Loading...
Arborist Report TR-2019-21.pdf 2337 AMERICAN AVE, HAYWARD, CA 94545 1993 EAST BAYSHORE ROAD, REDWOOD CITY, CA 94063 OFFICE: (888) 969-8733 DIRECT: (925) 518-2028 SOAKLEY@ARBORWELL.COM April 9, 2019 City of Cupertino 10300 Torre Avenue Cupertino, California 95014 Re: Live Tree Removals at 10725 North De Anza Boulevard, Cupertino, CA To whom it may concern, This letter intends to address three (3) live Prunus cerasifera (purple-leaf plums) located in the landscaping along the property’s entrance drive aisle on the west-side of the 10725 North De Anza Boulevard property in Cupertino, California. Please see Exhibit 1.1 for the relative locations of the subject trees indicated as white/red dots, and for the locations of the replacement trees. The trees are live trees but will need to be removed and replaced. Metric for the trees are as follows: Plum #1: Located directly adjacent to the parking lot entrance off Valley Green Drive. The plum tree is 9-inches diameter at 4.5 feet above grade and is approximately 10-feet in height with a 10-foot canopy spread. It is in poor health with critical structure. The tree is senescent and has been declining over the past several years due to the 5-year region-wide drought experienced in 2013- 2017. We are concerned that it will eventually fail. Plum #2: Located directly next to Plum #1 at the parking lot entrance off Valley Green Drive. The plum tree is 7-inches diameter at 4.5 feet above grade and is approximately 15-feet in height with a 15-foot canopy spread. Similar to Plum #1, the tree is in poor health with fair structure, senescent, and has been declining over the past several years due to the 5-year region-wide drought experienced in 2013-2017. We are concerned that it will eventually fail. Plum #3: Located further north and across the secondary parking lot entrance from Plums #1 and #2. The plum tree is 6-inches diameter at 4.5 feet above grade and is approximately 15-feet in height with a 15-foot canopy spread. Similar to Plums # and #2, the tree is in poor health with fair structure, senescent, and has been declining over the past several years due to the 5-year region-wide drought experienced in 2013-2017. We are concerned that it will eventually fail. These are the last remaining trees along the drive aisle. The other plums have been removed and replaced with Quercus suber (Cork Oaks) that are performing much better and require less supplemental water once established. Our concern is that the trees are in a state of advanced decline and they are directly overhanging the property’s main vehicle entrance and parking stalls. Several of the plum trees that were replaced failed into parking stalls in the parking lot. The property is a commercial space that has an abundance of employees occupying the area at any given time, resulting in an elevated target value. Over time, the risk of failure increases. Damage to property or personal injury may occur in the event of failure. We think these trees should be removed and replaced as soon as possible. The tree is considered protected pursuant to Section 14.18.035 of the City of Cupertino’s Municipal Code and requires a permit from the City’s Planning Department prior to their removal. To mitigate the removal, we are planning to replace with three (3) 24-inch box Quercus suber. or equivalent (species determined by the Apple Arborist) per ordinance mitigation requirements. 2337 AMERICAN AVE, HAYWARD, CA 94545 1993 EAST BAYSHORE ROAD, REDWOOD CITY, CA 94063 OFFICE: (888) 969-8733 DIRECT: (925) 518-2028 SOAKLEY@ARBORWELL.COM The replacement trees will be selected for favorable characteristics whenever possible such as drought tolerance, long lifespan, structurally sound, deep-rooted, Cupertino climate-appropriate, onsite location-appropriate, shading value, pest resistance and overall enhanced aesthetics. The new trees will be selected by an Apple arborist to ensure optimal structure, health, and reduce the risk of 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 trees. 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 2337 AMERICAN AVE, HAYWARD, CA 94545 1993 EAST BAYSHORE ROAD, REDWOOD CITY, CA 94063 OFFICE: (888) 969-8733 DIRECT: (925) 518-2028 SOAKLEY@ARBORWELL.COM Exhibit 1.1 – Site Map: The locations of the declining trees are shown with white/red dots (top image). The replacement trees are shown with green/yellow dots (bottom image). 1 2 3 2337 AMERICAN AVE, HAYWARD, CA 94545 1993 EAST BAYSHORE ROAD, REDWOOD CITY, CA 94063 OFFICE: (888) 969-8733 DIRECT: (925) 518-2028 SOAKLEY@ARBORWELL.COM Exhibit 1.2 - Supporting Image: An image of the declining plum trees #1 (right) & #2 (left). The image was taken looking southeast. 2337 AMERICAN AVE, HAYWARD, CA 94545 1993 EAST BAYSHORE ROAD, REDWOOD CITY, CA 94063 OFFICE: (888) 969-8733 DIRECT: (925) 518-2028 SOAKLEY@ARBORWELL.COM Exhibit 1.3 - Supporting Image: An image of the declining plum #3. The image was taken looking northeast.