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HomeMy WebLinkAbout960300022 Tree Risk Assmt MLA20-00009Tree Risk Assessment & Evaluation Letter PENINSULA r ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP, INC. Report Date October 29, 2019 Project Number: 090170 Alexander Ayzenberg 181 Oak Road, Port Hadlock, WA For: Facilitated by: Katherine Walker 171 Oak Road, Port Hadlock, WA (425) 449-1612 1 katherinelwalkerCa)yahoo.com Project Address: 81 Oak Road I Port Hadlock, WA, 98339, USA Parcel: 960300022 Prepared by: John Bornsworth I Urban & Community Forester/Ecologist Board Certified Master Arborist I Tree Risk Assessment Qualified Project Name: Walker Evaluation for Tree Risk © 20-9, Peninsula Environmental Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Thank you for the opportunity to evaluate and address your project. We appreciate your business and look forward to working with you in the future. If you have questions do not hesitate to contact us. Peninsula Environmental Group, Inc. (PEG) is a Western -Washington based company specializing in advanced evaluation -and interpretation of natural resources in urban areas, rural communities and natural ecosystems. We provide excellent evidence - based, scientific natural resource consulting and stewardship services. Our analysis, evaluation, interpretation and recommendations are included in this letter. 1 Summary Our assessment finds the two evaluated red alder trees as high -risk. Additionally, our Client wishes to remove another Douglas -fir and a laurel hedge from their shoreline residential landscape. Trees are all located within the Shoreline Master Programs Shoreline Residential environmental designation. Trees will be mitigated through the installation of an updated landscape, to be designed and installed by a Jefferson County landscape designer. This project, both compliance and tree service removal, is being facilitated by Katherine Walker, 71 Oak Road. The trees are located on 81 Oak Road, Port Hadlock, owned by Alexander Ayzenberg. JAN Community Specific — Resource Specific Planning PortAngeles I Port Townsend I Olympia 824E 8tn St. Suite D I Port Angeles WA 98362 Office: (360) 504-3825 1 Web: www.peninsulaeg.com 10-30-2019 71 Oak Road, Port Hadlock, WA 98339 Walker Evaluation for Tree Risk I Project 190170 z Background Katherine Walker (the "Client"), asked with the Consultant to assess tree risk on their property. John Bornsworth evaluated a single red alder tree located at 71 Oak Road, Port Hadlock, WA 98339, USA according to the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification criteria administered by the International Society of Arboriculture. Our assessment, opinions and recommendations are included in this letter. Please contact us with questions you may have regarding this report. 2.1 Assign e_nt_$t_PLlrwse: 1. Evaluate specified trees using Level 1 Tree Risk Assessment. 2. Provide management recommendations for the trees. 2.2 ProfeS ianal_Ass motions 8c Lim: it This report summarizes the data collected during our site reconnaissance and assessment, our conversations regarding the project, and our professional opinions and recommendations. The results and recommendations of this report represent our professional opinion compiled from biological forensics, information provided to us, referenced material and our experience. Our recommendations are compiled with industry standards, best -available -science and currently accepted best management practices. Additional pro[,ect specific limitations: • Consultant reviewed Client's photos, ISA Certified Arborist photos, and aerial photos of the property on October 3oth 2oig. This report summarizes site characteristics as they were observed this day only. • This report is intended for the exclusive use of the Client and their agents and only for specific application to the referenced property. This report should not be applied to any other tree or other property for any purpose. Our evaluation assesses only the trees identified within the scope of this project. ■ Fungal isolation, laboratory diagnostics, subsurface explorations, aerial inspections, and other advanced diagnostics were not applied unless specifically identified in this report. P a g e 12 of 13 Peninsula Environmental Group, Inc. I www.peninsulaenvironmental.com I (36o) 504-3825 10-30-2019 71 Oak Road, Port Hadlock, WA 98339 Walker Evaluation for Tree Risk I Project 190170 3 Observations & Evaluation *I Figure is Jefferson County GIS map showing general property lines and aerial imagery, accessed online io/3o/sg. Orange frame surrounds tree canopies. Tree stumps are on Ayzenberg's property, but canopies are shared. P a g e 13 of 13 Peninsula Environmental Group, Inc. I www.peninsulaenvironmental.com I (36o) 504-3825 10-30-2019 71 Oak Road, Port Hadlock, WA 98339 Walker Evaluation for Tree Risk I Project 190170 Public Land Records Leeeraon County Mail ngt,e DCD EH Laserflche Pw Download Data 960300D21 X Q : Sho.� s�s-c^ c su is `c 96030 t�i �yewra 1 t IZ si�3008 T 8210'/J 010 Tex P-1:960300022 Fssz s Pr n,able! Perm c; sf14.'..1, Specat R .ports Tar :teas Property Details Parcel 10: 960300022 Owner: ALEXANDER AYZENBERG s re, Adore:: 8! OAK RD POR7 NADLOCK 98339 AsressedAcres 044 Layer List 0% x Layers Q —.1 s0 Crnce' Areas Data - Parcels ••• r0 Perm;ang ••• �Q Shoreline Permioing ••• Ecology Shorere Photo URLs ••• .0 SMP. Shorty re Env ronmental Des gnations ... .I ! ShoreFne Reaches) Shoreline Jurisdia,on ... Shorelne Armorng[CGS 2015; ••• • ,.� Integrated Shorerype (CGS 2015) ••• •i.', Dr h Cats (CGS 2015) ••• Eelg.ass iVVDNR) ••• Kelp ••• -Q CdocCA•ees ••• - - • i _j DNR Steams & Water Bod es Forest Prea ces.... DNR Streams&Water Bod es Type 1-9 ••• LFA=.sh ••• .� Fsh Passage B—ers(WDFW) ••• Channel M graton Zones ••• r! R par an Co—: PNPTC 2009) ••. 'M So is ••• Figure 2: Local map of parcel showing residential shoreline designation. Entire property within Shoreline Residential environmental designation. P a g e 14 of 13 Peninsula Environmental Group, Inc. I www.peninsulaenvironmentai.com I U00) 504-3025 10-30-2019 71 Oak Road, Port Hadlock, WA 98339 Walker Evaluation for Tree Risk I Project 190170 NOTE: all trees evaluated on a 3-year timeline. il_ Tree 1 is approximately 21-inch diameter red alder (Alnus rubra) showing significant dieback. Tree is evaluated as high -risk primarily due to health and tree species profile. Figure 3: Tree s — red alder P a g e 15 of 13 Peninsula Environmental Group, Inc. I www.peninsulaenvironmental.com I (360) 504-3 255 10-3o-2oi9 71 Oak Road, Port Hadlock, WA 98339 Walker Evaluation for Tree Risk I Project 190170 WN Tree 2 is approximately 17-inch diameter red alder (Alnus rubra) showing moderate dieback. Tree is evaluated as high -risk primarily due to health and tree species profile. Figure 4: Tree 2 — red alder P a g e 1 6 of 13 Peninsula Environmental Group, Inc. I www.peninsulaenvironmental.com 1 (360) 504-3825 10-30-2019 71 Oak Road, Port Hadlock, WA 98339 Walker Evaluation for Tree Risk I Project i9017o Vks Tree 3 is approximately 24-inch diameter Douglas -fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Tree is generally health *� with some limited form and structural deficiencies. Figure: Tree 3 — Douglas fir Page 17 of13 Peninsula Environmental Group, Inc. I www.peninsulaenvironmental.com I (36o) 504-382S 10-3o-2019 71 Oak Road, Port Hadlock, WA 98339 Walker Evaluation for Tree Risk I Project 190170 4 Recommendations & Conclusions We recommend the following actions: • Full aboveground removal of the two high -risk red alder trees. o Habitat conversion of the two trees is not recommended due to residential nature of the area. o Very limited capacity for retaining the wood on site remains. • We recommend retaining woody debris over 6 inches on shoreline. Woody debris under 6 inches and leaves should be chipped and use for landscape purposes or hauled away. • Our client wishes to remove the Douglas -fir tree. As above, we recommend the woody debris from this tree over 6 inches be retained on the shoreline, the rest of the tree being chipped and used on site or hauled away. • We recommend the site be re -landscaped with small trees, shrubs and groundcover, composed of preferably native species. This should include at least 9 moderately sized shrubs. P a g e 18 of 13 Peninsula Environmental Group, Inc. I www.peninsulaenvironmental.com I (360) 504-3825 l0-3o-2oig 71 Oak Road, Port Hadlock, WA 98339 Walker Evaluation for Tree Risk I Project 19o17o 5 ClOSI 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. Neither the Consultants, nor Peninsula Environmental Group, Inc., has any current or prospective interest in the plants or properties discussed. Acceptance of this report acknowledges receipt and agreement with Peninsula Environmental Groups, Inc. attached Assumptions & Limiting Conditions. Thank you for the opportunity to evaluate your project. We 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. As always, during extreme weather events, we recommend staying away from large trees, whether healthy or not. Even healthy trees that have a low potential for failure under normal conditions, could fail if their load limits are surpassed. John Bornsworth I Urban & Community Forester ISA Board Certified Master Arborist® & Municipal Arborist® #PN-7955BM Email: John @peninsuldeu.Lu1EI I Office: (36o) 5o4-3825 John Bornsworth is the founder, urban & community forester and environmental planner of Peninsula Environmental Group, Inc. John is a Board -Certified Master Arborist, Municipal Arborist, Tree Risk Assessment Qualified individual and pending his Registered Consulting Arborist, with over 16 years of natural resource management experience. John specializes in natural resource evaluation and community resource planning from within urban and wildland forests, nearshore, critical area environments. P a g e 19 of 13 Peninsula Environmental Group, Inc. I www.peninsulaenvironmental.com I (36o) 504-3825 10-30-2019 71 Oak Road, Port Hadlock, WA 98339 Walker Evaluation for Tree Risk I Project 190170 5.1 General Assumptions Sc Limitations i. Any legal description provided to Consultant is assumed to be correct. Any titles and ownerships to any property are assumed to be good and marketable. Consultant 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. Consultant assumes no responsibilities for legal matters in character. Consultant 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 Consultant. 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 Consultant, 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 Consultant 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 Consultant. 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. S. Although Consultant hastaken careto obtain all information from reliable sources and toverifythe data insofar as possible, Consultant does not guarantee and is not responsible forthe accuracy of information provided by others 6. Consultant 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 Consultant. 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 Consultant. Particularly as to value conclusions, identify of Consultant., or any reference to any professional society or to any initialed designation conferred upon Consultant as stated in its qualifications. 9. This report and any values expressed herein represent the opinion of the Consultant, and the Consultant'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. io. All photographs included in this report were taken by Consultant 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 Consultants 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 Consultant 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. Consultant 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. Page 110 of 13 Peninsula Environmental Group, Inc. I www.peninsulaenvironmental.com I (360) 504-3825 10-30-2019 71 Oak Road, Port Hadlock, WA 98339 Walker Evaluation for Tree Risk I Project 190170 6 Appendix A: Tree Risk Evaluation Methodology Modern methodology for tree risk assessment used on this project was developed by the International Society of Arboriculture ("ISA") in 2013. The Tree Risk Assessment Manual, authored by Dr. Julian Dunster and published by the ISA is the industry standard for the assessment of tree risk. This systematic approach to quantifying tree risk incorporates likelihood of failure, likelihood of impact and consequence of failure to measure the tree risk of specific targets. See Table 1 for details. The ANSI standard for risk assessment and ISA's Best Management Practices: Tree Risk Assessment defines three levels of tree risk assessment. Level 1: Limited visual Level 2: Basic Level 3: Advanced Level 1 Assessment is defined as a single perspective tree analysis from a vehicle, while walking, aerially, etc. While limited, Level 1 Assessment can be used to ascertain high -priority risks from a large community of trees, quickly. Street trees and other municipal amenity trees are often prioritized with a Level 1 Assessment. Level 2 Assessment involves a full spectrum visual evaluation of an individual tree near specified targets. The perspective is 36o° around the tree from ground level. Level z Assessment allows the assessor to fully identify all conspicuous and some inconspicuous defects, conditions, and diseases present on a tree. Tree health, compensatory growth, and external influences are all outlined in a Level 2 Assessment. Level 3 Assessments can be used when tree conditions or defects cannot be determined by Level 2 Assessments. This includes aerial inspections, resistance -drill tests, sonic - tomography, and more. Level 3 Assessment options are often reserved for legacy and historical trees where unwarranted removal of the tree is socially, architecturally or environmentally undesirable. Tree risk exposure is measured via targets. There must be a target present for damage to occur. Targets include, but are not limited to, houses, vehicles, driveways, recreation users, utility wires, infrastructure, other plants, and environmentally critical areas. Using the below matrices, we identify a likelihood of tree partfailure. This can be root, trunk, branch, or twig failure. We then evaluate the likelihood of this failure impacting a predetermined target. Finally, we evaluate the consequences of failure shall a tree part both fail and impact a target. P a g e 1 11 of 13 Peninsula Environmental Group, Inc. I www.peninsulaenvironmental.com I (36o) 504-3825 10-30-2019 71 Oak Road, Port Hadlock, WA 98339 Walker Evaluation for Tree Risk I Proiect 1g0170 Matrix 1. Likelihood of Failure and Impact (Dunstser, 2013) Likelihood of Failure Likelihood of Impacting Target Very Low Imminent Unlikely Probable Unlikely Possible Unlikely Improbable Unlikely Low Medium Unlikely Likely Unlikely Somewhat likely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Matrix 2. Risk Rating (Adapted from Dunster 2013 and Dunster 2009) Likelihood of Failure Consequences of Failure High Very likely Likely Somewhat likely Unlikely and Impact Negligible Minor Significant Severe Very likely 4—Low 7 — Moderate 10 —High 12 — Extreme Likely 4—Low 6—Moderate 9-High 11—High Somewhat likely 3—Low 5 — Low 6 — Moderate 8 — Moderate Unlikely 3—Low 3—Low 4—Low 5—Low As the matrices show, a tree can have moderate risk of failure by either a "minor consequence" which is "very likely" to occur, or a "significant consequence" that is "somewhat likely" to occur. A real -life scenario is a native black cottonwood normally shedding small branches over a parking lot and oppositely, a large, over -extended but secure oak branch over a park. These scenarios offer similar risk ratings yet the risk management is very different. This is where a skilled arboricultural expert trained in tree risk mitigation is necessary to differentiate risks and offer remedial opportunities. Some options for mitigation of tree risk include: Acceptance of risk: All vegetation comes with some inherit risk. Most often this risk is tolerable and will have no significant effects on risk potential. Normally, tree benefits far outweigh associated risks. Retain and monitor or chap es: When a tree has some level of potential risk but not enough to warrant a more extensive mitigation. Most retain and monitor plans recommend a return time -frame of 1-3 years. Move offending target from damn a radius: If target is not fixed, this can be the simplest of mitigation techniques. Modify grobability of failure: This mitigation includes techniques like stress -load -reductions, propping, cabling, bracing and habitat conversions. Full removal of tree risk_ Full removal of offending tree or tree parts. Page 112 of 13 Peninsula Environmental Group, Inc. www.peninsulaenvironmental.com I (360) 504-3825 io-3o-2oig 71 Oak Road, Port Hadlock, WA 98339 Walker Evaluation for Tree Risk I Project 190170 Roles and Responsibilities of Tree Risk: The proper roles of Tree Risk Assessors (Certified Arborists with additional qualification as a Qualified Tree Risk Assessor) and Tree Risk Managers (owners of trees) are very different. These roles are clearly delineated in two publications which are generally accepted guidelines for tree risk assessment in the arboricultural industry, Tree Care Industry Association (2o11) and Smiley et al. (2011). The Tree Risk Assessor's role includes the following responsibilities, as defined in a scope of work or project assignment: • Evaluate and classify the likelihood of a tree failure impacting a target. • Evaluate the potential consequences of a tree failure. Record and explain findings to the client; Determine tree risk; and Provide options for treatment to mitigate risk. The role of the Tree Risk Manager (the tree owner, property manager, or controlling authority) includes the following responsibilities: • Meet a duty of care, • _ Determine the scope of work; ■ Specify the desired level of assessment; • Choose among risk mitigation options; • Decide the level of acceptable risk, and • Prioritize work. Limitations: The Science of Arboriculture cannot detect and predict with certainty tree failure or timing of tree failure. An "Act of God" is when a tree fails aftertree owner due diligence and Standard of Care have been met. References: Dunster, J. 2009. Tree Risk Assessment in Urban Areas and the Urban/Rural Interface: Course Manual. Silverton Oregon: Pacific Northwest Chapter, International Society of Arboriculture. Dunster, J., Smiley, E. T., Matheny, N., and Lilly S. 2013. Tree Risk Assessment Manual. Champaign, Illinois: International Society of Arboriculture. Smiley, E. T., N. Matheny, and S.J. Lilly. 2o11. Best Management Practices: Tree Risk Assessment. International Society of Arboriculture, Champaign, IL. 81 pp. Tree Care Industry Association. 2o11. American National Standard for Tree Care Operations — Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Maintenance — Standard Practices (Tree Risk Assessment a. Tree Structure Assessment) (A300, Part g) Tree Care Industry Association, Manchester, NH.14pP. Page 113 of 13 Peninsula Environmental Group, Inc. I www.peninsulaenvironmental.com I (36o) 504-3825 .. 4