TR-2011-40b OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CITY HALL
10300 TORRE AVENUE • CUPERTINO, CA 95014-3255
C U P E RT 1 N t') (408) 777-3308 • FAX (408) 777-3333 • planning(cr�cupertino.orq
September 6, 2011
Karl Schultz
18900 Stevens Creek Boulevard
Cupertino, CA 95014
SUBJECT: TREE REMOVAL PERMIT ACTION LETTER (HAZARDOUS TREE) - Application
TR-2011-40:
This letter confirms the decision of the Director of Community Development, given on
September 6, 2011, approving a tree removal permit to remove one (1) 25" diameter Shamel Ash
tree in the front yard of property located at 18900 Stevens Creek Boulevard with the following
conditions:
1. APPROVED PROTECT
The approval is based on an arborist report titled "An Evaluation of An Ash Tree, 18900
Stevens Creek Boulevard, Cupertino" dated July 26, 2011, prepared by Michael L. Bench.
2. ARBORIST'S RECOMMENDATIONS
The applicant shall implement all the recommendations made by the Consulting Arborist
in the report. Prior to final occupancy for the Sunflower Learning Center, a report from an
ISA certified arborist shall be provided to the City to ensure that all recommendations of
the arborist have been completed.
3. TREE REPLACEMENT
The applicant shall plant one (1) 36-inch box Autumn Purple Ash (Fraxinus Americana)
tree. The replacement tree shall be planted prior to final occupancy for the Learning
Center proposed at the site.
4. PROTECTED TREE COVENANT
The applicant shall be required to record a covenant recording the replacement tree as a
protected tree in accordance with the City's Protected Trees Ordinance. Failure to do so
may result in code enforcement and/ or administrative citations.
5. NOTICE OF FEES, DEDICATIONS, RESERVATIONS OR OTHER EXACTIONS
The Conditions of Project Approval set forth herein may include certain fees, dedication
requirements, reservation requirements, and other exactions. Pursuant to Government
Code Section 66020(d) (1), these Conditions constitute written notice of a statement of the
1
amount of such fees, and a description of the dedications, reservations, and other
exactions. You are hereby further notified that the 90-day approval period in which you
may protest these fees, dedications, reservations, and other exactions, pursuant to
Government Code Section 66020(a), has begun. If you fail to file a protest within this 90-
day period complying with all of the requirements of Section 66020, you will be legally
barred from later challenging such exactions.
Staff has made the findings necessary to grant the tree removal permit for the hazardous tree in
accordance with Section 14.18.140B (Exemptions) of the Protected Trees Ordinance.
Sincerely,
/� /`���
. �/�t.-2' r'
�
� Piu Ghosh
Associate Planner
(408) 777-3277
piug@cupertino.org
2
An Evaluation of An Ash Tree at APF'R�VAL � J�--"���� �' `T�'
18900 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Cupertino -
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Cupertino, California
Assignment
I was asked by Piu Ghosh , Planner for the City of Cupertino, to evaluate the ash tree located at
the southeast corner of the property for possible transplant or removal as a result of the widening
of the driveway to the parking lot at 18900 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Cupertino.
Observations
I inspected the ash tree on July 26, 2011. �
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� r �� '' °' '� a `L The subject tree is seen here with a dense canopy.
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�,� r , i This tree is a Shamel ash (Fraxinus uhdei). This
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�' ' �''� species is also called Evergreen ash.
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This specimen has a trunk diameter of 25 inches at 4
'/2 feet above soil grade. The overall height is
approximately 40-45 feet, and the canopy spread is
approximately 35-40 feet.
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The health, which is judged by several factors
#,. including the density of the canopy, is excellent.
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� Unfortunately this tree's structural integrity is poor.
�,,�� � " This is not obvious in this photo.
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The photo here to the right shows the branching structure of
the primary leaders. This structural defect is caused by
natural growth of the stems. This defect is called co- s•�;-y��.
dominant leaders with included (or imbedded) bark. The
trunk expands each year with each new growth ring. The ` �
individual leaders and branches (and the roots, as well) also °`�
expand each year with a new growth ring. When these
leaders are attached at a very acute angle, such as seen here _ �-.
on this tree, they are literally pushing against each other.
Each year the pressure builds between the two leaders. This
is a common cause of major leader or limb failures in trees.
,,
The leader, which is more horizontally inclined, is the most
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Prepared by Michael l. Bench, Consulting Arborist July 26, 2011
An Evaluation of An Ash Tree At 2
18900 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Cupertino
common one of the two leaders to split apart and fall. Some species are more prone to develope
this defect. It is a common defect of many Shamel ash specimens. In this case, a central third
leader is likely increasing the pressure and acting as a wedge.
There is also a cavity on the leader facing east toward the street. Should the cavity sufficently
weaken the integrity of the leader facing east, it could be this east facing leader to fail.
In most cases, it is not a question of whether one of the two leaders will fail, but when one will
fail. Unfortunately there is no accurate way to predict when the failure will occur, but it is highly
predictable that a failure will occur. However, in my experience, many trees tend to split out
major limbs or leaders in the Spring, during the most rapid growing period.
Shamel ash when mature, such as this specimen, respond very poor to transplanting. The risk of
survival is extremely low. This very high risk combined with the enormous cost of attempting to
transplant a tree of this size makes it a very poor candidate for transplant. The wisdom of
attempting to transplant a specimen such as this tree may be brought into further question by the
fact that young Shamel ash trees grow quite fast and become large in a relatively short time.
Conclusions
Because of the tree's branching structure, I consider it currently at least Moderately Hazardous,
because the building is vacant, and the traffic is intermittent. However, at such time that this
building becomes a child care center, used on a daily basis and with children present, I would
consider this tree a Serious Hazard. Bear in mind that the definition of Hazard requires a Target.
The more frequent and the more precious the target, the higher the Hazard.
Recommendations .
1. For the reasons described, I do not recommend that there be an attempt to transplant this
Shamel ash tree.
2. Because of the Hazardous potential, I recommend that this Shamel ash be removed
and replaced. However, I recommend that replacements not be planted in root barriers.
As an convenient example, there exists a Shamel ash cultivar (Frmcinus uhdei `Autumn
Purple') planted near the southeast corner of the building in a circular root barrier.
Although this young tree is a small specimen, the top of this tree is starting to decline and
the root system is `root bound' and `girdling' as a result of the root barrier. This young
tree will die in a few years because of this type of root barrier, which in my opinion,
should never be used. The owner could attempt to salvage this young tree by digging the
tree up in the winter, remove the root barrier, root prune the tree, and re-plant it. There is
no guarantee of survival, but it will certainly die in a few years if left in the root barrier.
Prepared by Michael L. Bench, Consulting Arborist July 26, 2011
An Evaluation of An Ash Tree at 3
18900 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Cupertino
3. I recemmend replacement(s) for the large Shamel ash with a species appropriate for this
area.
Respectfully submitted,
e.�.J
Michael L. Bench, Consulting Arborist
International Society of Arboriculture Certification #WE 1897
American Society of Arboriculture Member
Prepared by Michael l. Bench, Consulting Arborist July 26, 2011