trc purple line - lacienega beverly hills tree removal report_draft_102113

8/12/2019 TRC Purple Line - LaCienega Beverly Hills Tree Removal Report_Draft_102113

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Consulting Arborist's Report October 21, 2013

Purple Line Tree Inventory ReportWilshire at La Cienega Station, Beverly Hills

Prepared for:

Ms. Gwynneth DoyleLos Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority

One Gateway PlazaMS 99-17-02

Los Angeles CA 90012-2952

Prepared by:

Arborgate Consulting, Inc.Greg Applegate, ASCA, ASLA

1131 Lucinda WayTustin, CA 92780

714/ 731-6240

Arborgate Consulting, Inc. 2013


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Purple Line Tree Inventory Report Greg Applegate, RCA #365 10/21/2013 Introduction 1City of Beverly Hills

Introduction

Background

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has developed plans to extend the Purple Linesubway to the Westside of Los Angeles. The subway extension project is referred to as the Purple Line Extension or Westside

Subway Extension. The Purple Line Extension will provide a high-capacity, high-speed, dependable alternative for those

traveling to and from LAs second downtown, including destinations such as Miracle Mile, Beverly Hills, Century City, and

Westwood. Continuing from the current terminus of the existing Metro Purple Line at Wilshire/Western, the Westside

Subway Extension will continue westward for about nine miles and involve the construction of seven new subway stations.

The initial phase of construction activities is scheduled to commence in 2014 will include the construction of three new

subway stations along Wilshire Boulevard at Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax, and Wilshire/La Cienega. Two of the new

subway stations (i.e., Wilshire/La Brea and Wilshire/Fairfax are located within the boundaries of the City of Los Angeles,

while the remaining station (Wilshire/La Cienega) is located within the City of Beverly Hills.

Advanced utility work and construction associated with the stations and recovery shaft to meet traffic control requirements and

sidewalk improvements will necessitate removal of mature vegetation, including trees, from portions of the project area. The

locations of trees to be removed within the City of Beverly Hills as a component of the project are identified in the attached

Figures 1 through 3. No City protected trees, known historically significant or endangered tree species are planned for

removal. The vast majority are Mexican fan palms, except one floss silk tree. However, permits from the City of Beverly

Hills Parks and Recreation Department will be needed for the removal of the city street trees identified in this document.


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Purple Line Tree Inventory Report Greg Applegate, RCA #365 10/21/2013 Introduction 2City of Beverly Hills

One purpose of this report is to explore what opportunities exist for preservation or reuse of worthwhile palm trees. At this

time it is unknown whether there will be opportunities to dig, store and reuse the better palms. However, preservation in place

for the specified trees is not likely. The trees included in this report are those which were already determined to be in the path

of construction before this study or its field work began.

Those trees that are adjoining City street trees but not included here will be protected. The Parks and Recreation Department

will make the ultimate determination of what the required mitigation, if any, will be. Most cities apply a two for one ratio of

mitigation when street trees must be removed.

Arborgate Consulting met with the Metro representatives on August 21, 2013. At that meeting, plans, aerial maps and sample

reports were provided. Based on that meeting and the information provided, a formal cost and schedule proposal was prepared

and subsequently approved by Metro.

AssignmentArborgate Consulting was engaged by TRC Solutions, Inc. as a subcontractor to provide an arboricultural evaluation for the

indicated trees and palms along Wilshire Boulevard and at the Wilshire-La Cienega Station. Specifically, Arborgate

Consulting conducted an arboricultural inventory and evaluated the health and condition, professional opinions regarding

suitability for transplanting for 34 trees identified at this location. One additional tree was expected to be identified, but was

determined to have been removed sometime prior to conducting this assessment. This report was prepared in accordance with

the City of Beverly Hills standards and includes photographic documentation of the trees evaluated as a component of this

scope of work. Each tree or palm was appraised according to the current edition (9th) of the Guide for Plant Appraisal, and the

current (2004) edition of the Species Classification and Group Assignment publication. For the purpose of this evaluation,

each tree was assigned a unique identification number that includes the numerical street address corresponding to its location.

Photographs are included in this report starting on page 23. The locations of the trees evaluated as a component of this

investigation are summarized in the attached Figures 1 through 3.


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Purple Line Tree Inventory Report Greg Applegate, RCA #365 10/21/2013 Findings 4City of Beverly Hills

option. Projects like this perform a vital service when they replace a large number of trees with new trees that should have alonger life span ahead of them. Mexican fan palms provide marginal environmental benefits, but are emblematic to BeverlyHills. However, as they grow past 50 feet in height the heads are so far above a normal cone of vision they lose some of theiraesthetic value and grow in their cost of maintenance.

A summary of the general condition and count for the palm species evaluated as a component of this investigation is providedbelow:

Tree Condition Summary

Address Species DBHTrunkheight Spread Roots Trunk Foliage

Averagecondition

8485-1 Washingtonia robusta 12 56 8-9' 80% 70% 100% 83%

8485-2 Washingtonia robusta 12 57 8-9' 80% 70% 100% 83%8447-1 Washingtonia robusta 12 65 8-9' 80% 70% 100% 83%


8447-3 Empty location















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Purple Line Tree Inventory Report Greg Applegate, RCA #365 10/21/2013 Findings 5City of Beverly Hills

Address Species DBHTrunkheight Spread Roots Trunk Foliage

Averagecondition












8383-8 Washingtonia robusta 13 54 9' 80% 75% 100% 85%



The overall average condition is 79%.

Health and ConditionThe palms had all been recently trimmed. At the time of my inspection they had an adequate amount of fronds remaining, but

I am not aware of how much time they had to recover since they were trimmed. Several palms had yellowing fronds at about90 degrees from vertical. The cause was not determined. Physical injuries were also noted on several palms, possibly fromautomobile collisions. The above spreadsheet and conditions were used in the appraisal spreadsheet to follow.


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Purple Line Tree Inventory Report Greg Applegate, RCA #365 10/21/2013 Appraisal 6City of Beverly Hills

Appraisal

Appraisal Standards

The Council of Tree & Landscape Appraisers, made up of landscape contractor, landscape architect, forestry, nursery, arboristand consulting arborist trade organizations, has established various methods and terms of plant appraisal. These methods andterms are published in the Guide for Plant Appraisal. Over the years, this publication has been revised many times. Thecurrent version of this document, and the basis for the standards utilized in this report, is the ninth edition. A tenth edition ofthis publication is reportedly in preparation. However, it appears that it will be more than a year before the tenth edition isfinalized.

The species ratings and the basic pricing cited in this document are based on the Western Chapter ISA Species Classificationand Group Assignmentpublication.

Size Determination - Method of MeasurementFor the purpose of appraisal, the size of trees is usually determined by the trunk diameter. Trunk diameter is used to computethe cross-sectional area of the trunk, assuming the trunk perimeter to be circular. A Nikon hypsometer was used to measuretrunk height.

The height at which the trunk diameter is measured depends on its size. The American Standard for Nursery Stock (ANSI-Z60-1.1.1-1990) stipulates that palms should be measured either by overall height or trunk height. Trunk height is used in the


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Species & Group FactorsA species factor is now, in the ninth edition, used in the formula method and replacement cost method. The Western Chapterof the International Society of Arboriculture has established species factors in a booklet entitled Species Classification and

Group Assignment. The species rating equates to a median percentage for that species in the area in which the specimen isbeing evaluated. It is left to the appraiser to raise or lower the rating by 10% if he feels that is justified. I left the speciesfactors as they are listed to avoid controversy.

Most trees at wholesale nurseries are about the same price in the same size box, but they vary in how large they are in the samesize box. In other words, a sycamore will be larger than a red-leaf plum in the same size box. The group number (affecting thesize of the replacement tree) is based on the fact that smaller, slower growing species are smaller in the same size box. Thegroup number does not vary by region. Smaller, slower growing species will have a greater value per square inch of trunk areathan will a large, fast growing species. The floss silk tree is rated at 70% and has a group factor of 3, i.e. the replacement 60-inch box would have an average trunk diameter of 5.5 inches. The fact that nurseries have many old root bound trees withlarger size trunks should not affect the size.

I used the group rating listed in the Species Classification and Group Assignmentpublication to obtain the Basic value persquare inch and the size of a good replacement tree.

Palm Appraisal Matrix

Address Trunk height Species factor Condition Rating Site Contribution Placement Unit Price Basic Value Appraised Value

8485-1 56 90% 83% 95% 70% 100% $45/ft $2,520 $1,670

8485-2 57 90% 83% 95% 70% 100% $45/ft $2,565 $1,699

8447-1 65 90% 83% 95% 70% 100% $45/ft $2,925 $1,9388447-2 59 90% 87% 95% 70% 100% $45/ft $2,655 $1,829

8447-3 0 $45/ft $0 Previously Removed

8484-1 55 90% 80% 95% 70% 100% $45/ft $2,475 $1,574

8484-2 61 90% 80% 95% 70% 100% $45/ft $2,745 $1,746

8484-3 60 90% 80% 95% 70% 100% $45/ft $2,700 $1,717

8484-4 57 90% 80% 95% 70% 100% $45/ft $2,565 $1,631

8484-5 58 90% 80% 95% 70% 100% $45/ft $2,610 $1,660


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Address Trunk height Species factor Condition Rating Site Contribution Placement Unit Price Basic Value Appraised Value

8484-6 57 90% 80% 95% 70% 100% $45/ft $2,565 $1,631

8430-1 59 90% 80% 90% 70% 100% $45/ft $2,655 $1,657

8430-2 61 90% 77% 90% 70% 100% $45/ft $2,745 $1,642

8420-1 55 90% 83% 80% 60% 100% $45/ft $2,475 $1,485

8400-1 59 90% 83% 90% 60% 100% $45/ft $2,655 $1,659

8425-1 63 90% 80% 95% 60% 100% $45/ft $2,835 $1,735

8425-2 59 90% 90% 95% 60% 100% $45/ft $2,655 $1,828

8421-1 57 90% 80% 95% 70% 100% $45/ft $2,565 $1,631

8421-2 50 90% 80% 95% 70% 100% $45/ft $2,250 $1,431

8421-3 65 90% 83% 95% 70% 100% $45/ft $2,925 $1,938

8383-1 69 90% 80% 95% 80% 100% $45/ft $3,105 $2,049

8383-2 62 90% 80% 95% 80% 100% $45/ft $2,790 $1,841

8383-3 56 90% 80% 95% 80% 100% $45/ft $2,520 $1,6638383-4 55 90% 83% 95% 80% 100% $45/ft $2,475 $1,702

8383-5 57 90% 80% 95% 80% 100% $45/ft $2,565 $1,693

8383-6 56 90% 83% 95% 80% 100% $45/ft $2,520 $1,733

8383-7 48 90% 83% 95% 80% 100% $45/ft $2,160 $1,485

8370-1 70 90% 83% 95% 70% 100% $45/ft $3,150 $2,087

8370-2 58 90% 80% 95% 70% 100% $45/ft $2,610 $1,660

8350-1 58 90% 82% 95% 70% 100% $45/ft $2,610 $1,695

8350-2 52 90% 73% 95% 70% 100% $45/ft $2,340 $1,364

8383-8 54 90% 85% 95% 80% 100% $45/ft $2,430 $1,704

8383-9 57 90% 83% 95% 80% 100% $45/ft $2,565 $1,763

8383-10 59 90% 83% 95% 80% 100% $45/ft $2,655 $1,825

Total = $56,366.

All the palms identified above are Mexican fan palms. In the above spreadsheet each palms trunk height is multiplied by theunit cost per foot ($45) to determine the basic value. The basic value is multiplied by the species factor, condition rating,and location rating, i.e. the average of site, contribution and placement. The resulting product is the appraised value.


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Tree Appraisal Matrix (Floss silk tree)

Address TypeTrunk

diameterUnit

diameterReplace

priceSpeciesfactor

Conditionrating

Locationrating

Basicprice

Trunkdiam-

Apprais

Trunkdiam-Replac

Basicvalue

Appraisedvalue

8350 m1 $2,964 15 5.5 $1,482 70% 80% 95% $62 176.63 23.75 $12,442 $6,619

A single page Trunk Formula Method Worksheet is enclosed in Appendix D.


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Purple Line Tree Inventory Report Greg Applegate, RCA #365 10/21/2013 Analysis 12City of Beverly Hills

Analysis

Reasons for Removal

Construction schedules do not always go according to plans. Trees and palms however, have their own clocks, phenology, orinternal schedules when they flower, initiate root growth, initiate shoot growth, stop growing or go into dormancy. The worstseason to disrupt a palm is when they are going into winter, just before they stop growing. At this time, the roots would bevery slow to resume growth until the following spring.

At the writing of this report this consultant is not aware of the need for any of these palms around the new station. Theavailability of nearby areas where trees could be healed in and stored is also unknown. Depending on the availability ofstorage yards with water available, costs could easily exceed the value of the trees if water trucks are needed or the trees needto be transported long distances. Palms over 50 feet in height would be difficult to transport given the need to make turns andother limitations that have practical impact on transportation.

Mexican fan palms often survive, but for the best recovery, they should not be planted much deeper than they grew. Alsoplanting is difficult due to the high point the trunks need to be lifted from and expensive cranes needed to do so. These palmsare very heavy and the weight is concentrated at the lifting straps, which can injure the trunks and possibly lead to decay at thepoint of contact. Most landscape contractors do not have the skills or experience to dig, store, maintain, and then replant thesepalms. If the City decides they have use for certain of these palms, a contractor who specializes in tree moving must be hiredfor boxing, transporting, storage, maintenance and replanting.

While none of palms were listed in the affirmative for transplanting, if the City demands transplanting, it is essential they aretransplanted in the proper season. Mexican fan palms are never worth the cost of transplanting, but the City may have its ownreasons for doing so. The floss silk tree has a large trunk injury and should not be transplanted.


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Purple Line Tree Inventory Report Greg Applegate, RCA #365 10/21/2013 Analysis 13City of Beverly Hills

ConclusionThere are no protected species and no truly worthwhile trees or palms within this site. Transplanting is a costly and riskyproposition for palms with less value than the cost of transplanting. Based on my observations and analysis, these palms

should be removed and replaced. They cannot be protected in place and none are reasonable candidates for transplanting. TheCity Parks and Recreation Department will determine appropriate mitigation and replacement size and variety (most likelyMexican fan palm).

In order to be able to plant trees or palms more in scale with Wilshire Boulevard the following recommendations are providedon pages 14 and 15.


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Purple Line Tree Inventory Report Greg Applegate, RCA #365 10/21/2013 Recommendations 14City of Beverly Hills

Recommendations

Specific Recommendations1. After receiving the proper permits, remove and properly dispose of all the listed Mexican fan palms.

2. New palms should be planted according to City of Beverly Hills standards.3. New palms should be no taller than about 20 feet for better handling and less need to plant deep.

TransplantingBefore deciding to transplant any of these palms all utilities must be located and marked. Prior to deciding which, if any,palms should be transplanted get bids for digging, storing and transporting back to the site to see if the cost justifies theexpense. Also prior to bidding locate a relatively level storage yard with a source of water, good percolation, and preferablySanta Ana wind protection.

MitigationThe Parks and Recreation Department may require two palms for every palm removed or a fee in lieu of palms based on theappraisal. More root space will allow better anchorage and thicker trunks. Due to minimal root space for even the existingpalms and the need for better thicker trunks, I recommend larger planting spaces. Root space can be increased several ways.

One obvious way is to just make larger planting holes and cutouts. However, Wilshire Boulevard experiences heavypedestrian traffic and larger planting holes and cutouts may require sacrifices to the walking surface area.


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Purple Line Tree Inventory Report Greg Applegate, RCA #365 10/21/2013 Recommendations 15City of Beverly Hills

Another method is the use of structural soils, e.g. Cornell mix. This method uses large aggregate to provide bearing strength tosupport the sidewalk and just enough soil to fill the gaps between aggregates so that the actual soil is not too compact for roots.This method is expensive and relatively inefficient because roots cannot grow in the aggregates, so at least four times thevolume is needed to provide any real increase in root space.

A third method is outlined inReducing Infrastructure Damage by Tree Roots, by Costello and Jones, and Up by Roots, byJames Urban. This method simply extends or connects tree pits by trenching and filling the trenches with loose soil compactedless than 80% depending on texture, then the paving over the trenches is engineered to span the trench by thickening and/oradding reinforcement. A plastic aeration sheet can be added to the trench to increase soil oxygen and improve root growth.

Silva Cells are another method recommended by James Urban, but with the cost of the product and required engineering, itbecomes very expensive. Any transplanting work shall be performed by a firm drawn from a pre-qualified list of transplantingcontractors. If the City requires larger palms than were used in other recent Beverly Hills projects along Wilshire Boulevard,the same type of contractor would be better equipped to handle the larger size palms.


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Purple Line Tree Inventory Report Greg Applegate, RCA #365 10/21/2013 Disclaimer 16City of Beverly Hills

Disclaimer

Since I will have no direct review or supervision of construction as it takes place, I must remind you that there are certain risksinvolved. Trees and palms are living, dynamic organisms that respond to changes in their environment, sometimes quickly and

sometimes slowly. Actions that affect the stability of the palms must be carefully controlled and monitored, especially duringthe southern California winter, where sudden rains are followed by stiff winds.

Good, current information on tree and palm inspection has been applied. However, even when the tree is carefully inspected,inspection involves sampling, therefore some areas of decay or weakness may be missed. Since all these palms are expected tobe removed, a complete tree hazard evaluation was not requested or performed. Weather, winds and the magnitude anddirection of storms are not predictable and a failure may still occur despite the best application of high professional standards.Future tree maintenance will also affect the trees health and stability and is not under the supervision or scrutiny of thisconsultant. Continuing construction activity such as trenching will also affect the health and safety, but are unknown andunsupervised by this consultant. Trees are living, dynamic organisms and their future status cannot be predicted with completecertainty by any expert. This consultant does not assume liability for any tree failures involved with this property.


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Purple Line Tree Inventory Report Greg Applegate, RCA #365 10/21/2013 Figures 17City of Beverly Hills

Figures


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Purple Line Tree Inventory Report Greg Applegate, RCA #365 10/21/2013 Appendices 21City of Beverly Hills

Appendices

A. Resume

B. Photographic Documentation

C. Glossary

D. Trunk Formula Method Worksheet for Chorisia


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B. Photographic Documentation

8485-1 & 2 8447-1


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8447-2, Note one palm (8447-3) was previously removed.


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8484-1, 2 & 3 8484-4,5 & 6


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8430-1 & 2 8420-1


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8400-1 8425-1


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Purple Line Tree Inventory Report Greg Applegate, RCA #365 10/21/2013 Appendices

28City of Beverly Hills

8425-2 8421-1


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8421-2 & 3 8383 -1, 2, & 3


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8383 4 & 5 8383 6 & 7


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8383 8, 9 & 10 8370 1 & 2


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8350 1 & 2 Chorisia 8350 m1 in the median. Note large basal injury.


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Note old gaff injuries Note old gaff injuries.


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Note basal injury. Note large trunk wound, thin trunk, and lack of basal flare.


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C. Glossary

ANSI-A300 American National Standards Institute performance standards for the care and maintenance of trees, shrubs andother woody plants. Copies are available from International Society of Arboriculture bookstore 888-ISA-TREE

ANSI-Z60-1 American National Standards Institute standards sizing and describing trees, shrubs and other nursery stock.

Arboricultural Pertaining to the awareness, care, evaluation, identification, growing, maintenance, management, planting,selection, treatment, understanding, valuation and so forth of trees and other woody plants and their growingenvironments, particularly in shade and ornamental (non-crop/commodity) settings.

Arboriculture The selection, cultivation, and care of trees, vines, and shrubs.

Arborist A person possessing the technical competence through experience and related training to provide for or

supervise the management of trees or other woody plants in a landscape setting.ASCA The American Society of Consulting Arborists, Inc. a professional society, as described in its by-laws.

Bark Tissue on the outside of the vascular cambium. Bark is usually divided into inner bark - active phloem andaging and dead crushed phloem - and outer bark.

Basal flare Most trees and palms have a rapid increase in diameter as the trunk meets the soil line or root crown. This areais associated with both trunk and root tissue.

Canopy The live, foliage-bearing part of a tree.

Cavity An open and exposed area of wood, where the bark is missing and internal wood has been decayed and

dissolved.Compaction (Soil Compaction) The compression of soil, causing a reduction of pore space and an increase in the bulk

density of the soil. Tree roots cannot grow in compacted soil.

Cortex the ground tissue between the vascular cylinder and the epidermis.

Crotch The union of two or more branches; the axillary zone between branches.

Crown The upper portions of a tree or shrub, including the main limbs, branches, and twigs.

DBH Diameter of the trunk, measured at breast height or 54 inches above the average grade. See caliper.


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Decay Progressive deterioration of organic tissues, usually caused by fungal or bacterial organisms, resulting in loss ofcell structure, strength, and function. In wood, the loss of structural strength.

Decline Progressive reduction of health or vigor of a plant.

Fertilization The process of adding nutrients to a tree or plant; usually done by incorporating the nutrients into the soil, but

sometimes by foliar application or injection directly into living tissues.

Foliage The live leaves or needles of the tree; the plant part primarily responsible for photosynthesis.

Mulch/Mulching Substances spread on top of the ground to conserve water, protect against erosion, retain moisture, and protectthe roots of trees from heat, cold or drought. The substances are typically organic, such as compost, manure orbark chips.

Myophilous fly-pollinated

Palm A tropical or subtropical monocotyledonous tree or shrub, usually having a woody, unbranched trunk and large,evergreen, fan or feather-shaped leaves at the top.

Palmate Having three or more veins, leaflets, or lobes radiating from one point; digitate: a palmate leaf or frond.

Pencil In palms, declining health resulting in rapidly diminishing trunk diameter below the crown.

Root crown Area at the base of a tree where the roots and stem merge (synonym - root collar)

Root system The portion of the tree containing the root organs, including buttress roots, transport roots, and fine absorbingroots; all underground parts of the tree.

Root zone The area and volume of soil around the tree in which roots are normally found. May extend to three or moretimes the branch spread of the tree, or several times the height of the tree.

Street tree A tree growing adjacent to dedicated roadways and within the citys right of way.

Stress "Stress is a potentially injurious, reversible condition, caused by energy drain, disruption, or blockage, or by lifeprocesses operating near the limits for which they were genetically programmed." Alex Shigo

Value The relative worth, merit, or importance of a thing, expressed as a single point, a range, or a relationship to abenchmark. The present worth of future benefits.

Vigor Active, healthy growth of plants: ability to respond to stress factors.


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D. Trunk Formula Method Worksheet forChorisia


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Purple Line Tree Inventory Report Greg Applegate, RCA #365 10/21/2013 Certification 38

Certification

I, Gregory W. Applegate, certify to the best of my knowledge and belief:

That the statements of fact contained in this report, are true and correct. That the report analysis, opinions, and conclusions are

limited only the reported assumptions and limiting conditions, and are my personal unbiased professional analysis, opinionsand conclusions.

That I have no present or prospective interest in the vegetation that is the subject of this report, and I have no personal interestor bias with respect to the parties involved.

That my compensation is not contingent upon the reporting or a predetermined outcome that favors the cause of the client, orthe attainment of stipulated result.

That my analysis, opinions, and conclusions were developed, and this report has been prepared, in conformity with thestandards of ASCA and customary arboricultural practice.

That I have made a personal inspection of the plants that are the subject of this report. No one provided significantprofessional assistance to the person signing this report.

Gregory W. Applegate, ASCA_____________________________________ Date___________________Registered Consulting Arborist #365Certified Arborist #WC-0180

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