Mr. Melani has submitted a permit application to remove “1 large oak tree” at Carmelo Street 4 Southwest of Second Avenue. The reason for the proposed removal is “the tree is growing against the house; is uplifting the support beam to the structure.”
Upon inspection, the coast live oak appears in fair to good condition with no immediate indications that the tree is in decline. The oak trunk is in contact with a ledger beam of the house. Tissue has formed under the beam. There is potential for the tree trunk to expand laterally pushing the beam in. The risk of the tree trunk growing vertically at the point of contact with the beam is highly unlikely.
At this time, no documentation has been provided by the applicant that indicates the tree is compromising the integrity of the structure or its safe use.