HomeMy WebLinkAbout09 Washington Forestry Consultants - Preliminary Tree Inventory and Assessment_20251009WASHINGTON FORESTRY CONSULTANTS, INC.
FORESTRY AND VEGETATION MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS W F C I
O: 360/943-1723
C: 360/561-4407
9136 Yelm Hwy SE
Olympia, WA 98513
URBAN/RURAL FORESTRY • TREE APPRAISAL • TREE RISK ASSESSMENT
RIGHT-OF-WAYS • VEGETATION MANAGEMENT • FOREST/TREE MGT. PLANS • EXPERT TESTIMONY
Member of International Society of Arboriculture and Society of American Foresters
-Preliminary Tree Protection Plan -
YELM VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK
15425 State Route 507
Yelm, WA
Prepared for: LDC, Inc.
Prepared by: Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc.
Report Date: October 9, 2025
Introduction
The project proponent is planning to construct a veterans memorial park on two parcels totaling
4.92-acres at 15425 State Route 507 in Yelm, WA. The proponent has retained WFCI to:
•Evaluate and inventory all trees on the site pursuant to the requirements of the City of
Yelm Municipal Code Chapter 18.57.
•Make recommendations for retention of significant trees, along with any required
protection and cultural measures.
Observations
Methodology
In accordance with the City of Yelm Code 18.57, WFCI has evaluated all trees ≥8-inches DBH in
the proposed project area and assessed their potential to be incorporated into the new project.
Assessed trees are numbered at their base with a painted number corresponding to the tree list in
Table 1.
The tree evaluation phase used methodology developed by Nelda Matheny and Dr. James Clark
in their 1998 publication Trees and Development: A Technical Guide to Preservation of Trees
during Land Development.
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Site Description
The project area consists of 2 parcels totaling 4.92-acres. The topography of the project area is flat
to gently sloping down to a pond. There are two buildings currently on the site. The site is bordered
by single-family homes to the east and south, and State Route 507 to the west and north.
Soil Depth and Productivity
According to the USDA Web Soil Survey there are three major soil types on the project site, see
Figure 1.
Figure 1. Yelm Veterans Memorial Park Soils Map.
110 – Spanaway gravelly sandy loam 0 – 3%
112 – Spanaway stony sandy loam 0 – 3%
113 - Spanaway stony sandy loam 3 – 15%
129 - Water
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The largest soil type is the Spanaway gravelly sandy loam, a very deep, somewhat excessively
drained soil found on terraces. It is formed in glacial outwash and volcanic ash. Permeability is
moderately rapid in the subsoil and very rapid in the substratum. Available water capacity is low.
The effective rooting depth for trees is 48 inches or more. The potential for windthrow of trees is
slight under normal conditions. New trees require irrigation for establishment.
The second and third types are variants of the Spanaway stony sandy loam, a very deep, somewhat
excessively drained soil found on terraces and outwash plains. It is formed from volcanic ash over
glacial outwash. Permeability is moderately rapid in the subsoil and very rapid in the substratum.
Available water capacity is low. The effective rooting depth for trees is 48 inches or more. The
potential for windthrow of trees is slight under normal conditions. New trees require irrigation for
establishment.
Tree Conditions
There are two forest cover types on this site for the purpose of description. A 100% inventory of
all trees ≥ 8 inches DBH was conducted to determine the composition and health of the forest in
the developed area of the site. A complete tree list if located in Attachment 3. Non-significant
sized trees exist on site as well.
Type I. -- This type covers the developed area of the parcel in the northeast corner of the site.
Trees in this type include naturally seeded native trees. Tree species include bigleaf maple (Acer
macrophyllum), black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga
menziesii).
There are 40 trees in this type, ranging in size from 9 to 44 inches DBH. Tree conditions range
from ‘Poor’ to ‘Very Good’ with most trees described as being in ‘Good’ or better condition.
Thirty-nine (39) of these trees were classified as sound, healthy, long-term trees mostly in the
dominant and co-dominant crown class. The remaining 1 tree is not long-term tree due to structural
defects and stem decay.
Table 1. Summary of Trees in Cover Type I.
Species DBH
Range (in.)
# of Healthy,
Significant Trees
# of
Unhealthy
Trees
Total # of
Trees
Bigleaf Maple 9 – 27 1 1 2
Black Cottonwood 10 – 16 4 0 4
Douglas-fir 9 – 44 34 0 34
Summary 9 – 44 39 1 40
The understory plants include grasses, forbs, Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus), and
common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus).
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Photo 1. View of cover type I on the Yelm Veterans Memorial Park Site.
Type II. – This cover type encompasses a stand of native and introduced trees surrounding the
pond. Tree species include apple (Malus spp.), bigleaf maple, bird cherry (Prunus avium), black
cottonwood, Douglas-fir, Oregon ash (Fraxinus latifolia), and Oregon white oak (Quercus
garryana).
There are 119 trees in this type, ranging in size from 8 to 50 inches DBH. Tree conditions range
from ‘Dead’ to ‘Very Good’ with most trees described as being in ‘Good’ or better condition. One
hundred and seven (107) of the 119 trees are healthy significant trees.
Table 2. Summary of Trees in Cover Type II.
Species DBH
Range (in.)
# of Healthy,
Significant Trees
# of
Unhealthy
Trees
Total # of
Trees
Apple 8 – 14 1 1 2
Bigleaf Maple 8 – 30 8 3 11
Bird Cherry 13 – 17 1 1 2
Black Cottonwood 10 – 50 4 4 8
Douglas-fir 8 – 26 15 1 16
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Species DBH
Range (in.)
# of Healthy,
Significant Trees
# of
Unhealthy
Trees
Total # of
Trees
Oregon Ash 8 – 41 9 0 9
Oregon White Oak 8 – 43 69 2 71
Summary 8 – 50 107 12 119
The understory vegetation consists of dense shrubs including common snowberry, tall Oregon
grape (Mahonia aquifolium), Indian plum (Oemleria cerasiformis), bird cherry saplings,
Himalayan blackberry, grasses, and broadleaved weeds.
Photo 2. View of typical trees in type II on the Yelm Veterans Memorial Park Site.
Off-Site Impacts
No off-site trees will be impacted by the proposed project.
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Recommendations
Tree Retention
The site needs to have the tree locations surveyed and placed on a proposed site plan to verify
which trees can be retained. The City of Yelm does not appear to have a minimum tree retention
code. The following code deals with the removal of public trees.
Yelm Municipal Code 18.57.020 Planting, removal, topping and/or pruning of public trees.
A. Approval from the community development department shall be obtained prior to any planting,
removal, topping and/or major pruning of public trees. Major pruning includes the trimming or
cutting back of limbs two inches in diameter or greater, root pruning, or trimming or cutting out
of branches and limbs constituting greater than 10 percent of the tree's foliage-bearing area and
conducted in a manner that retains the natural form of the tree.
B. The location of any street trees to be planted or removed shall be identified and mapped to keep
the street tree inventory current.
C. Utility companies shall notify the city prior to pruning any tree located on city-owned property
for the purpose of maintaining safe line clearance and shall carry out all such work in accordance
with accepted arboricultural standards.
D. Any approval granted under this chapter shall expire six months from the date of issuance,
unless approval is associated with another land use permit. If it is associated with another land
use permit, the restrictions and deadlines of that approval will apply. Upon a written request, the
approval not associated with another land use permit may be extended by the site plan review
committee for one six-month period. Approved plans shall not be amended without being
resubmitted to the city. Minor changes consistent with the original approval intent will not require
a new approval. The approval may be suspended or revoked by the city because of incorrect
information supplied or any violation of the provisions of this chapter. (Correspondence from
2/1/24; Ord. 995 § 12 (Exb. A), 2015).
Tree Protection Measures
Trees to be saved during construction by 4-foot-high orange mesh fencing (Attachment 7), located
5 feet outside of the drip line of the trees or as otherwise specified by WFCI. The fence should be
erected after logging but prior to the start of clearing. The fences should be maintained until the
start of the landscape installation. There should be no equipment activity (including rototilling)
within the root protection zone (RPZ). No irrigation lines, trenches, or other utilities should be
installed within the RPZ. Cuts or fills should impact no more than 25% of a tree’s root system. If
topsoil is added to the root zone of a protected tree, the depth should not exceed 2 inches of a sandy
loam or loamy fine sand topsoil and should not cover more than 25% of the root system.
If roots are encountered outside the RPZ during construction, they should be cut cleanly with a
saw and covered immediately with moist soil. Noxious vegetation within the RPZ of a save-tree
should be removed by hand. If a proposed save-tree must be impacted by grading or fills, then the
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tree should be re-evaluated by WFCI to determine if the tree can be saved with mitigating
measures, or if the tree should be removed.
Pruning and Thinning
All individual trees to be saved near or within developed areas should have their crowns raised to
provide a minimum of 8 feet of ground clearance over sidewalks and landscape areas, 15 feet over
parking lots or streets, and at least 10 feet of building clearance.
All pruning should be done according to the ANSI A300 standards for proper pruning, and be
completed by an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist®, or be supervised by a
Certified Arborist®.
Conclusions and Timeline for Activity
1. The final, approved tree protection plan map should be included in the construction drawings
for bid and construction of the project and should be labeled as such.
2. Stake and heavily flag the clearing limits.
3. Contact WFCI to attend pre-job conference and discuss tree protection issues with contractors.
WFCI can verify all trees to be saved and/or removed are adequately marked for retention.
4. Complete logging. Complete necessary hazard tree removals from within the tree protection
areas along with invasive plant removals from the tree protection areas. No equipment should
enter the tree protection areas during logging.
5. Install tree protection fences along the 'limits of construction'. The fences should be located at
the limits of construction or 5 feet outside of the dripline of the save tree or as otherwise
specified by WFCI. Maintain fences throughout construction.
6. Complete clearing of the project.
7. Do not excavate stumps within 10’ of trees to be saved. These should be individually evaluated
by WFCI to determine the method of removal.
8. Complete all necessary pruning on save trees or stand edges to provide at least 8’ of ground
clearance near sidewalks and trails, and 15’ above all driveways or access roads.
9. Complete grading and construction of the project.
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Summary
Of the 159 significant trees onsite, 146 are healthy significant trees. The trees need to have their
locations surveyed and placed on a site plan to confirm the number of trees that can be saved.
Please give us a call if you have any questions.
Respectfully submitted,
Galen M. Wright, ACF, ASCA Joshua Sharpes
ISA Bd. Certified Master Arborist PN-129BU Professional Forester
Certified Forester No. 44 ISA Certified Arborist
ISA Tree Risk Assessor Qualified (2014-24) Urban Forest Professional, PN-5939AM
ASCA Tree and Plant Appraisal Qualified ISA Tree Risk Assessor Qualified
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Attachment #1: Aerial Photo of Yelm Veterans Memorial Park Site
(Thurston County Geodata 2022)
Project Boundary
Forest Cover Type Boundary
Cover Type I
Cover Type II
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Attachment #2: Yelm Veterans Memorial Park Site Plan
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Attachment #3. Yelm Veterans Memorial Park Tree List.
Tree # Species DBH
(in.)
Calculated
DBH
(in.)*
Condition
Savable
Based on
Tree
Condition
Only?
Yes/No
Minimum
Root
Protection
Zone -
Radius in
Feet
Notes Cover
Type
1 Douglas-fir 39 Very Good Yes 39 I
2 Douglas-fir 26 Very Good Yes 26 I
3 Douglas-fir 29 Very Good Yes 29 I
4 Douglas-fir 38 Fair Yes 38 I
5 Douglas-fir 18 Very Good Yes 18 I
6 Douglas-fir 20 Very Good Yes 20 I
7 Douglas-fir 26 Very Good Yes 26 I
8 Bigleaf Maple 9 Very Good Yes 9 I
9 Douglas-fir 9 Good Yes 9 I
10 Douglas-fir 16 Good Yes 16 I
11 Douglas-fir 9 Fair Yes 9 I
12 Douglas-fir 9 Good Yes 9 I
13 Douglas-fir 12 Fair Yes 12 I
14 Douglas-fir 14 Fair Yes 14 I
15 Douglas-fir 14 Fair Yes 14 I
16 Douglas-fir 14 Fair Yes 14 I
17 Douglas-fir 10 Fair Yes 10 I
18 Douglas-fir 11 Fair Yes 11 I
19 Douglas-fir 18 Good Yes 18 I
20 Douglas-fir 10 Fair Yes 10 I
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Tree # Species DBH
(in.)
Calculated
DBH
(in.)*
Condition
Savable
Based on
Tree
Condition
Only?
Yes/No
Minimum
Root
Protection
Zone -
Radius in
Feet
Notes Cover
Type
21 Douglas-fir 22 Very Good Yes 22 I
22 Douglas-fir 14 Good Yes 14 I
23 Douglas-fir 13 Fair Yes 13 I
24 Douglas-fir 14 Good Yes 14 I
25 Douglas-fir 44 Fair Yes 44 I
26 Bigleaf Maple 18, 19 27 Poor No 27 I
27 Douglas-fir 15 Good Yes 15 I
28 Douglas-fir 14 Fair Yes 14 I
29 Douglas-fir 21 Very Good Yes 21 I
30 Black Cottonwood 14 Fair Yes 14 I
31 Black Cottonwood 14 Fair Yes 14 I
32 Black Cottonwood 16 Fair Yes 16 I
33 Black Cottonwood 10 Fair Yes 10 I
34 Douglas-fir 35 Very Good Yes 35 I
35 Douglas-fir 35 Very Good Yes 35 I
36 Douglas-fir 29 Very Good Yes 29 I
37 Douglas-fir 31 Very Good Yes 31 I
38 Douglas-fir 26 Very Good Yes 26 I
39 Douglas-fir 29 Very Good Yes 29 I
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Tree # Species DBH
(in.)
Calculated
DBH
(in.)*
Condition
Savable
Based on
Tree
Condition
Only?
Yes/No
Minimum
Root
Protection
Zone -
Radius in
Feet
Notes Cover
Type
40 Douglas-fir 39 Fair Yes 39 I
41 Oregon White Oak 19 Very Good Yes 19 II
42 Oregon White Oak
17, 22,
25, 20,
10
44 Very Good Yes 44 II
43 Oregon White Oak 23, 28 36 Good Yes 36 II
44 Oregon White Oak 37 Good Yes 37 II
45 Oregon White Oak 12, 17 21 Good Yes 21 II
46 Oregon White Oak 9 Good Yes 9 II
47 Oregon White Oak 19, 20 28 Good Yes 28 II
48 Oregon White Oak 28 Very Good Yes 28 II
49 Oregon White Oak 18, 18 25 Very Good Yes 25 II
50 Douglas-fir 9 Very Good Yes 9 II
51 Oregon White Oak 28 Very Good Yes 28 II
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Tree # Species DBH
(in.)
Calculated
DBH
(in.)*
Condition
Savable
Based on
Tree
Condition
Only?
Yes/No
Minimum
Root
Protection
Zone -
Radius in
Feet
Notes Cover
Type
52 Oregon White Oak 30 Very Good Yes 30 II
53 Oregon Ash 8 Good Yes 8 II
54 Oregon White Oak 19 Very Good Yes 19 II
55 Oregon White Oak 26 Very Good Yes 26 II
56 Oregon White Oak 14 Good Yes 14 II
57 Oregon White Oak 17 Very Good Yes 17 II
58 Oregon White Oak 17 Very Good Yes 17 II
59 Oregon White Oak 20, 22 30 Very Good Yes 30 II
60 Douglas-fir 8 Very Good Yes 8 II
61 Oregon White Oak 9 Good Yes 9 II
62 Oregon White Oak 20, 26 33 Very Good Yes 33 II
63 Oregon White Oak 22 Good Yes 22 II
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Tree # Species DBH
(in.)
Calculated
DBH
(in.)*
Condition
Savable
Based on
Tree
Condition
Only?
Yes/No
Minimum
Root
Protection
Zone -
Radius in
Feet
Notes Cover
Type
64 Oregon White Oak 20 Good Yes 20 II
65 Oregon White Oak 21 Good Yes 21 II
66 Oregon White Oak 25 Very Good Yes 25 II
67 Oregon White Oak 28 Very Good Yes 28 II
68 Oregon Ash 9 Fair Yes 9 II
69 Black Cottonwood 34 Very Good Yes 34 II
70 Black Cottonwood 35, 36 50 Very Poor No 50 significant stem
decay II
71 Black Cottonwood 26 Very Poor No 26 significant stem
decay II
72 Black Cottonwood 32 Very Poor No 32 significant stem
decay II
73 Black Cottonwood 32 Fair Yes 32 II
74 Bigleaf Maple 8 Fair Yes 8 II
75 Bigleaf Maple 9 Fair Yes 9 II
76 Black Cottonwood 26 Fair Yes 26 II
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Tree # Species DBH
(in.)
Calculated
DBH
(in.)*
Condition
Savable
Based on
Tree
Condition
Only?
Yes/No
Minimum
Root
Protection
Zone -
Radius in
Feet
Notes Cover
Type
77 Black Cottonwood 26 Very Poor No 26 significant stem
decay II
78 Black Cottonwood 10 Fair Yes 10 II
79 Bigleaf Maple 20 Fair Yes 20 II
80 Oregon Ash 28 Fair Yes 28 II
81 Oregon White Oak 22 Poor No 22 hollow base II
82 Oregon White Oak 18 Good Yes 18 II
83 Oregon White Oak 16 Fair Yes 16 II
84 Bigleaf Maple 9 Fair Yes 9 II
85 Douglas-fir 9 Fair Yes 9 II
86 Oregon White Oak 20, 22 30 Fair Yes 30 II
87 Oregon White Oak 28, 32 43 Good Yes 43 II
88 Douglas-fir 8 Fair Yes 8 II
89 Oregon White Oak 25 Good Yes 25 II
90 Oregon White Oak 30 Very Good Yes 30 II
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Tree # Species DBH
(in.)
Calculated
DBH
(in.)*
Condition
Savable
Based on
Tree
Condition
Only?
Yes/No
Minimum
Root
Protection
Zone -
Radius in
Feet
Notes Cover
Type
91 Oregon White Oak 25 Very Good Yes 25 II
92 Oregon White Oak 12, 18 22 Good Yes 22 II
93 Oregon White Oak 8 Fair Yes 8 II
94 Oregon White Oak 11 Fair Yes 11 II
95 Oregon White Oak 12 Fair Yes 12 II
96 Oregon White Oak 10 Fair Yes 10 II
97 Oregon White Oak 16 Good Yes 16 II
98 Oregon White Oak 22 Very Good Yes 22 II
99 Oregon White Oak 21 Good Yes 21 II
100 Douglas-fir 8 Fair Yes 8 II
101 Douglas-fir 9 Good Yes 9 II
102 Oregon White Oak 10, 10 14 Good Yes 14 II
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Tree # Species DBH
(in.)
Calculated
DBH
(in.)*
Condition
Savable
Based on
Tree
Condition
Only?
Yes/No
Minimum
Root
Protection
Zone -
Radius in
Feet
Notes Cover
Type
103 Oregon White Oak 10, 26 28 Very Good Yes 28 II
104 Oregon White Oak 18 Very Good Yes 18 II
105 Oregon White Oak 17, 19 25 Good Yes 25 II
106 Oregon White Oak 20 Good Yes 20 II
107 Oregon White Oak 18 Good Yes 18 II
108 Oregon White Oak 11 Good Yes 11 II
109 Douglas-fir 8 Fair Yes 8 II
110 Oregon White Oak 11 Very Good Yes 11 II
111 Oregon White Oak 12 Good Yes 12 II
112 Oregon White Oak 17 Good Yes 17 II
113 Oregon White Oak 20 Good Yes 20 II
114 Oregon White Oak 21 Good Yes 21 II
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Tree # Species DBH
(in.)
Calculated
DBH
(in.)*
Condition
Savable
Based on
Tree
Condition
Only?
Yes/No
Minimum
Root
Protection
Zone -
Radius in
Feet
Notes Cover
Type
115 Oregon White Oak 24 Good Yes 24 II
116 Oregon White Oak 10 Good Yes 10 II
117 Oregon White Oak 25 Very Good Yes 25 II
118 Oregon White Oak 13, 15 20 Very Good Yes 20 II
119 Oregon White Oak 24 Good Yes 24 II
120 Oregon White Oak 14 Good Yes 14 II
121 Oregon White Oak 13 Fair Yes 13 II
122 Oregon White Oak 28, 18 33 Very Good Yes 33 II
123 Douglas-fir 8 Good Yes 8 II
124 Oregon White Oak 12 Dead No 12 II
125 Oregon White Oak 22 Very Good Yes 22 II
126 Oregon Ash 10 Fair Yes 10 II
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Tree # Species DBH
(in.)
Calculated
DBH
(in.)*
Condition
Savable
Based on
Tree
Condition
Only?
Yes/No
Minimum
Root
Protection
Zone -
Radius in
Feet
Notes Cover
Type
127 Oregon White Oak 18 Very Good Yes 18 II
128 Oregon White Oak 19 Very Good Yes 19 II
129 Oregon White Oak 17 Good Yes 17 II
130 Oregon White Oak 13 Good Yes 13 II
131 Oregon White Oak 25 Good Yes 25 II
132 Douglas-fir 9 Dead No 9 II
133 Oregon White Oak 15 Good Yes 15 II
134 Oregon Ash 9 Good Yes 9 II
135 Oregon Ash 6, 28,
30 41 Good Yes 41 II
136 Oregon White Oak 32 Good Yes 32 II
137 Bigleaf Maple 10 Very Poor No 10 stem decay II
138 Bigleaf Maple 20 Poor No 20 stem decay II
139 Douglas-fir 9 Fair Yes 9 II
140 Douglas-fir 26 Very Good Yes 26 II
141 Apple 10, 10 14 Fair Yes 14 II
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Tree # Species DBH
(in.)
Calculated
DBH
(in.)*
Condition
Savable
Based on
Tree
Condition
Only?
Yes/No
Minimum
Root
Protection
Zone -
Radius in
Feet
Notes Cover
Type
142 Oregon White Oak 30 Good Yes 30 II
143 Oregon White Oak 16 Fair Yes 16 II
144 Bigleaf Maple 11 Fair Yes 11 II
145 Bigleaf Maple 19, 20,
24 37 Fair Yes 37 II
146 Douglas-fir 13 Very Good Yes 13 II
147 Douglas-fir 20 Very Good Yes 20 II
148 Douglas-fir 19 Very Good Yes 19 II
149 Bigleaf Maple 11 Fair Yes 11 II
150 Bird Cherry 8, 10,
11 17 Fair Yes 17 II
151 Bird Cherry 13 Poor No 13 wound on stem II
152 Bigleaf Maple 30 Good Yes 30 II
153 Douglas-fir 17 Fair Yes 17 II
154 Bigleaf Maple 24 Poor No 24 in decline II
155 Douglas-fir 14 Fair Yes 14 II
156 Oregon Ash 15 Good Yes 15 II
157 Oregon Ash 9 Fair Yes 9 II
158 Oregon Ash 4, 6, 8 11 Fair Yes 11 II
159 Apple 8 Poor No 8 poor health II
*Calculated DBH = square root of the sum of the squares of a multiple stemmed tree.
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Attachment #4. Individual Tree Rating Key for Tree Condition
RATING SYMBOL DEFINITION
Very Good VG • Balanced crown that is characteristic of the species
• Normal lateral and terminal branch growth rates for the species and soil
type
• Stem sound, normal bark vigor
• No root problems
• No insect or disease problems
• Long-term, attractive tree
Good G • Crown lacking symmetry but nearly balanced
• Normal lateral and terminal branch growth rates for the species and soil
type
• Minor twig dieback O.K.
• Stem sound, normal bark vigor
• No root problems
• No or minor insect or disease problems – insignificant
• Long-term tree
Fair F • Crown lacking symmetry due to branch loss
• Slow lateral and terminal branch growth rates for the species and soil type
• Minor and major twig dieback – starting to decline
• Stem partly unsound, slow diameter growth and low bark vigor
• Minor root problems
• Minor insect or disease problems
• Short-term tree 10-30 years
Poor P • Major branch loss – unsymmetrical crown
• Greatly reduced growth
• Several structurally import dead or branch scaffold branches
• Stem has bark loss and significant decay with poor bark vigor
• Root damage
• Insect or disease problems – remedy required
• Short-term tree 1-10 years
Very Poor VP • Lacking adequate live crown for survival and growth
• Severe decline
• Minor and major twig dieback
• Stem unsound, bark sloughing, previous stem or large branch failures, very
poor bark vigor
• Severe root problems or disease
• No or minor insect or disease problems
• Mortality expected within the next few years
Dead DEAD • Dead
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Attachment #5: Description of Tree Evaluation Methodology
The evaluation of the tree condition on this site included the visual assessment of:
1. Live-crown ratio,
2. Lateral and terminal branch growth rates,
3. Presence of dieback in minor and major scaffold branches and twigs,
4. Foliage color,
5. Stem soundness and other structural defects,
6. Visual root collar examination,
7. Presence of insect or disease problems.
8. Windfirmness if tree removal will expose this tree to failure.
In cases where signs of internal defect or disease were suspected, a core sample was taken to look
for stain, decay, and diameter growth rates. Also, root collars were exposed to look for the
presence of root disease.
In all cases, the overall appearance of the tree was considered relative to its ability to add value
to either an individual lot or the entire subdivision. Also, the scale of the tree and its proximity
to both proposed and existing houses was considered.
Lastly, the potential for incorporation into the project design is evaluated, as well as potential site
plan modifications that may allow otherwise removed tree(s) to be both saved and protected in the
development.
Trees that are preserved in a development must be carefully selected to make sure that they can
survive construction impacts, adapt to a new environment, and perform well in the landscape.
Healthy, vigorous trees are better able to tolerate impacts such as root injury, changes in soils
moisture regimes, and soil compaction than are low vigor trees.
Structural characteristics are also important in assessing suitability. Trees with significant decay
and other structural defects that cannot be treated are likely to fail. Such trees should not be
preserved in areas where damage to people or property could occur.
Trees that have developed in a forest stand are adapted to the close, dense conditions found in such
stands. When surrounding trees are removed during clearing and grading, the remaining trees are
exposed to extremes in wind, temperature, solar radiation, which causes sunscald, and other
influences. Young, vigorous trees with well-developed crowns are best able to adapt to these
changing site conditions.
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Attachment #6: Glossary of Forestry and Arboricultural Terminology
DBH: Diameter at Breast Height (measured 4.5 ft. above the ground line on the high side of the
tree).
Caliper: In Issaquah - Caliper is referring to diameter measurement at DBH.
Live Crown Ratio: Ratio of live foliage on the stem of the tree. Example: A 100’ tall tree with
40 feet of live crown would have a 40% live crown ratio. Conifers with less than 30%
live crown ratio are generally not considered to be long-term trees in forestry.
Crown: Portion of a trees stem covered by live foliage.
Crown Position: Position of the crown with respect to other trees in the stand.
Dominant Crown Position: Receives light from above and from the sides.
Codominant Crown Position: Receives light from above and some from the sides.
Intermediate Crown Position: Receives little light from above and none from the sides. Trees
tend to be slender with poor live crown ratios.
Suppressed Crown Position: Receives no light from above and none from the sides. Trees
tend to be slender with poor live crown ratios.
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Attachment #7: Tree Protection Fence Detail
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Attachment #8: Assumptions and Limiting Conditions
1)Any legal description provided to the Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc. is assumed to be correct. Any
titles and ownership's to any property are assumed to be good and marketable. No responsibility is assumed for
matters legal in character. Any and all property is appraised or evaluated as though free and clear, under
responsible ownership and competent management.
2)It is assumed that any property is not in violation of any applicable codes, ordinances, statutes, or other
governmental regulations, unless otherwise stated.
3)Care has been taken to obtain all information from reliable sources. All data has been verified insofar as
possible; however, Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc. can neither guarantee nor be responsible for the
accuracy of information.
4)Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc. shall not be required to give testimony or to attend court by reason of
this report unless subsequent contractual arrangements are made, including payment of an additional fee for
such services as described in the fee schedule and contract of engagement.
5)Loss or alteration of any part of this report invalidated the entire report.
6)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 to whom it is addressed, without the prior expressed written or verbal consent of
Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc.
7)Neither all or any part of the contents of this report, nor copy thereof, shall be conveyed by anyone, including
the client, to the public through advertising, public relations, news, sales or other media, without the prior
expressed written or verbal consent of Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc. -- particularly as to value
conclusions, identity of Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc., or any reference to any professional society or
to any initialed designation conferred upon Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc. as stated in its qualifications.
8)This report and any values expressed herein represent the opinion of Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc.,
and the fee is in no way contingent upon the reporting of a specified value, a stipulated result, the occurrence
neither of a subsequent event, nor upon any finding in to reported.
9)Sketches, diagrams, graphs, and photographs in this report, being intended as visual aids, are not necessarily to
scale and should not be construed as engineering or architectural reports or surveys.
10)Unless expressed otherwise: 1) information contained in this report covers only those items that were examined
and reflects the condition of those items at the time of inspection; and 2) the inspection is limited to visual
examination of accessible items without dissection, excavation, probing, or coring. There is no warranty or
guarantee, expressed or implied, that problems or deficiencies of the tree or other plant or property in question
may not arise in the future.
Note: Even healthy trees can fail under normal or storm conditions. The only way to eliminate all risk is to
remove all trees within reach of all targets. Annual monitoring by an ISA Certified Arborist or Certified Forester
will reduce the potential of tree failures. It is impossible to predict with certainty that a tree will stand or fail, or
the timing of the failure. It is considered an ‘Act of God’ when a tree fails, unless it is directly felled or pushed
over by man’s actions.