BARRIE D. COATE and ASSOCIATES

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BARRIE D. COATE and ASSOCIATES

HurtlCU!UfClI Consultdnts ~3535 $umrrllt RCiad LO:; l:;atQS (A 9~m3

4001353.· 1052

A REVIEW OF THE TREES AT 605 E. MAIN MORGAN HILL CALLE SIENA

Prepared at the Reqllest or: Rocke Garcia

BOlilder Ridge/Calle Siena LLC 1000 Old QlIarry Road

San Jose CA 95123

Site Visit by: Barrie D. Coate

Consliiting Arborist Febrllary 16, 20 II

Job #02-1 1-019

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A REVIEW OF THE TREES AT 60S E. MAIN MORGAN HilL CALLE SIENA

Assignment I was asked by Mr. Garcia to provide a thorough analysis of one extremely large coast live oak tree near the northwest side of the property and one younger coast live oak tree (0 the east of an accessory bui Iding as well as to provide general comments on trees on the remainder of the property.

Summary The site is an old 3.6 acres farmstead which remains between heavily developed properties on both sides of E. Main Street.

The soil of the site is a fairly heavy clay loam but capable of supporting a broad range of plant species.

The site currently includes the old farm house, an old water tank tower and similar structures as seen in old farmsteads.

The trees on the property are a mix of 4" to II" diameter California native oaks some of which are fairly mature, and commonly planted exotics such as Eucalyptus globuills compacta, Monterey pine and other exotics.

The property was apparently a walnut orchard in its past since Engl ish walnuts remain and California black walnut are seen as struggling remaining root stocks.

Most of the walnuts are in extremely poor condition.

Observations To the left of the existing entry road is one incense cedar of approximately 16 inch DBH (diameter at 4.5 feet above grade) this is a healthy useful tree which would fit in a backyard ifit is not in the way of necessary grading.

PREPARED BY, BARRIE D. COATE. CONSULTING ARBORIST FEBRUARY 16. 2011

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A REVIEW OF THE TREES AT 60S E. MAIN MORGAN HILL CAllE SIENA

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There are several s ilk trees (A/bi::ia.illlihri.uin) on the property. This is a very messy tree which is not tolerant of adjacent grading. I recommend they be removed .

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There are several honey locust (Gledilsia Iriacanlho.\· inermis) on the property.

This is another quality which suggest removing.

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PREPARED BY: BARRIE D. COATE. CONSULTING ARBORIST FEBRUARY 16.2011

A REVIEW OF THE TREES AT 605 E. MAIN MORGAN HILL CALLE SIENA

, .'

There are numerous 4-1 I inch diameter coast live oak trees on the property all of which have the I ial of being successfully transplanted.

There are three fine specimens of Colorado blue spruce which are exceptionally blue in color which would certainly be worth transplanting as well.

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PREPARED BY: BARRIE D. COATE. CONSUlTING ARBORIST FEBRUARY 16. 2011

A REVIEW OF THE TREES AT 60S E. MAIN MORGAN HILL CALLE SIENA

I would certainly recommend removing all of the compact Tasmanian blue gums (EllcalYP/lis g!O!>U!1I.1 cOli/pac/a) from the property since they are such a dirty brittle

species.

In addition I would recommend pruning the very tall Tasmanian blue gums adjacent to the fence on the neighbors remove much oflhe from those trees which

hang OWl' your side orthe fence.

PREPARED BY: BARRIE D. COATE. CONSULTING ARBORIST FEBRUARY l6. 2011

A REVIEW OF TH E TREES ATGOS E. MAIN MO RGAN Hill CAllE SIENA

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This should be done in such a manner that it does not damage the trees or threaten their lile of course since they are obviollsly on adjacent property.

There is one vcry large Italian stone pine (Pinlls pille a) more or less In idway between the east and west property lines which III my opinion shollid be removed.

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This species is notoriously brittle and this individual has already lost one large limb from the main trunk and an additional major limb facing north is a prime candidate for breaking out of the tree.

There is however an adjacent a useful incense cedar (Clipresslis decurrens) which would be worth retaining.

Nearby is a very nice specimen of 4 inch diameter Chilean may ten tree (Maytenlls boaria) which would be a fine tree to use in the landscape in one of the new home sites I

PREPARED BY: BARRIE D. COATE. CONSULTING ARBORIST FEBRUARY 16. 2011

A REVIEW Of HIE TREES AT GOS E. MAIN MORGAN HILL

CALLE SIENA

would suggest transplanting that to a position out of the way to he used 111 the tinal

landscape.

There is a row of compact blue gums about 20 feet north of the sidewalk adjacent to East Main Street a two mature Monterey pines.

recommend that the blue gums on this property be removed due to their messy al1d brittle habit but that you cOl1sider retaining the two MOl1terey pines which are in unusually good condition for that species.


A REVIEW OF THE TREES AT 605 E. MAIN MORGAN Hill CAllE SIENA

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I r on the other hand. it will necessary to gmde to make grade changes beneath the canopies Dr the Monterey pines they will not tDlerate that and perhaps they should be removed as well.

All of the walnuts I saw on the property were in marginal to very poor condition many of them having lost the grafted portiDn of the tree leaving only the root stock of black walnut remaining.

Those are not garden friendly trees and will not fit well with the new use of this land and should be removed.

Two Spccifict Oaks The young coast live oak adjacent to the small house 50 feet south of the back property fence is a healthy specimen of 14 i!l,ch ~BH and about 20 feet in I' but the tree does

have a serious included bark site above ground.

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PREPARED BY: BARRIE D. COATE. CONSULTING ARBORIST FEBRUARY 16, 2011

A REVIEW Of THETREES AT 605 E. MAIN MORGAN HILL CALLE SIENA

•

• tOPlped at least once in the past and even though it is currently healthy and

has a reasonably well built structure it will be necessary to remove some of the wh that topping.

t.

If this tree is to be retained in its present site I suggest; a.) that the building be demolished exclusively from an area beyond the canopy dripline and, b) a cable be installed between the two east and west halves to prevent the eastern half trom breaking out of the tree and c.) that a knowledgeable arborist be asked to lightly thin the canopy to remove some of the competing structural limbs in the upper canopy.

PREPARED BY, BARRIE D. COATE, CONSULTING ARBORIST FEBRUARY 16. 2011

A REVIEW OF THE TREES AT 60S E. MAIN MORGAN HILL CALLE SIENA

The other important tree is one of the largest coast live oaks I have ever seen .

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The tree has a trunk diameter of 79 inches, a height of 76 feet and a branch spread of 57 feet, 45 feet of that being on the east side of the canopy.

The canopy of the tree is composed of four main scaffold limbs that divide from the main trunk at 15 feet above grade.

PREPARED BY: BARRIE D. COATE, CONSULTING ARBORIST FEBRUARY 16, 2011

A REVIEW Of THE TREES AT 605 E. MAIN MORGAN HILL CALLE SIENA

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By far the is the east facing one which leaves the main trunk at a 45 3 feet in diameter at its base.

The next largest I imb is one

over the neighboring property . .........

The other two are limbs

the other case to the north.


A REVIEW OF THE TREES AT 60~ E MAIN MORGAN Hill

CALLE SIENA II

On the trunk 4 feet above grade on the east side and on the south side at 2 feet above grade are abnormal growths of adventitious tissue which are composed of healthy though distorted vascular tissue that nre not of pathogenic nature and for that reason are not

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PREPARED BY. BARRIE D. COATE, CONSULTING ARBORIST FEBRUARY 16, 2011

A REVIEW Of THE TREES AT 60S E. MAIN MORGAN Hill CALLE SIENA

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On the south side at 6 feet above grade is a very large cavity in the trunk but around which tissue has been produced partly closing the wound.

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An examination of the trunk at 6 feet above grade shows that 75% of the trunk at that point is composed of healthy normal wood and that the cavity does not represent such a large proportion of the mass that it represents a hazard.

The trees health is excellent having produced normal growth..J;ach year for man)' years and even though its canopy density is entirely distributed as a crown over the top of the branching structure and very little growth is seen in the interior of the tree it is healthy and normal.

It will be necessary to provide structural support for the various limbs of this tree to prevent them from breaking out in the foreseeable future. It should be fully understood that eventually this tree will no doubt lose a major limb as old oaks do as they reach overmaturity but with proper structural support that should be many years in the future.

I recommend the following structural support be provided before homes are built here. I. A support post composed of a 6 inch diameter steel post be installed at about 10

feet east of the western fence line at the point where two branches separate from


A REVIEW OF THE TREES AT 60S • . MAIN MORGAN HILL CALLE SIENA

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This post must be buried in at least I cubic yard of concrete in a hole at least 3 feet deep and 2 feet wide.

PREPARED BY, BARRIE D. COATE. CONSULTING ARBORIST FEB RUARY 16.2011

A RE VIEW Of THE TREES AT 60S E. MAIN MORGAN Hill CAllE SIENA

2. Two box cable

structural limbs.

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rernai nirlg three

The one cable should be installed into the east facing main limb at about 20 feet above the point where that limb divelts from the main trunk and across from that limb to the south facing limb and from there to the north facing limb and then back to the east facing limb.

3. A second set of cables should be installed below that by about 3 to 4 feel.

4 . The final decision on whether high strength cable or standard cable is used , precisely where these cables are installed in each limb and whether through-bolts or lags are used must be decided by a highly experienced certified arborist such as Ron Eicher 925/956-8295 or Ron Walker 408/234-590 I.

If his opinion is divergent from my recommendations, his experience and training must take precedence over my recommendations.

5. At this point I do not see any reason for pruning this tree except possibly to remove some branch ends which are suspended too low to allow final use of the tree in the new home site.

Under no circumstances should more than 25% of the total leaf surface be removed.

Long Term Care There are several things which the new homeowner should be warned against doing since they would result in long term decline of the tree.

Things Not To Do Near or Beneath this Tree Canopy a. Install lawn beneath the canopy.

PREPARED BY: BARRIE D. COATE. CONSULTING ARBORIST FEBRUARY 16.2011

A REVIEW OF THE TREES AT 005 E. MAIN MORGAN HILL CAllE SIENA

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BOc/sl

Encl.:

b. Rototill beneath the canopy. Trenching however could be installed III a radial pattern as shown in the enclosed schematic if necessary.

c. Do not install sprinklers beneath the canopy.

Things Which are Permissible Near this Tree a. Artificial soil could provide a play surface for children and at the same

time avoid compaction of the soil and the necessity for irrigation.

b. Low water use plants which need irrigation once per month or less could be installed 20 reet from the trunk in any direction if desired as long as those plants are irrigated by drip irrigation and not sprinklers.

c. Any pruning decisions must be based On recommendations by a well informed International Society of Arboricultlll'e (ISA) certified arborist.

d. Under no circumstances should frequent or excessive thinning be allowed since that would begin the process of long term decline.

Since this is one of the largest specimens in the area and probably at least 150 years of age it deserves respect and care.

The best care which can be provided for this tree would be to avoid over pruning to avoid irrigation beneath its canopy and to merely respect the space it needs in the landscape and without abusing its needs.

Respectfully submitted.

Barrie O. Coate

Assumptions and Limiting Conditions Post Installation

PREPARED AY: BARRIE D. COATE, CONSULTING ARBORIST FEBRUARY 16, 2011

ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITING CONDITIONS

1. Any legal description provided to the appraiser/consultant is assumed to be correct. No responsibility is assumed for matters legal in character nor in any opinion rendered as to the quality of any title.

2. The appraiser/consultant can neither guarantee nor be responsible for accuracy of information provided by others.

3. The appraiser/consultant shall not be required to give testimony or to attend court by reason of this apprai sal unless subsequent written arrangements are made, including payment of an additional fee for services.

4. Loss or removal of any part of this report invalidates the entire appraisal/evaluation.

5. Possession of this report or a copy thereof does not imply right of publication or use for any purpose by any other than the person(s) to whom it is addressed without written consent of this appraiser/consultant.

6. The report and the values expressed herein represent the opinion of the appraiser/consultant, and the appraiser's/consultant's fee is in no way contingent upon the reporting of a specified value nor upon any finding to be reported.

7. Sketches, diagrams, graphs, photos, etc., in this report, being intended as visual aids, are not necessarily to scale and should not be construed as engineering reports or surveys.

8. This report has been made in conformity with acceptable appraiser/evaluation/diagnostic reporting techniques and procedures, as recommended by The International Society of Arboriculture.

9. When applying any pesticide, fungicide, or herbicide, always follow label instructions.

10. No tree described in this report was climbed, unless otherwise stated. We cannot take responsibility for any defects which could only have been discovered by climbing. A full root collar inspection, conSisting of excavating the soil around the tree to uncover the root collar and major buttress roots, was not performed, unless otherwise state. We cannot take responsibility for any root defects which could only have been discovered by such an inspection.

CONSULTING ARBORIST DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

Arborists are tree speCialists who use their education, knowledge, training, and experience to examine trees, recommend measures to enhance the beauty and health of trees, and attempt to reduce risk of living near trees. Clients may choose to accept or disregard the recommendations of the arborist, or to seek additional advice.

Arborists cannot detect every condition that could possibly lead to the structural failure of a tree. Trees are living organisms that fail in ways we do no fully understand. Conditions are often hidden within trees and below ground. Arborists cannot guarantee that a tree will be healthy or safe under all circumstances, or for a specified period of time. likewise, remedial treatments, like medicine, cannot be guaranteed.

Trees can be managed, but they cannot be controlled. To live near trees is to accept some degree of risk. The only way to eliminate all risk associated with trees is to eliminate all trees.

Barrie D. Coate ISA CertIfied Arborist Horticultural Consultant

BARRIE D. COATE and ASSOCIATES

Horti cutural Consultants 23535 Summit Road Los Gatos, CA 95033

408/353-1052

A Review of the Pruning Calle Siena

605 E. Main Street Morgan Hill, California

Prepared at the Request of Rocke Garcia

g]enrockdevel@ao I .com

Prepared by Michael L. Bench Consulting Arborist

August 27, 2013

Job# 01-11 -109-13

RI 1Tt0J\\ ~ f't=DT.

OCT O 3 2013

A Review of the Pruning 01 Calle Siena, 605 E. Main Street, Morgan Hill, California 1

Assignment I was asked by Mr. Rocke Garcia to inspect the pruning of a very large coast live oak at Calle Siena, 605 N. Main Street, Morgan Hill, California.

Observations I inspected this large coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) on August 20, 2013. A pruning crew was in the process of raising a portion of the crown, where a new residence is planned to be constructed, and to remove dead or dying branches.

Prior to my arrival, the City of Morgan Hill had stopped the pruning crew until an expert opinion could be obtained. Thus, the pruning is unfinished. However, remaining pruning to be done would be to remove the stubs of branches removed, which requires a final cut on each of those branches, and to remove a few small diameter branches on the east side, which will be above a new garage.

I took this photo during my site visit. This view is from the south toward the north.

The large lower leader, which is horizontal, facing left here (west), will be given a post support, using a steel pipe.

Cables will also be installed as a precaution to support outstretched limbs.

It will be essential to finish the pruning, especially the removal of the remaining stubs. Should these stubs not be removed, they would become an invitation for disease and

insect infestation at those locations. Once the stubs would be removed, the tree could then establish protection barriers, which are often effective for preventing disease and insect infestations.

The additional pruning required to finish this pruning job is minimal.

PREPARED BY MICHAEL L. BENCH, CONSULTING ARBO RIST AUGUST 20, 2013

A Review of the Pruning oi ~alle Siena, 605 E. Main Street, Morgan Hill, Canfomia 2

This photo is a view of this tree from the north facing south.

The majority of the canopy removed from this tree is on this side. The fresh cuts and one of the stubs can be seen in this photo.

One large limb (approximately 15 inches in diameter) was removed on this side of the tree. This limb faced northeast. The removal of this limb is the most severe concerning the canopy removed.

However, the total canopy loss, including this single large limb, is estimated to be approximately 10-15% of the total canopy.

This is within the industry standard of a maximum of 25% of live canopy.

After a large limb, such as this, has been removed, it is impossible to second guess whether or not the removal of 3 or 4 smaller side branches would have been possible to achieve the same objective, and, thus, preferred. I tend to avoid the removal oflimbs as large as this large one, but sometimes there are no other feasible alternatives.

In any event, this tree should easily tolerate this level of pruning and survive for many years. At this point, I would be more concerned about trenching, excavation, or other earth work within the dripline of this tree during construction.

Conclusions and Recommendations This tree has not been excessively pruned. The total volume of live canopy loss during pruning is well within the industry standard. Since this pruning was done during a very dry month, the pruning cuts will stay dry until the tree can establish barrier zones at the pruning scars. However, the root zone is relatively dry, reducing the tree's ability to respond quickly. To assure a rapid response, I recommend that this tree be mulched and irrigated.

1. I recommend to irrigate this tree for the next 2-3 months (any month receiving less than 1 inch of rainfall). Irrigate a minimum of 5 gallons for each inch of trunk diameter every two weeks. A soaker hose or a drip line is preferred for this purpose.

2. I recommend that the entire area inside the driplines of this tree be mulched to the extent feasible. Mulching consists of a protective material (wood chips, gravel) being spread over the root zone inside the dripline. This material must be 4 inches in depth after spreading, which must be done by hand. I prefer course wood chips because it's organic, and degrades naturally over time. Wood chips are preferred to be primarily Y4 to% inch in diameter.

3. I recommend that the pruning (especially the removal of the stubs), the cabling, and the support work be finished.

PREPARED BY MICHAEL L. BENCH, CONSUL TING ARBO RIST AUGUST 20, 2013

A Review of the Pruning 01 Calle Siena, 605 E. Main Street, Morgan Hill, California 3

Respectfully submitted,

Michael L. Bench, Consulting Arborist

Banie D. Coate, Principal

MLB:eg Enc: Assumptions and Limiting Conditions

PREPARED BY MICHAEL L. BENCH, CONSULTING ARBO RIST AUGUST 20, 2013

BARRIE D. COAH and ASSOCIATES

Horti cutural Consultants 23535 Summit Road Los Gatos. CA 95033

408/353-1052

ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITING CONDITIONS

1. Any legal description provided to the appraiser/consultant is assumed to be correct. No responsibility is assumed for matters legal in character nor is any opinion rendered as to the quality of any title.

2. The appraiser/consultant can neither guarantee nor be responsible for accuracy of information provided by others.

3. The appraiser/consultant shall not be required to give testimony or to attend court by reason of this appraisal unless subsequent written arrangements are made, including payment of an additional fee for services.

4. Loss or removal of any part of this report invalidates the entire appraisal/evaluation.

5. Possession of this repo11 or a copy thereof does not imply right of publication or use for any purpose by any other than the person(s) to whom it is addressed without w1itten consent of this appraiser/consultant.

6. This report and the values expressed herein represent the opinion of the appraiser/consultant, and the appraiser's/consultant's fee is in no way contingent upon the reporting of a specified value nor upon any finding to be repo11ed.

7. Sketches, diagrams, graphs, photos, etc., in this report, being intended as visual aids, are not necessarily to scale and should not be construed as engineering reports or surveys.

8. This report has been made in conformity with acceptable appraisal/evaluation/diagnostic reporting techniques and procedures, as recommended by the International Society of Arboriculture.

9. When applying any pesticide, fungicide , or herbicide, always follow label instructions.

I 0. No tree described in this report was climbed, unless otherwise stated. We cannot take responsibility for any defects which could only have been discovered by climbing. A full root collar inspection, consisting of excavating the soil around the tree to uncover the root collar and major buttress roots, was not performed, unless otherwise stated. We cannot take responsibility for any root defects which could only have been discovered by such an inspection.

CONSUL TING ARBORIST DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

Arborists are tree specialists who use their education, knowledge, training, and experience to examine trees, recommend measures to enhance the beauty and health of trees, and attempt to reduce risk of living near trees. Clients may choose to accept or disregard the recommendations of the arborist, or to seek additional advice.

Arborists cannot detect every condition that could possibly lead to the structural failure of a tree. Trees are living organisms that fail in ways we do no fully understand. Conditions are often hidden within trees and below ground. Arborists cannot guarantee that a tree will be healthy or safe under all circumstances, or for a specified period of time. Likewise, remedial treatments, like medicine, cannot be guaranteed.

Trees can be managed, but they cannot be controlled. To live near trees is to accept some degree of risk. The only way to eliminate all risk associated with trees is to eliminate all trees.

Barrie D. Coate ISA Certified Arborist Horticultural Consultant

BARRIE D. COATE and ASSOCIATES

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