...informing the owner of all the factors involved is critical
WHEN YOU ARE CALLED OUT TO DO A RISK ASSESSMENT. ...
Would you gamble the life of YOUR child on that tree?
Just something to think about.
snarf that's a fearmonger/removalist's favorite line; way beneath you I thought.
Yes, i got higher-risk trees hanging over my children's bedrooms, and yes we all sleep very well. Yes i did a risk assessment and yes pointed out targets...but clients do not need me to point to where they sleep and say "OOOOO if it falls, OOOOO your kids and puppy dog could be hurt...MMMMMMMMMMM something to think about"
We demonstrate competence and trustworthiness by looking at the trees' strengths as well as their weaknesses. To be objective, equal time should be given to strength factors and contributions, along with weaknesses and the targets. If not, that sounds to me like arborphobically biased consulting. But no offense meant. Here's the report; bash away:
BACKGROUND AND HISTORY
Client has owned property 3 years. 2 limbs have been removed entirely to gain extra clearance to palms and street. Landscape service has maintained edges of flowerbeds by trenching, and applying Blade herbicide monthly. A fiberoptic line was bored under the tree 2 years ago.
Last year a local tree service removed lower and interior growth in an effort to “stormproof” the tree. No cuts were made at the ends of the branches. Another tree service looked at a red mushroom on the tree and recommended removal.
ASSIGNMENT
On June 27 2009 the owner asked me to assess the tree’s condition and list management options.
OBSERVATIONS
I excavated decayed wood around the infection. I removed >2” extra soil that had been added around the trunk, and clipped away some circling roots. The infection measured approximately 11 inches wide, 6 inches high and 2 inches deep before I encountered living or solid tree tissue. Live oak wood is known to be decay resistant. The tree has sent out 2-3’ sprouts where last year’s “stormproofing” (lion-tailing) cuts were made. The top branches of the tree are sparsely foliated; dead twigs are in the sunlight. Spanish moss is shading out lower foliage. Wound response where branches were removed is poor; very little callus (scar) tissue is visible. The tree is declining, but the decline does not appear irreversible.
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS **note i do not advise, recommend or decide for the clients--they are adults.**
1. Remove no more green leaves until the top of the tree has more leaves and wounds have more callus growth. After that, train some of the lower sprouts to become branches.
2. Orient sprinkler heads so the trunk is not splashed.
3. Mulch flowerbeds, and maintain edges without cutting tree roots (contact herbicide?)
4. Stop using Blade or any other broadleaf herbicide until dosage and frequency are verified tree-friendly.
5. Remove excess moss to get sunlight to leaves.
6. Late this summer, have an arborist inspect the ends of the limbs and remove dead branches, inspecting foliage for size, color and health, and inspecting limbs for canker and cracking.
7. Inoculate rootzone with compost applied in 1’deep, 2” wide holes 2’ apart in the turf area.
8. Mulch tree ring 4” deep with shredded hardwood, leaving the trunk clear.
9. Monitor semiannually, documenting above conditions.
10. Leave the tree alone.
11. Remove the tree.
This concludes my report. I can clarify any portions of it upon request.
Sincerely Yours,
Guy Meilleur, ISA Board-Certified Master Arborist #SO-0284
Certified Municipal and Utility Arborist and Tree Worker
Member, American Society of Consulting Arborists
“Facilitating the coexistence of trees and people”
Better Tree Care Associates
PO Box 1287, Apex NC 27502
919-387-7045
guym@bettertreecare.com
ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITING CONDITIONS
...There is no warranty or guarantee, expressed or implied, that problems or deficiencies of the plants or property in question may not arise in the future.
