Arborist Letter - Tree Removals - 18922 Forge Drive, Cupertino Arbor ell.
professional tree management
April 30, 2021
City of Cupertino
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, California 95014
Re: Live Tree Removals at 18920 Forge Drive, Cupertino, CA
To whom it may concern,
This letter intends to address six (6) live trees located in the landscaping directly adjacent to the
building on the 18920 Forge Drive property in Cupertino, California. Please see Exhibit 1.1 for the
relative locations of the subject trees. The trees are live trees but will need to be removed and
replaced.
Metric for the trees are as follows:
Number Species Trunk Diameter Condition
1 Coast Redwood 36" Good
2 Japanese Maple 4" Good
3 Southern Live Oak 5" Good
4 Modesto Ash 13" Poor
5 Southern Live Oak 5" Good
6 London Plane 4" Good
Tree 1 is a large Coast Redwood that is growing too close to the building. According to Bagg
Engineering, the tree's root system is causing both irregular subsidence and lifting to the adjacent
building, due to shrink/swell characteristics of the soil. Bagg would like its removal to mitigate further
damage to the building. I support their recommendation for removal as the tree has outgrown its
growing space and it is very likely that the damage to the building is caused by the tree's root system,
given that Redwoods have highly invasive root systems and are prone to causing structural damage
to nearby buildings.
In addition, concrete curb and paving, landscape, and growing space is planned to be removed and
replaced/renovated within several feet from Trees 2-6. Because the trees are shallow rooted from
being surface irrigated,the trees have developed extensive surface roots. Due to the close proximity
of the planned renovations combined with the condition of having extensive surface roots, I
recommend these trees be removed and replaced as they have little chance for survival during the
landscape upgrades.
The trees are 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.
We ask for permission to remove the trees based on the following criteria:
1, That the tree or trees are irreversibly diseased,are in danger of falling,can cause potential damage to existing or proposed essential structures,or
interferes with private on-site utility services and cannot be oantrolled or remedied through reasonable relocation or modification of the alruclum or utility servicas;
2. That the iocalion of the trees restricts the economic enjoyment of the properly by severely limiting the use of property in a manner not typically experienced
by owners of similarly zoned and situated property,and the applicant has demonstrated to the salisfacticn of the approval authority that there are no reasonable
alternatives to preserve the tree(s).
2337 AMERICAN AVE, HAYWARD, CA 94545 OFFICE: (888)969-8733
1993 EAST BAYSHORE ROAD, REDWOOD CITY, CA 94063 DIRECT: (925)518-2028
SOAKLEY p@ARBORWELL.COM
Arbor ell.
professional tree management
The replacement trees cannot reasonably be planted on the subject property. To mitigate the
removals, we are planning for the in-lieu fee option instead of replacement for the following reasons:
Tree 1 — not enough space next to the building where trees are not recommended due to
shrink/swell soil characteristics;
Trees 2, 3, & 5 — the planting area is being removed and there is not enough space for
growth at maturity elsewhere on the property to replace the trees;
Tree 4&6—the drive aisle is shifting and the planting area for these trees is being removed.
There is not enough space for growth at maturity elsewhere on the property to replace the
trees.
The in-lieu fee for a mature specimen tree with trunk size equal to or less than thirty-six (36)
inches,is based upon the purchase and installation cost of the replacement tree as determined
by the Director of Community Development. The following replacement totals can be used
to help facilitate this determination.
Number Trunk Diameter Replacement
1 36" 2 24" box or 1 36" box
2 4" 1 - 24" box
3 5" 1 - 24" box
4 13" 2 24" box or 1 36" box
5 5" 1 - 24" box
6 4" 1 - 24" box
Total 8 24"box OR
4 24"box and 2 36"box
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 TRAQ
ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist#556
2337 AMERICAN AVE, HAYWARD, CA 94545 OFFICE: (888)969-8733
1993 EAST BAYSHORE ROAD, REDWOOD CITY, CA 94063 DIRECT: (925)518-2028
SOAKLEY p@ARBORWELL.COM
Arbor ell.
professional tree management
Exhibit 1.1—Site Map:
The locations of the proposed removals.
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2337 AMERICAN AVE, HAYWARD, CA 94545 OFFICE: (888)969-8733
1993 EAST BAYSHORE ROAD, REDWOOD CITY, CA 94063 DIRECT: (925)518-2028
SOAKLEY p@ARBORWELL.COM
Arbor ell.
professional tree management
Exhibit 1.2-Supporting Image:
An image of tree 1.
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Exhibit 1.4-Supporting Image:
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2337 AMERICAN AVE, HAYWARD, CA 94545 OFFICE: (888)969-8733
1993 EAST BAYSHORE ROAD, REDWOOD CITY, CA 94063 DIRECT: (925)518-2028
SOAKLEY@ARBO RW ELL.COM
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Exhibit 1.5-Supporting Image:
An image of tree 4.
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2337 AMERICAN AVE, HAYWARD, CA 94545 OFFICE: (888)969-8733
1993 EAST BAYSHORE ROAD, REDWOOD CITY, CA 94063 DIRECT: (925)518-2028
SOAKLEY@ARBO RW ELL.COM
Arbor ell.
professional tree management
Exhibit 1.6-Supporting Image:
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2337 AMERICAN AVE, HAYWARD, CA 94545 OFFICE: (888)969-8733
1993 EAST BAYSHORE ROAD, REDWOOD CITY, CA 94063 DIRECT: (925)518-2028
SOAKLEY@ARBO RW ELL.COM
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