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Commons_tree_removal_reportv.2.pdf 1055 Commercial Court San Jose, CA 95112 (408) 453-3389 (408) 453-2940 - Fax TDTEC. CA License #694001 HE AVEY REE XPERT O October 6, 2016 Community Development Department 10300 Torre Ave. Cupertino, CA 95014 Re: Removal of 21 trees at the Commons of Cupertino To Whom It May Concern, This arborist report, as per the City of Cupertino tree removal permit process, discusses the trees that are identified for removal at the Commons of Cupertino. Two site plans are provided: One plan shows the trees to be removed. One plan shows where replacement trees will be planted. Photographs are provided which show each tree to be removed. All tree numbers are found on the site plans. Each tree was evaluated in October of 2015. All of the trees have numbered aluminum tags. LƓƷƩƚķǒĭƷźƚƓ The Commons of Cupertino was built in 1976. All of the original trees are 40 years old. It is impossible to calculate the life expectancy of trees that are growing in the common area of a homeowners association because of the following factors: Restricted root growth, too little or too much water, soil compaction, poor trunk/branch structure, and various opportunistic insects and diseases. The trees recommended for removal in this report cannot be treated, fertilized, or watered to improve their health. The trees cannot be pruned to improve their structure. Replacement trees are suggested for all of the trees to be removed. Special attention was taken to either find locations that are more conducive to long term health, plant trees that are drought tolerant, and plant trees to perpetuate a tree grove or a particular aesthetic look. 5ĻƭĭƩźƦƷźƚƓ ƚŅ ƩĻĻƭ Tree #112 is a bloodgood sycamore (Platinus acerifolia 16 inches in circumference at a height of 4.5 feet above ground line. The tree (Photo 1) is dead. The tree will be replaced with another bloodgood sycamore tree in the same location. Tree #152 is a Norway maple (Acer platanoides) tree. The trunk measures 27.6 inches in circumference at a height of four and one half feet above ground line. The tree (Photo 2) is in very poor health. Almost the entire canopy is dead and watersprouts are what is alive. I have found this tree to be short lived and a more appropriate species is Acer rubrum The tree will be replaced with an October glory red maple tree in the same location. Tree #167 is a flowering plum (Prunus blireiana) tree. The trunk measures 15 inches in circumference at a height of four and one half feet above ground line. The tree (Photo 3) is in fair health. These trees generally last 25-30 years so it is at the end of its life. The tree will be replaced with a strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) behind 21125 Freedom. Tree #169 is another flowering plum tree. The trunk measures 13.8 inches in circumference at a height of four and one half feet above ground line. The tree (Photo 4) is in fair health and has fair structure. The tree will be replaced by a seedless Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis Tree #171 is a coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) tree. The trunk measures 37.6 inches in circumference at a height of four and one half feet above ground line. The tree (Photo 5) is in fair health. The tree was suppressed by Page 1 of 3 two neighboring coast redwood trees that were removed about three years ago. The tree will be replaced by a swamp myrtle (Tristaniopsis lau rina) tree in the same location. Tree #187 is a bloodgood sycamore tree. The trunk measures 5.7 inches in circumference at a height of four and one half feet above ground line. The tree is root bound (Photo 6) and dying back. The tree will be replaced by a strawberry tree in the same location. Tree #205 is a mayten (Maytenus boaria) tree. The trunk measures 17.3 inches in circumference at a height of four and one half feet above ground line. The tree is in poor health and has poor structure (Photo 7). The tree has been suppressed for years by other trees nearby. The tree will be replaced with a white birch (Betula pendula) tree in the same location. White birch trees have done well in this location over the years. Tree #245 is a white birch tree. The trunk measures 23.9 inches in circumference at a height of four and one half feet above ground line. The tree is dead (Photo 8). The tree will be replaced with a Tuscarora crape myrtle (Lagerstoemia Tree #250 is a flowering plum (Prunus blireiana) tree. The trunk measures 17.3 inches in circumference at a height of four and one half feet above ground line. The tree is in poor health (Photo 9) The canopy is dying back and has been for years. The tree will be replaced with a Saratoga laurel (Lauris nobilis in the same location. Saratoga laurel trees are relatively drought tolerant and are hardier than plum trees. Tree #254 is a purple leaf plum (Prunus cerasifera 21 inches in circumference at a height of four and one half feet above ground line. The tree is dead (Photo 10). The tree will be replaced with a Saratoga laurel tree in the same location. Tree #282 is a flowering cherry (Prunus serrata) tree. The trunk measures 19.5 inches in circumference at a height of four and one half feet above ground line. The tree is in fair health and has poor structure (Photo 11). The tree will be replaced by an Australian tea (Leptospermum laevigatum) tree in roughly the same location. Tree #283 is a flowering cherry tree. The trunk measures 11.9 inches in circumference at a height of four and one half feet above ground line. The tree is in poor to fair health (Photo 11). The tree will be replaced with an Australian tree tree in front of 10072 Senate Way. Tree #285 is a white birch tree. The trunk measures 16 inches in circumference at a height of four and one half feet above ground line. The tree is in poor to fair health (Photo 12). The tree will be replaced with a white birch tree in the grove of white birch trees located on the other side of Freedom Drive. Tree #335 is a white birch tree. The trunk measures 22 inches in circumference at a height of four and one half feet above ground line. The tree is in poor to fair health (Photo 13). The tree will be replaced with a white birch tree in the same location. Tree #341 is a white birch tree. The trunk measures 31.4 inches in circumference at a height of four and one half feet above ground line. The tree is dead (Photo 14). This tree located in a grove of white birch trees. It is unknown why this particular birch tree died while the other birch trees are alive. The age of the property suggests that generally weaker trees will die off over time. The tree will be replaced with a white birch tree in the same location. The new tree should thrive if it is irrigated adequately. Tree #375 is a fern pine (Podocarpus gracilior) tree. The trunk measures 7 inches in circumference at a height of four and one half feet above ground line. The tree is a poor specimen (Photo 15) in that the top center has been removed. The tree will be replaced with a swamp myrtle tree I the same location. Tree #388 is a white birch tree. The trunk measures 16.6 inches in circumference at a height of four and one half feet above ground line. The tree is dead (Photo 16). The tree will be replaced with an Australian tea tree in the same location. Page 2 of 3 Tree #401 is white birch tree. The trunk measures 27.9 inches in circumference at a height of four and one half feet above ground line. The tree is dead (Photo 17). The tree will be replaced with a white birch tree in the same location. Tree #402 is a white birch tree. The trunk measures 29.8 inches in circumference at a height of four and one half feet above ground line. The tree is dead (Photo 17). The tree will be replaced with a white birch tree behind 10081 United Place. Tree #404 is a white birch tree. The trunk has two leaders measuring 15 inches and 13.8 inches in circumference at a height of four and one half feet above ground line. The tree is in poor to fair health (Photo 18) judging by the amount and the size of the foliage. I believe this is related to drought stress combined with age. The tree will be replaced with a white birch tree in the same location. The new tree should thrive if irrigated adequately. Tree #412 is a Wilson holly (Ilex a height of four and one half feet above ground line. The tree is in poor health (Photo 19). The tree is located in a small area and this area is inappropriate for tree growth. The tree will be replaced with a swamp myrtle tree in front of 10145 Congress Place. LƩƩźŭğƷźƓŭ ƩĻĻƭ There is an existing irrigation system located in the common area of the property. It will be necessary to plumb in new lines and emitters or drip lines to each new tree. The following items will need to be followed to insure the establishment of the new trees: 1.The frequency of irrigation and the amount needed will depend on climate, time of year, size of the trees, and soil characteristics. 2.Trees planted in the fall and or early spring when the soil is moist and the weather is mild can often get by on one to two irrigations per week when rain is lacking. Increase irrigation frequency with the approach of warm, dry weather. 3.Trees planted during the dry season should be watered up to three times a week, or more often during hot weather, for the first two months and thereafter twice a week throughout the season. As a rule of thumb, add at least two gallons of water for each inch of trunk diameter. 4. frequency. 5.During the second year, water two to three times a month, beginning in the late spring continuing through early fall. Water the soil area under the expanding leafy canopy with a sprinkler or soaker hose, allowing enough time for the water to penetrate the soil to a depth of a least 12 inches. If drip irrigation is used, expand the system as the tree grows. 6.Most trees should be established by the third year. /ƚƓĭƌǒƭźƚƓ The trees recommended for removal in this report are in a condition where their health and structure cannot be improved. I believe the new trees and the locations selected, and the appropriate irrigation of the new trees, will allow the residents of the Commons of Cupertino to successfully renovate their treescape. Respectfully submitted, Gil Mitchell, RCA #317 ISA Certified Arborist WE-0134A Enclosure Page 3 of 3