Approved Documents - Arborist Report■�e
Com- Div' ' - - opment Department
Pla Cupertino
CUPERTIN}}O TREEARj
Case # �yD1 v1Expe,,endT Rd �g'1�1) �g,k
Application Number(s)
Approva I BodV i rec9tdrr u/i a fY18/19)
Approva I Date 09/27/19
Signature Ms.MRhsR&QWhnan
Director, Praiprat)pMoaagement
Hunter Properties, Inc.
10121 Miller Avenue, Suite 200
Cupertino, CA 95014
Phone: (408) 255-4100
Email: melissa@hunterproperties.com
Re: Arborist Report- Monterey Pines- 10121 Miller Avenue, Cupertino
Dear Ms. Cullinan:
At your request, I visited the above -referenced property on July 25, 2019. The reason for the
consultation was to evaluate the health and condition of two (2) mature Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata)
trees. The goal of the evaluation is to determine the recommended course of action to best ensure the
safety of people (residents and tenants) as well as their homes and personal property/vehicles. During
my inspection I made no attempt to climb the trees nor excavate any soil. This report, and the
referenced attachments, serves as a summary of my evaluation.
The two Monterey Pines are amongst a larger population of trees located on the property. Pine #1 has a
33" diameter at breast height (DBH) and a crown height and crown spread of approximately 80' and 50',
respectively. Pine #1 is located against the fence line in the southwest corner of the property (see
Attachment 1: Site Map). Pine #2 has a 27" DBH and a crown height and crown spread of approximately
60' and 40" respectively. Pine #2 is located against the fence line approximately 20 feet north of Pine #1
(see Attachment 1: Tree Location Map). Both Pine trees are adjacent to and extend over high voltage
power lines, residential properties and subject property parking lot.
The high voltage power lines run north to south along the west perimeter property line and adjacent
to/under both Pine trees. A second set of high voltage power lines run east to west along the south
perimeter property line and adjacent to/under Pine #1 (see Attachment 2: Pine Tree Pictures). The limbs
on the lower half of each tree have been removed. The tree was likely "skirted" to maintain the crown
at a height higher than the high voltage power lines. When the lower limbs exist the wind goes through
the tree and around the tree. When the lower crown is removed it allows the wind to get under the
raised crown of the tree creating an upward pressure that increases the potential for structural failure.
A predominant amount of limbs that remain on each tree have been "lions tailed." Lions tailing is a
particularly destructive pruning practice where an excessive amount of the interior branches are
removed leaving only growth toward the tips of the limbs. Lions tailing negatively affects the health and
structural integrity of the trees. Removing excessive amounts of needles reduces the trees' ability to
Tree Tech Inc. 1 3633 Woodley Drive, San Jose, CA 95148 1 (408) 568-5408 1 alex@tree-tech.net
generate food to help support and grow its root system. In addition, exposing previously shaded bark to
full sun increases the risk of sun scald and splitting which weakens the limb and increases the risk of limb
CoM Mp.ity Development Department
Planning Division — Cupertino
tUPERTINO Historically, Idc_��il. gees have reportedly experienced limb failure. Both Pine trees were recently
pruned in MRRa��rrcnnh 2Q01 to help address the trees' structural deficiencies. In the subsequent 3 months
Case # Pina W h�k�f�� P62" m, additional I0rr,b failures. Both limbs fell into neighboring residential yards
causingWPJ:R�WMW One neighbor has recently communicated their safety concerns with the
Approval BBr e ecpoer.7gg X escribed the property damage they incurred as a result of the limb failures and
asd fo����s to
removed (see Attachment 3: Neighboring Resident Property Damage).
Approva I Date
Signature TheR ke Reesdae currently being attacked by Red Turpentine Beetles (Dendroctonus valens). This is
evidenced byratlaMaoigerpink-white pitch tubes on the lower trunks (see Attachment 2: Pine Tree Pictures)
as well as accumulations of reddish -brown sawdust at the bases of the trunks. Beetles frequently attack
stressed trees weakened by drought, disease, injuries or malpruning. Stressed Monterey Pine trees give
off a chemical odor that attracts the Red Turpentine Beetle. The attacking beetles will release a
pheromone attracting other Red Turpentine Beetles to the tree. The attack is usually more than a tree
can overcome, especially for a tree that is already stressed. Except for general cultural practices that
improve tree vigor, little can be done to control the Red Turpentine Beetle once a tree has been
attacked. Because beetles live in the protected area beneath the bark, it is difficult to control them with
insecticidal treatments. Treatments can be effective when applied consistently in a preventative manner
prior to initial beetle attack. However, when the treatments are applied in a retroactive manner after
the beetles have aggregated and penetrated the bark, it is generally found to slow, but not deter, its
destructive progress. Beetle infested trees should be removed as they serve as a host to a population of
beetles that will emerge and attack other nearby host trees.
Pursuant to the evaluation detailed above, the Pine trees pose a significant hazard. The potential targets
should additional limbs, or the tree itself, fail include high voltage power lines, neighboring residents,
subject property employees as well as neighboring homes and personal property/vehicles. The
recommendation is to remove the Monterey Pine trees and replace them with a species with a better -
suited for the location and property.
Native California Coast Redwoods (Sequoia Sempervirens) would be a recommended replacement
species better -suited for the location and the property. The Property Owner desires shade for its parking
lot as well as a privacy screen along the west perimeter property line. Coast Redwoods currently exist
along the west perimeter property line for these purposes. The addition of two 36" box Coast
Redwoods would complement the plant palette for this location as well as the property as a whole (see
Attachment 1: Site Plan).
Please feel free to contact me should you have questions or need clarification.
Respectfully submitted,
David �r 041.e2
David Gardner
ISA Certified Arborist WE-7853A
Attachments (3)
Tree Tech Inc. 1 3633 Woodley Drive, San Jose, CA 95148 1 (408) 568-5408 1 alex@tree-tech.net
■o�
DevelopmerltbDe&eporf Attachments- Hunter Properties- 10121 Miller Avenue
Planning Division —
Perimeter- rear
Cupertino Pine Tree Pictures
Pine p2- poor structure: crown skirted, lions tailed pruned, significant amount of stub cuts
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Attachment 2
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