TR-2012-01b OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CITY HALL
10300 TORRE AVENUE• CUPERTINO, CA 95014-3255
C U P E RT 1 N Q (408) 777-3308• FAX (408)777-3333•planning@cupertino.org
January 4,2011
Alan Pan
1375 S. De Anza Blvd
Cupertino,CA 95014
SUBJECT: RETROACTIVE TREE REMOVAL PERMIT ACTION LETTER-Application TR-2012-01:
This letter confirms the decision of the Director of Community Development, given on January 3, 2012,
approving a retroactive tree removal permit to remove a dead Leland Cypress tree on the property
located at 10069 Bianchi Way with the following conditions:
1. APPROVED PROTECT
The approval is based on the arborist review by Michael Bench, Consulting Arborist and staff site
inspection, except as may be amended by conditions in this resolution.
2. TREE REPLACEMENTS
The applicant shall plant one (1) 24-inch box Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo or marina) tree as shown
on the tree replacement plan. 'The replacement trees shall be planted within 30 days of this approval.
3. 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 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 Governxnent 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 dead tree in accordance
with Section 14.18.120B (Exemptions) of the Protected Trees Ordinance.
Sincerely,
George Schroeder
Assistant Planner
(408) 777-7601
georges@cupertino.org
CC: David Tsang, 758 Loyola Drive, Los Altos,CA 94024
George Schroeder
Subject: FW: Review of Beetle Infested Trees- 10069 Bianchi Way
From: Michael Bench jmailto:michaelbench@sbcglobal.netl
Sent: Thursday, December O1, 2011 8:48 PM
To: George Schroeder
Subject: RE: Review of Beetle Infested Trees- 10069 Bianchi Way
George,
That is a somewhat difficult location in that the feasible options are somewhat limited.
I presume the replacements must be an Evergreen species. With this in mind, I suggest:
Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)
Grecian laurel (Laurus nobilis)
English laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Saratoga�
English holly (Ilex aquifolium)
These can grow well in confined spaces (not too confined-the planting holes have to be made as wide as
possible) and partial shade. Unfortunately all of these are Moderate to Slow growers. It may be difficult to
get some of these in 24 inch box sizes.
Mick
From: Michael Bench �mailto:michaelbench(c�sbcqlobal.netl
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2011 4:03 PM
To: George Schroeder
Subject: Re: Review of Beetle Infested Trees- 10069 Bianchi Way
George,
I do not need to go to the site.
This is what virtually always occurs to Leland Cypress (there are very limited exceptions, which I will
explain). As far as I know, this virtually always occurs to Leland cypress (Cupressus lelandii) at inland
locations such as Cupertino and the surrounding cities. It gets the disease Cypress cankor (I do not have the
botanical name at the moment). It shows on branches by a slight swelling on the stems and possibly some ozing
of fluids at the swollen location. The disease girdles the branch causing the branch (or the terminal portion of
the branch) to die. Once the tree is stressed by the disease, the beetles move in to accelerate the decline. Thus,
the beetles are secondary.
Unfortunately there is no effective treatment or cure for Cypress cankor. Many people are aware of this in the
landscape industry, but unfortunately some are not.
That is to say - this could have been predicted when the plants were planted several years ago. Thus, this is not a
new problem. It has been known for at least 25 years or more.
Because people are willing to buy this plant, nurseries are very willing to sell it. Indeed it is a very beautiful
plant, especially when it is young.
There has been good success planting Leland cypress on the coast. Monterey cypress has the same problem at
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inland locations, and just like Leland cypress, it gets the Cypress Cankor disease as they mature. Young
Leland cypress and young Monterey cypress do not start show symptoms in most cases until the plants are
approximately 10-15 years old.
Monterey cypress also does well on the coast, where there are lower temperatures consistently and frequent fog.
The coastal soils, especially where it is soil is course and has a lot of gravel, silt, and sand, also appears to be a
factor. Inland sites having clay soils appear to accentuate the problem for these two species.
My recommendation is to remove the Leland cypress trees and replace with a species more suited to this inland
climate.
Michael Bench, Consulting Arborist
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