Require reimbursement to the City the cost of the Arborist Report. Consider requiring payment of the appraised value of tree 4 of $6,200 at a treble rate of $18,600 to be deposited in the Reforestation Fund.  Consider requiring a bond of $45,300 for the remaining damaged trees to be held by the City for 5 years.  Require resubmission of a landscape plan with 75% native plant material, including trees, and vegetation enhancements to the public right of way.

A Stop Work Order was issued at Guadalupe 4 Northeast of Third Avenue on August 6, 2020 for violation of Municipal Code 17.48.110.  Extensive root damage was observed.  An oak on the west side of the parcel was in active failure toward the neighboring property and was ordered to be removed immediately. Consulting Arborist, Glenn Whitlock-Reeve was contacted to draft an Arborist Report.

Mr. Witlock-Reeve observed:

“A total of 8 trees and 1 stump were present on the property, including 1-Monterey Cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa), 3 Privet Trees (Ligustrum confusum) and 3-Coast Live Oaks (Quercus agrifolia). Tree #5 is a multi-stem Coast Live Oak that was considered 1-tree for purposes explained later in this report. Excavation on site appears to have consisted of a complete tear down of a house for a complete house rebuild. Excavation was as deep as 3-feet within 2-feet of established trees on site. Large roots up to 6-inches could be seen broken in the excavated walls. Root zone disturbances accounted for as much as 50% of 3-trees on site and resulted in an emergency removal of a tree uprooting from root loss (Tree #4).

Tree #1 a large and healthy Coast Live oak did not have any visible evidence of excavation within the immediate root zone. A large pile 6-foot tall pile of soil is present east of the tree within the dripline. Dead branches up to 2-inches were noted within the canopy and power lines are present above the tree.

Tree #2 a large Monterey Cypress near 100-feet tall sustained substantial root zone damage on the northern side of the tree. The trunk has a lean and the canopy is heavy to the west. The south side of the tree appears to have had grade changes that may have resulted in root loss in the past depending on when the house at Guadalupe 3NE of 3rd was built. The foliage had minimal dead tissue and no pests or disease were visible.

Tree #3 a relatively small Coast Live Oak is present with the eastern dripline of Tree #4. Excavation was present 6-feet to the north of the trunk, but minimal impact from construction is suspected. The tree was noted for having a sparse canopy.

Tree #4 was reported to have been cut down because cut roots caused the tree to begin to fail to the east on an adjacent house. As much as 50% of the trees root zone had been removed during excavation and roots up to 4-inches could be seen severed in the bank wall.

Tree #5 is a multi-stem oak consisting of 4-large leaders. Any roots that may have been present on the southern side of the tree have been removed. A large broken root that had been broken by force was visible on below Leader “C”. Leader “B” Could be seen resting on the roof of the cottage/shed in the back yard of Guadalupe 5NE of 3rd. Leader C was within 2-feet of the roof as well. The grouping of trees displayed health canopies with minimal signs of pests or diseases.”

Excavation within 15 feet of the trunks of trees 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 were not performed by hand as required by the conditions of the building permit.  The required mulch was not installed prior to the beginning of the project.  The City Forester was not contacted for the inspection of required tree protection prior to construction.