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Tree Assessment - West Coast Arborist - 2017-06-05 Tree Care Professionals Serving Communities Who Care About Trees www.WCAINC.com Page 1    West Coast Arborists, Inc. 2200 E. Via Burton Street, Anaheim, CA 92806 714.991.1900 800.521.3714 Fax 714.956.3745  June 5, 2017 Costa Mesa Sanitation District ATTN: David Griffin 290 Paularino Avenue Costa Mesa, CA 92626 RE: 290 Paularino Avenue: Lemon Scented Gum (4) Mr. Griffin, Pursuant to your request this report has been prepared in order to present the results from my assessment of the four Lemon Scented Gums (Corymbia citriodora) located 290 Paularino Avenue. The purpose of the evaluation was to assess the current health and stability of the trees and to provide any necessary maintenance recommendations based on those findings. The site was visited on May 23, 2017 and all comments and recommendations are based on observations made while on site. The trees have been evaluated using the standards set for a basic health evaluation and a Level 2: Basic Risk Assessment. The criteria for this level of assessment is in accordance with the Best Management Practices (BMPs) for tree risk assessment; specifically the ANSI A300 (Part 9)-2011 Tree Risk Assessment, a. Tree Structure Assessment. This level of assessment includes a 360-degree ground based visual inspection of the tree crown, trunk, trunk flare, above ground roots, and site conditions around the tree(s). OBSERVATIONS:  All four trees are located in an irrigated grass area at the side of the above address, fronting Red Hill Avenue. The trees have all been repeatedly topped in order to clear the overhead utility lines. Figures 1-4  Trunk diameters range from 18 inches to 24 inches, with heights all under 20 feet. The trees have been repeatedly topped in order to clear the overhead utility lines.  Crowns are full and dense, showing good new bud development and shoot elongation; both are a sign of good health and vitality.  The trunk bases are all stable and there are no signs of root up lifting or other indications that any of the trees have a risk of toppling over. Figures 5-8  Using a rubber mallet to test for potential internal decay pockets, the circumference of each trunk was lightly tapped from ground level up to six feet high. Only solid sounds were heard, indicating a very low probability of any significant decay within the trees. GENERAL DISCUSSION: As with other eucalyptus trees, the Lemon Scented Gum is native to Australia but is widely adaptable to many climates and environmental conditions having become a very popular landscape tree in southern California. Generally Tree Care Professionals Serving Communities Who Care About Trees www.WCAINC.com Page 2    West Coast Arborists, Inc. 2200 E. Via Burton Street, Anaheim, CA 92806 714.991.1900 800.521.3714 Fax 714.956.3745  the tree develops an upright form, reaching heights of 60-90 feet tall and 30-40 feet wide with a deeply rooted support structure; root plate failures are a rarity. SUMMARY: Based on the current health and condition of these eucalypts, I do not believe there is currently any internal defects or instability in their root systems. Although the trees have been topped, and this will inherently create potentially weaker branch unions, I did not see any branches that were presently at risk of failure. It is my opinion that these trees have been maintained in a way consistent with their growing environment. They have truncated heights, condensed crowns and appear solidly supported within the space they are growing, this has resulted in a “LOW” overall risk rating. The intent of this report was to provide as complete and unbiased an opinion as possible with regards to the current health and condition of the specific trees discussed above. It is hoped that the information provided is sufficient to enable management staff to make necessary decisions with regards to the maintenance of these eucalypts. However, should you have any questions or require additional information, please feel free to contact me at (714) 991-1900 ext., 149. Respectfully, Rebecca Mejia Rebecca Mejia ISA Certified Arborist #WE-2355A ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ) West Coast Arborists Inc.  Figures 1-4. Showing the four eucalyptus trees at 290 Paularino Ave., fronting Red Hill Ave. Page 3 Figures 5-8. The trunk bases/root plates of all four trees are stable & there are no defects of concern. Page 4 Tree Care Professionals Serving Communities Who Care About Trees www.WCAINC.com Page 5    West Coast Arborists, Inc. 2200 E. Via Burton Street, Anaheim, CA 92806 714.991.1900 800.521.3714   ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITING CONDITIONS 1. Care has been taken to obtain all information from reliable sources. All data has been verified insofar as possible; however, the Consultant can neither guarantee nor be responsible for the accuracy of information provided by others. Standard of Care has been met with regards to this project within reasonable and normal conditions. 2. The Consultant will not be required to give testimony or to attend court by reason of this report unless subsequent contractual arrangements are made, including payment of an additional fee for such services as described in the fee schedule and contract of engagement. 3. Loss or alteration of any part of this report invalidates the entire report. 4. Possession of this report or a copy thereof does not imply right of publication or use for any purpose by any other than the person to whom it is addressed, without the prior written consent of the Consultant. 5. This report and any values expressed herein represent the opinion of the Consultant, and the Consultant’s fee is in no way contingent upon the reporting of a stipulated result, a specified value, the occurrence of a subsequent event, nor upon any finding to be reported. 6. Unless expressed otherwise: 1) information contained in this report covers only those items that were examined and reflects the condition of those items at the time of inspection; and 2) the inspection is limited to visual examination of accessible items without dissection, excavation, or coring, unless otherwise stated. There is no warranty or guarantee, expressed or implied, that problems or deficiencies of the tree(s) or property in question may not arise in the future. 7. Arborists are tree specialists who use their education, knowledge, training, and experience to examine trees, recommend measures to enhance the beauty and health of trees, and attempt to reduce the risk of living near trees. It is highly recommended that you follow the arborist recommendations; however, you may choose to accept or disregard the recommendations and/or seek additional advice. 8. Arborists cannot detect every condition that could possibly lead to the structural failure of a tree. Trees are living organisms that fail in ways we do not fully understand. Conditions are often hidden within trees and below ground. Arborists cannot guarantee that a tree will be healthy or safe under all circumstances, or for a specific period of time. 9. Any recommendations and/or performed treatments (including, but not limited to, pruning or removal) of trees may involve considerations beyond the scope of the arborist’s services, such as property boundaries, property ownership, site lines, disputes between neighbors, and any other related issues. Arborists cannot take such considerations into account unless complete and accurate information is disclosed to the arborist. An arborist can then be expected to consider and reasonably rely on the completeness and accuracy of the information provided. 10. The author has no personal interest or bias with respect to the subject matter of this report or the parties involved. He/she has inspected the subject tree(s) and to the best of their knowledge and belief, all statements and information presented in the report are true and correct. 11. Unless otherwise stated, trees were examined using the tree risk assessment criteria detailed by the International Society of Arboriculture’s publications Best Management Practices – Tree Risk Assessment and the Tree Risk Assessment Manual and A Photographic Guide to the Evaluation of Hazard Trees (Matheny & Clark).