine that formerly grew in the front yard. There is only one sprinkler system on the property, and it is located in the front yard. The sprinkler is manually turned on and off, and although the homeowners are pretty good about remembering to water, they do have a tendency to forget once in a while. There is no irrigation system in the back yard. Built in the 1920s, the house is one-story and was formerly a cabin with fewer surrounding houses. Only in the last 50 years were the neighboring houses built. Drainage on either side of the house consists of a small, paved gutter system that directs the surface runoff around the house and into the street. Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 4

5 Tree 1 Quercus agrifolia California Live Oak. Tree Inspection This oak is the prize specimen of the property. Quercus agrifolia is a well-adapted native species to Southern California. The species is slow-growing, but its structural wood is especially strong. It is also drought tolerant, storing more energy and retaining more water than most trees, allowing it to withstand the long, hot Los Angeles summers. This oak provides shade for nearly the entire backyard of the property and overarches into the northern and eastern bordering properties, providing shade for them as well. Being an evergreen species of oak, it maintains the shade yearround and keeps the rear of the house cooler. The root system is partly responsible for retaining a large portion of the soil in the backyard. Without this tree, much of the yard s top soil layers may have been eroded away in rainstorms over the years. Aside from the gradual leaf drop and natural shade-out dieback of the interior canopy, the oak is a low maintenance, high-value landscape tree. The grade change immediately on the north face of the oak has been the biggest challenge for the tree to overcome. The root crown flair is at grade on the Klemzak side of the property, but the grade rises 3 feet behind a retaining wall on the property line with the neighbors to the north. This change in grade has likely had adverse effects on the root system. When roots are buried beneath too much compacted soil, they have a tendency to suffocate and inhibit the vascular (water and mineral) needs of the tree. I am not too concerned about the grade change s effect on the oak because the oak does not show signs of bark loss or stress due to root system deficiencies, and the retaining wall has been in place for at least 30 years, so the oak has had an opportunity for its roots to adapt. It is possible that the roots on the north side of the tree have actually grown above root crown grade in search of water from the northern neighbor s irrigation. If this is the case, then the tree is actually better anchored and less at risk from falling onto the house to the south. A qualified root crown inspection would reveal more information Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 5

6 Another issue that the oak dealt with for many years was mulch removal. The property s gardeners would blow the leaf drop away from the base of the tree, leaving the soil bare. This caused the soil to dry, crack, and heat up in the summer. Over time, poor topsoil conditions may have placed some chronic stress on the oak. However, with the recent landscaping project of the back yard, a fresh new layer of mulch has been applied to cover the formerly bare soil. This addition of mulch has effectively mitigated the former problem, and no further action is needed in this regard. Residual water from the irrigation of the understory plants will more than suffice the irrigation needs for the oak. Currently, there is a significant buildup of deadwood in the canopy as a result of benign neglect over the years. See the recommendations for a list of benefits of removing this material. Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 6

7 Tree 1 Quercus agrifolia California Live Oak. Appraisal Circumference 9'1" Diameter 34.7" Trunk Area 946 sq inches One of the highest-rated species in the southern California region, Quercus agrifolia is desirable for its strong structural wood, graceful descending crown form, and resilience from fire and drought. Height Drip line 50 74' This specimen loses the most points for its location. The close proximity to the property line retaining wall will not only Species Rating 90% cause problems for the tree's root system but also for the homeowners' wall that it is Location Rating 60% gradually heaving apart. One saving grace for the location is that it very nicely Vitality Rating Cost of Nursery Stock Value of Tree (area x species x location x vitality x cost of stock) 70% $45 per sq. inch $16,100 shades a good portion of the backyard. On one hand, it contributes very much to the landscape; but on the other hand, it is doing some damage to the wall. The oak has a significant load of deadwood in its canopy. Removal of this deadwood will add 5% to the vitality rating of the tree because the dead tissue won t be a drain on the vascular system any longer. The trunk is exhibiting mauve-colored cambium expansions along the underside of the lowest major lateral trunk. These expansions signify good health and vitality in the tree. Ideally, we would see more of them around the lower trunk for the tree to score higher marks. If the tree increases its canopy and photosynthetic production, the growth lines may develop around the lower trunk and raise the vitality rating of the tree. Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 7

8 Tree 2 Cinnamomum camphora Camphor Tree Tree Inspection Since the removal of the large pine tree in the front yard, the Camphor has become the dominant landscape specimen in the front yard. Cinnamomum Camphora is a pleasantly fragrant, non-native species that can handle the hot, dry summers of Southern California. This specimen receives a high location score due to its central placement in the yard with plenty of room for the root system to grow and height for the canopy to develop. Unfortunately, this camphor tree has a history of poor pruning. Several years ago, it was topped and many of the lateral branches were removed as well. It has far less foliage than ordinarily would be required to sustain its trunk diameter. The epicormic shoots that have sprouted from the wound sites are helping the tree to recover, but will always have weak branch attachment points. Although the tree may recover from the topping and grow a large canopy, these weak branch unions will ultimately limit the lifespan of this tree it will eventually get so large that the branch unions will fail, and the tree will drop large limbs. The best strategy for this Camphor is to allow it to regrow its canopy, but over time to gradually train the original laterals to become the permanent scaffold and to eventually prune out these epicormic shoots. Another minor issue the tree may have is the slightly buried stonework around the base of the root crown. This may inhibit growth of lateral roots which provide anchorage as well as water and minerals. The camphor tree will not likely become a hazard or threat to the house or power lines within the next decade, and it should be allowed to fill up the void created by the removal of the pine tree. Culturing this camphor s canopy has the potential of providing the most shade to the building of any tree on the property because of its southern placement. It also has potential to greatly increase in value over the next 5-10 years. Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 8

9 Circumference Tree 2 Cinnamomum camphora Camphor Tree 2'1" Diameter 8.0" Trunk Area Height 25 Drip line 9 4 Species Rating 90% Location Rating 90% Vitality Rating 35% Cost of Nursery Stock Value of Tree (area x species x location x vitality x cost of stock) 49.7 sq inches $45 per sq. inch $630 Appraisal Cinnamomum camphora is an aromatic species that can grow a pleasantly shady canopy. It has been a commonly planted street tree in southern California, but it has been known to have strong, heaving roots. Care should be taken to plant this species far enough from any buildings so as not to cause root upheaval. The location of this camphor tree is ideal, given enough time to develop a canopy. It is perfectly centered in the yard with plenty of space from the curb and the building for the roots to grow. When the canopy size increases, this tree will eventually provide a significant amount of shade for the front yard a very desirable contribution to the landscape. Unfortunately, the condition of the tree is quite poor. It has been topped and over pruned in the past to a point of severe disfigurement. The new resprouts have grown on less-than-desirable structural wood, and the tree will gradually need to be pruned and trained to the strongest leads. There is bark loss on some of the leaders, which can be a symptom of the vascular system being unable to meet the needs of the cambium cells, which are responsible for the thickening of trunk and branch tissue. Often, bark loss is caused by root damage, but there doesn t appear to be any conflict of roots with construction. The second, and more likely, possibility is that the reduced canopy size is unable to draw enough water and minerals through the vascular system to support the needs of the cambium. If this is the case, the problem will solve itself as the canopy thickens over time. Make as few cuts on the tree as possible to give the tree time to recover from the poor pruning and recover its vitality rating. Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 9

10 Tree 3 Washingtonia robusta Mexican Fan Palm Tree Inspection Native to Southern California and Mexico, the Mexican Fan Palm is a low-maintenance ornamental palm tree. It has a very low-spreading root ball, which makes it ideal for placement near hardscape such as the driveway. Typically, the only maintenance it needs is an annual removal of dead fronds. It tends to grow very quickly in height during years 5-15, and then its growth rate gradually drops off as it gets taller and the minerals and photosynthates have to travel a longer distance. Mexican Fan Palms are perfect trees for locations where lateral spread isn t tolerable, but there is plenty of vertical space to grow. Unfortunately for this tree, it grows directly beneath the power lines, creating an eventual electrical hazard. Fronds can be trained around the power lines, but there is a risk that contact friction in a windstorm could damage the lines. Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 10

11 Tree 3 Washingtonia robusta Mexican Fan Palm Appraisal Circumference 3' 10" Diameter 14.6" Trunk Area sq. inches Height 15 Drip line 9 10 Species Rating 90% Location Rating 50% Washingtonia robusta is the more desirable species of the Washingtonia palms that grow in Southern California. It is perfectly suited for the climate and often volunteers. The tree grows vertically with a relatively small drip line, which is ideal for a controlled, suburban landscape. Aesthetically, the palm is highly rated for the pleasant sound that the wind makes blowing through the fronds. The tree s value is rated based on height and not trunk area because palms do not increase in trunk diameter over time. Vitality Rating 90% Cost of Nursery Stock Value of Tree (height x species x location x vitality x cost of stock) $45 per ft of height $270 The location loses considerable points due to its proximity under the power lines. Since W. robusta only grows vertically, it will inevitably conflict with the lines, either causing damage to the lines, the tree, or both. This rating will stay low for at least 5 years, until the tree grows above the lines. Once the fronds have cleared the lines, the likelihood of conflict will be lower, and the location score will rise by about 10%. Aside from the power line conflict, the palm is a good choice for lining a driveway because of its noninvasive root system. The homeowner also won t have to worry about conflicts of space with vehicles in the driveway because of the palm s vertical growth form. The condition of the robusta is great. Just make sure to keep pruning off dead fronds. Dead fronds add canopy weight, fire hazard, and they also may fall on people or vehicles below if left until they self-prune. Remember though: never cut the apical frond on a palm doing this will kill the tree. A good rule of thumb is to only prune fronds that are dead or that protrude at an angle below 90 degrees from vertical. Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 11

12 A very newly planted specimen, this Meyer Lemon seems to have taken well to its chosen location in the shade of the oak tree. It is a common misconception that Citrus prefer full sun; quite the contrary, they prefer the mottled shade they receive as understory trees. Native to the tropics, the citrus needs to be kept moist - shade protects the citrus from the desiccation of the sun and lets it hold onto its water for longer. It s also fungus and disease resistant. However, one of the disadvantages to the citrus is if the bark gets injured, the tree may never be able to heal over the wound site. This citrus is already producing small crops of fruit. It has plenty of room to grow under the shade of the large oak tree above it, and its slow growth rate will ensure that it won t be competing for space with the oak for at least the next 20 years. Tree 4 Citrus meyeri - Meyer Lemon Tree Inspection Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 12

13 Circumference 2" Diameter 0.6" Trunk Area Height 5 Drip line 4 Species Rating 75% Location Rating 90% Vitality Rating 90% Too small to appraise using trunk-method. Tree 4 Citrus meyeri - Meyer Lemon.3 sq. inches Appraisal This specimen is still small enough to be valued directly by the cost of purchasing a similarly sized stock at a nursery. The labor to clean up the site and to install the new tree is included in the appraisal using the cost-ofreplacement method. The species loves moderate temperatures, and the low likelihood of frost in southern California; however, it is a tropical tree and needs to be kept moist. Without proper irrigation, the tree will not thrive on its own, ergo the reduced species rating. Aside from this detractor, the citrus is a good understory tree in the urban landscape. It is not root aggressive or fast growing, and it needs relatively little pruning. And it also makes tasty crops of fruits several times per year. Replacement cost method: The location for this Citrus is ideal: mottled shade provided by the oak gives the tree Cost of Nursery Stock $40 protection from the intensity of full sun. There is also plenty of room in the yard for Cost of Site Cleanup $30 the lemon tree to grow, both laterally and vertically underneath the oak s canopy. Cost of Installation Total Replacement Cost $30 $100 The citrus is in good health, showing bright green shoots and strong growth at the tips. It has already given three crops of fruit since its planting a little over a year ago. It is also developing good trunk taper whereas a year ago, it needed the support of a stake, it is now able to stand on its own and carry the weight of its relatively sizable crops. Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 13

14 Tree 5 Sequoia sempervirens - Redwood Tree Tree Inspection Also a newly planted specimen, this redwood tree was planted when the backyard landscaping was done a few months ago. Sequoia sempervirens is a fragrant, pleasant addition to the urban forest when placed in the right location. This specimen, however, will run into problems as a result of its placement. Due to the combined shade from the house and from the oak tree above it, the redwood will not receive enough sunlight to support maximum photosynthesis and may have trouble establishing in the short term. Furthermore, due to its proximity to both the garage building and the main house, even if the tree is able to establish and grow, it will never be able to reach its full potential, and it will have to be headed back or removed by years Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 14

15 Tree 5 Sequoia sempervirens - Redwood Tree Appraisal Just like the citrus, the Sequoia is still small enough to be valued directly by the cost of purchasing a similarly sized stock at a nursery. The labor to clean up the site and to install the new tree is included in the appraisal using the cost-of-replacement method. Circumference 2.5" Diameter 0.8" Trunk Area Height 6 5 Drip line 3 Species Rating 70% Location Rating 50% Vitality Rating 70% Too small to appraise using trunk-method. Replacement cost method: Cost of Nursery Stock $50 Cost of Site Cleanup $30.5 sq. inches The species is not ideal for southern California. Though a mature tree adds a high aesthetic value to its landscape, it does not do well in the dryness of southern California; Sequoia prefers the foggy moisture of northern California. The location of the Sequoia is poor due to its proximity to the house and the garage. If allowed to grow to its full potential, the tree will likely interfere with the buildings. Finally, the vitality of the tree is decent, but it is showing signs of scorch at the tips of the foliage, likely from the heat wave of the late summer. Over the course of the rainy season, the tree will likely increase its vitality rating by 10% or even 20%. Aside from the scorch, the apical tip appears to be healthy and is showing signs of elongation over the summer, despite the dry heat. Cost of Installation $30 Total Replacement Cost $100 Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 15

16 Tree 6 Araucaria heterophylla Norfolk Island Pine Tree Inspection The Norfolk Island pine is not actually a pine, although it makes for a desirable evergreen. This specimen is a volunteer, suspected of being about 8 years old. It has developed a multiple lead structure at the base, which tends to be an unstable structure due to the greater likelihood of tearout from windthrow. The Araucaria heterophylla is an excurrent species, with a tendency to form a single upright leader and a pyramidal growth form. Its location immediately underneath the power lines will eventually be its detriment due to its growth form. Several of the tree s leading trunks are headed towards the power lines. A decurrent species could be trained outward and downward, away from the power lines, but the excurrent nature of the Norfolk Island pine will always cause its main leader to grow vertical directly into the utilities. The tree s location is the primary determinant of its reduced location score in the appraisal. Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 16

17 Circumference Diameter 2.5" Trunk Area Height 10' Drip line Tree 6 Auricaria heterophylla Norfolk Island Pine Appraisal Multi-trunk, 8" on proposed best leader 4.9 sq. inches 8'5" Species Rating 90% Location Rating 50% Vitality Rating 70% Cost of Nursery Stock Too small to appraise using trunk-method. Cost of Nursery Stock $350 Cost of Site Cleanup $100 Cost of Installation $100 Total Replacement Cost $550 $45 per sq. inch An Australian introduction, the Norfolk Island pine is well suited to the dry climate of Southern California. Typically, it only has one single leading tip, resulting in a controlled growth form ideal for the urban forest. This particular tree has happened to develop into a multi-trunk form, possibly due to being severely headed back to grade level early in its life. Corrective surgery would reduce it back to the single leading trunk, choosing the strongest leader with the lowest likelihood of interfering with the power lines. Power line proximity is the biggest problem for the tree s location rating. It is growing almost directly underneath the major utility grid, and it will eventually end up growing into the wires and causing damage. Line clearance pruning will inevitably require the tree be topped, which is especially bad for an excurrent species (single leading tip) because topping wounds take longer to heal, and the laterals turn into new leads, creating a forked-tip form that is more susceptible to windthrow and is not very aesthetic. The species is certainly vigorous it volunteered on its own and managed to survive being cut back to a stump early in its life. Now, it has good tip elongation, evenly distributed on all of its foliage. It is the multi-trunk form of the tree that detracts from its vitality rating. In such close proximity, the trunks compete with each other for light and collectively reduce the total photosynthetic potential. A decurrent species would be better suited for a multi-trunk growth form because its leaders would arch away from each other. Conversely, the excurrent Araucaria s stems grow relatively vertical and stay in close proximity. Over time, their union at the root crown will develop included bark and make them more susceptible to tearout. Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 17

18 Tree 7 Podocarpus gracilior Fern Pine Tree Inspection The Fern Pine is a good, drought-tolerant, evergreen, nonnative species for Southern California. It has strong anchorage roots which make it less likely to fail due to root system failure. Unfortunately, it is this same attribute that makes it undesirable near buildings. Its roots have a tendency to heave and buckle hardscape, and that is exactly what is happening to the front porch. 30 years ago, the tree was planted too close to the house, and now the roots are causing the front porch steps to crack under pressure. The trunk of the tree is also pushing up against the flashing on the roof, and over time the trunk will grow larger and cause more damage to the roof of the house. Currently, the tree is providing a good deal of shade to the western half of the house, including the bedroom area, which can get uncomfortably hot in the summer time. The inevitable necessary removal of this tree will result in a hotter, sunnier house. Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 18

19 Circumference Tree 7 Podocarpus gracilior Fern Pine 3'11" Diameter 15.0" Trunk Area Height 40' Drip line 25' Species Rating 70% Location Rating 30% Vitality Rating 85% REMOVAL RECOMMENDED, SO VALUE IS NEGATIVE Approximate Cost of removal $2,500 Appraisal sq. inches Although this tree appraises positively by the trunk-formula method of evaluation, it is doomed to eventual removal due to its proximity to the house. Therefore, the more appropriate valuation of the tree would be the estimate of the cost of removal, thereby resulting in a negative appraisal value. Podocarpus gracilior is a highly rated species for its evergreen foliage, drought tolerance, and its ability to grow in poor soils. These attributes make it desirable for the southern California urban landscape. The caveat with this species is that it needs room to grow, or it needs to be pruned to a shrub form so that it won t outgrow its site. It is the location of this tree that is ultimately detrimental to its value in the landscape. Planted too close to the house, the tree is heaving the front patio, causing damage to the roof, and threatening to cause even more costly damage to the house foundation. The damage is not the species fault; the vigor that is heaving their patio is the same vigor that makes the tree desirable when planted far enough from a building. Had the tree been continuously pruned to shrub form while it was still small, it could have coexisted nicely with the house. Unfortunately, it is too late now: all of the tree s foliage is above the acceptable shrub height. This tree would have to be removed and replaced with a smaller specimen. The tree shows good vitality with green tips and healthy cone production. There is a degree of deadwood in the tree that could be manicured out to improve the vitality rating by 5%, but this is not recommended, given that the tree must be removed. Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 19

20 Tree 8 Cupaniopsis anacardioides Carrotwood Tree Tree Inspection The carrotwood tree is strong, tough, easy-to-grow tree that is able to thrive in arid climates and salty soils. So vigorous is this species that it is beginning to be considered a weed in Southern California, which explains the lower species rating. This specimen was planted 25 years ago and has since grown into a mature form that shades the side bedroom of the house. This tree is currently dealing with the challenge of competition with the neighboring hedge. A fast growing vine is using the tree s branches as a trellis. The tree and the hedge are fighting for space and for light. Excessive weight in the canopy is going to eventually lead to branch damage and increase the likelihood of a tear-out. In the shorter term, the vine will block large portions of the sun from the carrotwood foliage, leading to shade-out dieback. Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 20

21 Tree 8 Cupaniopsis anacardioides Carrotwood Tree Appraisal Circumference multi-trunk: 1'10", 1'7", 2'3", 2'5" Diameter 7.0", 6.1", 8.6", 9.2" Trunk Area Height 45' Drip line 25' Species Rating 60% Location Rating 75% Vitality Rating 80% Cost of Nursery Stock Value of Tree (area x species x location x vitality x cost of stock) 192 sq. inches $45 per sq. inch $3110 The carrotwood is a slightly weedy species in southern California with a lessthan desirable woody-fruit drop. However, it does make for a pleasant, evergreen canopy. It is also drought tolerant, and able to grow in salty, alkaline soils. So if the fruit drop can be tolerated, the tree can still add good value to the urban landscape. I have personally given this tree a slightly higher species rating than recommended in the ISA text because of its appropriateness for its urban setting: it grows easily in poor soils and makes desireable evergreen shade. The location of this Cupaniopsis is nice because it gives shade to the private little nook for the side bedroom of the house. It is a little too close to the patio, but not so close as to cause damage by root upheaval. It appears to be in a battle for space with the hedge from the eastern neighbor s side, and has vines climbing into its canopy, shading out its own foliage. As a consequence, the tree is suffering from a bit of shade-out dieback on the eastern side of its canopy. An easy way to improve the health of the tree would be to cut back the creeping vine, while taking care not to make any cuts on the trellis branches of the carrotwood. Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 21

22 Tree 9 Cinnamomum camphora Camphor Tree Tree Inspection The camphor tree around the side of the house has more maturity than the one out front, but unfortunately, its location will require its inevitable removal. Camphor has proven to be a strong root-heaver species, as shown on many of Los Angeles deformed and cracked sidewalks. Its proximity to the building will eventually lead it to cause foundation damage. You can see in the photograph that it is already pushing on the concrete drainage system. Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 22

23 Circumference Tree 9 Cinnamomum camphora Camphor Tree 2'3", 2'9", 1'11" Diameter 8.6", 10.5", 7.3" Trunk Area Height 30' Drip line 26' Species Rating 90% Location Rating 50% Vitality Rating 75% Cost of Nursery Stock Value of Tree (area x species x location x vitality x cost of stock) 187 sq. inches $45 per sq. inch $2800 Appraisal The species rating for this tree is the same as the other camphor on site because the intention of the species rating is to isolate the genetic attributes that make the tree desirable (or not). Site and vitality considerations are reflected in the other two ratings. The location of this camphor tree loses points because of its proximity to both the building, and more immediately, to the drainage system. Its roots are already beginning to heave the concrete drainage system. From a practical standpoint, it doesn t make sense to cut down the tree yet, because the drainage system is still functional, despite the root heaving. It creates value by shading the northwest corner of the house, and doesn t appear to pose an immediate threat to the building. Annual monitoring of the tree should be sufficient mitigation at this point. For most other species of tree, the heavily compacted soil around the base of the tree would be a problem. However, the strong roots of the camphor tree manage to break apart the soil just as well. The tree is showing decent vital signs with a partially full canopy and strong bark. There is an accumulation of deadwood in the canopy, and the value of the tree could be increased by pruning it out. Furthermore, the vitality rating will also increase if the tree thickens its canopy over time. Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 23

24 Recommendations 1) Have the deadwood pruned out of the oak tree. Removal of this deadwood will have several benefits: a. It will increase the appraised vitality factor by 5%, resulting in an increase in the appraised value of the tree of $400. b. It will allow more light to penetrate the canopy to the live foliage, causing an increase in photosynthesis and vitality. c. It will reduce the drain on the vascular system because the tree will no longer be supplying nutrients and carbohydrates to the dead tissue d. The tree will more easily compartmentalize and heal a pruning cut than a jagged edge that would be left by a wind-thrown limb. The longer it takes a tree to heal over a wound, the higher the likelihood of decay organisms entering the tree. e. It will reduce the wind loads on the tree. The dead tissue acts as a sail, catching the gusts, and putting additional stress on the live branch unions. f. It will reduce the fuel load in the tree, making it more fire-safe. 2) Monitor the oak in the back yard every year to ensure its anchorage and root system vitality as a result of the grade change. Look for bark loss near the ground on the north side of the tree; large loss of foliage, specifically on the northern canopy; and highpressure contact between the root crown flair and the retaining wall. If you observe any of these, contact an arborist for a closer inspection. 3) Develop a relationship with the northern and eastern neighbors and ensure that they consult with you before conducting any tree pruning on the oak. The tree s trunk is entirely on your property, and you would have legal recourse if they were to cause any damage to it. 4) Ensure that a layer of mulch remains over the root system of the oak. This will create a thermo-moisture insulating layer, keeping soil temperatures moderated and slowing the soil moisture from being lost to evaporation. 5) When irritating the understory plants near the oak, ensure that water should not spray the trunk of the oak. Repeated moistening of the trunk of an oak can create favorable conditions for root crown rot and fungi to develop. These ailments would harm the root system of the tree, its ability to uptake water and minerals, and also put the tree more at risk of structural failure. 6) Homeowner Jeff tells me that he is interested in creating a wider canopy spread for the Camphor tree. He went on to say that he received a recommendation to top the tree to encourage it to sprout new laterals. I want to make sure that I address and debunk this incorrect recommendation, for the good of the tree. If the camphor tree were topped again, it would have too little foliage to support the vascular needs of its trunk diameter. Sap pressure would decrease to a point where the remaining leaves wouldn t be able to get the necessary water and minerals, and would shortly desiccate and die. Without foliage on the tree, the root system would eventually use up its stored reserves, and the tree would die. Bottom line: do not top the camphor tree. 7) Monitor the Mexican Fan Palm annually for contact with the overhead electrical lines. It is possible for the fronds to be trained around the lines, but the pruning of the fronds should only be done by a qualified arborist who is trained in power line clearance safety. After two to five years of contact with the lines, the tree will have grown above them, and Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 24

25 contact with the trunk won t be as much of an issue. If the tree is chosen to be replaced, I highly recommend choosing a diminutive species with a low crown height, so as not to interfere with the power lines. 8) Take care to pick the lemons from the Meyer Lemon tree while it is still in its juvenile stage. Excess weight from the fast growing lemons could actually cause branches to snap and injure the tree. I recommend sacrificing the first year or two worth of lemons in order to train the tree into a strong structure avoiding structural defects early in the tree s life will greatly increase its life expectancy. 9) Keep the lemon tree moist. I recommend installing a drip irrigation system specifically for the lemon tree. For the least expensive method, lay a soaker hose in several concentric circles at 6 intervals around the trunk of the tree, beginning at 18 from the trunk. Turn on the drip system for a good, deep irrigation for minutes every week. 10) Purchase a timer for the sprinkler system in front to avoid the possibility of forgetting to irrigate. 11) Remove the multiple leading trunks from the Auricaria and reduce it to a single leading trunk. Choose the northern one that is growing the furthest from the power lines to extend the length of time before extensive pruning is required. If the homeowner chooses to remove the tree entirely, I recommend replacing it with a diminutive species such as a Lagerstromia indica - Crepe Myrtle. Such trees have much shorter crown heights and will not pose a problem with power line interference. 12) Remove the Podocarpus on the western side of the house. The root system will only continue to damage the porch steps and roof, and it may end up causing extremely costly damage to the foundation. Remove the stump, and then bring in a building inspector to ensure the stability of the foundation of the house. 13) Remove the part of the neighbor s hedge that is interfering with the canopy of the carrotwood. Although the carrotwood may be a weed tree, it is still more valuable to the landscape than the out-of-control hedge. Be sure to talk with your neighbor and come to an agreement on responsibility and payment before bringing in a tree crew. 14) Remove the camphor tree on the northwestern side of the house to prevent root heaving of the house foundation. This recommendation is a relatively low priority because the roots won t be causing damage to the house foundation for at least 5-10 more years. Until then, the tree can still provide landscape value. Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 25

26 Summary of Findings The oak tree in the back yard is the highest value specimen, and its value to the landscape is irreplaceable in the homeowners lifetime. Therefore, the highest priority should be given to the preservation of this tree. Follow my recommendations to ensure it does not receive any unnecessary stress from the neighbors, and it should continue to live and grow for another 40 or more years. The fern pine must be removed for the safety and well-being of the house. Although the tree has some value by Cost-Appraisal method, it does not nearly compensate for the damage it will cause to the house. Try replacing it with a less root-aggressive shade tree. In the front yard, the best strategy is to restore the camphor tree and cultivate it into the dominant specimen of the yard to reclaim the shade that was formerly provided by the pine tree. Do as little cutting on the Camphor tree as possible in the short term so that it may sprout additional canopy and increase its photosynthetic potential. Other succession trees may be planted, but the general focus should be on the restoration of the Camphor. Limitations Please understand that my observations are based on a strictly visual inspection of the property, and some hidden or buried symptoms and signs may not have been observed. Specialty arborists would be needed to conduct root crown inspections and extent-of-decay analysis on your trees, if these additional inspections are desired. I do not guarantee the safety, health, or condition of any of your trees, and my analysis is only based on the observations I gather at the time of inspection. I did not conduct excavation, coring, or aerial inspection, nor did I enter the neighbors yards to make observations. There is no warranty or guarantee, expressed or implied, that problems or deficiencies of these trees or other nearby trees or properties in question may not arise in the future. Furthermore, I am in no way liable for any unforeseen damages caused by the homeowner carrying out my recommendations; any work to be done on the trees is the responsibility of the homeowner and their tree crew. Klemzak Arborist Report, Page 26