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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - BC - 1996.02.01C` 4r Tity of Purfingamr PARK DEPARTMENT 850 BURLINGAME AVENUE BURLINGAME, CALIFORNIA 94010 December 8, 1995 TEL: (415) 696-7245 ' FAX: (415) 696-7216 Derek Skaife TR 45 Cronin Drive (1609 Ralston Avenue) Santa Clara, CA 95051 RE: REQUEST FOR PRIVATE TREE REMOVAL @ 1609 RALSTON AVENUE At is regular meeting of December 7, 1995, the Burlingame Beautification Commission moved to continue your request for �... removal of the private Fir tree at 5:30 at the February 1, 1996 meeting. The Commission suggested that a discussion be held with the property owners at 1611 Ralston Avenue re the possibilitites of trenching around the roots so a more clear determination may be made by an Arborist as to the possibility of root pruning instead of tree removal. Please call me at (415) 696-7245 if you have any questions. Sincerely, Richard P. Quadri Director of Parks RPQ/kh (S CPS ��'� 9fiS, Conn M i SS io..� Vv!ke a Lv r . 1 C .na.vse pled w recycled paper 0 MR Mayne Tree Expert Company, Inc. ESTABLISHED 1931 STATE CONTRACTOR'S LICENSE NO. 276793 LICENSED FORESTERS • CERTIFIED ARBORISTS • PEST CONTROL ADVISORS AND OPERATORS KENNETH D. MEYER 23 SOUTH RAILROAD AVENUE PRESIDENT November 20, 1995 P.O. BOX 522 SAN MATEO, CA 94401 RICHARD L. HUNTINGTON VICE PRESIDENT Dr. Derek Skaife c/o Panda Realty 113 El Camino Real, Ste 201 Millbrae, CA 94030 Dear Dr. Skaife: TELEPHONE: (415) 344-3860 I-AX: (4I5) 344-9848 On November 16, 1995, I met with Mr. Yanni Grivakis at 1609 Ralston Avenue, Burlingame, California. The purpose of this meeting was to inspect root growth on the Douglas -fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii, located in front. The tree is three feet from the corner of the porch and about twelve feet from the corner of the house. L.- Roots from this tree are growing under the porch and visibly uplifting bricks and cracking porch stucco. These roots appear to be eight to ten inches in diameter, with a high potential for damage to the house itself. Tree roots generally radiate out past the drip line in all directions. This configuration may change due to structures, soil type or if the roots have been physically cut. Roots are important for absorbing nutrients and water and for physical support. Cutting roots to mitigate or prevent damage can impact both of the two support systems. One way to formulate some idea of the impact cutting certain roots would have is to dig and see what is there. In the case of your house, trenching along the porch and exposing impinging roots would allow for a better determination of root cutting impact. When I looked at the surface, it was my conclusion that at least two large roots would require cutting to relieve pressure and reduce further impacts This would amount to about 30% of the total roots, which could be significant to both tree health and support. Before cutting the roots I recommend trenching as recommended to determine if remedial treatments will be successful or if the tree should be removed. Remedial treatments may include fertilizing or pruning to reduce wind resistance. If the tree is left, then install a root barrier 24 inches deep into the trench. Damage will still occur to the lawn and possibly to the neighbor's property. As soon as trench is open have 'an arborist inspect the roots to be cut, before there is a final recommendation made. I believe this report is accurate and based on sound arboricultural principles. Sincerely, Richard L. Huntington Certified Arborist WC #0119 RLH:dcr "1 '1 Mayne Tree Expert Company, Inc. ESTABLISHED 1931 STATE CONTRACTOR'S LICENSE NO. 276793 LICENSED FORESTERS • CERTIFIED ARBORISTS - PEST CONTROL ADVISORS AND OPERATORS KENNETH D. MEYER January 11, 1996 23 SOUTH RAILROAD AVENUE P.O. 13OX 522 PRESIDENT SAN MA"I'EO, CA 94401 RICHARD L. HUNTINGTON rLii.L:PI ION('.: (415) 344-3860 VICE PRESIDENT Dr. Derek Skaife 45 Cronin Drive Santa Clara, CA 95051 Inspection Site: 1609 Ralston Avenue, Burlingame, CA Dear Dr. Skaife: On Wednesday, January 10, 1996, I inspected the open trench next to the front porch. This is a follow-up inspection as recommended in my report of November 11, 1995. This original report stated that to more accurately determine if these roots from the Douglas -fir were actually damaging the house, a trench should be dug. The open trench reveals five roots, now cut, which were growing against and under the porch and causing damage. There were two roots over six inches, two roots in the four to six inch range and one root in the two to four inch range. The only way to repair the present damage and prevent future damage was to cut the roots. A full compliment of roots are important to tree health and support. In my opinion the root cutting to protect the house has seriously impacted the health of the tree, but more importantly, significantly reduced tree support. I recommend removal of this Douglas -fir as soon as possible, before we have a heavy rain or wind. Sincerely. '? /v Richard L. Huntington Certified Arborist WC #0119 RLH:dcr CC: Dr. Derek Skaife 01 1ED �VIJ "-- January 19, 1996 Mr. Derek D. Skaife 45 Cronin Drive Santa Clara, CA 95051 Derek: Re: Tree Removal @ 1609 Ralston Avenue, Burlingame I understand that you had Yani open up the area around the tree to inspect it and that Mayne did inspect and file a report. I had hoped that we could work on this together and share expenses and we are more than willing to do so, however, at this point I would like to know the status of the situation. Can you send me a copy of the report? Does the report and estimate cover selected root removal, upper tree trimming and tree removal? Please let me know where you stand on the maintain vs. removal issue. °... Regards, Jo' atherwax 1 alston Avenue Burlingame, CA 94010 cc: Richard P. Quadri, Director of ParIks Beautification Committee T4,f Ctg of 19urfinganve PARK DEPARTMENT 850 BURLINGAME AVENUE TEL (415) 696-7245 . FAX (415) 696-7216 BURLINGAME, CALIFORNIA 94010 February 2, 1996 Derek & Jane Skaife 45 Cronin Drive (1609 Ralston Avenue) Santa Clara, CA 95051 Dear Mr. and Mrs. Skaife: At its regular meeting of February 1, 1996, the Burlingame Beautification Commission voted 6-0 that a permit be issued to remove the Fir tree at the above address. At your request, I discussed the matter of an emergency removal permit with the City Attorney. Based on the Arborist Report dated January 11, 1996, and the unanimous vote of the Commission, he agreed it was appropriate to waive the appeal procedure, and issue the permit immediately. The condition that a 24" box size replacement tree be planted is still required. Please call me at 696-7245 if you have any further questions. Sincerely, Richard P. Quadri Director of Parks Enclosure CC: Jon and Kathy Weatherwax Scotty and Frances Morris OR prmled on recycled paper t,