Neighbors co-own tree. One wants it down because of litter, the other values it highly. Here are 2 pics: next post
ASSIGNMENT
I was assigned to inspect a deodara cedar tree, Cedrus deodara, to assess its condition and risk potential. I was also asked to recommend a program of care for the tree to maintain its safety and health.
OBSERVATIONS
The lower trunk appears to be free of decay. No damage by pests was noted, except for small holes made by sapsucking birds. The top of the tree is dead, and some decay is present. There are a few dead inner branches in the middle of the tree. The roots to the west and north are covered by a driveway and bare ground.
DISCUSSION
Sapsuckers are common pests. Their feeding is rarely more than a nuisance to the tree. The dead top is common in deodaras, which naturally form a round-headed top at maturity. Deodaras are an “Excellent specimen evergreen because of extremely graceful and pendulous habit.” (Manual of Woody Landscape Plants) Even though this is a wide-spreading tree, branches rarely break due to storms. If the planned removal of healthy landscape trees, evident by the red flagging around their trunks, is carried out, the deodara will be more exposed to storms.
I removed the red flagging from the deodara, so contractors will not confuse the tree with those belonging exclusively to . The book Arboriculture and the Law cites court rulings that state: “…neither of the property owners is at liberty to cut the tree without the consent of the other; not to cut away any part that extends into the property owner’s land, if injury would result to the common property of the tree…each owner has an interest in the tree sufficient to demand that the owner of the other portion shall not destroy the tree.”
I also note here that the removal of the other trees will expose the home and the dog pen to intense sunlight and winter winds, removing the following contributions:
Shade. These trees block the radiation from the sun in the summer months. The temperature under large trees is often more than ten degrees cooler than in the open. A nearby property which lost all its shade trees had a 67% increase in cooling costs.
Transpirational Cooling. A mature pine tree can transpire over 100 gallons of water through its leaves per day. The evaporation of this water into vapor has a considerable cooling effect, and by recycling the water before it gets to the ditch, the trees save the county on stormwater control costs.
Erosion control. By intercepting precipitation, and also through its network of feeder roots near the surface, these trees keep the soil intact. Through the activity of microorganisms attached to and among these roots, they make a hospitable environment for smaller ornamental plants to thrive, and build the soil resource.
Wind control. By deflecting, obstructing and filtering the wind, they moderate the climate for this property. This effect also benefits the nearby community. By filtering sunlight, they provide the perfect environment for the understory plants. If the trees were gone, these other plants would be stressed.
Pollution and noise abatement. Gaseous and particulate pollution is intercepted by the leaves and bark, and buffered by the rootzone. The sound of traffic and other urban activity is muffled.
Ecosystem values. By attracting, sheltering and feeding wildlife, these mature trees are keystone species in the local ecosystem. Their removal would have a ripple effect through the community of songbirds and small mammals, and other species that often escape human notice.
Architecture. Aesthetic values are harder to quantify, and are technically outside the scope of this report. However, most landscape architects would attest to value delivered by framing views, shifting patterns of sun and shade and tying together landscape elements. To the layperson’s eye, the high tree canopies soften and complement the architecture of building, driveway and parking area, bringing natural elements into the urbanizing surroundings.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The dead top and dead branches should be removed. Branches that sprawl over structures could be lightly shortened, but heavy pruning of living branches would be destructive to the tree. The roots to the west and north should be fertilized and mulched. Methods to deliver organic matter and nutrients using structural soil and still allow the continued use of the driveway should be employed. (Moot point--fence put in driveway)Suet feeders and imitation owls and snakes can be installed in the tree to lessen sapsucker damage.
APPRAISAL
I was not hired to do a formal appraisal, but I will share one example of the use of a formula found in the Southeast US Tree Species Rating Guide. The 2001 Basic Value is $48./square inch; multiplied by 707 square inches equals $33, 936. Adjusted by an 80% for species, 35% for condition and 90% for location, the appraised value using this standard formula is $8,500.
This concludes my report. I am available to clarify any portions of it.
ASSIGNMENT
I was assigned to inspect a deodara cedar tree, Cedrus deodara, to assess its condition and risk potential. I was also asked to recommend a program of care for the tree to maintain its safety and health.
OBSERVATIONS
The lower trunk appears to be free of decay. No damage by pests was noted, except for small holes made by sapsucking birds. The top of the tree is dead, and some decay is present. There are a few dead inner branches in the middle of the tree. The roots to the west and north are covered by a driveway and bare ground.
DISCUSSION
Sapsuckers are common pests. Their feeding is rarely more than a nuisance to the tree. The dead top is common in deodaras, which naturally form a round-headed top at maturity. Deodaras are an “Excellent specimen evergreen because of extremely graceful and pendulous habit.” (Manual of Woody Landscape Plants) Even though this is a wide-spreading tree, branches rarely break due to storms. If the planned removal of healthy landscape trees, evident by the red flagging around their trunks, is carried out, the deodara will be more exposed to storms.
I removed the red flagging from the deodara, so contractors will not confuse the tree with those belonging exclusively to . The book Arboriculture and the Law cites court rulings that state: “…neither of the property owners is at liberty to cut the tree without the consent of the other; not to cut away any part that extends into the property owner’s land, if injury would result to the common property of the tree…each owner has an interest in the tree sufficient to demand that the owner of the other portion shall not destroy the tree.”
I also note here that the removal of the other trees will expose the home and the dog pen to intense sunlight and winter winds, removing the following contributions:
Shade. These trees block the radiation from the sun in the summer months. The temperature under large trees is often more than ten degrees cooler than in the open. A nearby property which lost all its shade trees had a 67% increase in cooling costs.
Transpirational Cooling. A mature pine tree can transpire over 100 gallons of water through its leaves per day. The evaporation of this water into vapor has a considerable cooling effect, and by recycling the water before it gets to the ditch, the trees save the county on stormwater control costs.
Erosion control. By intercepting precipitation, and also through its network of feeder roots near the surface, these trees keep the soil intact. Through the activity of microorganisms attached to and among these roots, they make a hospitable environment for smaller ornamental plants to thrive, and build the soil resource.
Wind control. By deflecting, obstructing and filtering the wind, they moderate the climate for this property. This effect also benefits the nearby community. By filtering sunlight, they provide the perfect environment for the understory plants. If the trees were gone, these other plants would be stressed.
Pollution and noise abatement. Gaseous and particulate pollution is intercepted by the leaves and bark, and buffered by the rootzone. The sound of traffic and other urban activity is muffled.
Ecosystem values. By attracting, sheltering and feeding wildlife, these mature trees are keystone species in the local ecosystem. Their removal would have a ripple effect through the community of songbirds and small mammals, and other species that often escape human notice.
Architecture. Aesthetic values are harder to quantify, and are technically outside the scope of this report. However, most landscape architects would attest to value delivered by framing views, shifting patterns of sun and shade and tying together landscape elements. To the layperson’s eye, the high tree canopies soften and complement the architecture of building, driveway and parking area, bringing natural elements into the urbanizing surroundings.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The dead top and dead branches should be removed. Branches that sprawl over structures could be lightly shortened, but heavy pruning of living branches would be destructive to the tree. The roots to the west and north should be fertilized and mulched. Methods to deliver organic matter and nutrients using structural soil and still allow the continued use of the driveway should be employed. (Moot point--fence put in driveway)Suet feeders and imitation owls and snakes can be installed in the tree to lessen sapsucker damage.
APPRAISAL
I was not hired to do a formal appraisal, but I will share one example of the use of a formula found in the Southeast US Tree Species Rating Guide. The 2001 Basic Value is $48./square inch; multiplied by 707 square inches equals $33, 936. Adjusted by an 80% for species, 35% for condition and 90% for location, the appraised value using this standard formula is $8,500.
This concludes my report. I am available to clarify any portions of it.
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