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Woodland Analysis4721 L 146th $L, Carmel, IN 46033 P. 317.815.8733 • F, 317.818,9865 judscottconsultingar borist.cam treecvnsultant a aokom Woodland Analysis for Blackwell Park- REVISED Prepared For Justin Moffitt Old Town Design Group Carmel IN 46032 Prepared by o�' �cr� s Jud Scott �q Jud Scott Consulting Arborist LLC Registered Consulting Arborist #39 American Society of Consulting Arbori July 26, 2014 -- jud (Scott — CONSULTING ARBORIST f July 26, 2014 Justin Moffitt Olde Town Design Group Carmel IN 46032 4721 E.146th SL, Carmel, IN 46033 P. 317.815.8733 9 F: 317,818.9865 judscomort Angarborist. tom htecomulunt-4 aat.com Re: Woodland Analysis for Blackwell Park (a portion of Blackwell Park II) Executive Summary In general Blackwell Park is a self-sustaining 1.34 acre Mature woodlands in need of little care. Downed trees and limbs should be left as part of the natural process. Trees that are uprooting and dead ash trees should be felled and removed (or left to decay) to lessen potential for harm. Trash and barb wire from the fences should be removed to clean-up the woodlands. A meandering stone path could be installed with seats along it to allow for use of the park. The terminus could be at a point in the creek bottom overlooking the Creek. Continued development of Blackwell Park allows for some exciting opportunities. To name a few: A Tree Identification Trail A tree identification trail would be a great addition to the park allowing for a good healthy hike. The park in general has a nice diversity of native trees with native trees with maple, oak and walnut families dominating. A tree identification trail could include a discussion of how this woodland has progressed from a undisturbed woodlands to a farmstead, back to a pioneer stand of young trees, and then to the current mid - successional stand. A Birder's Hike The views overlooking the creek and the woodland allow for great bird viewing with different avian species attracted to the different land features. Nesting boxes could be installed near the creek and in Area A to attract a variety of species. l In general Blackwell Park will be a nice addition to the development and Carmel in general. 2 Assignment I was asked to visit Blackwell Park II and to perform a woodland analysis of the woodland section to be set aside as Blackwell Park which is in the north and east corner of the development. My goal was to identify • Dominant tree species and other species. • Determine classification as per City of Carmel Zoning Ordinance- Woodland Definitions. • Presence of resident flora and fauna • What land features to highlight or avoid. Observations On July 18th and July 20th, 2014 I visited the site and spent time organizing the property into primarily two distinct areas. The area in general is a 1.34 acre Mature Woodlands to be set aside as Blackwell Park. See Exhibit A and Exhibit B for Aerial and Site plan. I inspected each area and took photographs to assist in defining the general impression of the area. To organize the property I identified two separate areas which I called Area A and Area B. Aerial of Blackwell Park Exhibit A BLACKWELL PARK PHASE II OPEN SPACE EXHIBIT B OPEN SPACE SUMMARY WOW M ��e sleal..o I�ay►ar al A �t�l>R Mrptr NrJ MIS OOO,r AUM M .sft m AIIO W r �WA No mm M v Mpwbs M Layout of Blackwell Park II dPE." SPN,x' PRIVARr AIeMA { 1 w�oal+ti(ai+F�:�r.r� �. F _ -1 I . i I Ii I L= J i I � I P.REPAWOBY I r I1 Md .. 4 Exhibit B sftwim Lw ki f;r U!;l Ift s IL i lw LJ CK I _j L - L Description of Area A & B Area A- Observations — Top of hill to edge of bluff Species found- (Note not a complete inventory) Dominant Species Scientific name Hackberry Celtis occidentalis White ash Fraxinusamericano Ohio Buckeye A esculus glabra Black cherry Prunus serotina Sugar maple A cer saccharum Butternut Juglans cinerea Hawthorn Crataegus ear. Black walnut Juglans nigra Buckeye Aesculus glabra American Elm Ulmus americana Hickory Carya var. American beech Fagusgrandifolia Red oak Quercus rubra White oak Quercus alba Description I would consider this a Mature Woodlands (30% or more over 16 inches) with a couple 30 inch plus trees. The larger trees appear to be outside of what was once a farm fence. The dominant species are sugar maple and black walnut. There are a couple mature trees that appear to be butternut. There is a nice variety of trees with only a few white ash. Fauna Observed White tailed deer Raccoon Squirrel Flora Observed Solomon's seal Polygonatum b4orum Blood root Mayapple Podophyllum peltatum Common burs American pokeweed Phytolacca americana Honey suckle Lonicera japonica General Note- Flora and fauna observations of each area are not an exhaustive list of fauna just the highlights. Description of Area A Area A is Mature Woodlands as per City of Carmel classifications. There are smaller regenerating trees and 30% or more larger mature (over 16 inch) trees. There is nice species diversity with sugar maple and black walnut making up a large part of the total population. There are only a few ash and a few leaning trees that will need to be removed. The underbrush is scrubby with some honeysuckle throughout. There are a nice selection of native wildflowers and plants. The topography is fairly flat on the west and drops off sharply on the east and north. There is a gradual break on the north side that would allow for a trail to be installed to Cool Creek. Generally I would not recommend much cleanup in the way of downed trees as it is part of the natural process. Trash should be picked up, barbed wire removed and possibly a stone path installed to allow for neighborhood use. Photos of Area A View of Area A ..1 • . '•� • � \ .r ram! y� f� f- - it e� � � r ' • - � �7�F-,�► �► 'r ice, �:�' L + f� • � e L`x 1 �• r tr ■ r � _ � r �-l.";� �. '. �-tip _ ti�„�1�+��•"!' •`�:� �'S�, -!r l��d�,''_ r:• -��• t-- buc �i Area B- Observations- Cool Creek- bottom land Species found- (Note not a complete inventory) Dominant Species Scientific name Hackberry White ash American sycamore Sugar maple Silver maple Ohio Buckeye Mulberry American elm American basswood Black cherry Boxelder Tuliptree Red oak Fauna Observed White tailed deer Raccoon Songbirds Crow Squirrel Flora Observed Multiflora rose Poison Ivy Stinging nettles Solomon's seal Blood root May apple Honeysuckle Celtls occidental/s Fraxinus americana Populous occidentalis Acer saccharum Acer sacdi arwum Aesculus glabra Morus var. Ulmus americana Tilia americana Prunus serotina Acer negundo Liriodendron tulipifera Quercus rubra Rosa multiflora Toxicodendron radicans Urtica dioica Polygonatum biflorum Sanguinaria canadensis Podophyllum peltatum Lonicera japonica Description of Area B This area slopes down from Area A steeply. There is a gradual slope on the north end that would allow for a path to be installed. After the bluff Area B is a typical Indiana Creek bottoms. Boxelder, Silver maple and American Sycamore are the dominant species. Area B is Mature Woodlands as per City of Carmel classifications. There are smaller regenerating trees and 30% or more larger mature (over 16 inch) trees. It appears the creek will rise and fill the lower area during times of rain storms. There are a couple of the American sycamores are very massive. The rest of the area is dominated by sugar maple and Boxelder. There is a nice diversity of smaller perennials with a solid stand of stinging nettles. Deer and raccoon prints are seen throughout. 10 r.z -.PON- -4p Discussion and Conclusions In general Blackwell Park is a self-sustaining 1.34 acre Mature woodlands in need of little care. Downed trees and limbs should be left as part of the natural process. Trees that are uprooting and dead ash trees should be felled and removed (or left to decay) to lessen potential for harm. Trash and barb wire from the fences should be removed to clean-up the woodlands. A meandering stone path could be installed with seats along it to allow for use of the park. The terminus could be at a point in the creek bottom overlooking the Creek. Continued development of Blackwell Park allows for some exciting opportunities. To name a few: A Tree Identification Trail A tree identification trail would be a great addition to the park allowing for a good healthy hike. The park in general has a nice diversity of native trees with native trees with maple, oak and walnut families dominating. A tree identification trail could include a discussion of how this woodland has progressed from a undisturbed woodlands to a farmstead, back to a pioneer stand of young trees, and then to the current mid - successional stand. A Birder's Hike The views overlooking the creek and the woodland allow for great bird viewing with different avian species attracted to the different land features. Nesting boxes could be installed near the creek and in Area A to attract a variety of species. In general Blackwell Park will be a nice addition to the development and Carmel in general. 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: No inspection of the grounds for safety or hazard inspection of the trees, and their structure has been performed. oN A scr�r Jud Scott CIS Jud Scott Consulting Arborist LLC Registered Consulting Arborist #39 American Society of Consulting Arbo Cd , 13 STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS 1ud 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. Past President, American Society of Consulting Arborists Member Jud Scott Consulting Arborist LLC, 2010-Present President, Vine & Branch Inc. 1980-President 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 Nurserymen's and Landscape Association (INLA) Indiana Urban Forestry Council (IUFC) Indianapolis Landscape Association (ILA) International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators (NSPII) Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) Utility Arborist Association (UAA) 14 SUBDIVISION NAME: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Q CITY OF CARMEL SUBDIVISION CONTROL ORDINANCE EXHIBIT A OPEN SPACE SCHEDULE BLACKWELL PARK PHASE II SITE ACREAGE a_22 AQJ± (EXCLUDES PROPOSED STH & 7TH STREETS R/W) ZONE DISTRICT R-2 50,704 MINIMUM OPEN SPACE REQUIREMENT (SOSR) sft / 1.16 acres (20 0 of 5.82 Ac. ) 63,598 OPEN SPACE PROVIDED (OSP) aft 1 1-46 acres (25% of 5.82 Ac. ) PRIMARY CONSERVATION AREAS ❑ Well -head Protection Area ❑ FEMA/IDNR 100 year Floodway ❑ FEMA/IDNR 100-year Flood Fringe ❑ Wetlands (>1/4 ac.) ❑ White River Corridor ❑ Scrub Woodland ❑ Steep slopes (10%) ❑ Young Woodland Mature Woodland ❑ Historic Structures/Sites ❑ Special Opportunity Corridor (identify) o Other 58,365 NATURAL OPEN SPACE PROVIDED qft 1.3.4 acres 7. AGRICULTURAL OPEN SPACE 8. DESIGNED OPEN SPACE N/A / acres 5,233 s f t 1 0.12 acres ❑ Square x Parks ❑ Green ❑ Boulevard ❑ Greenbelt ❑ Paths ❑ Trails to Golf Courses ❑ Pond (see below) ❑ Other 9. CONSERVANCY LOTS N/A no. lots acres 10. PONDS total measured perimeter (in linear feet) N/A _ _ l.f. total measured accessible perimeter (not bounded) N/A l.f. % Chapter 7: Open Space Standards For Major Subdivisions 7-11 as amended per Z-346; Z-458-04; Z-475-05; Z-483-05; Z-516-08 Spring 2008 v I BLACKWELL PARK PHASE II OPEN SPACE AREAS EXHIBIT B DPEP! SPACE SUMMARY SIIE AMGE- S82 At (IXt1IAB PROP. RIII) ZONAVO OISMT. R-2 IIX OPEN SPACE REO. (S091k 1.16 A. (22[ of 582 A.) MIN SPACE PRONGED (OSPk 1.46 A. (25I d 182 A.) PRIMARY CMSERVAMN AREAS NIA NARRAL OPEN SPACE PROVIDER Of A. A(M(UnAk M SPACE NIA LpONEO MEN ryALE 1R0'AOER 0.12 A. 9 44i M114 -- 7 j41117ESIGNEDOPEN SPACE L �� J PUBLIC PARK I AREA = 0.12 Ac. F- -�- 1 1' 1 I 1 Amp 1 rw L - _ J r�� k � I I ! 1 I wµ I I w -7: L F��-� I— Wvµ — — -- LEGEND: I� DESIGN OPEN SPACE I NATURAL OPEN SPACE I— an u� I I I F�� I 80 0 80 160 SCALE: 1' = 80' F sp PREPARED BY: L✓ — — I E 'I I I , a I Ila Trana.P.porinllan & DeMenl Cnnsullenls JUNE 23, 2014