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Appendix DUPDATED ARBORIST REPORTANDTREE INVENTORY SUMMARYBARRETT RANCH EAST PROJECT SITEElk Grove, County of Sacramento, CaliforniaPrepared for:Michael WinnMichael Winn Associates921 11th Street, Suite 700Sacramento, California 95814Prepared by:Edwin E. StirtzInternational Society of ArboricultureCertified Arborist WE-0510AISA Tree Risk Assessment QualifiedMember, American Society of Consulting Arborists7425 W 4th StreetRio Linda, California 95673November 9, 2015D-1
TABLE OF CONTENTSCOPYRIGHT STATEMENT . iQUALIFICATION STATEMENT . iiINTRODUCTION . 1SCOPE OF INVENTORY EFFORT . 1METHODOLOGY . 2SUMMARY OF INVENTORY EFFORT . 3Recommended Removals . 3CONSTRUCTION IMPACT ASSESSMENT . 4GENERAL COMMENTS AND ARBORISTS’ DISCLAIMER . 4ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITING CONDITIONS . 7DEFINITIONS . 9TREE CONDITION RATING CRITERIA . 10GENERAL PROTECTION GUIDELINES FOR TREES PLANNEDFOR PRESERVATION . 11APPENDICES:A.Tree Inventory Summary (sorted by tree number)B.Barrett Ranch East Tree ExhibitD-1
COPYRIGHT STATEMENTThis consultant’s report, dated November 9, 2015, is for the exclusive andconfidential use of Michael Winn Associates concerning potential development of theBarrett Ranch East project site, located in the City of Elk Grove, County of Sacramento,California. Any use of this report, the accompanying appendices, or portions thereof, otherthan for project review and approval by appropriate governmental authorities, shall besubject to and require the written permission of Sierra Nevada Arborists. Unauthorizedmodification, distribution and/or use of this report, including the data or portions thereofcontained within the accompanying appendices, is strictly prohibited.iD-2
QUALIFICATION STATEMENTSierra Nevada Arborists is a fully insured, Rio Linda-based arboriculture consultingfirm founded in January of 1998 by its Principal, Edwin E. Stirtz. Mr. Stirtz is an ISACertified Arborist and is ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified. He is a member of theAmerican Society of Consulting Arborists and International Society of Arboriculture.Mr. Stirtz possesses in excess of 30 years of experience in horticulture and arboriculture,both maintenance and construction, and has spent the last 23 years as a consulting andpreservation specialist in the Sacramento and surrounding regions.iiD-3
Michael Winn AssociatesBarrett Ranch East Project SiteUpdated Arborist Report & Tree Inventory SummaryNovember 9, 2015INTRODUCTIONSierra Nevada Arborists is pleased to present this Updated Arborist Report and TreeInventory Summary for the trees located within and/or overhanging the property located atthe Barrett Ranch East project site in the County of Sacramento, California. This UpdatedArborist Report and Tree Inventory Summary memorializes tree data obtained by Edwin E.Stirtz, ISA Certified Arborist WE-0510A, at the time of field reconnaissance and inventoryefforts on October 30, 2015.SCOPE OF INVENTORY EFFORTThe County of Sacramento Tree Preservation Ordinance (Sacramento County Code Title 19,Chapter 19.12) regulates both the removal of protected trees and the encroachment ofconstruction activities within their driplines. The Ordinance defines a “tree” as “any livingnative oak tree having at least one trunk of six inches or more in diameter measured four andone-half feet above the ground, or a multi-trunked native oak tree having an aggregatediameter of ten inches or more, measured four and one-half feet above the ground.” Inaddition, all native oak and specified non-oak native trees which measure four inches indiameter and larger (or 10-inch aggregate diameter for multi-trunk native oak and NorthernCalifornia Black Walnut trees) and other non-native trees with trunk diameters of 19 inchesand larger are afforded various levels of protection through the County’s environmentalreview policy. These separate requirements are not based solely on the Sacramento CountyTree Preservation Ordinance. Tree inventories and arborist reports submitted to theSacramento County Department of Environmental Review and Assessment (“DERA”) areused, among other things, to evaluate project impacts and create appropriate mitigationpursuant to the Sacramento County General Plan policies and CEQA. To that end, onJanuary 25, 2008, DERA promulgated a separate set of criteria to be utilized when preparingtree inventories and arborist reports for a proposed development site.At the request of Michael Winn, on October 30, 2015, Edwin E. Stirtz of Sierra NevadaArborists visited the property located in the County of Sacramento, California. The purposeof this field reconnaissance effort was to identify and inventory the trees within and/oroverhanging the proposed project site which measured four inches in diameter and largermeasured at breast height (“DBH”), specifically including the identification of any nativeoaks, California Sycamore, Northern California Black Walnut, Oregon Ash, Goodding’sBlack Willow, California Box Elder, White Alder and California Buckeye as requested bythe Sacramento County Department of Environmental Review and Assessment (“DERA”) intheir Arborist Report Requirements dated January 25, 2008.This Updated Arborist Report and Tree Inventory Summary presents information concerningthe species, size and current condition of the trees within the proposed project area, alongwith pre-development recommendations on a tree-by-tree basis which logically follow theSierra Nevada Arborists 2015Page 1D-4
Michael Winn AssociatesBarrett Ranch East Project SiteUpdated Arborist Report & Tree Inventory SummaryNovember 9, 2015characteristics noted within the trees at the time of field inventory efforts. Informationconcerning the nature and extent of root system and canopy impacts which will be sustainedby the trees from proposed development activities, along with specific tree-by-tree mitigationrecommendations for the trees which will sustain encroachment into their protected rootzones can be provided in a Supplemental Arborist Report and Construction ImpactAssessment once development plans have been refined and finalized for the proposed projectarea.METHODOLOGYDuring field reconnaissance and inventory efforts Edwin E. Stirtz of Sierra Nevada Arboristsconducted a visual review from ground level of the trees within and/or overhanging theproposed project area as depicted on the Barrett Ranch East Tree Exhibit. The trees whichmet the defined criteria were identified in the field with a preexisting numbering tag. The treenumbers utilized in this report and accompanying Tree Inventory Summary correspond to thetree tag which is affixed to the tree in the field, and those tree numbers or grouping ofnumbers have been rough-plotted on the enclosed Barrett Ranch East Tree Exhibit so that theprecise vertical and horizontal location of the trees may be surveyed in the field by a licensedland surveyor and data for the trees (i.e. tree number, diameter, dripline and protected rootzone radii) may be properly depicted on future development plans and Tree Location Exhibitas requested by DERA.At the time of field identification and inventory efforts specific data was gathered for eachtagged tree including the tree’s species, diameter measured at breast height (“DBH”) anddripline radius (“DLR”). In addition, for the trees which met the criteria of the DERARequirements and/or County of Sacramento Tree Preservation Ordinance an assessment wasmade of the tree’s root crown/collar, trunk, limbs and foliage. Utilizing this data the tree’soverall structural condition and vigor were separately assessed ranging from “excellent”1 to“poor” based upon the observed characteristics noted within the tree and the Arborist’s bestprofessional judgment. Ratings are subjective and are dependent upon both the structure andvigor of the tree. The vigor rating considers factors such as the size, color and density of thefoliage; the amount of deadwood within the canopy; bud viability; evidence of woundclosure; and the presence or evidence of stress, disease, nutrient deficiency and insectinfestation. The structural rating reflects the root crown/collar, trunk and branchconfigurations; canopy balance; the presence of included bark, weak crotches and otherstructural defects and decay and the potential for structural failure. Finally, notablecharacteristics were documented and recommendations on a tree-by-tree basis were madewhich logically followed the observed characteristics noted within the trees at the time of thefield inventory effort. The recommendations are based on the assumption that the tree would1It is rare that a tree qualifies in an “excellent” category, and it should be noted that there were no treesobserved within the project area which fell within the criteria of an “excellent” or “good” rating. A completedescription of the terms and ratings utilized in this report and accompany inventory summary are found onpages 9-10.Sierra Nevada Arborists 2015Page 2D-5
Michael Winn AssociatesBarrett Ranch East Project SiteUpdated Arborist Report & Tree Inventory SummaryNovember 9, 2015be introduced into a developed environment and may require maintenance and/or may not besuitable for retention within a post-development setting.SUMMARY OF INVENTORY EFFORTField reconnaissance and inventory efforts found 40 trees measuring four inches in diameterand larger measured at breast height within and/or overhanging the proposed project area.Composition of the 40 inventoried trees includes the following species and accompanyingaggregate diameter inches:SPECIES DIVERSIFICATIONBlue Oak Chinese Elm Fremont Cottonwood Pacific Willow Valley Oak TOTAL 6 trees2 trees8 trees20 trees4 trees40 trees(107 aggregate diameter inches)(84 aggregate diameter inches)(68 aggregate diameter inches)(251 aggregate diameter inches)(67 aggregate diameter inches)(577 aggregate diameter inches)Recommended RemovalsAt this time, two trees have been recommended for removal from the proposedproject area due to the nature and extent of defects, compromised health, and/or structuralinstability noted at the time of field inventory efforts. If these trees were retained within theproposed project area it is our opinion that it may be hazardous depending upon theirproximity to planned development activities. 2 For reference, the trees which have beenrecommended for removal due to the severity of noted defects, compromised health and/orstructural instability are highlighted in green within the accompanying inventory summariesand are briefly summarized as follows:COMMONNAMESPECIES654Valley Oak(Quercuslobata)668PacificWillow(Salix lasiandra)TREE ONDITIONAL ASSESSMENTSTRUCTUREVIGOR9PoorFair11PoorFair2At this time Tree Hazard Evaluation forms have not been prepared for these trees. In lieu, specific detailsconcerning the nature and extent of defects noted within the tree at the time of field inventory efforts onOctober 31, 2015, have been included within the “notable characteristics” column of the accompanyinginventory summaries. It is our understanding, based upon past conversations with Todd Smith of DERA, thatthis level of detail is sufficient and that Tree Hazard Evaluation forms are unnecessary due to our inability toprovide a meaningful “target rating” at this early stage of the project.Sierra Nevada Arborists 2015Page 3D-6
Michael Winn AssociatesBarrett Ranch East Project SiteUpdated Arborist Report & Tree Inventory SummaryNovember 9, 2015CONSTRUCTION IMPACT ASSESSMENTThis Updated Arborist Report and Tree Inventory Summary is intended to provide toMichael Winn Associates, the County of Sacramento, and other members of the developmentteam a detailed pre-development review of the species, size, and current structure and vigorof the trees within and/or overhanging the proposed project area. It is not an exhaustivereview of the impacts which will be sustained from project implementation. At this earlystage of the project specific root system and canopy impacts on a tree-by-tree basis cannot bedefinitively assessed until the site development, grading, and other improvement plans havebeen refined and finalized and data from the accompanying inventory summary (i.e., treenumbers, dripline radius, and root protection zones) is properly depicted on the plans.Since trees are living organisms whose condition may change at any time a completeassessment of construction impacts and specific recommendations to help mitigate for theadverse impacts which may be sustained by the trees from contemplated constructionactivities cannot be made until the development plans have been refined and finalized. Oncefinal plans have been developed for the site a qualified ISA Certified Arborist with specialexpertise and demonstrated experience with construction projects in and among native andnon-native trees should review those plans and provide a more detailed assessment ofimpacts, including identification of trees which may require removal to facilitate homeconstruction and other contemplated site development activities. This review will beparticularly important if structures and/or residential activities will fall within or near the fallzone of a tree which has been noted as exhibiting structural defects, questionable long-termlongevity and/or a conditional rating which is less than “fair”, and for trees which measure16 inches and greater in diameter which will be retained within close proximity todevelopment as trees of this size may pose a more significant hazard if a sudden limb shedand/or catastrophic failure should occur. In addition, the review should include an assessmentof root system and canopy impacts which will be sustained by the trees which will beretained within the proposed development area, along with specific recommendations on atree-by-tree basis to help reduce adverse impacts of construction on the retained trees. In themeantime, this report provides some pre-development recommendations which logicallyfollow the observed characteristics noted in the trees at the time of the field inventory efforts,as well as General Protection Measures which should be utilized as a guideline for theprotection of trees which may be retained within the development area. Theserecommendations will require modification and/or augmentation as development plans arerefined and finalized.GENERAL COMMENTS AND ARBORISTS’ DISCLAIMERThe County of Sacramento regulates both the removal of “protected trees” and theencroachment of construction activities within their driplines. Therefore, a tree permit and/oradditional development authorization should be obtained from the County of Sacramentoprior to the removal of any trees within the proposed project area. All terms and conditions ofthe tree permit and/or other Conditions of Approval are the sole and exclusive responsibilitySierra Nevada Arborists 2015Page 4D-7
Michael Winn AssociatesBarrett Ranch East Project SiteUpdated Arborist Report & Tree Inventory SummaryNovember 9, 2015of the project applicant. It should be noted that prior to final inspection written verificationfrom an ISA Certified Arborist may be required certifying the approved removal activitiesand/or implementation of other Conditions of Approval outlined for the retained trees on thesite. Sierra Nevada Arborists will not provide written Certification of Compliance unlesswe have been provided with a copy of the approved site development plans, applicablepermits and/or Conditions of Approval, and are on site to monitor and observe regulatedactivities during the course of construction. Therefore, it will be necessary for the projectapplicant to notify Sierra Nevada Arborists well in advance (at least 72 hours prior notice) ofany regulated activities which are scheduled to occur on site so that those activities can beproperly monitored and documented for compliance certification.Please bear in mind that implementation of the recommendations provided within this reportwill help to reduce adverse impacts of construction on the retained trees; however,implementation of any recommendations should not be viewed as a guarantee or warrantyagainst the trees’ ultimate demise and/or failure in the future. Arborists are tree specialistswho use their education, knowledge, training and experience to examine trees, recommendmeasures to enhance the beauty and health of the trees and attempt to reduce the risk ofliving near trees. Arborists cannot detect every condition that could possibly lead to thestructural failure of a tree. There are some inherent risks with trees that cannot be predictedwith any degree of certainty, even by a skilled and experienced arborist. Entities who chooseto construct homes on wooded property are accepting a certain level of risk fromunpredictable tree related hazards such as toppling in storms, limbs falling and fires that maydamage property at some time in the future. Since trees are living organisms their structureand vigor constantly change over time, and they are not immune to changes in site conditionsor seasonal variations in the weather. Further, conditions are often hidden within the treeand/or below ground. Arborists and other tree care professionals cannot guarantee that a treewill be healthy and/or safe under all circumstances or for a specific period of time. Likewiseremedial treatments cannot be guaranteed. Trees can be managed but they cannot becontrolled. To develop land and live near trees is to accept some degree of risk and the onlyway to eliminate all risk associated with trees would be to eliminate all of the trees. An entitywho develops land and builds a home with a tree in the vicinity should be aware of andinform their future residents of this Arborists’ Disclaimer, and be further advised that thedeveloper and the future residents assume the risk that a tree could at any time suffer abranch and/or limb failure, blow over in a storm and/or fail for no apparent reason whichmay cause bodily injury or property damage. Sierra Nevada Arborists cannot predict acts ofnature including, without limitation, storms of sufficient strength which can even take downa tree with a structurally sound and vigorous appearance.Finally, the trees preserved within and/or overhanging the proposed project area willexperience a physical environment different from the pre-development environment. As aresult, tree health and structural stability should be regularly monitored. Occasional pruning,fertilization, mulch, pest management, replanting and/or irrigation may be required. Inaddition, provisions for monitoring both tree health and structural stability followingconstruction must be made a priority. As trees age, the likelihood of failure of branches orentire trees increases. Therefore, the future management plan must include an annualSierra Nevada Arborists 2015Page 5D-8
Michael Winn AssociatesBarrett Ranch East Project SiteUpdated Arborist Report & Tree Inventory SummaryNovember 9, 2015inspection by a qualified ISA Certified Arborist to keep abreast of the trees’ changingcondition(s) and to assess the trees’ ongoing structural integrity and potential for hazard in adeveloped environment.Thank you for allowing Sierra Nevada Arborists to assist you with this review. Please feelfree to give me a call if you have any questions or require additional information and/orclarification.Sincerely,Edwin E. StirtzInternational Society of ArboricultureCertified Arborist WE-0510AISA Tree Risk Assessment QualifiedMember, American Society of Consulting ArboristsSierra Nevada Arborists 2015Page 6D-9
Michael Winn AssociatesBarrett Ranch East Project SiteUpdated Arborist Report & Tree Inventory SummaryNovember 9, 2015ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITING CONDITIONS1.Any legal description provided to the consultant is assumed to be correct. Anytitles and ownership to any property are assumed to be good and marketable. Noresponsibility is assumed for matters legal in character. Any and all property isappraised or evaluated as though free and clear, under responsible ownership andcompetent management.2.It is assumed that any property is not in violation of any applicable codes,ordinances, statutes, or other governmental regulations.3.Care has been taken to obtain all information from reliable sources. All data hasbeen verified insofar as possible; however, the consultant can neither guaranteenor be responsible for the accuracy of information provided by others.4.The consultant shall not be required to give a deposition and/or attend court byreason of this report unless subsequent contractual arrangements are made for inadvance, including payment of an additional fee for such services according toour standard fee schedule, adjusted yearly, and terms of the subsequent contract ofengagement.5.Loss or alteration of any part of this report invalidates the entire report.Ownership of any documents produced passes to the Client only when all fesshave been paid.6.Possession of this report or a copy thereof does not imply right of publication oruse for any purpose by any other than the person to whom it is addressed, withoutthe prior expressed written or verbal consent of the consultant.7.Neither all nor any part of the contents of this report, nor copy thereof, shall beconveyed by anyone, including the client, to the public through advertising, publicrelations, news, sales, or other media, without the prior expressed written orverbal consent of the consultant, particularly as to value conclusions, identity ofthe consultant, or any reference to any professional society or institute or to anyinitialed designation conferred upon the consultant as stated in his qualifications.8.This report and any values expressed herein represent the opinion of theconsultant and the consultant’s fee is in no way contingent upon the reporting of aspecified value, a stipulated result, the occurrence of a subsequent event, nor uponany finding to be reported.9.Sketches, diagrams, graphs, drawings and photographs within this report areintended as visual aids and are not necessarily to scale and should not beconstrued as engineering or architectural reports or surveys. The reproduction ofinformation generated by other consultants is for coordination and ease ofSierra Nevada Arborists 2015Page 7D - 10
Michael Winn AssociatesBarrett Ranch East Project SiteUpdated Arborist Report & Tree Inventory SummaryNovember 9, 2015reference. Inclusion of such information does not constitute a representation bythe consultant as to the sufficiency or accuracy of the information.10.Unless expressed otherwise: 1) information contained in this report covers onlythose items that were examined and reflects the condition of those items at thetime of inspection; and 2) the inspection is limited to visual examination ofaccessible items without laboratory analysis, dissection, excavation, probing orcoring, unless otherwise stated.11.There is no warranty or guarantee, expressed or implied, that problems ordeficiencies of the plants or property in question may not arise in the future.12.This report is based on the observations and opinions of Edwin E. Stirtz, and doesnot provide guarantees regarding the future performance, health, vigor, structuralstability or safety of the plants described herein. Neither this author nor SierraNevada Arborists has assumed any responsibility for liability associated with thetrees on or adjacent to this project site, their future demise and/or any damagewhich may result therefrom.13.The information contained within this report is true to the best of the author’sknowledge and experience as of the date it was prepared; however, certainconditions may exist which only a comprehensive, scientific, investigation mightreveal which should be performed by other consulting professionals.14.The legal description, dimensions, and areas herein are assumed to be correct. Noresponsibility is assumed for matters that are legal in nature.15.Any changes to an established tree’s environment can cause its decline, deathand/or structural failure.Sierra Nevada Arborists 2015Page 8D - 11
Michael Winn AssociatesBarrett Ranch East Project SiteUpdated Arborist Report & Tree Inventory SummaryNovember 9, 2015DEFINITIONSTree Number:Corresponds to aluminum tag attached to the tree.Species Identification:Scientific and common species name.Diameter (“DBH”):This is the trunk diameter measured at breast height (industrystandard 4.5 feet above ground level).Dripline radius (“DLR”):This is the trunk diameter measured at breast height (industrystandard 4.5 feet above ground levelCritical Root Zone (“CRZ”): A circular area around a protected tree with a radius equal to atree’s largest dripline radius plus one foot (1')Root Crown:Assessment of the root crown/collar area located at the base ofthe trunk of the tree at soil level.Trunk:Assessment of the tree’s main trunk from ground levelgenerally to the point of the primary crotch structure.Limbs:Assessment of both smaller and larger branching, generallyfrom primary crotch structure to branch tips.Foliage:Tree’s leaves.Overall Condition:Describes overall condition of the tree in terms of structure andvigor.Recommendation:Pre-development recommendations based upon observedcharacteristics noted at the time of the updated field inventoryeffort.Obscured:Occasionally some portion of the tree may be obscured fromvisual inspection due to the presence of dense vegetationwhich, during the course of inspection for the updated arboristreport, prevented a complete evaluation of the tree. In thesecases, if the tree is to be retained on site the vegetation shouldbe removed to allow for a complete assessment of the tree priorto making final decisions regarding the suitability for retention.Sierra Nevada Arborists 2015Page 9D - 12
Michael Winn AssociatesBarrett Ranch East Project SiteUpdated Arborist Report & Tree Inventory SummaryNovember 9, 2015TREE CONDITION RATING CRITERIARATINGTERMGoodFairPoorROOT CROWNNo apparentinjuries, decay,cavities orevidence ofhollowing; noanchoring rootsexposed; noindications ofinfestation ordiseaseSmall tomoderateinjuries, decay,cavities orhollowing maybe evident butare not currentlyaffecting theoverall structure;some evidence ofinfestation ordisease may bepresent but is notcurrentlyaffecting thetree's structureModerate tosevere injuries,decay, cavities orhollowing maybe evident andare affecting theoverall structure;presence ofinfestation ordisease may besignificant andaffecting thetree's structureTRUNKLIMBSFOLIAGESTRUCTUREVIGORNo apparentinjuries, decay,cavities orevidence ofhollowing; nocodominantattachments ormultiple trunkattachments areobserved; noindications ofinfestation ordiseaseSmall tomoderateinjuries, decay,cavities orhollowing maybe evident;codominantbranching ormultiple trunkattachments orminor barkinclusion maybe observed;some infestationor disease maybe present butnot currentlyaffecting thetree's structureModerate tosevere injuries,decay, cavitiesor hollowingmay be evidentand are affectingthe tree'sstructure;presence ofinfestation ordisease may besignificant andaffecting thetree's structureNo apparentinjuries, decay,cavities orevidence ofhollowing; belowaverage amount ofdead limbs ortwigs; no majorlimb failures orincluded bark;callus growth isvigorousLeaf size, color anddensity are typical forthe species; buds arenormal in size,viable, abundant anduniform throughoutthe canopy; annualseasonal growthincrements areaverage or aboveaverage; no insect ordisease infestations/infections evidentLeaf size, color anddensity are typical orslightly below typicalfor the species; budsare normal or slightlysparse withpotentially variedviability, abundanceand distributionthroughout thecanopy; annualseasonal growthincrements areaverage or slightlybelow average; minorinsect or diseaseinfestation/infectionmay be presentNo apparentstructural defects; noweak crotches; noexcessively weightedbranches and nosignificant cavities ordecayTree appearshealthy and haslittle or nosignificantdeadwood; foliageis normal andhealthyMinor structuralproblems such asweak crotches, minorwounds and/orcavities or moderateamount of excessiveweight; non-criticalstructural defectswhich can bemitigated throughpruning, cabling orbracingTree appearsstressed orpartially damaged;minimal vegetativegrowth sinceprevious season;moderate amountof deadwood,abnormal foliageand minor lesionsor cambiumdiebackLeaf size, color anddensity are obviouslyabnormal; buds areobviously abnormalor absent; annualseasonal growth iswell below averagefor the species; insector disease problemsmay be severeObvious majorstructural problemswhich cannot becorrected withmitigation; potentialfor major limb, trunkor root system failureis high; significantdecay or dieback maybe presentTree health isdeclining; no newvegetative growth;larg
Sierra Nevada Arborists is a fully insured, Rio Linda-based arboriculture consulting firm founded in January of 1998 by its Principal, Edwin E. Stirtz. Mr. Stirtz is an ISA Certified Arborist and is ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified. He is a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists and
