Arborist Letter - 10431 N. De Anza Blvd%2c Cupertino - 1-16-18.pdfJanuary 1 6, 2018
2337 AMERICAN AVE, HAYWARD, CA 94545
1993 EAST BAYSHORE ROAD, REDWOOD CITY, CA 94063
OFFICE: (888) 969-8733
CELL: (925) 518-2028
WWW.ARBORWELL.COM
City of Cupertino
Community Development Department
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, California 95014
Re: Dead Birch Tree Removal at 10431 N. De Anza Boulevard, Cupertino
To whom it may concern,
Arborwell has been retained to prepare an arborist letter for the commercial property at 10431 N. De
Anza Boulevard in Cupertino, CA. This letter documents the necessity to remove one (1) dead Betula
pendula (White Birch) to reduce tree-related safety risks related to a dead tree.
The Birch tree is 6 inches in diameter at 4.5 feet above grade, 20 feet in height and 15 feet wide. It
is located in the northeast corner of the garden across the drive aisle from the building’s main
entrance. The Birch was determined to be dead due to its extensive brown foliage. The exact cause
of death is suspected to be due to an Agrilus anxius (bronze birch borer) infestation. Adult beetles
feeding on the leaves of trees cause little damage to overall tree hea lth. However, the passageways
under the bark tissue created by the larvae cause significant damage to trees. These passageways
disrupt the transport of water and nutrients in infested trees. The initial symptom is often branch
dieback at the top of the tree, as seen in other birch trees onsite. If the tree continues to decline,
dieback extends down into major branches and eventually into the main stem, as observed in the
subject tree. This condition elevates the safety risk of branch/whole tree failure.
Replacements
We understand the Birch is considered a protected tree pursuant to Section 14.18.035 of the City of
Cupertino’s Municipal Code. However, it is lawful to remove a dead tree pursuant to Section 14.18
of the City of Cupertino’s Municipal Code, and ask for your permission to proceed with the removal
and replacement.
To mitigate the removal, we propose to repla ce with a 36-inch box Betula nigra (River Birch), a
superior/more resilient form of Birch, in the same location as the removal and evenly spaced for
maturity. The new tree will be selected by an Apple arborist to ensure optimal structure, health, and
no girdling roots, and then trained from an early age as needed to optimize branching structure which
will extend the aesthetically and structurally sound lifespan of the tree.
Please review this information and contact me with any questions or concerns regarding the
information provided in this letter.
Sincerely,
Samuel Oakley
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, WE-9474B
ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist #556
TR-2018-07
02/13/18
Erick Serrano
January 1 6, 2018
2337 AMERICAN AVE, HAYWARD, CA 94545
1993 EAST BAYSHORE ROAD, REDWOOD CITY, CA 94063
OFFICE: (888) 969-8733
CELL: (925) 518-2028
WWW.ARBORWELL.COM
Exhibit 1.1 – Site Map:
The location of the dead tree, shown with a red dot. The replacement tree is shown with a green dot in the bottom
image.
TR-2018-07
02/13/18
Erick Serrano
January 1 6, 2018
2337 AMERICAN AVE, HAYWARD, CA 94545
1993 EAST BAYSHORE ROAD, REDWOOD CITY, CA 94063
OFFICE: (888) 969-8733
CELL: (925) 518-2028
WWW.ARBORWELL.COM
Exhibit 1.2 – Supporting Image: An image of the dead tree.
TR-2018-07
02/13/18
Erick Serrano