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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda Packet - BC - 2006.05.04AGENDA BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION MAY 4, 2006 5:30 P.M. CITYRALL Conference Room A - 501 PRIMROSE ROAD BURLINGAME, CA L ROLL CALL II. MINUTES OF APRIL, 6, 2006 COMMISSION MEETING IIL CORRESPONDENCE IV. FROM THE FLOOR (At this time, persons in the audience may speak on any item on the agenda or any other matter. The Ralph M. Brown Act prohibits the Commission from acting on a matter which is not on the agenda. Comments are limited to three minutes.) V. OLD BUSINESS 1. P.G.&E. Pruning Practices in the City of Burlingame — Committee Report 2. Long Range Reforestation Plan for Easton Drive VL NEW BUSINESS 1. Request for the Removal of 6 City -Owned Pittosporum Trees at 2100 Easton Dr., Due to Allergies 2. City Streets with No Trees VIL REPORTS 1. Staff 2. Chairperson 3. Commissioners M OR �ITY O CITY OF BURLINGAME TREE EVALUATION Person Reporting: Bob Disco Tree Location: 2100 Easton Date May 4, 2006 Title: Park Supervisor Details of Tree: Genus: Pittosporum Species: undulatum Common Name: Victorian Box Approx. Age: , Height: 10-12, DBH: 4", Cir. 8-10 ', Crown: 6-8' 1. Assignment: Issue a report on the health and structure of the 6 pittosporums at the above address. 2. Observations: Structural Defects: All six pittosporums appear to be healthy and structurally sound. Soil/Root Condition: Trees are growing in a 3ft planting strip surrounded by ivy Injuries: None visible History of tree/sife: All trees were planted around 1998. Each was trimmed and raised several times. 3. Conclusions and Discussion: All the pittosporums have been properly maintained and are all well balanced. A few have been raised and trimmed to avoid interference with vehicles. New growth is evident on all six trees. One tree seems to be yellowing. All trees seem to be thriving in the location. 4. Recommendations: Trim and thin canopies on all six trees in the upcoming years to prevent any damage by winds. Remove ivy 1 foot around the base of each tree. List of Low Pollen Trees 05/01/2006 01:36 PM ALLERGY AND ASTHMA IN THE SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES Recommended Plants for Homes of Allergic People in Southern Arizona (mainly Maricopa and Pima Counties) The plants listed below have been selected for their low production of airborne pollen, as well as utility in landscaping and availability in plant nurseries. This is only a partial list of suitable plants. Many species closely related to those on the list are also available from local nurseries and could be used. The plants listed are low water use or drought tolerant, selected from the list published by the Arizona Department of Water Resources. Pictures of most of the plants can be found in "Plants for Dry Climates" by Mary Rose Duffield and Warren Jones, H.P. Books, Fisher Publishing, Tucson, 1981. Not shown on the list are high water use, low allergy plants such as deciduous fruit trees, most roses and many other brightly colored flowers, none of which produce large amounts of airborne pollen. Identification of female trees may be impossible unless purchased as large specimens during their flowering season. BOTANICAL NAME (COMMON NAME) COMMENTS Trees Albiza julbrissin (Silk Tree) Fern -like leaves, deciduous, pink flowers Bauhinia spp (Orchid Tree) Orchid -like flowers, frost sensitive Brachychiton popu/neus (Bottle Tree) Tall tree, shiny leaves Ceratonia siliqua (Carob) female Spreads widely - large area needed Eucalyptus spp (many species)* Some species cause litter. Invasive roots Melia azedarach (Chinaberry Tree) Clusters of yellow berries Olea europaea 'Swan Hill' (Olive 'Swan Hill' fruitless variety) Produces some pollen Olneya tesota (Desert Ironwood) Slow growing Pinus edulis (Pinon Nut Pine)* Small, slow growing Pinus halepensis (Aleppo Pine)* Hardy, fast growing Pinus monophilia (Singleleaf Pinon Pine)* Similar to P. edulis Pinus pinea (Italian Stone Pine)* Large tree Pinus roxburghii (Chir Pine)* Large tree Pistacia atlantica (Mt. Atlas Pistache) female Slow growing, handsome tree Pistacia chinensis (Chinese Pistache) female Needs a large space Pistacia vera (Pistachio) female Produces pistachio nuts Pittosporum phillyraeoides (Willow Pittosporum) Narrow leaves, pendulous branches Zizyphus jujube (Chinese Jujube, Common Jujube) Attractive tree, shiny leaves Shrubs That Become Trees http://allergy.peds.arizona.edu/southwest/lowalIrgytrees.htm Page 1 of 2 Allergies Factsheet - Gardening Australia - ABC 05/01/2006 01:38 PM trees that can best tolerate the harsh urban environment. The Plane Tree is one of the toughest trees for urban street planting and is the `-' reason that it has so often been used in inner city areas in the past. ueensland Pittosporum, Pittosporum °>"r: >tombifolium, widely grown as a street tree in ydney. Reaches 10m in 20 years in Sydney. u (amples can be seen in Sydney Botanic Gardei id near St Leonard's railway station. later Gum, Tristaniopsis laurina, widely! rown as a street tree in Sydney. Reaches 10m 0 years in Sydney. Sydney City Council has lanted these alona Fort Street. ilueberry Ash, Elaeocarpus reticulates, M ll. tide) rown as a street tree in Sydney. Y 9 articularly favoured by South Sydney Council fo arrow streets, such as in Union Street,:x rskineville. Reaches 10m in 10 vears in Svdnev. uckeroo, Cupaniopsis anacardioides, widely' ,,. rown as a street and park tree, particularly: seful for salt spray affected areas around— OW Harbour. Reaches 8m in 15 years in],.: ydney. Harbourside examples can be seen from larlina Harbour east to Svdnev Botanic Gardens, Australian Teak, Flindersia australis, widely rown in Sydney parks. Good examples at the" .oyal Prince Alfred Hospital along Missendenm .oad. Reaches 10m in 25 years in Sydney. Fruit iay cause trip hazards; best grown in parks an ardens. Sydney City Council planted these on umberland and Essex Streets......:.. g [Ilawarra Flame Tree, Brachychiton � " icerifolia, popular for parks and as a street tree :rom Sydney to Cairns. Reaches 15m in 20 years I n Sydney. Soft timbered; best grown in parksgi.- and gardens. Sydne Cit Council has Planted z :hese in Hyde Park .. ,1 ,. rush Box, Lophostemon confertus, one http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s1215645.htm Page 4 of 5 Allergies Factsheet - Gardening Australia - ABC 05/01/2006 01:38 PM outhern Australia's most successful and widely. rown street trees from Perth to Sydney. As. conomical to buy and as reliable as Plane Trees Us f Contact Us �-- O 2006 ABC Privacy Policy http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s1215645.htm Page 5 of 5 The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service In DeKalb County SNEEZELESS LANDSCAPING Effects of Landscaping on Allergies About one out of five persons suffers from allergies, many of them plant related. Flowers, trees and lawn grasses in our backyards product billions of pollen grains each spring. Georgia's pollen season is at its peak in mid- April, receding in mid -May, and resurfacing in mid -August. Some plants pollinate by insects and animals, others are wind -dependent and shed pollen into the air currents on warm, dry days intending to land on flowers. Instead, these tiny particles are easily inhaled by people and adhere to the linings of the nose, throat, and eyes. A chemical (histamine) is then released by the body that will induce allergic symptoms in sensitized individuals producing sneezing, coughing, itching, and watery eyes. Plants pollinated by insects and animals tend to have large, sticky pollen grains that are not airborne, posing much less problem to the allergy sufferer. Pine pollen is often accused of causing allergies, but is not a potent allergen and is too large to go deep into the respiratory tract. Although pollens can travel many miles, the majority tend to be focused in the general vicinity of their origin. An oak tree in the yard can expose the homeowner to ten times more pollen than an oak tree a block a way. During the height of the pollen season --from late February to June --there are often thousands of pollen grains in every cubic meter of air. Most airborne pollen is so small it is barely seen. The amount of pollen in the air varies mile to mile and hour to hour, depending on local vegetation, wind direction and velocity, and other weather conditions. Pollen counts are higher on sunny, dry days and lower on cool, cloudy days, or after a rainfall. Coping with Allergies When the pollen counts rise, close your windows and don't use window fans, stay in air conditioning, change air conditioning filters often. Pollen counts are higher in the morning, so outdoor activities - such as running or cutting grass - should be done in the late afternoon. Keep your car clean and use the air conditioner. If you wear contact lenses and have allergic eye symptoms, a regular pair of glasses is much better for you at this time of year. Wear glasses or sunglasses outdoors to prevent pollen from irritating the eyes. Wear a paper mask that covers your nose and mouth when doing yard work, (available at drug and hardware stores). Use gloves when gardening or wash your hands often. Shower and put on fresh clothes after spending a lot of time outdoors, wash your hair particularly if you have long hair. Wash pets (especially dogs) regularly because pollen clings to their coats. Consult your physician if you experience ongoing symptoms such as a runny nose, stuffiness, sinus pressure and headaches along with coughing and wheezing. Use antihistamines sparingly, always with your doctor's advice. Do not use over-the-counter nose sprays more than three consecutive days; you can become tolerant to the medication rendering it ineffective. Hay fever sufferers and allergic asthmatics participating in sports on grassy areas should take medication at least an hour before play. Planting Recommendations Many plants can be used in place of allergy producers. All plants, however, have the potential to cause allergies if the exposure is high enough. For example, a florist may become sensitized to flowers listed here as 'sneezeless,' after close and frequent contact with the pollen. People with allergies and asthma have sensitive airways, which can be adversely affected by slight irritants, such as plant fragrances. Other irritants which can trigger nasal distress or asthma include dust, secondhand smoke, pollution, and perfume. Some plants known to cause problems among sensitive persons include the rose, star jasmine, citrus tree, eucalyptus tree, narcissus, rosemary, and gardenia. One way to select "sneezeless" plants is to examine the flowers. Plants that produce the most frequent allergies are wind -pollinated. Their flowers are drab, inconspicuous, and often in clusters or tassels (called catkins). Frequently, wind -pollinated plants have separate male and female flowers, or entirely separate male and female plants. Most colorful and showy flowers are "safe." They are insect -pollinated and their beautiful petals serve to attract bees and other insects. Their pollens are usually heavy, sticky, and have a variety of surface structures. such as spines. The pollen grains can easily and securely attach to the insect and are not easily picked up by wind currents. These pollens seldom cause allergies. A Word About Lawns Bermuda grass lawns in particular produce abundant pollen, and the common seeded bermuda more than Ground Cover Grass Lawn Juniper (Juniperus) Bermuda Ornamental Flowers Amaranthus Ceanothus Low Allergenic Potential Trees Apple (Malus) Palm Catalpa Pear (Pyrus) Cherry (Prunus) Pine (pinus) Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) Dogwood (Cornus) Plum (Prunus) Fig (Ficus) Podocarpus Fir (Abies) Red Bud (Cercis) Hawthorne Redwood (Sequoia) Magnolia Silk Tree (Albizia) Maidenhair (Ginkgo) Tulip Tree Mulberry (Morus, female) Yew (Taxus) Shrubs Boxwood Pyracantha Hibuscus Verbena Nandina Viburnum Oleander Yucca Pittosportnn Ground Cover Grass Lawn Ivy Bunch Grasses Tradescantia Rye, Blue Fescue Sedum Irish Moss Ornamental Flowers Allium Hollyhock Petunia Azalea Hyacinth Poppy Begonia Iris Rose Bougainvillea Larkspur Solarium Camellia Impatiens Salvia Columbine Lavendar Tulip Coneflower Lily Verbena Crocus Marigold V inca Daffodil Orchid Violet Dahlia Pansy Zinnia Geranium Peony Gladiola Periwinkle The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State College, The U.S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. An equal opportunity/affirmative action organization committed to a diverse work force. Provided as a service by your DeKalb Extension Service in cooperation with American Lung Association of Georgia 1-800-LUNG-USA DeKalb Extension Service 404-298-4080 www.dekalbextension.com 0M