HomeMy WebLinkAboutTree preservation and mitgation planVin
September 26, 2006
Scott Brewer
Urban Planner
City of Carmel
Carmel Indiana 46032
Inc.
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Re: Tree Preservation and Mitigation Plan for Arden Townhomes
Scope of Work
Vine & Branch, Inc. was retained by Buckingham Companies to assess the trees on the
construction site of Arden Townhomes. The main emphasis of the assessment was the
trees within close proximity to the construction. The goal of the assessment was to
make recommendations for the preservation of trees during construction and for
suggested mitigation of any damages.
As part of the inspection Vine & Branch took into consideration the processes and
planning that Buckingham and EMH&T had made to achieve their goal to preserve trees
on the site. Also taken into consideration was the language of the Tree Preservation
plan and the PUD for Arden Townhomes.
In coming to determinations for mitigation recognized Best Management Practices for
Trees and Construction Sites and the Arden Townhomes PUD Ordinance Z-482-05
Section 8.6 were consulted. Specifically consulted within the PUD was the language
which states that trees may be removed:
1. As necessary to clear underbrush and dead trees.
2. As is necessary for the installation of drainage improvements and infrastructure.
3. As necessary for public health and safety, as determined with the cooperation of
City of Carmel's Urban Forester.
Observations
The following information was gathered after a site visit and analysis of the Arden
Townhomes development located on 1361h Street in Carmel, Indiana.
Two mature trees have suffered damage due to construction practices. This
damage leaves them prone to failure and/or death due to root loss. Additionally
a Siberian elm should be removed because three other trees near it are to be
removed and its' removal will allow for a more appropriate landscaping of the
area. Two additional American beech will need to be removed for installation of
the infrastructure. Four sugar maples may need to be removed to clean up an
old debris site.
4721 East 146"' Street, Carmel rN 46033
317.846.3778, 317.846.3788 fax
There are nine trees that may need to be removed and their removal should be
mitigated by replacement. These trees are: (The numbers next to individual trees
correspond to locations on the included site plan.)
• White ash (Fraxinus americana) (#3)
• American beech (Fagus grandifolia) (#11)
• Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila) (#14)
• American beech (Fagus grandifolia) (#19)
• American beech (Fagus grandifolia) (#20)
• Four sugar maples (Acer saccharum) (#15-18)
2. During the site visit it was determined that there are numerous trees on the
property that are structurally unsound and should be removed. These trees pose
a potential for harm to the general public and to the buildings. Their removal is
necessary and would be in keeping with the PUD language. These trees are:
#6- American beech (Fagus grandifolia) —The tree is dead.
#8- Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) — Has decay in root flare, lightning
damage.
#9- Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) — Has major decay in root flare.
#12- American beech (Fagus grandifolia) — Has major decay in 45% of
root flare.
#13- Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila) — Has large cavity in scaffold limb,
damage to roots.
#21- Black cherry (Prunus serotina)- has a canker in main scaffold.
3. In addition it was determined that there will be some trees that will have to be
removed for the placement of utilities on the property. It was determined that
the development team would work with Vine & Branch to protect nearby trees as
much as possible, and to evaluate opportunities in the field to make minor re-
routing of utilities where possible.
4. There are four trees on site that have evidence of structural weaknesses and
should be inspected annually to further assess their stability. These trees are
#4 American beech (Fagus grandifolia) - Tree should be monitored
annually to assess the structural integrity. A large hollow is
present that currently is home to a raccoon, and there is evidence
of previous failure of scaffold branches.
#5 Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) - This tree needs an annual inspection
performed to monitor the extent of decay present in main trunk.
#7 Black walnut (Juglans nigra) - This tree should be monitored annually
as there is a large cavity is present in the trunk of this tree.
#10 Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila) - This tree should be monitored
annually. There is evidence of previous failure at base and dead
scaffold branches.
Page 2 of 17
Discussion
The large ash (#3) has suffered extensive damage to the root system and should be
removed. Mitigation in the form of replacement landscaping to match the northern park
area (where the tree stands) is recommended.
The group of four trees in the north -central portion of the property should be removed.
This area contains an American beech (#11) which has suffered extensive damage to
the root system. It also contains a Siberian elm (#13) and an American beech (#12)
that were found to be structurally unsound trees. The fourth tree in this area is a
Siberian elm (#14) that is rather unsightly. If the three adjacent trees are removed than
it should be removed to allow for a more appropriate landscaping of the area. Mitigation
in the form of replacement landscaping within this central park area (where the trees
are located) is recommended.
Two additional beech (#19 and #20) trees were found to be in conflict with installation
of the infrastructure and will need to be removed and mitigated.
Four sugar maples (#15-18) were found growing from the midst of a debris pile which
will require cleanup. The development team will make all efforts to remove the debris
without damaging the trees but should this not be possible they have agreed to mitigate
these four trees.
Conclusion
The development of this site has required construction activity within close proximity to
many mature trees. The preservation of these trees is recognized as a very important
process by Buckingham and their agents. Unfortunately two mature trees on the site
experienced construction damage and were not able to be preserved. These trees, a
mature ash, and a mature beech, were located in tight locations that made preservation
difficult if not impossible due to grade changes and proximity to roadways and
foundations. The removal of these trees should be mitigated by replacement trees in
similar locations.
During the site investigation it was deemed that several trees will need to be removed
due to structural flaws that leave them unsuitable for preservation. In our opinion, these
trees should not need to be mitigated, due to the provisions of the PUD zoning
ordinance. The removal of these trees does need to be co -coordinated with City Carmel
Urban Forester.
In the way of mitigation Buckingham Companies proposes to
• To affix Tree Preservation Area signage to the preservation fencing of trees to be
preserved.
■ Fertilize key trees on the west and south.
• Retain Vine & Branch to consult on the placement of sewer connections that can be
moved to retain specific trees in the South West corner. Completed.
• Investigate moving the drain lines in the North West corner in the over dig of
buildings # 10 and 11 thus impacting the trees in this corner less. Completed.
Page 3 of 17
Replace the nine trees to be removed due to construction damage or infrastructure
conflicts with 27 trees of two inch caliper or greater.
Retain Vine & Branch to perform a Visual Tree Assessment (VTA) to determine the
structural integrity of tree #5 which is a sugar maple with decay. Completed.
Remove trees on site that are structurally unsound in order to prevent future
personal/property damage and potential cost to the homeowner's association.
Please contact us with any questions you may have about this work.
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.
Sincerely,
�h
Judson R. Scott, Pr
Vine & Branch, Inc.
ill
Registered Consulting
American Society of C
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Natural Resource Specialist
Indiana Accredited Horticulturalist #1418
Page 4 of 17
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Page 13of17
Tree Inventory of affected tree: Buckingham Properties —Arden Townhomes
1. Sugar maple 30-40% of root system removed or damaged. Recommend fertilization,
root pruning and crown clean. The health of the tree will need to be
monitored to determine how root damage will affect overall health.
2. Ash It is recommended that fertilization, root pruning, and crown clean be
performed to increase vigor and help limit construction damage.
3. Ash This tree is specified to be saved in open area on plan. This tree should
be removed due to extensive removal of major portion of tree roots and
dieback in major branches.
4. American beech Tree should be monitored annually to assess the structural integrity. A
large hollow is present that currently is home to a raccoon, and there is
evidence of previous failure of scaffold branches.
5. Sugar maple This tree needs an annual inspection performed to monitor the extent of
decay present in main trunk.
6. American beech This tree is dead and the standing trunk should be removed.
7. Black walnut This tree should be monitored annually as there is a large cavity is
present in the trunk of this tree.
8. Sugar maple Tree should be removed due to significant decay in south side of root
flare, lightning damage, large burrow near trunk in root zone, odd form.
9. Sugar maple There is major decay present in root flare. Tree should be removed.
10. Siberian elm This tree should be monitored annually. There is evidence of previous
failure at base and dead scaffold branches.
11. American beech This tree should be moved due to the large percentage of roots that
have been removed and damaged.
12. American beech It is recommended that this tree be removed. This tree has several
problems including a large cavity, water seepage from the cavity,
damaged roots, and decay present in the trunk.
13. Siberian elm Removal is recommended. A large cavity is present in one of the main
scaffold branches and roots have been damaged or removed.
14. Siberian elm The tree is in fair to poor health and due to construction practices had a
good portion of the root system damaged or removed. Removal is
recommended.
15-18. Sugar maple These trees are growing in an area requiring cleanup of debris that may
require removal of the trees.
19. American beech Infrastructure will require removal of roots to within 3 feet of the trunk.
Page 7 of 17
20. American beech Infrastructure will require fill of five feet to install the roadway.
21. Black cherry Tree grows to the east and major scaffold branch will interfere with the
building. Second scaffold has a canker that leaves it structurally
unsound.
Photos of Trees on Site
#3 Ash- damaged
Page 8 of 17