Arboricultural inventory — Claude Road / Percy Place (Tree Inventory)

Contents

1.0 Summary
2.0 Scope of work
3.0 Tree survey methodology
4.0 Recommendations / general comments
APPENDIX I Tree Inventory
APPENDIX II Site Map

1.0 Summary

The report provides an initial tree inventory on the various parcels of land, 2703 – 2711 Claude Road and 726 Percy Place for the new proposed multifamily development. Eleven [11] trees were surveyed; 8 on property and 3 off property trees. The recommendations are based on their situation given the post-development setting and as such they may not be suitable for retention within the scope of the future development.

2.0 Scope of work

MB Arboriculture was instructed by Kyle Stewart (Client) to undertake a tree inventory for 2703-2711 Claude Rd and 726 Percy Place in preparation for the proposed development and subsequent construction work where trees in and around the properties may be impacted. This report provides a general assessment of these trees located on these parcels of land in question as well as any trees within 3 metres of the boundary.

The scope of work:

• Identify trees that are of value to the surrounding area that may be impacted by activities occurring as part of the proposed project
• Assess the health and structural condition of these trees
• Identify conflicts or conditions that require removal and replacement of these trees.

3.0 Tree survey methodology

The tree survey includes any “trees” (defined as those with a DBH >20cm, as per the City of Langford Bylaw NO. 2117) that could potentially be impacted by the proposed development. The initial visual inspection of these trees on the property was undertaken on the August 26, 2022 as well as any boulevard, municipal owned trees included due to the proximity of the canopies and rooting areas to the site. Trees were surveyed individually and inspected from ground level only; no climbing inspections or specialist decay detection were used. Should a more detailed inspection be deemed appropriate, this will be covered under the Recommendations.

The trees were inspected to determine their health, condition and capability to withstand the proposed construction.

Tags were not placed on any trees within the parcels of land as well as on municipal land or neighbouring properties and, as access was not granted, only estimated measurements were taken. Details of genus and size (DBH in cm) were noted (see Appendix I Tree Inventory). Critical Root Zone (CRZ) is in meters. Canopy spread was recorded in meters. Tree condition (both physiological and structural) was assessed and an indication of their tolerance to construction activity given.

4.0 Recommendations / general comments

At this time all trees located on the properties will require removal to accommodate the proposed development. The trees located on the neighbouring properties (#2, #11 &#12) should be able to be incorporated within the proposed design. Information concerning the nature and extent of root system and canopy impacts for these retained trees within the proposed development as well specific tree-by-tree mitigation recommendations for the retained trees will (if needed) be supplied in a supplementary Arborist report.

The trees preserved in the neighbouring properties will experience a physical environment different from the pre-development environment. As a result, the overall tree health and structural stability should be regularly monitored. Provisions for monitoring both tree health and structural stability following construction must be a priority.

A future management plan may include an annual inspection by a qualified ISA Certified Arborist to keep abreast of the trees changing conditions and to assess the trees ongoing structural integrity and potential for hazard in the new development.

1 Trees and Development - A technical guide to preservation of trees during land development. By Matheny N and Clark JR.

Disclosure statement

An arborist uses their professional education and experience to assess trees and provide recommendations on the management of trees that will promote or improve their physical and structural health and reduce risks to human life and the built environment.

This report, its appendices and any subsequent revisions thereof, will form part of any formal planning application in respect of the development of this site, and as such will be open to public scrutiny and comment.

Limitations

The use of this report is intended solely for the addressed client and may not be used or reproduced without the consent of the author.
The findings of this study are valid for a period of 12 months from the date of survey. If works have not commenced by this date, an updated site visit should be carried out by a suitably qualified and experienced arborist to assess any changes to the trees and groups on site and to inform a review of the conclusions and recommendations made.

Trees are living organisms and as such their structural and physical health is influenced by age, growth, pest and diseases and climate and weather conditions. Defects that may affect a trees structure or health may be concealed within the tree or beneath the ground. It is not possible for an arborist to identify all flaws or conditions that may result in failure nor can an arborist guarantee that a tree will remain healthy and free of risk in the future.

Trees are dynamic living organisms, whose health and condition can be subject to rapid change, depending on a number of external and internal factors. The conclusions and recommendations contained in this report relate to the trees at the time of inspection.

The information in this report is limited to only the items that were examined and reported on and reflect only the visual conditions present at the time of the assessment. Any significant alteration to the site that may affect the trees that are present will necessitate a re-assessment of the site and trees.

Unless stated, the inspection was limited to a visual examination of the accessible components without dissection or probing.
Site plans or other diagrams in this report are intended as visual aids only and are not to scale.

APPENDIX I — Tree Inventory

*Many trees were inaccessible at the time of the site visit and have therefore not been measured accurately.

Tree Inventory Key

• Tree numbers (#) – tree numbers relate to the location of the tree on the site plan and assigned tag (Appendix II)
• Tree species – common names (latin names)
• Location – On, Off, shared, municipality
• Bylaw status – Is the tree protected (Yes/No)
• DBH – diameter at breast height (measured 1.4m from grade)
• CRZ – critical root zone is a radius in meters from the tree truck calculated as (DBH in cm x 12)/100) Ref: Best Management Practices (BMP) - Managing Trees During Construction, Second Edition By Kelby Fite and E. Thomas Smiley
• Canopy spread – radius (m) of the crown spread to the dripline of the longest limb

Structural condition:

• Poor – structural defects that have been in place for a prolonged period of time to the point that mitigation measures are limited.
• Fair – structural concerns that are possible to mitigate through pruning
• Good – No visible or minor structural flaws that require little to no pruning

Health condition:

• Poor – significant signs of visible decline that threatens the long term retention of the tree.
• Fair – signs of stress
• Good – no visible signs of significant stress / or minor aesthetic issues.

Retention suitability:

• Suitable – a tree with no visible or minor health / structural defects, is tolerant to changes to growing environment and is a possible candidate for retention providing that the CRZ can be adequately protected.
• Conditional – a tree with good health but is a species with a poor tolerance to changes to its growing environment or has a structural defect that would require a certain measure to be implemented in order to consider it suitable for retention.
• Unsuitable – a tree with poor health, a major structural defect that cannot be mitigated, or a tree with poor tolerance to construction impacts and is unlikely to survive long term.

Retention status:

• Remove – not possible to retain given the proposed construction plans
• Retain – possible to retain the tree in the long term given the proposed plans and information available. Assuming the mitigation measures are followed.

APPENDIX II — Site Map