TR-2015-12b COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
���
CITY HALL
10300 TORRE AVENUE• CUPERTINO, CA 95014-3255
C U P E RT 1 N tJ (408) 777-3308• FAX (408)777-3333•planninq cupertino.orq
May 19, 2015
Valley Crest Tree Care Services
Attn: Brent Walhberg
530 Aldo Avenue
Santa Clara, Ca. 95054
SUBJECT: TREE REMOVAL PERMIT ACTION LETTER—Application TR-2015-12
This letter confirms the decision of the Director of Community Development, given on May 19, 2015,
approving a Tree Removal Permit to allow the removal and replacement of a 29" diameter Coast
Redwood tree located at a single family residence in a Planned Development Zone, located at 10190
Firwood Drive.
Staff has made the finding that the protected trees are a detriment to the subject property and cannot
be adequately supported according to good urban forestry practices due to overplanting or
overcrowding of trees on the subject property.The proposed replacement plan is consistent with the
Pratected Tree Ordinance since the applicant is replacing the trees on site, and the number of
replacements is consistent with the ordinance. The finding is necessary to grant the tree removal
perrnit in accordance with section 14.18.180 (A) (3).
The application is approved with the following conditions:
1. APPROVED PROTECT
This approval is based on the arborist report prepared by a certified arborist, Brent Wahlberg(#WE-
3276A), dated March 23, 2015, consisting of four pages including photographs; a peer review report
prepared by a certified arborist, Michael Bench (#WE-1897A), dated April 14, 2015, consisting of
four pages; and a tree removal and replacement site plan, except as may be amended by conditions
in this resolution.
2. TREE REPLACEMENTS
'The applicant is required to plant two (2) 24" box replacement trees or one (1) 36" box replacement
tree in accordance with the Protected Tree Ordinance. The replacement tree species shall be
consistent with the recommended tree replacement tree species in the Arborist Report dated April
14, 2015. Modifications to the tree species and location may be made to the approved replacement
plan pending staff 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 Govemment 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 notified
that the 90-day approval period in which you may protest these fees, dedications, reservations, and
other exaction, 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.
Please note that an appeal of this decision may be made within 14 calendar days from the date of
this letter. Do NOT REMOVE THE TREE until the end of the appeal period. If an appeal is
filed, you will be notified of a public hearing, which will be scheduled before the Planning
Commission.
Sincerely,
Ellen Yau
Assistant Planner
(408) 777-1360
elleny@cupertino.org
Enclosure: Arborist reports, removal and replacement plan
CC: Caroline Mitchell, 10190 Firwood Dr, Cupertino Ca 95014
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825 Mabury Road
San Jose,CA 95I33
Tel: 408.453.5904
Far:408.437.I 8 I 7
Val IeyCrest www.valleycrest.com
Tree Care Services
March 23, 2015
Regarding: Redwood tree at 10190 Firwood
The Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) located in the back right corner of this
property has a diameter of 29 inches and is approximately 20 feet tall. The tree appears
healthy with color and growth rate typical for the species. Unfortunately it cannot grow to
its potential as it is under the primary power lines and has been topped (reduced in
height) for clearance below the lines. In addition the tree was planted very close to a
shared property line fence. At this time the fence will need to be replaced because the tree
has pushed it out of position with several open spaces in the fence. The root crown has
spread into the back of the neighboring property and is damaging the drainage culvert as
well. Cutting roots at the property line and installing root barrier is not an option. The cut
would be at the root crown reducing the root mass by 50%. The tree would not survive
and would have the potential to fall over as well.
This tree was planted in the wrong place. Because it is continually reduced for clearance
and the root system is intruding and causing damage to the neighboring property I
suggest removing the tree. There is not a lot of space in this particular lot. The
homeowners have requested that a Citrus tree be planted as replacement. I think that
would be a good choice for the space available.
If you have any questions please give me a call at (408) 893-6757 or email me at
bwahlberg@valleycrest.com.
S incerely,
Brent D. Wahlberg
I.S.A. Certified Arborist WE-3276A
Certified Tree Risk Assessor CTRA-1555
Qualified Applicator License 120794
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.�.,.�`�.� , ,�
� . .. �
A Inspection of A Redwood Tree
10190 Firwood
Cupertino, California
Assignment
I was asked by Ellen Yau, Planner, City of Cupertino, to inspect a Coast Redwood tree
located in the back yard of 10190 Firwood, Cupertino, California. This property is
located within the development titled De Anza Oaks, off Stevens Creek Boulevard.
Observations
I inspected the subject tree on April 14, 2015.
There are two coast redwood trees (Sequoia sempervirens) located in the back yard at
opposite corners of the site. These trees are in a raised planter bed approximately 3 feet
about the grade of the patio. The subject tree is the coast redwood located at the
southwest corner of this site. A mortar-less block retaining wall makes the raised bed
approximately 5 feet wide. A 6 foot wooden fence is located on the property boundary.
The trunk of the subject coast redwood tree is approximately 24 inches at 54 inches
above grade. The canopy height is approximately 15-20 feet as this tree has been topped
for line clearing. The canopy spread is approximately 25-30 feet. The health is excellent.
I observed no damage to the block retaining wall forming the raised bed.
The wood fence is raised and buckled as a result of the growth of the redwood tree's
trunk structure, which is usually below soil grade. In this case, a portion of this structure
exists above grade. It is a bulb like structure, called a lignotuber, which is an adaptation
for fire. Typically the lignotuber structure is approximately 2 times the size of the trunk
and it grows at approximately the same rate as the trunk.
In this case, the lignotuber structure of this redwood tree has displaced the wood fence
and it has displaced a portion of a drainage ditch located in the back yard of the neighbor
to the south of this property. I prepared a sketch of the drainage ditch and a view of the
damage to it created by this redwood tree. Tlus sketch is attached.
Prepared by Michael L. Bench, Site Observations: 1
Consulting Arborist April 14, 2015
10190 Firwood
Cupertino, California
Two of the retaining boards in this drainage ditch on the side nearest this tree(the north
side of the drainage ditch, which runs west to east) have been displaced. The tree has
created a crack in the concrete of the drainage ditch,but the drainage ditch is still
functional.
This tree does not currently threaten any other structures.
Conclusions
I am a homeowner of approximately 50 years, and because of this, I am aware of the
costs of home repairs and maintenance. In my opinion, the repairs to the fence and to the
drainage ditch are a relatively minor repair, which do not warrant the removal of this
redwood tree.
Bear in mind that this tree provides a useful and valuable screen between this property
and the neighboring property. Removal of this tree would expose both parties to the other
rather significantly.
It would be possible to shave off a portion(4-6 inches) from the lignotuber on the
neighboring side, in order to make the repairs to the drainage ditch,provided no
significant roots(2 inches in diameter or larger) would be severed. This appears feasible.
I have made dark broken line on the sketch to show the estimated location.
The trunk of this tree and the lignotuber will continue to grow if this tree were preserved.
Eventually this tree will require removal. By shaving the lignotuber(possibly more than
one time over a few years) and by making these repairs, the life of this tree may be
extended several years. There are too many factors, affecting the growth rate, to estimate
the number of years.
Recommendations
I recommend to preserve this coast redwood tree at this time, with the knowledge that it
would eventually require removal and replacement.
However, should it be decided to remove the tree now without waiting for the inevitable,
I recommend that this tree be replaced with one of the following replacement species,
which should perform well in a raised bed, such as this location, and is not known for
infrastructure damage:
Dwarf Olive( Olea europea 'Skylark')
Crape myrtle(Lagerstromia indica)
Western redbud(Cercis occidentalis)
African sumac (Rhus lancea)
Grecian laurel (Laurus nobilis)
Prepared by Michael L. Bench, Site Observations: 2
Consulting Arborist April 14, 2015
10190 Firwood
Cupertino, California
Respectfully submitted,
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Michael L. Bench, Consulting Arborist
International Society of Arboriculture Certification#WE 1897A
American Society of Consulting Arborists Member
Prepared by Michael L. Bench, Site Observations: 3
Consulting Arborist April 14, 2015
Z x 12 Rctaining
2
Ur�iriage Ditch �
Crasa Scctian
Sketch A
Concrete (i inch thickncss extimated)
Tree M xp
A 3ketch of C[��st Re�woo�i Tree
[n Reiation tc�5itc ]lama��
No Scale
Sitc: 10190 FirwaQd
Cupertino,Califc�rnia
UbAervutions: U4-01-15
Michacl 4. Bench
Cansulting Arbarist
Drainagc Dit�h
Cros�Scction
Skctch B
Woud Fen�e
C'oaat Rcdwu�}d Trce
Li�notuber
A�p�oximute
4oi1 Elev�tion
Dis�jaced Retainin�Bosrds :