TR-2012-48b OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CITY HA��
10300 TORRE AVENUE •CUPERTINO, CA 95014-3255
C U P E RT 1 N t� (408) 777-3308 • FAX(408) 777-3333•�lanning�a.cupertino.orq
December 19, 2012
Sarah Hon
A Plus Tree Service
1195 Azuar Dr
Vallejo, California 94592
SUBJECT: DEAD TREE REMOVAL PERMIT ACTION LETTER—TR-2012-48:
This letter confirms the decision of the Director of Community Development, given on
December 19, 2012, approving a tree removal permit to remove one dead 30" diameter Hankow
Willow (Salix matsudana) tree located near the southern property line at 10159 S Blaney Ave.
This removal is approved with the following conditions:
1. APPROVED PROLECT
This approval is based on the arborist report prepared by Paul Tibbets (Certified Arborist
WC-7249AM) of A Plus Tree Service, received October 12, 2012, consisting of three (3)
pages, except as may be amended by conditions in this approval.
2. TREE REPLACEMENTS
The applicant shall be required to plant two (2) 24-inch box Chinese pistache (Pistacia
chinensis) trees around the same location as the removed Hankow Willow tree per the
applicant's replanting plan and in accordance with the City's Protected Trees Ordinance.
The required replacement trees shall be planted within 30 days of the effective approval
date of this tree removal permit
Staff has made the findings necessary to grant the dead tree removal permit in accordance with
Section 14.18.180 of the Protected Trees Ordinance.
Sincerely,
Simon Vuong
Assistant Planner
(408) 777-1356
simonv@cu�ertino.or�
Arborist Report
A • PLU S
by
�' TREE SERVICE'"
Paul TlbbetS -ISA Certifred Arborist PN--7249AM
N9LY4�lR AVERAGE TREE SERVICE
1195 Azuar Drive R, '';� ,_,,�.n ��o7U/�— . 1 ` y ,�, . S
� � � ��� ►,� i i ��a ��
. ,»����
Vallejo, CA 94592 ,
(866)815-2525 C �—r 1�--��..�� I�i ��T �. � ��12
paul(�aplustree.com ����--� L
www.a�lustree.com
_ ..._._.w..w._. �
Background
information A Plus tree Inc.was contacted by Prometheus Real Estate Group on October 2,2012 to inspect a
tree at Biltmore Apartments on 10159 South Blaney Ave.,Cupertino,CA 95014.The tree is located
between the sidewalk and driveway on Rodriquez Ave.,approximately 175 west of the corner of South
Blaney Ave.and Rodriquez Ave. The tree is a Hankow Willow(Salix matsudana). Prometheus was
concerned that the tree was dying and asked what was the cause and what would be the remedy.
Also,with the main leader just recently failing and barely missing high risk targets urgency to mitigate
the risk was top priority.
Assignment (and
This is a visual inspection only.There were no soil testing,tree boring or sampling taken.The tree was
any limiting showing signs of being under stress.There was dieback in the canopy.The structure has a rating of
factors) 2 because previous tree companies had cut back the canopy to remove dead limbs. Although,the
exterior trunk has good appearance,when tested with a mallet,the trunk did not sound or feel solid.
There were open cavities in the upper portions of the trunk structure showing evidence of rot and
decay. Limb attachment was also very weak.
Observations
The tree is a Hankow Willow with a DBH of 30".The height is between 25 and 30 feet.The tree
is under a great deal of stress due to a disease common to this species known as Inonotus Heart
Rot. Inonotus Heart Rot is a fungal decay disease that affects many trees,including the willow.The
pathogen is caused by the fungus Inonotus munzii;it infects willow trees through wounds from insect
or mechanical damage.The poplar borer is an insect that infests the trunk and branches of poplar
trees, but it also infests willows.Once infection occurs,there is no cure for Inonotus Heart Rot.
Testing and There were no tests performed on-site.
Analysis
Discussion
Mature trees infected with Inonotus Heart Rot remain alive for many years after infection, but they'll
experience a slow decline,branch dieback and reduced vigor.The willow has been pruned and cut
back over a period on many years most likely to remove previous canopy dieback.The past pruning
caused the tree to develop a poor structure,weak limb attachment and open cavities in the upper
trunk structure. Taking into account the trees poor structure,evidence of rot,canopy dieback and the
presence of Inonotus Heart Rot,saving the tree is not a viable option.
.Conclusions
This Hankow Willow has been pruned on numerous occasions in the past,several large limbs had
already failed.Other attempts have been tried to save the tree in the past too. But Inonotus Heart
Rot is incurable and death to the tree will be sooner rather than later.Since Inonotus heart rot is
contagious, removing the tree to protect the other surrounding trees is to be seriously considered. In
addition,the location of the tree near a sidewalk and a driveway also has to be considered. No one
can predict when a tree will fall or when a limb attachment may fail,but for this tree these failures are
a possibility.
Recommendations
Taking into account the pedestrian and vehicle traffic,the presence of rot in the trunk,the poor tree
structure and weak limb attachment and finally,the stress the tree is under due to Inonotus Heart
Rot, it is recommended that the tree be removed immediately.The tree cannot be saved and poses a
degree of safety concerns.
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