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HomeMy WebLinkAboutArborist Report 965800016, 965000371, 965000347 Arborist Study of Tree Action Requests for Bluff Tree Management at Kala Point Updated 4/24/18 December 7th, 2017 Peninsula Urban Forestry Kala Point Bluff Trees Tree Management – Restoration Ecology – Wetlands P a g e 2 |18 www.peninsulauf.com DATE: December 7th, 2017 Updated: April 24th, 2018 CLIENT: Kala Point Owners’ Association 1760 Kala Point Drive, Port Townsend, WA 98368 (360) 385-0814 gm_larson@kalapoint.org CC: Jefferson County Department of Community Development PARCELS: 965800016; 965000371; 965000347; 965000278; 965800005; PREPARED BY: John Bornsworth Arborist, Community Forester Member, American Society of Consulting Arborists Member, Society of Municipal Arborists Member, Society of Environmental Restoration Member, International Society of Arboriculture REVIEWED BY: Justin Vendettuoli Biologist Member, Society of Wetland Scientists Member, Society of Environmental Restoration © 2018, Peninsula Urban Forestry, LLC All rights reserved. December 7th, 2017 Peninsula Urban Forestry Kala Point Bluff Trees Tree Management – Restoration Ecology – Wetlands P a g e 3 |18 www.peninsulauf.com CONTENTS 1 PROJECT SUMMARY ............................................................................................... 4 2 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Limitations......................................................................................................... 5 3 OBSERVATIONS & FINDINGS ................................................................................. 6 3.1 Site Specific Analysis ......................................................................................... 6 3.2 Shannon & Wilson, Inc. Coastal Bluff Study....................................................... 7 3.3 Site Assessment and Mapping Methods ........................................................... 7 4 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION ................................................................................... 8 4.1 How Vegetation Inhibits Soil Movement ........................................................... 8 4.2 Impacts of Tree Actions .................................................................................... 9 4.3 Opportunity For Vista Pruning ........................................................................ 10 5 SUMMARY ............................................................................................................. 11 7 RECOMMENDED ACTIONS .................................................................................. 12 7.1 General Recommendations ............................................................................. 12 8 CLOSING ............................................................................................................... 13 9 GLOSSARY ............................................................................................................. 14 10 REFERENCES ......................................................................................................... 16 11 ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITING CONDITIONS ...................................................... 17 December 7th, 2017 Peninsula Urban Forestry Kala Point Bluff Trees Tree Management – Restoration Ecology – Wetlands P a g e 4 |18 www.peninsulauf.com 1 PROJECT SUMMARY Kala Point Owners Association (“KPOA”) is requesting the pruning, trimming, hedging, maintenance and removal of trees along their northern coastal bluff. Peninsula Urban Forestry (“PUF”) has assessed the trees planned for maintenance and evaluated the plant ecology on the slope. This report outlines our site-specific analysis and includes observations, analysis & evaluation, discussion and management recommendations on plant and forest health. This report includes an evaluation of ecological functions and values resulting from the project’s execution. The majority of the proposed tree and vegetation actions are within Natural Shoreline Environmental Designation and within either erosion or landslide hazard zones. In addition to this arboricultural report, a Habitat Management Plan from a secondary environmental consultant is associated with this project. The 97 tree action proposals are planned for execution in Winter of 2017/18 to reduce collateral vegetation damage and reduce tree stress factors. No ground disturbance, root disturbance, root severing or stump removal is proposed in this report. Proposed actions will not convert native forest land or permanently alter forest distribution, or complexity. Based on our findings and our knowledge of arboricultural and ecological methods, no significant vegetation removal and no net loss of ecological function or value will result from this proposed project. Proposed tree actions do not adversely affect the health of surrounding vegetation, or increase risk of wind throw potential in surrounding trees. As discussed in this report, the proposed tree and plant actions will have a no net loss of ecological function or values. The tree actions proposed will not negatively impact surface water, ground water, water quality, or slope stability. 2 INTRODUCTION Peninsula Urban Forestry, LLC was contracted by the Kala Point Owners’ Association in July 2017 to prepare an objective report regarding proposed modifications of trees and vegetation within their northern boundary. These proposed tree and vegetation modifications are addressed collectively as “tree actions” within this report. All tree actions were requested by Kala Point owners or residents in order to maintain their pre-existing and historic viewshed of Port Townsend Bay, Indian Island, the city of Port Townsend, and Ford Casey. Our Scope of Services included: • Site visits as needed to gather data relevant to report. • An objective report concerning the effects of trimming and/or removing of trees and vegetation on Kala Point’s bluff. December 7th, 2017 Peninsula Urban Forestry Kala Point Bluff Trees Tree Management – Restoration Ecology – Wetlands P a g e 5 |18 www.peninsulauf.com Kala Point Owners Association owns the coastal bluff parcels on which the trees vegetation with proposed actions exists. All tree actions within this report are accessed by roads Kala Heights Drive and Seaview Court, both in Port Townsend, WA 98364. The following parcels contained proposed tree actions: 965800016, 965000371, 965000347, 965800005, and 965000278. These parcels combined acreage is 6.45 acres. Peninsula Urban Forestry staff was on site August 22nd, 23rd and November 17th of 2017 with KPOA staff to survey the requested tree actions. KPOA provided PUF with a list of requests and associated photos showing the general area of the requested actions as seen from each property’s viewshed. This report is the synthesis of information gathered during the site visits, information provided by KPOA, external material, Jefferson County GIS data, and professional experience and knowledge of Peninsula Urban Forestry staff. For matters of clarity, when referencing tree form, pruning style, and other facets related to tree pruning, the newest edition of the Tree Care Industry Association 2017 publication of ANSI’s (American Natural Standard Institute) A300 Part 1 pruning specifications shall be used. These standards represent the newest Best Management Practices and Standard of Care for arborists who practice or manage the pruning of woody plants. 2.1 Limitations The results and recommendations of this report represent our professional opinion compiled from on-site forensics, information provided to us, referenced material and our experience. Our recommendations are compiled with best-available-science and currently accepted best management practices. This report is intended for the exclusive use of our Client and its agent and clients for specific application to the referenced property. Use this report to assist in future management decisions of subject plants and properties. All site plans were created using methods detailed in the Methods section, and are subject to the following limitations. Tree and vegetation locations are approximations based on information received from Kala Point Owners’ Association, site visits, and ESRI’s ArcMap 10.5 software. It should be assumed there is as an acceptable small level of error due to file conversions, the large scale of the project, overlapping requests, and the inaccessibility due to steep slope of many of the trees for which requested actions were made. December 7th, 2017 Peninsula Urban Forestry Kala Point Bluff Trees Tree Management – Restoration Ecology – Wetlands P a g e 6 |18 www.peninsulauf.com 3 OBSERVATIONS & FINDINGS 3.1 Site Specific Analysis This report’s Area Of Interest (“AOI”) is the northern third of Kala Point Owners Associations coastal bluff. This area is adjacent to the roads Kala Heights Drive and Seaview Court. To the north of the project area is the Fort Townsend State Park. We evaluated a length of shoreline vegetation measuring roughly 1,000 feet. The slope face measured between 150 feet in length to 200 feet in length. The upland buffer between development and the slope crest ranged between 25 feet and over 200 feet. Current land use on the AOI consists of developed single family units and condos upslope, and generally native Puget Sound lowland forest types in the slope buffer and slope face. The backshore exhibits large woody debris recruitment, downed trees and overhanging riparian vegetation at the base of the bluff. No linear modifications exist on the shoreline. Landward riparian zone consists of highbank forest cover and associated native vegetation. The northern half of the AOI consists of landscaped development for roughly 40-60 feet east/west, towards a near vertical slope of manicured native vegetation, the slope face continues to decline at less steepness for another 100-150 feet until the high-tide line (OHWM). The southern half of the AOI slope is less steepened, descending gradually from the landscaped yards (40-60 feet) to a near 45-degree to 60-degree slope (150-200) feet to the OHWM. During our reconnaissance, the slope face and upslope showed no areas of accelerated erosion or sedimentation. Ground-cover across the Site consisted of either herbaceous plants, graminoids, or natural leaf litter/mulching. The majority of the slope buffer and slope face is either manicured or unmanicured diverse native, stratified trees and associated vegetation, to include Douglas-fir, western redcedar, western hemlock, silver fir, grand fir and pacific madrone, mid-strata and ground cover include western oceanspray, rose, salal, Indian plum, trailing black berry, thimble berry, and native coastal herbaceous plants. Existing canopy cover over the native vegetation AOI is at 100% and includes multiple forest canopy strata. Forest density and complexity are normal for Puget lowland forest types, including large, mature conifer presence, mature deciduous trees, and a large number of established natural regeneration of trees. December 7th, 2017 Peninsula Urban Forestry Kala Point Bluff Trees Tree Management – Restoration Ecology – Wetlands P a g e 7 |18 www.peninsulauf.com 3.2 Shannon & Wilson, Inc. Coastal Bluff Study In preparation for this arboricultural report, PUF staff reviewed the March 2012 Shannon & Wilson, Inc (“S&W”) coastal bluff study prepared for KPOA. This report outlines specific methods for reducing impacts from and influences on shoreline regression through vegetation management techniques, as well as other non-arboriculturally related topics. 3.3 Site Assessment and Mapping Methods While on site, the subject trees and vegetation were examined up close when possible to gather metrics on size, health, growing conditions, location, and information relevant to the requested action. Trees that were unable to be assessed up close due to steep slope or other inhibiting conditions had their locations approximated using a GPS point associated with a bearing toward the tree and a distance acquired with a range finder All map figures were created using ESRI’s ArcMap 10.5 with measurements made on projected coordinate system NAD83 HARN US Feet for Washington State (North). Data for parcels and critical areas is sourced from Jefferson Country Maps (Jefferson County 2017). December 7th, 2017 Peninsula Urban Forestry Kala Point Bluff Trees Tree Management – Restoration Ecology – Wetlands P a g e 8 |18 www.peninsulauf.com 4 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION 4.1 How Vegetation Inhibits Soil Movement Geologic and geophysical processes aside, improper rainwater management paired with improper vegetation management are the two primary causes of soil mass wasting (landslides) in urban environments. This improper rainwater and vegetation management can be uncollected impervious runoff, leaking runoff transport systems, lacking tree canopy interception, unhealthy soils, bare soils and lacking surface vegetation (ground cover). Hydrological and mechanical influences of vegetation on slopes are both positive and negative, though the positive impacts normally greatly outweigh the negative. Two distinct episodes of soil movement pertain to this report and the slope associated with it: 1) surface soil erosion (sediment entrainment) and 2) shallow seated landslides within the near- surface weathered zone. Deep seated landslides are influenced by more than trees and vegetation and are often not caused by individual homeowners. Generally speaking, the ecosystem benefits provided by evergreen plants on steep slopes and near water bodies, is greater than that of deciduous trees. Ways in which vegetation, specifically herbaceous plants, prevent soil erosion include (Gray 1982): 1) Interception – foliage and plant residues absorb rainfall energy and prevent soil compaction from raindrops. 2) Restraint – root system physically binds or restrains soil particles while above-ground residues filter sediment out of rain and stormwater runoff. 3) Retardation – above-ground residues increase surface roughness and slow velocity of runoff. 4) Infiltration – roots and plant residues help maintain soil porosity and permeability 5) Transpiration – depletion of soil moisture by plants delays onset of saturation and runoff. Of all these processes, retardation (slowing) of mobile surface waters and infiltration (increased soil porosity) both substantially reduce impacts to sediment entrainment. Soil structure also plays a substantial role. Interception (absorption) of rainfall energy and transpiration (soil moisture wicking) decrease heavily in the winter when plants drop their leaves. Evergreen plants, as opposed to deciduous plants, do retain interception qualities throughout the winter, but their ability to wick moisture from the ground is still reduced. December 7th, 2017 Peninsula Urban Forestry Kala Point Bluff Trees Tree Management – Restoration Ecology – Wetlands P a g e 9 |18 www.peninsulauf.com 4.2 Impacts of Tree Actions The proposed project will consist of 97 different tree and associated vegetation modifications to reestablish and renew existing view corridors from developed houses and condos in the Kala Point region. This project recommends view-related tree maintenance only and does not propose the creation of new views, or of tree removal to convert forests to developed land. Ecological impacts of these three tree maintenance techniques are limited and temporary. This project specifies three general maintenance techniques: 1) Shrub and tree re-hedging 2) Re-topping of previously topped coniferous trees 3) Reduction pruning on broad-leaf trees The re-hedging of plants previously hedged consists of shearing less than 2” diameter branches roughly 12 inches below the line of sight. Many conifers near the AOI slope crest have been manicured this way for a number of years, including Douglas-fir, western redcedar, and western hemlock. These species of tree, while large native trees, are all planted in gardens and landscapes and can be managed in this way. Redcedars and hemlocks in particular are exceptional hedges when trained (via shearing) as such. Previously topped conifer trees are those trees which either due to mechanical intervention (chainsaw), or natural systems (windstorm, self-topped), have lost their central leader and have regrown to contain numerous traumatic reiterations or “new trunks”. These new trunks normally appear in clusters of half a dozen or more weakly attached limbs. These new tops can normally be managed by hedging. After 3-5 years of growth, the new tops begin to reduce in numbers and increase in diameter. These new tops can be managed by reduction cuts to a dominant lateral branch with little trauma to the tree. These branches are normally 3 inches in diameter. Reduction style pruning of previously topped trees will not significantly impact their lifespan. Reduction pruning is an arboricultural standard of pruning designed to reduce the height or lateral stretch of a deliquescent broadleaf tree. The over- extending branch (or central leader) is cut to a lateral branch node smaller than the former’s diameter. To be effective, this cut must be completed by a person knowledgeable in tree biology and tree wound reaction, preferably a certified arborist. A maximum branch diameter of 3 inches is recommended during reduction cuts. December 7th, 2017 Peninsula Urban Forestry Kala Point Bluff Trees Tree Management – Restoration Ecology – Wetlands P a g e 10 |18 www.peninsulauf.com 4.3 Opportunity for Vista Pruning Kala Point has ample opportunity for vista pruning techniques across its shoreline bluff. Vista pruning is an appropriate way to integrate views and retain long-term tree health. Vista pruning is the selective thinning of specific limbs from the canopy to enhance a specific line of sight. It is important to remember trees grow from their top upwards, as such, lower tree branches will not grow up and into the newly created view. Once the central leader of a tree has grown 4-5 feet above the view corridor, small selective pruning with the objective of eventual vista pruning can begin. Remove no more than 15% of living foliage any tree life stage to obtain a view corridor. Photo from the Washington State Department of Ecology showing window/vista pruning. December 7th, 2017 Peninsula Urban Forestry Kala Point Bluff Trees Tree Management – Restoration Ecology – Wetlands P a g e 11 |18 www.peninsulauf.com 5 SUMMARY The proposed management techniques of trees and associated vegetation will temporarily reduce small limbs, fine branches and small amounts of foliage. The tree and associated vegetation management called for in this report will not measurably affect tree health. increase stormwater, decrease water quality, decrease air quality or wildlife habitat. The processes of foliar rain-fall interception will not be affected by removing less than 25% of an evergreen plant foliage. In deciduous trees, rain-fall interception occurs less, as such deciduous trees could be hedged or reduced to a maximum of 25% of living branches. Regarding current available habitat, the trees and shrubs being managed have dense, fine branches, and leaf regrowth caused by prior hedging. This type of fine branching is not sufficient habitat for many canopy nesting nor cavity nesting birds, usually defined as 6-12 inches in diameter for both, and the point of shearing is too elevated for ground nesting birds. Non-avian habitat will not be impacted by the proposed actions. Regarding slope stability related to vegetation, the AOI is densely vegetated with native forest lands, including ground, multi-shrub and multi-tree strata. We surveyed no bare-ground on the slope and there is no surveyed presence of invasive or noxious weeds. The plants being modified, both tree and shrub, will not perish from the assigned requested actions and their roots will remain intact. Of the five noted expressions of plant benefits on slopes (Grey 1982), only foliar interception will decrease, and this only temporarily. The amount of foliar interception lost due to pruning of trees will be compensated for by other shrubs and smaller trees, as those plants grow given the new sunlight they will receive. December 7th, 2017 Peninsula Urban Forestry Kala Point Bluff Trees Tree Management – Restoration Ecology – Wetlands P a g e 12 |18 www.peninsulauf.com 7 RECOMMENDED ACTIONS 7.1 General Pruning Specifications We recommend all plants modified on the Kala Point Bluff: 1) Shall not have their roots impacted or soil disturbed. All plant roots must remain undisturbed to both retain root to soil cohesion and to preserve the health of the modified plant. 2) Cover all exposed patches of soil with a thin layer of arborist woodchip, weed-free straw, or other organic mulch. 3) Contractors shall follow “PUF Recommendations” on each the Chart of Trees for each tree being managed. 4) All plant pruning actions should be completed in a way to preserve their health and reduce impacts from pests, fungal colonization, and other mortality spirals. 5) In most situations, evergreen trees provide more ecosystem services in this critical area than deciduous trees. As such, evergreen trees are favored for retention. 6) Having an ISA Certified Arborist prune trees will increase the likelihood of those trees remaining healthy and intact for years post- pruning. Adhering to horticultural Best Management Practices during pruning will allow the tree to compartmentalize decay more efficiently. 7) Contractor shall remove no more than 25% of living foliage from any tree this pruning cycle. 8) At no time shall an apical heading cut over 3 inches be allowed. (Previously topped tree may have re-sprouts pruned where diameter of sprout is less than 3 inches.) 9) Contractor shall not use photographs as an indication of where to prune trees. Photographs are for informational purposes only and not a pruning specification. December 7th, 2017 Peninsula Urban Forestry Kala Point Bluff Trees Tree Management – Restoration Ecology – Wetlands P a g e 13 |18 www.peninsulauf.com 8 CLOSING Work for this project was performed and this report prepared in accordance with generally accepted professional practices for the nature and conditions of work completed in the same or similar localities, at the time the work was performed. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made. Myself, nor Peninsula Urban Forestry, has any current or prospective interest in the plants or properties discussed. Thank you for the opportunity to evaluate your plant and tree needs. I appreciate your business and look forward to working with you in the future. If you have questions now, or in the future, do not hesitate to contact us. Peninsula Urban Forestry appreciates answering any questions you may have. John Bornsworth, President Peninsula Urban Forestry, LLC john@peninsulauf.com December 7th, 2017 Peninsula Urban Forestry Kala Point Bluff Trees Tree Management – Restoration Ecology – Wetlands P a g e 14 |18 www.peninsulauf.com 9 GLOSSARY Acaulescent A trunkless tree or a tree supported by a very short trunk. ANSI A-300 American National Standards Institute performance standards for the care and maintenance of trees, shrubs and other woody plants. Arborist A person possessing the technical competence through experience and related training to provide for or supervise the management of trees or other woody plants in a landscape setting. Broadleaf plant Certain deciduous plants and certain evergreen plants distinguished from by having broad, relatively flat leaves. Buttressing roots Large roots on all sides of a shallowly rooted tree. Coniferous Applied generally to gymnosperms but more specifically to those trees that develop cone fruit where the seeds are not formed in ovaries. DBH “Diameter at breast height”. More specifically, diameter at 4.5 feet from grade. Used to measure a tree’s diameter. Decline (plant) Progressive reduction of health or vigor of a plant. Decurrent A plant form common for shrubs and most angiosperm trees, characterized by having weak apical dominance that eventually produces a rounded or spreading tree crown. Deliquescent Tree whose crown is comprised of two or more codominant first order structural branches. These branches can be categorized as dual-leader, superior, inferior, permanent, or temporary. Dieback Progressive death of buds, twigs and branch tissues, on individual limbs, or throughout the canopy. Entrainment To transport solid particles by the flow of a fluid, i.e. the movement of soil in rainwater. Epicormic Epi - upon; cormic – stem. Branches that are upon the stem, i.e. sprouting from either dormant buds in the cambial zone, or from buds sprung anew from ray traces. Epicormic shoots are a sign that energy reserves have been lowered. Excurrent Tree where the trunk is erect, straight, and continuous, tapering gradually, with the main axis clear from base to apex. Foliage The live leaves or needles of the tree; the plant part primarily responsible for photosynthesis. December 7th, 2017 Peninsula Urban Forestry Kala Point Bluff Trees Tree Management – Restoration Ecology – Wetlands P a g e 15 |18 www.peninsulauf.com Heading cut Cutting of a branch between the nodes. Internodal The space between adjacent nodes on branches or stems separated by stem elongation. Pathogen A disease-causing organism, usually a fungus in plants, but may also be viral or bacterial. Can be fungi, oomycota, viruses, bacteria or insects. Peripheral canopy Finer branches and twigs at the edge of the plant canopy. Permeability The state or quality of a material or membrane that causes it to allow liquids or gases to pass through it. Porosity The quality of being porous, or full of tiny holes. Liquids go right through things that have porosity. Stem exclusion The stage created when vigorous, fast growing trees occupy the growing space. Establishment of new trees is precluded by a lack of sunlight or moisture. Reduction pruning Branches specifically pruned to reduce crown height or crown spread by pruning to reduce the length of a branch with a final cut at a branch union inside the crown. Here the retained branch should be greater than 1/3 of the diameter of the removed branch. Reiteration A plant producing new shoots in response to some stressor. When the cause is due to a loss of physical parts it is known as traumatic reiteration, i.e. from topping, shearing, or pruning. Remnant forest A plant or plants of any taxa and their progeny as part of the floristics of the recognized endemic ecological community remaining in a given location after alteration of the sire or its modification or fragmentation by activities on that land or on adjacent land. Shear stresses Loading force that promotes shear failure; a plane of weakness within a structure where sections slide against one another. Species Taxonomic classification below genus. Also, a group of individuals considered set apart from other species by consistent differences in morphology, ecology or reproductive behavior. Plant Stress "Stress is a potentially injurious, reversible condition, caused by energy drain, disruption, or blockage, or by life processes operating near the limits for which they were genetically programmed." Alex Shigo December 7th, 2017 Peninsula Urban Forestry Kala Point Bluff Trees Tree Management – Restoration Ecology – Wetlands P a g e 16 |18 www.peninsulauf.com 10 REFERENCES Alliance for Trees and the Community Forest. 2011. Benefits of Trees and the Urban Forest: A Research List, www.ACTTrees.org. ANSI A300 (Part 1 – 2011) – American National Standard for Tree Care Operations – Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Management – Pruning – Standard Practices. American National Standards Institute, Inc. Washington D.C. 14 pgs. Day, Susan D., P. Eric Wiseman, et al. Contemporary Concepts of Root System Architecture of Urban Trees. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry. 36(4): July 2010 Dirr, Michael A. 1990. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristic, Culture, Propagation and Uses. (4th Edition). Stipes Publishing Company, Champaign, IL, © 1990. Print. Dunster, Julian A., E. Thomas Smiley, Nelda Matheny, and Sharon Lilly. 2013. Tree Risk Assessment Manual. Champaign, Illinois: International Society of Arboriculture. Gray, D. H. and A.T. Leiser, Biotechnical Slope Protection and Erosion Control: Van Nostrund Reinhold, New York, © 1982. Print. Jefferson Country. 2017. Land Records Mapping Application. Jefferson County, Washington State. https://jeffcowa.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html Mattheck, M. & Breloer, H. (1995). The Body Language of Trees: A handbook for failure analysis, (Research for Amenity Trees 4), HMSO, London, 240 pp. Menashe, Elliot. 1983. Vegetation Management: A Guide for Puget Sound Bluff Property Owners. Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program. Washington Department of Ecology. Olympia. Myers, Rian D. 1993 Slope Stabilization and Erosion Control Using Vegetation: A Manual of Practice for Coastal Property Owners. Shorelands and Coastal Zone Management Program, Washington Department of Ecology. Olympia Publication 93-30. December 7th, 2017 Peninsula Urban Forestry Kala Point Bluff Trees Tree Management – Restoration Ecology – Wetlands P a g e 17 |18 www.peninsulauf.com 11 ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITING CONDITIONS PENINSULA URBAN FORESTRY, LLC PO BOX 3106 PORT ANGELES, WA 98362 1. Any legal description provided to Peninsula Urban Forestry, LLC is assumed to be correct. Any titles and ownerships to any property are assumed to be good and marketable. Peninsula Urban Forestry, LLC assumes no responsibly for verification of ownership or locations of property lines, or for results of any actions or recommendations based on inaccurate information. It is assumed that any property is not in violation of any applicable codes, ordinances, statutes or other governmental regulations, unless explicitly stated otherwise. 2. Peninsula Urban Forestry, LLC assumes no responsibilities for legal matters in character. Peninsula Urban Forestry, LLC assumes all property appraised or evaluated is free and clear, and is under responsible ownership and competent management. 3. Any evaluation or assessment carried out was restricted to the property and the plants or landscapes within the Scope of Assignment. No assessment of any other plants or landscapes has been undertaken by Peninsula Urban Forestry, LLC. The conclusions of this report do not apply to any zones, landscapes, trees, plants, or any other property not explicitly covered in the Scope of Assignment. 4. The total monetary amount of all claims or causes of action the Client may have as against Peninsula Urban Forestry, LLC, including but not limited to claims for negligence, negligent misrepresentation, and breach of contract, shall be strictly limited to solely the total amount of fees paid by the Client to Peninsula Urban Forestry, LLC pursuant to the Agreement for Services as dated for which this Assignment was carried out. Further, under no circumstance may any claims be initiated or commenced by the Client against Peninsula Urban Forestry, LLC. or any of its directors, officers, employees, contractors, agents, or Assessors, in contract or in tort, more than 12 months after the date of this Assignment. 5. Although Peninsula Urban Forestry, LLC has taken care to obtain all information from reliable sources and to verify the data insofar as possible, Peninsula Urban Forestry, LLC does not guarantee and is not responsible for the accuracy of information provided by others 6. Peninsula Urban Forestry, LLC shall not be required to testify or attend court due to any report unless mutually satisfactory contractual arrangements are made, including payment of an additional fee for such Services as described in a Consulting Arborist Agreement. 7. Unless otherwise required by law, possession of this report or a copy thereof does not imply right of publication or use for any purpose by any other than the parties to whom it is addressed, without the prior expressed written or verbal consent of the Peninsula Urban Forestry, LLC. December 7th, 2017 Peninsula Urban Forestry Kala Point Bluff Trees Tree Management – Restoration Ecology – Wetlands P a g e 18 |18 www.peninsulauf.com 8. Neither all or any part of the contents of this report, nor copy thereof, shall be conveyed to anyone, including the client, to the public through advertising, public relations, news, sales or other media, without prior expressed written consent of Peninsula Urban Forestry, LLC. Particularly as to value conclusions, identify of Peninsula Urban Forestry, LLC., or any reference to any professional society or to any initialed designation conferred upon Peninsula Urban Forestry, LLC as stated in its qualifications. 9. This report and any values expressed herein represent the opinion of the Peninsula Urban Forestry, LLC, and the Peninsula Urban Forestry, LLC’s fee is in no way contingent upon the reporting of a specific value, a stipulated result, the occurrence of a subsequent event or upon any finding to be reported. 10. All photographs included in this report were taken by Peninsula Urban Forestry, LLC during the documented site visit, unless otherwise noted. 11. Sketches, drawings and photographs in this report, being intended as visual aids, are not necessarily to scale and should not be construed as engineering or architectural reports or surveys. The reproduction of any information generated by architects, engineers or other Peninsula Urban Forestry, LLCs and any sketches, drawings or photographs is for the express purpose of coordination and ease of reference only. Inclusion of such information on any drawings or other documents does not constitute a representation by Peninsula Urban Forestry, LLC as to the sufficiency or accuracy of the information. 12. Unless otherwise agreed, (1) information contained in this report covers only the items examined and reflects the condition of those items at the time of inspection; and (2) the inspection is limited to visual examination of accessible items without dissection, excavation, probing, climbing, or coring. Peninsula Urban Forestry, LLC makes no warranty or guarantee, express or implied, that the problems or deficiencies of the plans or property in question may not arise in the future. 13. This report is based on the condition of the trees, landscape, or plants at the time of inspection. 14. Loss or alteration of any part of this report invalidates the entire report. This report is only valid if reproduced from a digital file.