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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGlen Oak Woodland AnalysisVi .ng g Services WoodlandAnalysis For: Lett Property Langston Development Corp. 1132 S. Rangeline Rd Carmel, IN 46032 By: Judson R. Scott Registered Consulting Arborist #392 American Society of Consulting Arborists and Jeffrey Maddox, Ecologist ISA Certified Arborist #1482 May 10, 2004 ng l; Services Location The Lett Property is located on the East side of West road, north of 131st street in Washington Township, Carmel, IN. It is also recorded as part of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 30, Township 18N, Range 3E. Assignment and Scope of Work 1. Inspect the property, gather and analyze data to provide a Woodland Analysis of the property and classify each area of woodlands using criteria from the Carmel/ClayCarmel/Clay Subdivision Controi Ordinance; Open 5 ace 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 on December 11, 2003, and April 07, 2004. As such, they are limited by the time frame and existing field conditions at those times. 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. Summer blooming plants, migrating animals, and spring nesting animals are some of the categories that are not represented in this report. 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. These areas are plotted on the aerial photo in Appendix A. 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. Copyright © 2004 Vine & Branch, Inc. Langston: Lett Property Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 JCM 05/10/2004 317.846.1424 Page 3 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. Findings The Lett property has gently rolling topography. The total elevation change on thewhole property is estimated to be less than 6-8 feet. The property is bisected by 3 shallow, intermittent drainages that all feed into the dam of the lake. (See photo documentation and aerial photo in the Appendixes). Mr. Lett has been actively clearing the underbrush, trimming trees, and managing the tree species composition for the last 12 years. He states 'the whole area was choked with brush when we started clearing 12 years ago. He now mows the entire grounds. The result is a park -like setting of trees with grass underneath and no branches on the ground (see photos, Appendix B.). The trees are well spaced. The tree species composition is overwhelmingly dominated by white ash. White ash comprises more than 80% of all trees on the property. Yellow poplar and black cherry comprise another 15%. The remaining 5% is comprised of widely scattered elms, maples, pin oaks, boxelders, hawthorns and fruit trees. Some of these may only be represented by 1-5 specimens. There are evergreens scattered around the property as well. The most significant of which are the line of red cedars extending northeast from the lake, and the few scotch pines in the south side. There are also a few ornamental trees and shrubs widely scattered around the lake. The size class structure of the woodland is dominated by trees in the 6-14" dbh range. The southern half of the property is dominated by the 4-8" dbh size classes. The tree stand boundaries are marked on the aerial photo, Appendix A. There are very few trees larger than 16" dbh or smaller than 4" dbh. There are no saplings except in the fence lines bordering the property. There are small pockets of open space scattered throughout, where there are just not enough trees to close the canopy, or the trees are small (see photo #3, #4, & #7). These areas tend to be very small less than 100' by 100'. There is a very depauperate plant community due to the mowing. There are grasses and sedges and a very few grape ferns, spring beauties, sorrels, and buttercups persisting in the "lawn". The fencelines contain the normal array of plants species including; raspberries, goldenrods, and grasses. No noteworthy trees, plants, or animals were noted during the inspections. Specific Area Descriptions North side (Photos1-6): This stand is located on the north side of the property. It is dominated by trees in the 8-12" dbh range. There are a few trees in the 14-16" dbh range but very few. There are a lot of 3-6" trees in the understory. As stated above, there are several, small open pockets where the trees are very small and the canopies do not close, or there are very few trees at all. This stand is the more closed, woods -like part of the property. Copyright © 2004 Vine & Branch, Inc. Langston: Lett Property Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 JCM 05/10/2004 317.846.1424 Page 4 Southeast corner(Photos 7 & 8): This area has widely scattered trees in the 12-14" dbh class with a lot of smaller trees in the 4-8" class. Neither size class dominated the canopy. The larger trees are too widely scattered to dominate the whole area. South half and the southwest corner (Photos 9 & 10): These areas composed of widely spaced, smaller trees. There is not full canopy closure in these areas. The trees are mostly in the 4-8" size class with a very few larger trees and some 2-4" trees as well. The area between the 2 drainages is more open. The southwest corner is even more open as it has been used for recreation by the lake. There are a few scotch pines planted in the area for some reason. Discussion The entire property is difficult to define under the ROSO III ordiance since the stand structure is so uneven and the woods themselves are so unusual due to the management history. The north portion of the property can be classified as Woodland, Young". There might be some small areas that could be defined as "Woodland, mature" or "Woodland, scrub" but they would be difficult to delineate. The southern portion, as defined on the aerial photo (Appendix A), can be classified as "Woodland, scrub" because most of the trees here are below 8" dbh. The larger trees are too widely scattered to qualify as a group. This is an unusual woodlands and tough to classify. Recommendations Tree preservation recommendations or other management recommendations cannot be given at this time because we have not been advised about the plans or the management objectives for this area. The time to consider trees and their management is during the planning stage, not after the maps are drawn. We would be happy to advise on any tree or land management during the planning or help with any tree preservation during the project. Copyright © 2004 Vine & Branch, Inc. Langston: Lett Property Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 JCM 05/10/2004 317.846.1424 Page 5 Conclusion The Lett property is unusual due to a long history of intensive management. The woodlands have a very "park -like" condition that is hard to classify under the ROSO III definitions. The north portion of the property can be classified as "Woodland, Young". There might be some small areas that could be defined as "Woodland, mature" or "Woodland, scrub" but they would be difficult to delineate. The southern portion, as defined on the aerial photo (Appendix A), can be classified as "Woodland, scrub" with scattered, larger trees. The tree species composition is overwhelmingly dominated by white ash. White ash comprises more than 80% of all trees on the property. The size class structure of the northern portion is dominated by trees in the 6-14" dbh range. The southern portion of the property is dominated by the 4-8" dbh size classes. 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. Judson R. Scott President, Vine & Branch Inc. Registered Consulting Arborist #392 American Society of Consulting Arborists © 2001 by Vine & Branch Inc Arboricultural Consulting Jeffrey Maddox, Ecologist ISA Certified Arborist #1482A 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. Langston: Lett Property Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 JCM 05/10/2004 317.846.1424 Page 6 US C) mo a N a O :tz O ~ J O O G N o a W2 CD co C) C L U C (0 m N O C Q O N qct 04 L co � C QQ- CO I L P? 1444�.. Photo 3: View of a more open area. Photo 4: Typical view of the woods on the north side Copyright© 2004 Vine & Branch, Inc. Langston: Lett Property Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 JCM 05/10/2004 317.846.1424 Page 10 Photo 5: Typical view of more open areas of the woods on north side. Photo 6: View of typical canopy cover. Copyright© 2004 Vine & Branch, Inc. Langston: Lett Property Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 JCM 05/10/2004 317.846.1424 Page 11 jM111t Arn EV ?,? q., if M-00 " F V, FK X% 14 T F I RAM p VANMIN. opliMi I NPAM Tt 0 RT !,-r,. - - Vi oi� f 1, 7; r' � , i , �r � �.4y.�r � � '��.� �'�t� �r� •M' � �� `� may. �.,, 66 �,l -�`' �-.% �• rx.• - K_F: ifr..�+Z4 -.. 'fi r •}W. Tr - : �j J■�� .ii + .. ��iM r�.:�- • ti;v• Y �. r ,V�. `'*-- i-.r-'�., 4s Master list of tree species found on site Elm, American (Ulmus americana) Black cherry (Prunus serotina) Boxelder (Acer negundo) Fruit species (Malus spp) Hawthorns (Crataegus spp.) Shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) White ash (Fraxinus americana) Yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) Pin oak Cedar, red Maple, sugar Maple, red Pine, Scotch Spruces Shrubs Rose, (Rosa spp.) Raspberries and blackberries (Rubus spp.) Copyright © 2004 Vine & Branch, Inc. Langston: Lett Property Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 JCM 05/10/2004 317.846.1424 Page 15 Master list of floral species found on site. Grasses Sedges (Carex spp.) Grape ferns (Botrychia spp.) Spring beauties (Claytonia virginica) Sorrels (Oxalis spp.) Buttercups (Ranunculus spp.) Copyright © 2004 Vine & Branch, Inc. Langston: Lett Property Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 JCM 05/10/2004 317.846.1424 Page 16 Master list of faunal species found on site. Deer Raccoons Squirrels Blue jays Cardinals Catbird Chickadees Grackles Hairy woodpeckers Robins Copyright © 2004 Vine & Branch, Inc. Langston: Lett Property Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 JCM 05/10/2004 317.846.1424 Page 17