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Home My WebLink About2021 Woodland Evaluation- Mahvash property Woodland Evaluation for- Mahvash K LLC Property, Carmel IN Aerial with Drawing of Area 1 Prepared For Steve Pittman Pittman Partners Prepared by Jud Scott Jud Scott Consulting Arborist LLC Registered Consulting Arborist #392 American Society of Consulting Arborists May 17, 2021 2 May 17, 2021 Steve Pittman Pittman Partners Re: Woodland Evaluation for the Mahvash K. LLC Property, Carmel IN. Assignment I was asked to visit the future development site of the Mahvash K. LLC, which is on the west side of Springmill Road, just north of Interstate 465, Carmel Indiana. My goal was to perform a woodland evaluation for a proposed future development. The Woodland Evaluation was to identify: • The dominant tree species (the majority of the species in the area). • Secondary tree species (species found but might just be one tree). • The composition of the understory of the area (i.e. shrubs taking up the area under the trees). • I was also asked to determine the Woodland Type, of each particular area, using the City of Carmel definitions as follow. 3 Aerial of Project with Study Areas Overlayed- (Boxes Show Study Areas by #) Observations On April 30th, 2021 I visited the site and spent time organizing the property into five (5) distinct areas. I then assesed each area and took photographs to assist in reporting a general impression of each area. This is a woodland pocket that has been attached to a residence just to the north. In my opinion, it is regrowth as compared to virgin timber. The trees are a medium stocking of trees without any huge trees that you would expect to see in virgin forest. The woodland has experienced a timber harvest in the last two years, which harvested many of the larger trees, and left a huge mess in the way of debris, and logging road rutting, that have not been cleaned up. I have broken the parcel into five distinct areas for clarity of this report. The areas are 1- The east buffer area along Springmill Road. 2- The south buffer area along Interstate 465. 3- The western buffer area along private property. 4- The northern ravine and buffer area along private property. 5- The center area which will be developed. #1 #5 #4 #3 #2 4 Area #1- East Perimeter along Springmill Road This area is the eastern perimeter that runs north and south, parallel to Springmill Road. Species found in Area #1- (Note not a complete inventory) Dominant Species Scientific name Hickory Carya var. Sugar maple Acer saccharum American beech Fagus grandifolia Black cherry Prunus serotina Secondary Species White ash- Dead Fraxinus americana Black walnut Juglans nigra Understory Honeysuckle Lonicera var. Briars Description of Area #1 Area #1- would be considered a Mature Woodlands according to City of Carmel Zoning Ordinance. The woodland section consists of 25% or more trees that are 12 inches or greater caliper. This is a grouping of native trees where no planting has been performed. There may be utility conflicts along this section. There are some gaps that will need to be filled with additional trees. 5 Photos of Area #1 Typical growth as seen along Springmill Road Northern edge of Area #1 6 Area #2- South Border line of property along Interstate 465 The area runs east west along 465. The area is important for buffering and screening due to the excessive noise of the traffic. Dominant Species Scientific name Hickory Carya var. Sugar maple Acer saccharum Tuliptree Liriodendron tulipifera American beech Fagus grandifolia Black cherry Prunus serotina Secondary Species White ash- Dead Fraxinus americana Black walnut Juglans nigra Understory Gray dogwood Cornus racemosa Honeysuckle Lonicera var. Briars and scrub Description of Area # 2 Area #2 would be considered Young Woodlands on the east end and on the west end according to City of Carmel Zoning Ordinance. The woodland section consists of 25% or more trees that are 6 inches or greater. There is a portion in the middle that would be considered Mature Woodlands, according to City of Carmel Zoning Ordinance. The woodland section consists of 25% or more trees that are 12 inches or greater. This is a grouping of native trees with no planting having been performed. 7 Photos of Area #2 Area #2 Young woodlands on East and West end- Fence for 465 shown too. Area #2- Photo of underbrush, and smaller trees on each end. 8 Area #3 – Western strip abutting Western neighbor. This area runs north and south and adjoins a neighbor who has expressed interest in keeping it wooded and wild. Species found- (Complete inventory) Dominant Species Scientific name Oak Quercus var. Hickory Carya var. Black cherry Prunus serotina Secondary Species Ash- Dead Fraxinus americana American elm Ulmus americana Maple Acer var. Black walnut Juglans nigra Understory Honeysuckle Lonicera var. Description of Area #3 Area #3 would be considered a Mature Woodlands according to City of Carmel Zoning Ordinance. The woodland section consists of 25% or more trees that are 12 inches or greater caliper. There are some large trees on both sides of the property line that should be removed prior to building due to cost and potential for harm. 9 Photos of Area #3 Area #3- Medium size cherries and maples with honeysuckle Area #3- Larger Cherries on neighbor’s side of the fence. 10 Area #4- North Border and Ravine Dominant Species Scientific name Oak Quercus var. Hickory Carya var. Black cherry Prunus serotina Sycamore Platanus occidentalis Secondary Species Ash- Dead Fraxinus americana American elm Ulmus americana Maple Acer var. Black walnut Juglans nigra Understory Gray dogwood Cornus racemosa Honeysuckle Lonicera var. Description of Area # 4 Area #4 is the northern border including portions of the ravine. The area as a whole would be considered Mature Woodlands according to City of Carmel Zoning Ordinance. The woodland section consists of 25% or more trees that are 12 inches or greater in caliper. This area is important for the buffering of the property to the north. 11 Photos of Area #4- North Border including portions of the Ravine. Area #4 Includes part of the Ravine which will add buffering to the north. Area #4- Ravine is thick with underbrush and trees. 12 Area #5- Center Area Species found- (Note not a complete inventory) Dominant Species Scientific name Oak Quercus var. Hickory Carya var. Black cherry Prunus serotina Secondary Species Ash- Dead Fraxinus americana American elm Ulmus americana Maple Acer var. Black walnut Juglans nigra Understory Honeysuckle Lonicera var. Scrub Description of Area #5 This area is the center area. The area is a bit hard to define, as it is totally wooded yet, many of the larger trees were harvested, by the property owner. In my opinion, it would be classified on the higher end of Young Woodlands according to City of Carmel Zoning Ordinance. The woodland section consists of 25% or more trees that are 6 inches or greater. As mentioned, this area has recently been harvested for timber. There is typical timber harvest debris left throughout and an exceptional amount of rutting. The timber harvest took many of the larger mature trees. To confirm the Young Woodlands classification, I performed two (2) 100’ x 100’ studies. My findings were: Study Area #1 Tree Count 18 total 4 twelve or greater 22% over 12 inches Take out 3 dead trees 27% over 12 inches Study Area #2 Tree Count 21 total 7 twelve or greater 30% over 12 inches Take out 3 decayed 22% over 12 inches Average of two 24.5% 13 Photos of Area #5 Area #5- Center area with lots of timber operation debris. Area #5 center area 14 I certify that all the statements of fact in this report are true, complete and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief, and that they are made in good faith. Note: This is not an inspection of the trees for safety. A hazard inspection of the trees, and their structural integrity has not been performed. __________ Jud Scott Consulting Arborist LLC Registered Consulting Arborist #392 American Society of Consulting Arborists 15 STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS Jud Scott Registered Consulting Arborist #392, American Society of Consulting Arborists Certified Arborist #IN-0287A, International Society of Arboriculture M. Arbor A. #PR 200177, Arboricultural Association, U.K. Indiana Licensed Nursery Dealer #ND0741600 Indiana Licensed Timber Buyer #FTB001098 Indiana Licensed Timber Agent #FTA002471 Trained Severe Weather Spotter, NOAA Weather OSHA 10-Hour Certificate- Construction President- 2007, American Society of Consulting Arborists President- 1980-2019, Vine & Branch Inc. 2010-Present, Registered Consulting Arborist Jud Scott Consulting Arborist LLC Education 1980 Wabash College, Bachelor of Arts International Society of Arboriculture, Certified Arborist IN-0287A American Society of Consulting Arborists, Academy Graduate American Society of Consulting Arborists, Registered Consulting Arborist #392 Professional Association Membership American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) Arboricultural Association of U.K. (AA) Indiana Arborists Association (IAA) Indiana Academy of Science Indiana Nurserymen’s and Landscape Association (INLA) 1988-2019 Indianapolis Landscape Association (ILA) International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators (NSPII) Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) 1987-2020 Utility Arborist Association (UAA)