Attachment 1 - March 30, 2016_Exhibit 16
PO Box 3714, Saratoga, CA 95070. 408-725-1357. decah@pacbell.net. http://www.decah.com.
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
ARBORIST REPORT
North 40 Property,
Los Gatos, California
Prepared for:
Joel Paulson
Town of Los Gatos Community Planning Department
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95031
Prepared by:
Deborah Ellis, MS.
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Registered Consulting Arborist #305, American Society of Consulting Arborists
Board Certified Master Arborist WE-0457B, International Society of Arboriculture
Certified Professional Horticulturist #30022, American Society for Horticultural Science
OCTOBER 14, 2013
Deborah Ellis, 2013. This report may be reproduced in whole or in part by only the client and the client’s authorized representatives and only for use with the
subject project and/or property. All other reproduction requires the expressed written or verbal consent of Deborah Ellis prior to reproduction.
PO Box 3714, Saratoga, CA 95070. 408-725-1357. decah@pacbell.net. http://www.decah.com.
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
Contents
TREE MAP .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Table 1 Tree Species Composition ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Table 2 Summary Tree Table ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Table 3 Trees with Excellent, Good or Fair/Good Preservation Suitability .................................................................................................................... 7
Table 4 Trees with Fair Preservation Suitability .................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Table 5 Trees with Unacceptable, Poor or Fair/Poor Preservation Suitability .............................................................................................................. 8
Trees on The Fales Property .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 10
RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 12
APPENDIX ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Table 6 Complete Tree Table .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 13
Explanation of Tree Table Data Columns: ..................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Supporting Information .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 23
Purpose & Use of Report .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 23
Background Information ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 23
Methodology ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Observations ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 24
Tree Protection Distances ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 25
3 to 5 X DBH ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 25
OTPZ (Optimum Tree Protection Zone)....................................................................................................................................................................... 25
Tree Photos .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
Assumptions & Limitations ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 28
Glossary ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 30
Cover photo: coast live oak #130, with #87 in the background. These trees have Good/Excellent and Good preservation suitability,
respectively. They are located near the corner of Los Gatos Boulevard and Lark Avenue. All photos in this report were taken by D. Ellis on
September 12, 2013.
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PO Box 3714, Saratoga, CA 95070. 408-725-1357. decah@pacbell.net. http://www.decah.com.
Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 1 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
TREE MAP
Please Note: a separate, larger copy of this map has also been provided for your convenience.
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PO Box 3714, Saratoga, CA 95070. 408-725-1357. decah@pacbell.net. http://www.decah.com.
Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 2 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
SUMMARY
There are 96 protected trees1 within the proposed work area of the project site, not counting 4 trees on the Fales property2. The existing walnut
orchard trees were also not included in this survey, although most of these walnuts are of less than protected size. The 25 tree species in the project
work area, along with the prevalence of each species as a percentage of the total tree population are listed in Table 1 on page 3. The 96 individual
surveyed trees are described briefly the Summary Tree Table (Table 2) on page 5 and in greater detail in the Complete Tree Table (Table 6) beginning
on page 13. No tree disposition recommendations provided in this report, because construction plans have not yet been developed. The tree
Preservation Suitability ratings and Tree Root Protection Distances will be helpful to the project architects however, in deciding which trees to retain
and how far improvements should be located from these trees, during the design process. Trees are color-coded as to their preservation suitability on
the Tree Map on the previous page, and also in the Summary Table. In addition, trees in the various preservation suitability ratings have been
grouped into separate tables for quick reference, as listed below:
Forty-five trees are classified as having “Excellent”, “Good“ or “Fair/Good” preservation suitability. These are the better trees on the site,
and those that are most worthy of retaining or transplanting. They are listed in Table 3 on page 7.
Eighteen trees are classified as having “Fair” preservation suitability. These are “so-so” trees and I do not recommend going through too
much trouble to retain them. They are listed in Table 4 on page 7.
Thirty-three trees are classified as having “Unacceptable”, “Poor” or “Fair/Poor” preservation suitability. I would not put any effort into
retaining any of these trees, which are listed in Table 5 on page 8. Those trees listed as Poor or Unacceptable should be removed. #97
California pepper should be removed ASAP. This tree has extensive trunk decay and a large branch recently failed out of the tree. The
overhangs an occupied house, parking area and a children’s swing.
As the construction plans for the project are developed I will review these plans and produce additional reports describing the expected impact of
construction on those trees that will remain. I can work with the architects to reduce construction impacts to trees where possible. I will eventually
prepare a final arborist report listing trees to remain, trees to be removed and tree protection specifications for those trees that will remain.
1 For the purpose of this project, a protected tree in Los Gatos as defined in the Los Gatos Town Code, Division 2 Tree Protection, Section 29.10.0960, 12/3/2010 the
Scope of Protected Trees is any tree with a 4-inch or greater diameter of any trunk, when removal relates to any review for which zoning approval or subdivision
approval is required. Town Street trees of any size are protected. Fruit trees less than 18 inches in trunk diameter are exempt.
2 Fales property trees: see page 10.
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PO Box 3714, Saratoga, CA 95070. 408-725-1357. decah@pacbell.net. http://www.decah.com.
Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 3 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
TABLE 1 TREE SPECIES COMPOSITION
This Table (continued on the next page) lists each tree species by common name with the species name to follow.
Common
Name Species No. of Trees % of Total
Trees
Arizona cypress Cupressus arizonica 11 11%
bigleaf maple Acer macrophyllum 1
black acacia Acacia melanoxylon 1
black locust Robinia pseudoacacia 1
black walnut Juglans californica
hindsii
3
blue gum Eucalyptus globulus 2
Calif. fan palm Washingtonia filifera 4
Calif. pepper Schinus molle 4
camphor Cinnamomum
camphora
1
chinaberry Melia azedarach 1
Chinese elm Ulmus parvifolia 2
coast live oak Quercus agrifolia 36 37%
Crape myrtle Lagerstroemia hybrid 1
deodar cedar Cedrus deodara 3
fruitless mulberry Morus alba `Fruitless’ 1
glossy privet Ligustrum lucidum 9 9%
green wattle Acacia dealbata 4
Hollywood juniper Juniperus chinensis
`Torulosa’
2
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PO Box 3714, Saratoga, CA 95070. 408-725-1357. decah@pacbell.net. http://www.decah.com.
Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 4 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
As you can see from the above Table, 3 tree species (coast live oak, Arizona cypress and glossy privet) make up 55% of the tree species on
site, with coast live oak at an overwhelming 37 percent. All other species comprise 4% or less of the total species.
This site is well adapted to coast live oak, which is a valuable species in this area. Since there are already quite a few coast live oaks on the site,
it makes sense to try to preserve those trees in good condition. Young coast live oaks transplant very well and even large trees can be
transplanted with good care and after maintenance. Please note that existing coast live oaks should be managed in a summer dry3 landscape
manner. Newly planted coast live oaks (along with other drought tolerant trees) will require irrigation during the dry months for the first 2 to 3 years
after planting. After these trees are established however, they should also exist within a summer dry landscape environment.
Arizona cypress is a drought tolerant tree that does not require irrigation after establishment, but most of the cypress trees on this site have been
allowed to develop into lanky, leaning, sprawling trees. They will probably not be suitable to retain if there will be development nearby.
Glossy leaf privet is not normally a highly desirable species; it is weedy and often an uninvited invader. These privets are tough however, and
they can survive well with complete neglect and no irrigation. They also make good dense screens when planted close together. There are
actually many more than the 9 glossy privet trees listed on the site, as many long hedge rows of trees (one hedge with more than 60 trunks) have
been listed as a single tree, for practical purposes.
3 Terms highlighted at their first occurrence are explained in the Glossary beginning on page 30.
Common
Name Species No. of Trees % of Total
Trees
incense cedar Calocedrus decurrens 3
juniper Juniperus species 1
London plane Platanus x hispanica
(Syn. P. x acerifolia)
1
Olive Olea europaea 1
pistache Pistacia chinensis 1
redwood Sequoia sempervirens 2
toyon Heteromeles
arbutifolia
1
TOTAL: 98
Table 1, Tree Species Composition (continued from the previous page)
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PO Box 3714, Saratoga, CA 95070. 408-725-1357. decah@pacbell.net. http://www.decah.com.
Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 5 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
TABLE 2 SUMMARY TREE TABLE
Continued on the next page
Tree
#
Common
Name
Trunk
Diam.
@ 3 ft.
Preservation
Suitability Action Reason
066 coast live oak 12 Fair/Good
067 coast live oak 19 Poor
069 coast live oak 21 Fair/Good
070 coast live oak 18 Good
071 coast live oak 24 Good
072 coast live oak 27 Good
073 coast live oak 14 Fair/Good
074 coast live oak 15 Fair/Poor
075 coast live oak 6,6 Fair/Good
076 coast live oak 15 Fair/Good
077 coast live oak 22 Fair/Good
078 coast live oak 33 Fair/Good
080 coast live oak 13 Good
081 coast live oak 16 Fair/Good
082 green wattle 8,9 Fair/Poor
083 coast live oak 18 Fair/Good
084 green wattle 16 Fair/Poor
085 green wattle 6,6,6,6 Fair/Poor
086 coast live oak 18 Fair/Good
087 coast live oak 24 Good
088 Arizona cypress 16 Fair/Poor
089 coast live oak 6 Fair/Poor
090 Arizona cypress 13 Fair/Poor
092 Arizona cypress 12,5 Poor
Tree
#
Common
Name
Trunk
Diam.
@ 3 ft.
Preservation
Suitability Action Reason
093 coast live oak 14 (2) Fair/Good
094 Arizona cypress 9 Fair/Good
095 Chinese elm 6 Fair/Good
096 coast live oak 15 Fair/Good
097 Calif. pepper 51 (4) Unacceptable Remove Risk,
Structure
098 London plane 15 Fair/Good
099 Chinese elm 7,6,6 Fair/Poor
100 pistache (fruiting) 8,10 Fair
101 coast live oak 13 Fair/Good
102 coast live oak 16 (2.5) Fair
103 coast live oak 33 Good
104 coast live oak 19 Good
105 coast live oak 20 Fair
106 Calif. pepper 29 Fair/Good
107 black acacia 6 Fair
108 Calif. pepper 40 Fair
109 coast live oak 20 Good
110 toyon 10,8 Fair/Good
118 incense cedar 25 Fair/Poor
119 fruitless mulberry 9 (4) Fair
120 glossy privet 13 Fair
121 glossy privet 10 Fair
122 incense cedar 23 Good
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PO Box 3714, Saratoga, CA 95070. 408-725-1357. decah@pacbell.net. http://www.decah.com.
Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 6 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
Tree
#
Common
Name
Trunk
Diam.
@ 3 ft.
Preservation
Suitability Action Reason
123 coast live oak 15 Good
124 glossy privet 18*3-5 Fair/Poor
125 glossy privet 12,8,5*4 Fair/Poor
126 glossy privet 4,6,4*3,2 Fair/Poor
127 olive 18 (2.5) Fair/Poor
128 green wattle 7,6,6,4,4 Fair
129 redwood 28 Fair/Poor
130 coast live oak 16 Good/Excellent
131 Calif. fan palm 19 Good
132 Calif. fan palm 23 Good
133 camphor 33 Fair/Poor
134 deodar cedar 26 Fair
135 black locust 23 Poor
136 coast live oak 15 Fair/Good
137 Calif. fan palm 13 Fair
138 Calif. fan palm 23 Good
139 chinaberry 19 Fair/Good
140 black walnut 19 Poor
142 black walnut 26 Poor
143 coast live oak 10 Fair/Good
144 Arizona cypress 9 Fair/Poor
145 Arizona cypress 8 Fair/Poor
146 Arizona cypress 12 Fair
147 Arizona cypress 8 Fair/Poor
148 Arizona cypress 4 Fair/Poor
149 Arizona cypress 7,6 Fair/Poor
Tree
#
Common
Name
Trunk
Diam.
@ 3 ft.
Preservation
Suitability Action Reason
150 Arizona cypress 6 Fair
151 deodar cedar 37 Fair
152 deodar cedar 19 Fair/Good
153 coast live oak 13,6 Fair/Good
180 blue gum 13 Poor
181 blue gum 9,9,8 Fair/Poor
182 coast live oak 18 Good
183 glossy privet 60*1-8 Fair/Poor
184 juniper 10 Fair
185 glossy privet 4,4,4,3,3 Fair/Good
186 glossy privet 9 Fair
187 bigleaf maple 19 Good
188 Crape myrtle 8,6,4,3,
3,4,5,4
Fair
189 incense cedar 31 Good
190 glossy privet 8,6,4 Fair/Poor
191 coast live oak 8 (1.5) Fair/Good
192 coast live oak 5 Good
193 Hollywood juniper 13 Fair/Poor
194 Hollywood juniper 16 Fair/Poor
195 coast live oak 18 Fair
196 Black walnut 19 Fair/Poor
197 Coast live oak 26 Fair/Good
198 Calif. pepper 24 Good
Table 2 Summary Tree Table (continued from the previous page)
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PO Box 3714, Saratoga, CA 95070. 408-725-1357. decah@pacbell.net. http://www.decah.com.
Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 7 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
TABLE 3 TREES WITH EXCELLENT, GOOD OR FAIR/GOOD PRESERVATION
SUITABILITY
Tree # Common
Name
Trunk
Diam.
@ 3 ft.
Preservation
Suitability
066 coast live oak 12 Fair/Good
069 coast live oak 21 Fair/Good
070 coast live oak 18 Good
071 coast live oak 24 Good
072 coast live oak 27 Good
073 coast live oak 14 Fair/Good
075 coast live oak 6,6 Fair/Good
076 coast live oak 15 Fair/Good
077 coast live oak 22 Fair/Good
078 coast live oak 33 Fair/Good
080 coast live oak 13 Good
081 coast live oak 16 Fair/Good
083 coast live oak 18 Fair/Good
086 coast live oak 18 Fair/Good
087 coast live oak 24 Good
093 coast live oak 14 (2) Fair/Good
094 Arizona cypress 9 Fair/Good
095 Chinese elm 6 Fair/Good
096 coast live oak 15 Fair/Good
098 London plane 15 Fair/Good
101 coast live oak 13 Fair/Good
103 coast live oak 33 Good
104 coast live oak 19 Good
Tree # Common
Name
Trunk
Diam.
@ 3 ft.
Preservation
Suitability
106 Calif. pepper 29 Fair/Good
109 coast live oak 20 Good
110 toyon 10,8 Fair/Good
122 incense cedar 23 Good
123 coast live oak 15 Good
130 coast live oak 16 Good/Excellent
131 Calif. fan palm 19 Good
132 Calif. fan palm 23 Good
136 coast live oak 15 Fair/Good
138 Calif. fan palm 23 Good
139 chinaberry 19 Fair/Good
143 coast live oak 10 Fair/Good
152 deodar cedar 19 Fair/Good
153 coast live oak 13,6 Fair/Good
182 coast live oak 18 Good
185 glossy privet 4,4,4,3,3 Fair/Good
187 bigleaf maple 19 Good
189 incense cedar 31 Good
191 coast live oak 8 (1.5) Fair/Good
192 coast live oak 5 Good
197 coast live oak 26 Fair/Good
198 Calif. pepper 24 Good
45 Trees
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PO Box 3714, Saratoga, CA 95070. 408-725-1357. decah@pacbell.net. http://www.decah.com.
Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 7 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
TABLE 4 TREES WITH FAIR PRESERVATION SUITABILITY
Tree # Common
Name
Trunk
Diam.
@ 3 ft.
100 pistache (fruiting) 8,10
102 coast live oak 16 (2.5)
105 coast live oak 20
107 black acacia 6
108 Calif. pepper 40
119 fruitless mulberry 9 (4)
120 glossy privet 13
121 glossy privet 10
128 green wattle 7,6,6,4,4
134 deodar cedar 26
137 Calif. fan palm 13
146 Arizona cypress 12
150 Arizona cypress 6
151 deodar cedar 37
184 juniper 10
186 glossy privet 9
188 Crape myrtle 8,6,4,3,3,4,5,4
195 coast live oak 18
18 Trees
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PO Box 3714, Saratoga, CA 95070. 408-725-1357. decah@pacbell.net. http://www.decah.com.
Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 8 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
TABLE 5 TREES WITH UNACCEPTABLE, POOR OR FAIR/POOR
PRESERVATION SUITABILITY
Tree
#
Common
Name
Trunk
Diam.
@ 3 ft.
Preservation
Suitability Action Reason
067 coast live oak 19 Poor
074 coast live oak 15 Fair/Poor
082 green wattle 8,9 Fair/Poor
084 green wattle 16 Fair/Poor
085 green wattle 6,6,6,6 Fair/Poor
088 Arizona
cypress
16 Fair/Poor
089 coast live oak 6 Fair/Poor
090 Arizona
cypress
13 Fair/Poor
092 Arizona cypress 12,5 Poor
097 Calif. pepper 51 (4) Unacceptable Remove Risk,
Structure
099 Chinese elm 7,6,6 Fair/Poor
118 incense cedar 25 Fair/Poor
124 glossy privet 18*3-5 Fair/Poor
125 glossy privet 12,8,5*4 Fair/Poor
126 glossy privet 4,6,4*3,2 Fair/Poor
127 olive 18 (2.5) Fair/Poor
129 redwood 28 Fair/Poor
133 camphor 33 Fair/Poor
135 black locust 23 Poor
Tree
#
Common
Name
Trunk
Diam.
@ 3 ft.
Preservation
Suitability Action Reason
140 black walnut 19 Poor
142 black walnut 26 Poor
144 Arizona
cypress
9 Fair/Poor
145 Arizona
cypress
8 Fair/Poor
147 Arizona
cypress
8 Fair/Poor
148 Arizona
cypress
4 Fair/Poor
149 Arizona
cypress
7,6 Fair/Poor
180 blue gum 13 Poor
181 blue gum 9,9,8 Fair/Poor
183 glossy privet 60*1-8 Fair/Poor
190 glossy privet 8,6,4 Fair/Poor
193 Hollywood
juniper
13 Fair/Poor
194 Hollywood
juniper
16 Fair/Poor
196 black walnut 19 Fair/Poor
33 Trees
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PO Box 3714, Saratoga, CA 95070. 408-725-1357. decah@pacbell.net. http://www.decah.com.
Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 10 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
TREES ON THE FALES PROPERTY
We were instructed by the developer not enter the Fales property in order to evaluate the trees there, but instead to view any trees
from outside the property. The photos below and on the next page show the trees on this property, viewed from the street and
orchard. These four trees are not included in any of the previous tree tables. One coast live oak, one California fan palm and
two large junipers inhabit the property. The oak seems to have Fair/Good preservation suitability, the California fan palm is “Good”
and the junipers are “Fair/Poor”. I should verify the condition of these trees with a closer inspection from the Fales property, however.
Coast live oak Calif. fan palm
2 junipers junipers
Calif. fan palm
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PO Box 3714, Saratoga, CA 95070. 408-725-1357. decah@pacbell.net. http://www.decah.com.
Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 11 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
Coast live oak
Fales property trees viewed from the orchard to
the southwest
Upper photo: the two juniper trees. Foreground trees in
the orchard are walnuts.
Lower photo: the coast live oak and California fan
palm. Foreground tree is also an orchard walnut.
Calif. fan palm
junipers
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PO Box 3714, Saratoga, CA 95070. 408-725-1357. decah@pacbell.net. http://www.decah.com.
Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 12 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Remove California pepper tree #97 ASAP. It poses high risk to occupants and visitors of the adjacent house.
2. Remove all trees listed as having “Unacceptable” or “Poor” preservation suitability. In most instances, trees with “Fair/Poor”
preservation suitability should be removed as well. These trees are listed in Table 5 on page 8.
3. Try to save as many trees with “Fair/Good”, “Good”, and “Good/Excellent” preservation suitability. These trees are listed in Table 3
on page 7
4. Trees with “Fair” preservation suitability are debatable as to whether it is worthwhile to save or remove them. These trees are listed in
Table 4 on page 7.
5. In general, try to keep improvements (and any additional over-excavation or work area beyond the improvement) as far from tree
trunks as possible. 3xDBH4 should be considered the absolute minimum distance from any disturbance to the tree trunk on one side
of the trunk, for root protection. If there will be disturbances on multiple sides of the trunk, then 5xDBH or greater should be used.
Tree canopies must also be taken into consideration when designing around trees.
6. The developer should continue to work with me as they develop your construction plans. I should review all site-based plans in order
to estimate the impact of construction on those trees that are proposed to be saved, and to help make the final decision as t o
which trees can actually be saved, and those trees which should be removed. I can also help the architects to modify design and
construction so that construction damage to trees can be reduced.
7. For those trees that will be retained on the site, the Los Gatos General Tree Protection Directions and possibly also some
Supplemental Tree Protection Directions will be included in my Final Arborist Report for this project.
4 3xDBH: See page 25 for an explanation of 3 and 5xDBH, which are used to calculate root protection distances for trees.
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PO Box 3714, Saratoga, CA 95070. 408-725-1357. decah@pacbell.net. http://www.decah.com.
Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 13 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
APPENDIX
TABLE 6 COMPLETE TREE TABLE
This Table is continued through page 20. Data fields in the Table are explained on pages 20 to 23.
Tree
#
Common
Name
Trunk
Diam.
@ 3 ft.
Size
CONDITION
Preservation
Suitability Notes
TREE ROOT
PROTECTION
DISTANCES
Vi
g
o
r
St
r
u
c
t
u
r
e
OT
P
Z
5x
D
B
H
3x
D
B
H
066 coast live
oak
12 25*18 90 60 Fair/Good Leans toward light. 6 5 3
067 coast live
oak
19 25*10 90 20 Poor Topped at 20 feet and a mass of epicormic sprouts. 9 8 5
068 GONE
Italian stone
pine
40 40*60 90 50 Fair/Good 9/2013 update: tree fell over at the roots and has been removed. 36 15 9
069 coast live
oak
21 40*25 75 50 Fair/Good Somewhat off-color foliage. May be on neighboring commercial property.
Also has a tag #39 from another tree survey.
15 9 5
070 coast live
oak
18 35*30 90 80 Good 9 7 4
071 coast live
oak
24 45*45 85 60 Good Co-dominant 24 & 26 inch trunks at 4.5 feet with a pocket between trunks. 24 10 6
072 coast live
oak
27 40*40 80 75 Good 20 11 7
073 coast live
oak
14 35*25 80 60 Fair/Good Trunk obstructed from view. Multiple attachments of scaffold branches. 7 6 3
074 coast live
oak
15 30*25 90 40 Fair/Poor Trunk obstructed from view. Co-dominant scaffold failure wound covers
half the trunk circumference and the canopy is not asymmetric due to this
loss -- but the tree may outgrow this eventually.
7 6 4
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PO Box 3714, Saratoga, CA 95070. 408-725-1357. decah@pacbell.net. http://www.decah.com.
Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 14 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
Tree
#
Common
Name
Trunk
Diam.
@ 3 ft.
Size
CONDITION
Preservation
Suitability Notes
TREE ROOT
PROTECTION
DISTANCES
Vi
g
o
r
St
r
u
c
t
u
r
e
OT
P
Z
5x
D
B
H
3x
D
B
H
075 coast live
oak
6,6 20*18 90 50 Fair/Good 4 4 2
076 coast live
oak
15 30*20 90 50 Fair/Good Asymmetric canopy due to past branch failure. 7 6 4
077 coast live
oak
22 35*30 85 50 Fair/Good Co-dominant trunk with included bark. 16 9 5
078 coast live
oak
33 40*40 80 50 Fair/Good Multiple attachments of trunks/scaffolds at 6 feet. Recent 6-inch branch
failure (9/2013)
33 14 8
079 GONE
glossy privet
8 16*15 90 50 Fair 4 3 2
080 coast live
oak
13 25*20 90 60 Good 6 5 3
081 coast live
oak
16 30*30 60 70 Fair/Good 8 6 4
082 green wattle 8,9 25*18 80 50 Fair/Poor 6 3 2
083 coast live
oak
18 35*30 80 50 Fair/Good 9 7 4
084 green wattle 16 50*30 60 50 Fair/Poor 16 6 4
085 green wattle 6,6,6,6 30*30 50 50 Fair/Poor Heavy exudation from trunk; may have borers. 12 7 4
086 coast live
oak
18 35*30 90 50 Fair/Good The majority of the trunk and branches of this tree are covered with ivy, so
the trunk diameter and structure was estimated.
9 7 4
087 coast live
oak
24 30*35 100 70 Good 18 10 6
088 Arizona
cypress
16 40*20 80 50 Fair/Poor 16 6 4
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PO Box 3714, Saratoga, CA 95070. 408-725-1357. decah@pacbell.net. http://www.decah.com.
Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 15 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
Tree
#
Common
Name
Trunk
Diam.
@ 3 ft.
Size
CONDITION
Preservation
Suitability Notes
TREE ROOT
PROTECTION
DISTANCES
Vi
g
o
r
St
r
u
c
t
u
r
e
OT
P
Z
5x
D
B
H
3x
D
B
H
089 coast live
oak
6 18*15 70 40 Fair/Poor Suppressed understory tree with a pronounced sweep. The trunk is 18
inches from the trunk of adjacent tree #88.
3 2 1
090 Arizona
cypress
13 45*18 70 40 Fair/Poor Leans on tree #88, but also constitutes a grove with this tree. 13 5 3
091 GONE
Arizona
cypress
12 40*13 60 20 Poor 9 5 3
092 Arizona
cypress
12,5 45*18 70 40 Poor Severe lean. 11 6 4
093 coast live
oak
14 (2) 25*30 65 50 Fair/Good 7 6 3
094 Arizona
cypress
9 20*15 80 80 Fair/Good Good screen tree. 6 4 2
095 Chinese elm 6 16*20 80 75 Fair/Good 4 2 1
096 coast live
oak
15 30*25 80 70 Fair/Good 7 6 4
097 Calif. pepper 51 (4) 35*50 90 20 Unacceptable REMOVE TREE ASAP. This is a beautiful large pepper tree, but there are
wood decay fungus fruiting bodies popping out all over the lower trunk.
This means that there is extensive trunk decay. 9/11/13 update: a huge
scaffold branch recently failed out of tree. This tree poses a great risk to
occupants of the nearby house.
76 21 13
098 London
plane
15 40*25 70 70 Fair/Good 7 6 4
099 Chinese elm 7,6,6 28*25 70 30 Fair/Poor 9 5 3
100 Chinese
pistache
8,10 20*20 70 60 Fair Female tree with heavy fruiting. 14 6 3
`
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Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 16 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
Tree
#
Common
Name
Trunk
Diam.
@ 3 ft.
Size
CONDITION
Preservation
Suitability Notes
TREE ROOT
PROTECTION
DISTANCES
Vi
g
o
r
St
r
u
c
t
u
r
e
OT
P
Z
5x
D
B
H
3x
D
B
H
101 coast live
oak
13 30*25 80 50 Fair/Good Co-dominant scaffolds with included bark. 6 5 3
102 coast live
oak
16 (2.5) 28*25 80 45 Fair Co-dominant scaffolds and a flat, fan-shaped canopy. 2013 update: a
recent 8-inch diameter scaffold branch failure.
8 6 4
103 coast live
oak
33 45*60 90 70 Good 24 14 8
104 coast live
oak
19 40*35 85 60 Good 9 8 5
105 coast live
oak
20 35*30 50 50 Fair Many bleached leaves on west side of tree probably a minor wet-weather
foliar fungal disease. 9/12/13 update: Large California pepper tree #154 to
North removed.
10 8 5
106 Calif. pepper 29 35*40 80 60 Fair/Good 36 12 7
107 black acacia 6 30*12 80 80 Fair 3 2 1
108 Calif. pepper 40 30*30 80 50 Fair Trunk obstructed from view. 59 16 10
109 coast live
oak
20 28*35 80 70 Good A small portion of a chain link fence is embedded in the trunk -- this should
be cut around the tree and not ripped out of the tree.
10 8 5
110 toyon 10,8 18*20 80 60 Fair/Good 14 6 3
118 incense
cedar
25 40*25 70 40 Fair/Poor 25 10 6
119 fruitless
mulberry
9 (4) 18*18 80 60 Fair 5 4 2
120 glossy privet 13 30*20 80 60 Fair 6 5 3
121 glossy privet 10 25*16 80 60 Fair 5 4 2
122 incense
cedar
23 45*20 80 70 Good 23 9 6
`
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Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 17 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
Tree
#
Common
Name
Trunk
Diam.
@ 3 ft.
Size
CONDITION
Preservation
Suitability Notes
TREE ROOT
PROTECTION
DISTANCES
Vi
g
o
r
St
r
u
c
t
u
r
e
OT
P
Z
5x
D
B
H
3x
D
B
H
123 coast live
oak
15 22*22 90 75 Good 7 6 4
124 glossy privet 18*3-5 25*25 75 50 Fair/Poor Stump sprout grove. 3 2 1
125 glossy privet 12,8,5*4 25*20 75 50 Fair/Poor Stump sprout grove. 9 5 3
126 glossy privet 4,6,4*3,2 25*18 50 40 Fair/Poor Stump sprout grove. 3 2 1
127 olive 18 (2.5) 25*18 60 40 Fair/Poor crowded 13 7 4
128 green wattle 7,6,6,4,4 35*25 85 50 Fair stump sprout 12 7 4
129 redwood 28 38*18 50 50 Fair/Poor 21 12 7
130 coast live
oak
16 22*30 100 80 Good/Excellent 8 6 4
131 Calif. fan
palm
19 30*9 70 80 Good 20 feet clear trunk. 9 8 5
132 Calif. fan
palm
23 25*10 70 60 Good 18 feet clear trunk. Large gash in west side of trunk probably of minor
concern.
11 9 6
133 camphor 33 30*30 70 50 Fair/Poor The trunks of this tree also include an old trunk stump with decay. There is
also some other decay within this tree.
33 14 8
134 deodar
cedar
26 45*45 80 50 Fair Lost its leader in the past. 19 11 6
135 black locust 23 50*30 50 40 Poor Lots of dead branches and branch failures. 23 9 6
136 coast live
oak
15 14*18 90 60 Fair/Good 7 6 4
137 Calif. fan
palm
13 10*6 80 60 Fair The trunk of this palm is bent because it is growing underneath adjacent
oak #136. The palm has above 5.5 feet of clear trunk.
6 5 3
138 Calif. fan
palm
23 40*12 80 80 Good 30 feet of clear trunk. 11 9 6
`
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Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 18 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
Tree
#
Common
Name
Trunk
Diam.
@ 3 ft.
Size
CONDITION
Preservation
Suitability Notes
TREE ROOT
PROTECTION
DISTANCES
Vi
g
o
r
St
r
u
c
t
u
r
e
OT
P
Z
5x
D
B
H
3x
D
B
H
139 chinaberry 19 25*20 100 60 Fair/Good 14 8 5
140 black walnut 19 28*18 90 40 Poor Topped 23 8 5
141 GONE
Monterey
pine
20 60*30 75 60 Fair 3 2 1
142 black walnut 26 40*30 40 40 Poor Lots of dead branches. 38 11 6
143 coast live
oak
10 18*22 100 60 Fair/Good The lower 5 feet of trunk are growing through the fence at the property line,
and so I cannot see this portion of the trunk. The base of the trunk of this
tree is located on adjacent, non-project property but the majority of the
canopy overhangs the project site.
5 4 2
144 Arizona
cypress
9 22*15 60 60 Fair/Poor 6 4 2
145 Arizona
cypress
8 30*12 60 50 Fair/Poor 6 3 2
146 Arizona
cypress
12 38*22 80 60 Fair 12 5 3
147 Arizona
cypress
8 25*18 80 50 Fair/Poor 6 3 2
148 Arizona
cypress
4 25*15 50 50 Fair/Poor 3 2 1
149 Arizona
cypress
7,6 28*15 60 40 Fair/Poor 7 4 2
150 Arizona
cypress
6 28*15 60 50 Fair 4 2 1
`
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Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 19 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
Tree
#
Common
Name
Trunk
Diam.
@ 3 ft.
Size
CONDITION
Preservation
Suitability Notes
TREE ROOT
PROTECTION
DISTANCES
Vi
g
o
r
St
r
u
c
t
u
r
e
OT
P
Z
5x
D
B
H
3x
D
B
H
151 deodar
cedar
37 45*60 80 50 Fair A long, low, heavy scaffold turns into an upright vigorous vertical branch to
the North. There are other upturning branches as well. This tree also has
triple leaders that are large in diameter. All in all it is a sprawling tree.
37 15 9
152 deodar
cedar
19 40*25 90 50 Fair/Good Several vigorous vertical branches but the overall structure of this tree
could be significantly improved with some remedial pruning.
9 8 5
153 coast live
oak
13,6 25*22 70 60 Fair/Good 9 8 5
154 GONE Calif.
pepper
31 30*30 80 60 Fair/Good 38 13 8
180 blue gum 13 45*16 80 40 Poor 6 5 3
181 blue gum 9,9,8 45*22 90 50 Fair/Poor 9 7 4
182 coast live
oak
18 40*25 90 70 Good Trunk obstructed by vegetation. 18 7 4
183 glossy privet 60*1-8 25*40
hedge
75 50 Fair/Poor Lots of past trunk heading cuts, but makes a good screen. 6 3 2
184 juniper 10 25*18 60 70 Fair 14 4 2
185 glossy privet 4,4,4,3,3 16*17 90 60 Fair/Good 8 4 3
186 glossy privet 9 12*10 70 60 Fair 6 4 2
187 bigleaf
maple
19 38*40 80 75 Good 19 8 5
188 Crape myrtle
8,6,4,3,
3,4,5,4
28*20 60 40 Fair 10 9 5
189 incense
cedar
31 60*18 75 75 Good 38 13 8
190 glossy privet 8,6,4 20*12 90 40 Fair/Poor 9 5 3
`
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Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 20 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
Tree
#
Common
Name
Trunk
Diam.
@ 3 ft.
Size
CONDITION
Preservation
Suitability Notes
TREE ROOT
PROTECTION
DISTANCES
Vi
g
o
r
St
r
u
c
t
u
r
e
OT
P
Z
5x
D
B
H
3x
D
B
H
191 coast live
oak
8 (1.5) 16*16 80 50 Fair/Good 4 3 2
192 coast live
oak
5 14*14 80 70 Good 3 2 1
193 Hollywood
juniper
13 25*16 70 50 Fair/Poor 19 5 3
194 Hollywood
juniper
16 22*20 60 50 Fair/Poor 23 6 4
195 coast live
oak
18 25*35 65 60 Fair 13 7 4
196 Black walnut 19 25*30 60 60 Fair/Poor 23 8 5
197 Coast live
oak
26 30*45 100 60 Fair/Good Fill soil placed over root collar 19 11 6
198 Calif. pepper 24 35*30 85 75 Good
EXPLANATION OF TREE TABLE DATA COLUMNS:
1) Tree Number (the field tag number of the existing tree). Each existing tree in the field is tagged with a 1.25 inch round aluminum number tag that
corresponds to its tree number referenced in the arborist report, Tree Map, Tree Protection Specifications and any other project plans where existing
trees must be shown and referenced.
2) Tree Name and Type:
Species: The Genus and species of each tree. This is the unique scientific name of the plant, for example Quercus agrifolia where Quercus is the
Genus and agrifolia is the species. The scientific names of plants can be changed from time to time, but those used in this report are from the most
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Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 21 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
current edition of the Sunset Western Garden Book (2012) Sunset Publishing Corporation. The scientific name is presented at its first occurrence in
the Tree Table, along with the regional common name. After that only the common name is used.
3) Trunk diameter (at 3 feet above the ground). This is the trunk diameter measurement height required by the Town of Los Gatos, in lieu of DBH5. For
multi-trunk trees, trunk diameter is measured for the largest trunk and estimated for all smaller trunks. A number in parentheses (e.g. 2) after the trunk
diameter(s) indicates that it was not possible to measure the trunk at 3 feet (due to tree architecture) and so the diameter was measured at this
alternate height (in feet), which reflects a more realistic trunk diameter for the tree.
Examples: an “18” in the DBH Diameter column means that the tree has a diameter of 18 inches at 4.5 feet above the ground. An “18 (2)” means
that trunk diameter was 18 inches at 2 feet above the ground. “18, 7, 5” means that this is a multi-trunk tree with trunk diameters of 18, 7 and 5
inches at 3 feet above the ground.
4) Size: tree size is listed as height x width in feet, estimated and approximate and intended for comparison purposes.
5) Condition Ratings: Trees are rated for their condition on a scale of zero to 100 with zero being a dead tree and 100 being a perfect tree (which is rare –
like a supermodel in human terms). A 60 is “average” (not great but not terrible either). There are two components to tree condition – vigor and
structure, and each component is rated separately. Averaging the two components is not useful because a very low rating for either one could be a
valid reason to remove a tree from a site -- even if the other component has a high rating. Numerically speaking for each separate component:
100 is equivalent to Excellent (an `A’ academic grade), 80 is Good (B), 60 is Fair (C), 40 is Poor (D), 20 is Unacceptable (F) and 0 is Dead.
Relative to the scope of work for this report, tree condition has been rated but not explained in detail and recommendations for the management of
tree condition have not been included. The tree owner may contact Deborah Ellis for additional information on tree condition and specific
recommendations for the general care of individual trees relative to their condition.
The condition of the tree is considered relative to the tree species and present or future intended use of the site to provide an opinion on the tree’s
Preservation Suitability Rating (i.e. “Is this tree worth keeping on this site, in this location , as explained in Table 7 on the next page. This is based upon
the scenario that the tree is given enough above and below-ground space to survive and live a long life on the site. Ratings such as “Fair/Good” and
“Fair/Poor” are intermediate in nature. The Preservation Suitability rating is not always the same as the Condition Rating b ecause (for example) some
5 DBH is tree trunk diameter in inches “at breast height”, measured at 4.5 feet above ground level. This is the forestry and arboricultural standard measurement
height that is also used in many tree-related calculations.
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Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 22 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
trees with poor condition or structure can be significantly improved with just a small amount of work – and it would be worthwhile to keep the tree if
this were done.
Table 7 Preservation Suitability Rating Explanation
Excellent
Such trees are rare but they have unusually good health and structure and
provide multiple functional and aesthetic benefits to the environment and the
users of the site. These are great trees with a minimum rating of “Good” for both
vigor and structure. Equivalent to academic grade `A’.
Good
These trees may have some minor to moderate structural or condition flaws that
can be improved with treatment. They are not perfect but they are in relatively
good condition and provide at least one significant functional or aesthetic benefit
to the environment and the users of the site. These are better than average trees
equivalent to academic grade `B’.
Fair
These trees have moderate or greater health and/or structural defects that it may
or may not be possible to improve with treatment. These are “average” trees –
not great but not so terrible that they absolutely should be removed. The majority
of trees on most sites tend to fall into this category. These trees will require more
intensive management and monitoring, and may also have shorter life spans than
trees in the “Good” category. Retention of trees with moderate suitability for
preservation depends upon the degree of proposed site changes. Equivalent to
academic grade `C’.
Poor
These trees have significant structural defects or poor health that cannot be
reasonably improved with treatment. These trees can be expected to decline
regardless of management. The tree species themselves may have
characteristics that are undesirable in landscape settings or may be unsuitable
for high use areas. I do not recommend retention of trees with low suitability for
preservation in areas where people or property will be present. Equivalent to
academic grade `D’.
None
These trees are dead and are not suitable for retention in their location. In
certain settings however, (such as wilderness areas, dead trees are beneficial as
food and shelter for certain animals and plants including decomposers.
Equivalent to academic grade `F’.
14. Notes: This may include any other information that would be helpful to the client and their architects and contractors within the scope of work for this
report, such as a more detailed explanation of tree condition or expected construction impact. When reasonable, methods of reducing construction
impact (including design changes) are presented here.
`
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Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 23 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
15. Tree Protection Distances (See page 25).
a. Root Protection:
3 and 5xDBH: Both the 3 and 5xDBH distances are listed for each tree. For multi-trunk trees 100% of the DBH of the largest trunk is added
to 50% of the DBH for all other trunks in order to compute the operational DBH to use for these the Tree Protection Distance calculations.
OTPZ (Optimum Tree Protection Zone): This is calculated as per the text, Trees & Development, Matheny et al., International Society of
Arboriculture, 1998. This method takes into account tree age and the particular tree species tolerance of root disturbance. Because it may
not be possible to maintain the OPTZ distance recommended for trees on many projects due to crowded site conditions, the Arborist may
omit this requirement and list only the 3 and 5xDBH distances.
b. Canopy Protection: Additional space beyond root zone protection distances may be necessary for canopy protection.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
PURPOSE & USE OF REPORT
This survey and report was required by the Town of Los Gatos as a part of the building permit process for this project. The purpose of the
report is to identify and describe the existing protected trees on site - - their size, condition and suitability for preservation. The audience
for this report is the property owner, developer, project architects and contractors, and Town of Los Gatos authorities concerned with
tree preservation and tree removal. The goal of this report is to preserve the existing protected trees on site that are in acceptable
condition, are good species for the area and will fit in well with the proposed new use of the site.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In 2011 I prepared the first arborist report for the North 40 property; that report is dated March 25, 2011. The first report included more of
the North 40 site than this current report, although some additional residential properties have been added to the current work area.
The 2011 report described 179 trees (trees #1 through #179). This current report includes many of those original 179 trees although it
omits trees #1 – 65, 111 – 117 and 155 – 179. All of the trees that were previously surveyed were re-measured and their condition re-
assessed on September 12, 2013, therefore all tree data presented in this report is current to that date. This report has also added 16
additional trees #180 – 195. Some of these trees are on residential properties that were not included in the previous survey. Other trees
are trees that were less than protected size at the time of the 2011 survey but have since “sized up” to protected tree status. Five of the
original trees inventoried for the 2011 report have been removed; these are trees #68 Italian stone pine, #79 glossy privet,
#91 Arizona cypress, #141 Monterey pine and #154 California pepper tree.
`
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Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 24 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
METHODOLOGY
I performed a basic evaluation of the subject trees on September 12, and October 14, 2013. Tree characteristics such as form, weight
distribution, foliage color and density, wounds and indicators of decay were noted. Surrounding site conditions were also observed.
Evaluation procedures were taken from:
Guide for Plant Appraisal, 9th edition, 2000, authored by the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers (CTLA) and published by the
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
Species Classification and Group Assignment published by the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (WCISA), 1992.
Tree Hazard Evaluation Form taken from Evaluation of Hazard Trees in Urban Areas, 2nd Ed., Matheny & Clark, International Society of
Arboriculture, 1994.
The above three references serve as industry professional standards for tree and landscape evaluations.
I measured the trunk diameter of each tree with a diameter tape at 3 feet above the ground, which is the required trunk diameter
measurement height of the Town of Los Gatos. Trunk diameter was extrapolated to DBH (diameter at breast height, 4.5 feet above the
ground) because DBH is also used calculate tree protection distances and other tree-related factors. The DBH figure is not included in
the Tree Tables, but I have used it to estimate construction impacts to trees. Trunk diameter was rounded to the nearest inch. I
estimated the tree’s height and canopy spread. Tree Condition (structure and vigor) was evaluated and I also recorded additional
notes for trees when significant. Tree species and condition considered in combination with the current or (if applicable) proposed use
of the site yields the Tree Preservation Suitability rating.
OBSERVATIONS
SITE CONDITIONS
The current proposed project area of the North 40 site includes a portion of an operating walnut orchard as well as adjacent single-
family residence lots. The homes are primarily small, old and many of them are not well maintained. Landscaping around these
homes is mostly sparse, receives a low level of maintenance and is often not irrigated. Site topography is mainly level. Sun exposure
for the trees varies from full to partly shaded, depending upon proximity to existing buildings and to other trees. Some trees grow in
quite crowded conditions relative to structures and to other trees.
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Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 25 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
TREE PROTECTION DISTANCES
3 TO 5 X DBH
No one can estimate and predict with absolute certainty how far a soil disturbance such as an excavation must be from the edge of the trunk of an
individual tree to affect tree stability or health at a low, moderate or severe degree -- there are simply too many variable involved that we cannot see or
anticipate. 3xDBH however, is a reasonable “rule of thumb” minimum distance (in feet) any excavation should be from the edge of the trunk on one side of
the trunk. This is supported by several separate research studies including (Smiley, Fraedrich, & Hendrickson 2002, Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories.
DBH is trunk “diameter at breast height” (4.5 feet above the ground). This distance is often used during the design and planning phases of a construction
project in order to estimate root damage to a tree due to the proposed construction. It tends to correlate reasonably well with the zone of rapid taper,
which is the area in which the large buttress roots (main support roots close to the trunk) rapidly decrease in diameter with increasing distance from the
trunk. For example, using the 3X DBH guideline an excavation should be no closer than 4.5 feet from the trunk of an 18-inch DBH tree. Such distances are
guidelines only, and should be increased for trees with heavy canopies, significant leans, decay, structural problems, etc. It is also important to understand
that in actual field conditions we often find that much less root damage occurs than was anticipated by the guidelines. 3xDBH may be more of an aid in
preserving tree stability and not necessarily long-term tree health. 5X DBH or greater is the “preferred” minimum distance which should be strived for,
and this distance or greater should probably be used when there are multiple trenches on more than one side of the trunk. The roots beyond the zone of
rapid taper form an extensive network of long, rope-like roots one to two inches in diameter. These woody perennial roots are referred to as transport
roots because they function primarily to transport water and minerals. Maintaining a 5xDBH tree protection zone or greater around a tree will preserve
more of these transport roots, which will have less of an impact on tree health than if the excavation were closer to the trunk.
OTPZ (OPTIMUM TREE PROTECTION ZONE)
OTPZ is the distance in feet from the trunk of the tree, all around the tree, that construction or other disturbance should not encroach within. If this
zone is respected, then chances of the tree surviving construction disturbance are very good. This method takes into account tree age, DBH and the
particular species tolerance to root disturbance. Although there are no scientifically based methods to determine the minimum distance for construction
(for example, root severance) from trees to assure their survival and stability, there are some guidelines that are often used in the arboricultural industry.
The most current guideline comes from the text, Trees & Development, Matheny et al., International Society of Arboriculture, 1998. The tree protection
zone calculation method in this text was used to obtain the OTPZ’s provided in this report. Due to the crowded, constrained nature of many building sites it
is often not be possible to maintain the OPTZ distance recommended for many of the trees -- therefore I have also listed alternate distances of 3 and 5X
DBH (see paragraph above).
`
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Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 26 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
TREE PHOTOS
California pepper tree #97 should be removed ASAP. This tree is infected with a wood
decay fungus and the fungal fruiting bodies are popping out all over the trunk. I recommended
that this tree be removed in my 2011 report because it posed high risk to the residents of the
house. Since then it has dropped a very large branch (at least 18 inches in diameter). Looking
into the wound caused by this branch failure I can see that the trunk of the tree is hollow.
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Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 27 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
Upper photo: coast live oaks #103 and 104, large trees with 19 and 33
inch trunk diameters. Both trees have “Good” preservation suitability.
Lower photo: incense cedar #189, another large tree with a trunk
diameter of 31 inches. This tree also has “Good” preservation suitability.
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Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 28 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
ASSUMPTIONS & LIMITATIONS
I, Deborah Ellis, the author of this report state the following:
1) Tree locations were provided by Mackay & Somps Civil Engineers, and are shown on the Tree Map on page 1 of this report. The tree
map is a reduced partial copy of their Tree Topo Plan dated December 4, 2012.
2) Some of the trees described in this report were not included on the Tree Topo Plan and so we tentatively plotted the approximate
locations of these trees on the Tree Map, and have provided a copy of the Tree Topo Plan, which we marked up in the field, to
Mackay & Somps. Together we are working to coordinate all tree locations on the Tree Topo Plan.
3) Trees on neighboring properties were not evaluated. They were only viewed cursorily from the project site. I did not enter the
neighboring property to inspect these trees up close.
4) Trees on Fales property were not evaluated. They were only viewed cursorily from the project site. I did not enter the Fales property to
inspect these trees up close.
5) Several trees had their root collars and or lower trunks covered with soil, vegetation or debris and were obstructed from view when I
conducted my tree evaluation. The obstructions should be removed and the project arborist should then be called back to re-
examine these previously covered areas.
6) This report has been prepared in conformity with generally acceptable appraisal/diagnostic/reporting methods and procedures and
is consistent with practices recommended by the International Society of Arboriculture and the American Society of Consulting
Arborists.
7) My evaluation of the trees that are the subject of this report s is limited to visual examination of accessible items without dissection,
excavation, probing or coring. There is no warranty or guarantee, expressed or implied, that problems or deficiencies of the plants or
property in question may not arise in the future.
8) I take no responsibility for any defects in any tree’s structure. No tree described in this report has been climbed and examined from
above the ground, and as such, structural defects that could only have been discovered have not been reported, unless otherwise
stated. Structural defects may also be hidden within a tree, in any portion of a tree.
9) The measures noted within this report are designed to assist in the protection and preservation of the trees mentioned herein , should
some or all of those trees remain, and to help in their short and long term health and longevity. This is not however; a guarantee that
any of these trees may not suddenly or eventually decline, fail, or die, for whatever reason. Because a significant portion of a tree’s
roots are usually far beyond its dripline, even trees that are well protected during construction often decline, fail or die. Because
there may be hidden defects within the root system, trunk or branches of trees, it is possible that trees with no obvious defects can be
subject to failure without warning. The current state of arboricultural science does not guarantee the accurate detection and
prediction of tree defects and the risks associated with trees. There will always be some level of risk associated with trees, particularly
large trees. It is impossible to guarantee the safety of any tree. Trees are unpredictable.
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PO Box 3714, Saratoga, CA 95070. 408-725-1357. decah@pacbell.net. http://www.decah.com.
Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 29 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
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I certify that the information contained in this report is correct to the best of my knowledge, and that this report was prepared in good
faith. Thank you for the opportunity to provide service again. Please call me if you have questions or if I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Deborah Ellis, MS.
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Certified Professional Horticulturist #30022
ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist #305 I.S.A. Board Certified Master Arborist WE-457B
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PO Box 3714, Saratoga, CA 95070. 408-725-1357. decah@pacbell.net. http://www.decah.com.
Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 30 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
GLOSSARY
1) Basic Evaluation of Trees: A visual evaluation of the tree from the ground, without climbing into the tree or performing detailed tests such as
extensive digging, boring or removing samples. This is an initial screening of the tree after which the evaluator may recomm end that additional,
more detailed examination(s) be performed.
2) Borers are beetle insects that tend to attack trees that have been weakened from some sort of stress or injury, particularly drought stress or root
damage. The borers are usually a secondary problem, not the primary or main problem , but they serve to “finish off” the weak tree, functioning as
scavengers
3) Clear trunk height (of palms): is measured from the soil level (base of the trunk) to the base of the live fronds. This is the height that is normally
used when measuring, appraising, purchasing and describing palms . “Overall Height” is the height of the base of the trunk to the height of the
uppermost point of the highest frond.
4) Co-dominant refers to two leaders, branches or trunks that arise at the same point on a tree and are about the same diameter. This is an
undesirable structural defect that is a weak point in the tree. Co-dominant stems typically lack the overlapping tissue present in a branch or trunk
collar, which may be why trees with this defect split so easily. Included bark between members also reduces the strength of the union. It is best
that branches or trunks originate with space between them, or if they arise at the same point that they be of different sizes. Co-dominant leaders
can often be corrected (one leader removed) when trees are young. When trees are older it is often better to subdue the smaller or more
undesirable member by reducing the length of and/or thinning the terminal half of the foliage by 25% to slow its growth and ultimate size relative to
the other member, rather than create a large wound by removing one of the members. Large wounds are much more subject to decay than are
smaller wounds and there is no natural decay barrier between the members.
5) Dripline: the area under the total branch spread of the tree, all around the tree. Although tree roots may extend out 2 to 3 times the radius of the
dripline, a great concentration of active roots is often in the soil directly beneath this area. The dripline is often used as an arbitrary “tree
protection zone”.
6) Grove: is a group of trees that located close together that shelter each other from wind and the elements, having “knit” canopies. If of the same
species, there is usually root grafting between trees, which lends support from the ground, as well as water and mineral sharing. Removal of one
or some grove members could cause remaining members to be unstable due to a reduction of previous shelter. Grove trees often have
asymmetrical canopies when viewed as individuals.
7) Heading cuts: cutting a shoot back to a bud, or cutting branches back to buds, stubs or lateral branches not large enough to assume the apical
dominance (at least 1/3 the diameter of the branch portion being cut off); or cutting an older branch or stem back to a stub in order to meet a
structural objective. Also called stub cuts. When heading cuts are made across most or the entire top of a tree canopy, it is called topping.
8) Included bark is bark sandwiched between adjacent branches, a branch and the trunk, or two or more trunks, often appearing as a seam. In
contrast, a normal attachment will have a ridge of bark protruding upwards and a continuous wood connection between adjacent members. An
included bark branch or trunk attachment is weaker than a normal attachment. As branches or trunks with included bark grow, they expand in
diameter, squeezing the bark along the seam. This may kill some portion of the included bark. When this occurs, a wound response is initiated.
As a consequence, cracks can be generated, leading to breakage. Such defects can often be completely removed when a tree is young (e.g. the
offending members equal or less than 2 inches in diameter). Older, larger cuts (such as 6 inches in diameter or more) could cause decay to
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PO Box 3714, Saratoga, CA 95070. 408-725-1357. decah@pacbell.net. http://www.decah.com.
Arborist Report for the North 40 Property, Los Gatos. October 14, 2013. Page 31 of 31
Deborah Ellis, MS
Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist
Service since 1984
spread into the remaining member, which is undesirable. In these cases it may be best to thin one member (usually the smaller member) by 25%
to slow its growth and ultimate size.
9) Leader: the primary terminal shoot or trunk of a tree.
10) Multiple trunks (leaders) or branch attachments are a common structural defect in many tree species such as ash and flowering pear. In this
condition, more than one branch or trunk originates at the same point. These attachments are not as strong as well-spaced branches or trunks,
particularly if included bark between them that prevents a solid wood connection .
11) Pocket: a depression or hole, usually between trunks or branches. Pockets often result from the death or removal of a previous trunk or branch in
this area. There may be associated decay. Installing pipes and/or drilling holes to drain these areas is no longer recommended, although it is a
good idea to remove debris from time to time.
12) Scaffold branch: a primary structural branch arising from the trunk of a tree. Usually the largest and often the lowest branches of the tre e.
13) Stump sprout trees are the result of a tree trunk being cut down to a short stump close to the ground. If the tree survives, it sends out many
small shoots (suckers) from around the cut stump. Some of these suckers may survive and grow to become significant trunks. These trunks are
spaced very close together and usually have included bark between them, which reduces the strength of their union. Such trunks are prone to
failure. Stump sprout trees can be very structurally unsound, particularly as they become large and old. There is often a great deal of decay
associated with the mother stump, which can also reduce mechanical stability.
14) Summer Dry: Our native oak species are adapted to our “summer dry” climate. When the soil in their root system is kept moist during ou r
normally dry months, these oaks are predisposed to attack by fungal root rot pathogens that are usually present in our soils. Therefore it is
important to keep irrigation as far from the tree trunk (preferably beyond the mature dripline) as possible. The best landscape treatment
underneath native oaks is non-compacted soil covered with a 3 to 4-inch depth of oak wood, leaf and twig litter (the tree’s natural litter). Keep this
mulch 6 to 12 inches away from the root collar (junction of trunk and roots). An exception to the no summer water rule would be newly planted
oaks (for the first 2 to 3 years after planting, until they are “established”) and also during droughts that occur during the normal rainy season.
15) Topped, Topping: Topping is the practice of indiscriminately cutting back large diameter branches of a mature tree to some predetermined lower
height; to reduce the overall height of the tree. Cuts are made to buds, stubs or lateral branches not large enough to assum e the terminal role.
Reputable arborists no longer recommend topping because it is a particularly destructive pruning practice. It is stressful to mature trees and may
result in reduced vigor, decline and even death of trees. In addition, branches that regrow from topping cuts are weakly attached to the tree and
are in danger of splitting out. Large topping cuts may have significant decay associated with them, which weakens the branch as well as the
attachment of any secondary branches attached nearby. Topping is useful however, for immediately reducing the risk of a very hazardous tree
that will soon be removed.