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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCherry Creek Estates Woodland Analysis ReportWoodlandAnalysis For: Cherry Creek Estates, Section 6 Platinum Properties. LLC 9551 Delegates Row Indianapolis, IN 46240 By: Judson R. Scott Registered Consulting Arborist #392 American Society of Consulting Arborists and Jeffrey Maddox, Ecologist ISA Certified Arborist #IN-1482 April 27, 2004 4720 East 146th Street, Carmel, IN. 46033. 317.846.3778 Location On Cherry Tree Road, south of 146t' street and west of Hazel Dell Parkway. Also immediately adjacent to the Cherry Creek Estates development on the north side. Assignment and Scope of Work 1. To inspect the property and gather data to provide a Woodland Analysis of the property and classify each area of woodlands using criteria from the Carmel/Clay Subdivision Control Ordinance.• Open Space Standards for Subdivisions, also known as the Residential Open Space Ordinance (ROSO III) for Carmel/Clay Township. 2. Note and mark any unusual or exceptional trees or landmarks. 3. Record species of flora and fauna found on site. 4. Photo -document this work. Limitations Inspections were conducted during the time period on April 26, 2004. As such, they are limited by the time frame and present field conditions. These are not long-term observations needed to represent the full spectrum of plants and animals, which use the land over the course of the year and the changing seasons. Methodology All areas in the scope of work were inspected on foot. Tallies of the tree species were taken by species and size. The property was separated into different areas defined by changes in timber stand characteristics. All animals and birds seen, heard, or found evident by sign were noted. Plants seen along the way were also noted. All plants, animals and other life noted during the inspection are listed in the appendices. More complete lists could be obtained through more intensive investigations. Photos were taken in an effort to represent "typical' examples of the plant communities. Locations of all photos are plotted on the aerial photo (Appendix A) with directional arrows. Each area was rated using the definitions as stated within the Residential Open Space Ordinance (ROSO) for Carmel/Clay Township.: The definitions used were: • Woodland, Mature - An area of plant material covering one-half acre, or more, and consisting of thirty (30) percent of more canopy trees having a sixteen (16) inch or greater caliper, or grove consisting of seven (7) or more trees having ten (10) inch or greater caliper. Woodland, Young - An area of plant material covering one half acre, or more, and consisting of thirty (30) percent or more canopy trees having an eight (8) inch or greater caliper, or any grove consisting of seven (7) or more trees having ten (10) inch or greater caliper. Woodland, Scrub - An area of plant material covering one half acre, or more, and consisting of thirty (30) percent or more canopy trees having a two and one-half (2 1/2) inch or greater caliper, or any grove consisting of fifteen (15) or more trees having four (4) inch or greater caliper. Copyright © 2004 Vine & Branch, Inc. Cherry Creek Estates — Section 6 Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 JCM 04-26-2004 317.846.1424 Page 3 Findings Generally and fairly level site with very broad elevation changes. The entire site is upland bordered by private houses, private lots, and agricultural fields. The area is roughly 60% agricultural fields, 25% horse pastures, and 15% house site. There are no significant drainages on the property. Tree species present throughout most of the property are mostly black cherry, Asian white mulberry, black walnut, and hackberry. There are sassafras and hawthorns along the eastern boundary and a few sugar maples near the cemetery site. The tree species diversity is very low. Shrubs found include: gray dogwood, European honeysuckle, and Autumn olive. Plants species commonly found include: common ragweed , tall ragweed, poison ivy, garlic mustard, raspberries and blackberries, roses, grape vines, avens, horsebalm, Bidens, goldenrods, common cinquefoil, motherwort, greenbrier, Carex species, burdock, violets, dandelions, cow parsnip, mustards, Virginia stickseed, bedstraws, Queen -Anne's -lace, and stinging nettles. Specific Area Descriptions The following descriptions will list the general description of each area including dominant tree species and any other conditions or flora/fauna not found on the rest of the property. Unless otherwise noted, the trees and plants listed in the appendix were found on each of the areas and throughout the entire property. Area 1. Around the house. - Photos D, E, & F. The area around the house has been extensively planted with a variety of trees including crabapples, maples, pin oaks, white pines, spruces, cedars, and shrubs. Most of the trees are relatively young and in good condition. Most are between 4-12" dbh. It is a nice setting. There is a uniform row of 8-10" dbh, 25' tall, white pines along the south side of the house lot. Area 2. East of the house. (Can be seen in the foreground of photos C & D) The wooded area to the east of the house and tennis court, shown on the aerial photo as area 2, has been cleared and is now a mown grass field North fenceline — photo A. The fence is lined with black walnuts, black cherries, and a few sugar maples. It is dominated by larger trees in the 12-20" dbh class on the north side of the fence. This fenceline has very few trees on the south side of the fence. Most of the trees on this side of the fence are in the 2-8" dbh class. Middle N-S fenceline — photos B & K. This fenceline run north -south through the property. It is approximately 10-15 feet wide with trees in the actual fence and brush stretching out to either side. It is heavily dominated by black walnut and black cherries in the 8-12" dbh class. The trees are moderately dense along this line. White mulberries and hackberries also present. There is a notable 38" dbh black walnut on this fence line that is in relatively good shape (point 3 on the aerial photo). This could be used as a signature tree. Copyright © 2004 Vine & Branch, Inc. Cherry Creek Estates — Section 6 Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 JCM 04-26-2004 317.846.1424 Page 4 Middle E-W fenceline — photo C This fenceline is sparsely populated with small trees in the 2-10 dbh class, most of the trees are 4-8". White mulberry and black cherry dominate with a few black walnuts present. There is a lot of vascular plants in the understory here. North fenceline along the agricultural field — photos G & H. This fenceline has been cleared for the most part on the south side of the fence. Most of the trees on the south side side of the fence are scattered 2-4" saplings. The north side of the fence has a well stocked line of larger trees including black walnut and sugar maple. This fenceline has the greatest density of non-native, invasive species including autumn olive shrubs and ailanthus trees. East fenceline — photo I. This fenceline has also been mostly cleared on the subject side of the fence (west side). There are only about 10 trees on the west side. The larger trees in the photo are on the east side of the fence. This fenceline has a lot of sassafras trees, and several large, 20" flowering hawthorns. Black cherries and a few hackberries form the rest of the trees in this line. Middle E-W fenceline — photo ). This fenceline is almost exclusively black cherries in the 12-16" dbh class. There are a few smaller white mulberries, black walnuts and hackberries scattered in the understory. There is a small stand of larger trees at the east end of this fenceline (marked on the aerial as point Q. This stand is approximately 50' by 50'. There are about 15 trees here that are 12-22" dbh including sugar maple, hackberry, black cherry, one bitternut hickory and one chinkapin oak. The growth of the trees has been retarded due to use by horses. This area is part of the pasture and the horses find shade here. There is very little understory. Most of the trees have varying degrees of damage. There are also several grave stones here. Small middle N-S fenceline — photo M. There are only about 12 trees in this fenceline. They are small black cherries and white mulberries. Small middle E-W fenceline — photo N. This fenceline is almost all black cherries in the 6-10" dbh class. They are in pretty poor shape. South fenceline. — photos O & P. This fenceline is shared with the existing Cherry Creek Estates. It has some of the largest trees on the property including several 40" dbh white mulberries. There are also larger black cherries, walnuts, and hackberries. There is a lot of brush and undergrowth along this fenceline. Small middle E-W fenceline — photo Q. This is another fenceline of small black cherries and white mulberries. There are some trees in the 8-16" dbh class. Copyright © 2004 Vine & Branch, Inc. Cherry Creek Estates — Section 6 Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 JCM 04-26-2004 317.846.1424 Page 5 Conclusion There are no woodlands on this property that would need to be defined under the ROSO III ordinance. This property has four distinct land use patterns: the house site, agricultural fields, grass/horse pastures, and fencelines with trees. The area around the house has the only trees not in fencelines. There are some nice trees around the house including a nice row of white pines, several other evergreens, and some shade trees. Overall the species diversity is very limited. The fencelines are almost exclusively comprised of species known to be spread by birds namely, black cherry, Asian white mulberry, and hackberry. There are black walnuts in the fencerows also. Whether they are remnants from the clearing activities of the past or have be brought in by squirrels is unknown. There is also a nice sassafras clone on the east fenceline. There is one notable black walnut along the fenceline marked B at the point marked 3. The ag. Fields and pastures do not have trees in them. Any large trees that are to be preserved should have individual health assessments done to minimize future risks and to maximize the long-term health of these trees. A tree preservation plan should be written once the trees to be preserved are identified. The tree preservation plan will assure the trees are given the care before, during, and after construction that they need to survive. 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. Jeffrey Maddox, Ecologist Vine & Branch Inc. ISA Certified Arborist #IN-1482 © 2004 by Vine & Branch Inc Arboricultural Consulting All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America., no part of this publication may be changed, reproduced or distributed without written permission of Vine & Branch Inc. This report and the information It contains are CONFIDENTIAL, for the use of the individual or firm to whom it is addressed, and their assigns. Copyright © 2004 Vine & Branch, Inc. Cherry Creek Estates — Section 6 Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 JCM 04-26-2004 317.846.1424 Page 6 00 C\l co It co rl Cl? 'w '� T IV V ",:1 t -•�1 �! N • I � • ti f - iY- � 1T Photo K: Middle N-S fenceline. Photo C: Middle E-W fenceline Copyright © 2004 Vine & Branch, Inc. Cherry Creek Estates — Section 6 Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 JCM 04-26-2004 317.846.1424 Page 9 Photo D: Back of the house/East of the house Photo E: White Pine row on south side of house Copyright © 2004 Vine & Branch, Inc. Cherry Creek Estates — Section 6 Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 JCM 04-26-2004 317.846.1424 Page 10 Photo F: Trees in front yard of house (west side of house) Photo G: North fenceline along the agricultural field Copyright © 2004 Vine & Branch, Inc. Cherry Creek Estates — Section 6 Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 JCM 04-26-2004 317.846.1424 Page 11 Photo H: North fenceline along the agricultural tield. 4 Photo I: East fenceline. Copyright © 2004 Vine & Branch, Inc. Cherry Creek Estates — Section 6 Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 JCM 04-26-2004 317.846.1424 Page 12 r! - - - l � .}� � _, .... ._ .—yam .�• _ - ry.v��! ��I K�'iz- • .. _ + :►# .. ! v f �'/� r � . � - ' l— � T'�- 'y, � • _, F `,� �' +' � ! �r tir'i 1_ y . LI ---�—� �--. —�-_ - - .a�' ,�yr1R, :f" } -y rl 4i'}• .Z?�.i .`7 �llr � :r,}a�_•��lLl� Photo J: Middle E-W fenceline. Photo M: Small middle N-S fenceline. Copyright © 2004 Vine & Branch, Inc. Cherry Creek Estates — Section 6 Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 JCM 04-26-2004 317.846.1424 Page 13 U Nt a Photo P: South fenceline, closer shot. Photo Q: small middle E-W fenceline Copyright © 2004 Vine & Branch, Inc. Cherry Creek Estates — Section 6 Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 JCM 04-26-2004 317.846.1424 Page 15 Appendix C: Master list of tree species found on site Bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis) Black cherry (Prunus serotina) Black walnut (luglans nigra) Boxelder (Acer negundo) Cottonwood (Popu/us deltoides) Hackberry (Celtic occidentalis) Hawthorns (Crataegus spp.) Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) Sugar maple (Acersaccharum) Asian white mulberry (Morus alba) Shrubs European honeysuckle, (Lonicera maakii) Gray dogwood, (Corns racemosa) Multiflora rose, (Rosa multiflora) Copyright © 2004 Vine & Branch, Inc. Cherry Creek Estates — Section 6 Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 JCM 04-26-2004 317.846.1424 Page 16 Master list of plant species found on site Asters, (Aster species) Avens, (Geum canadense) Beggar's ticks, (Bidens spp.) Bindweed, (Convolvulus arvensis) Blackberry, (Rubus allegheniensis) Burdock, (Arctium minus) Canadian thistle, (Cirsium arvense) Catnip, (Nepeta cataria) Cocklebur, (Xanthium chinense) Common cinquefoil, (Potentilla simple Common ragweed, (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) C u p p I a n t (Silphium perfoliatum) Daisy fleabane, (Erigeron annuus) Doll's eyes, (Actaea pachypoda) Enchanter's nightshade, (Circaea quadrisulcata) Fescue grass, (Festuca spp.) Foxtail grass, (Setaria spp.) Garlic mustard, (Allaria petiolata) Giant hyssop, (Agastache nepetoides) Golden corydalis, (Corydalis aurea) Goldenrods, (Solidago spp.) Grape vines, (I/itus spp.) Great blue lobelia, (Lobelia siphilitica) Greenbrier, (Smilaxspp.) Sunflowers, (Helianthusspp.) Copyright © 2004 Vine & Branch, Inc. Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 317.846.1424 Horsebalm, (Col/insonia canadensis) Horsetail, (Erigeron canadensis) Ironweed, ( I/ernonia altisssima) Large leafed sunflower, (Helianthus grosseseratus) Large leafed waterleaf, (Hydrophyllum canadense) Motherwort, (Leonurus cardiaca) Pigweed, (Amaranthus spp.) Poison ivy, (Toxicodendron radicans) Pokeweed, (Phytolacca americana) Queen Anne's lace, (Daucus carota) Raspberries, (Rhubus idaeus) Sedges, (Carexspp) Smartweeds, (Ploygonum hydropiper) Solomon's seal, (Polygonatum spp.) Sorrel, (Oxalis europaea) Stinging nettles, (Urtica spp.) Tall ragweed, (Ambrosia tifida) Touch-me-nots, Umpatians capensis) Trumpet creeper, (Campsis radicans) Velvet leaf, (Abutilon theophrasti) Virginia creeper, (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) White snakeroot, (Eupatorium rugosum) wild rye, (Elmus spp) Cherry Creek Estates — Section 6 JCM 04-26-2004 Page 17