TITLE:
title
TREE REMOVAL REQUEST AT 3462 WIMBLEDON WAY
end
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/MAINTENANCE SERVICES DIVISION
PRESENTED BY: ROBERT RYAN, MAINTENANCE SERVICES MANAGER
CONTACT INFORMATION: ROBERT RYAN, MAINTENANCE SERVICES MANAGER, (714) 327-7499
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends that the Parks and Community Services Commission deny the request to remove one (1) City owned tree growing in Wimbledon Park adjacent to 3462 Wimbledon Way.
end
BACKGROUND:
The Maintenance Services Division received an e-mail from the applicant on December 23, 2022 requesting the removal of the tree growing in Wimbledon Park on the west side of 3462 Wimbledon Way (Attachment 1). The applicant stated that the tree in Wimbledon Park is causing the resident to incur on-going costs of $50 per month for the removal of pine needles from the roof and gutters of the home. The applicant also stated that the pine needles from the pine tree continuously drop in the walkways, causing a hazardous condition.
ANALYSIS:
The City Arborist evaluated the tree and the surrounding area on December 27, 2022, and determined that there was no justification for the removal of the tree at staff level. The applicant was informed of the findings. A work order related to this request dated October 26, 2022 was identified and is included as Attachment 2.
The tree is a Canary Island Pine Tree (Pinus canariensis). This tree is the first Canary Island Pine tree inside of Wimbledon Park, east of the walkway and approximately 16’-8” west of the block wall. The tree is approximately sixty feet (60’) in height with a trunk diameter of twenty-eight inches (28”). The tree is healthy and in good condition. It was last trimmed by West Coast Arborists on January 17, 2022 (Attachment 3).
The amount of pine needle drop beneath the tree and surrounding area appeared to be normal. There was not a significant amount of pine needles on the roof at the time of inspection. The City’s landscape maintenance contractor is assigned to inspect parks daily and address any safety concerns.
Previous work orders relative to this particular tree are as follows and included as Attachment 4:
• On September 17, 2013, the resident reported that the roots from the tree in the park were causing a misalignment of the gate located on the north side of the home, which makes the gate difficult to close. Root pruning was performed on this tree on October 15, 2013 in response to this complaint. Twelve inch (12”) root barriers were installed extending fifteen feet (15’) north of the tree.
• On June 13, 2014, the resident reported that the roots from the city tree were cut; however, the resident felt that the roots were still affecting the private wall. The City arborist met with the resident on June 20, 2014. The arborist explained what was done in the past in order to address the issue. No additional lifting of the private wall observed at that time.
• On August 6, 2014, the resident reported that the roots are affecting the ability to open the side gate. Additional root pruning was performed on September 2, 2014. This included the installation of additional twelve inch (12”) root barrier panels extending six feet (6’) in either direction using the private property gate as a center point.
• On August 27, 2020, Maintenance Services received a call for tree issues. The City arborist inspected the location and contacted the resident. The City arborist provided the resident’s daughter the City’s criteria for parkway tree removal. The identified trees were trimmed by the City’s tree contractor on February 3, 2021.
• On June 16, 2021, the resident formally requested that the pine in question be removed. The Parks and Community Services Commissioners heard the request on October 28, 2021, and voted to table this request for the resident to provide additional information. On January 27, 2022, the Parks and Community Services Commission reheard the request for tree removal and denied the request.
The Pine tree that is requested to be removed is not dead, diseased or dying; and it does not appear to be creating an exposure to liability for the City.
The tree does not meet the criteria to be removed as a Category 1 - Health and Safety Removal, according to the Streetscape and Median Development Standards. The tree does not appear to be causing damage to infrastructure; and the pine needle drop appears to be normal for this type of tree. The tree does not meet the criteria to be removed as a Category 2 - Accelerated Removal, according to the Streetscape and Median Development Standards. The request for removal falls under Category 3 - Discretionary Removals, Section 4.0.3 of the Streetscape and Median Development Standards (Attachment 5).
The City Arborist evaluated the tree for possible relocation. Relocation is not recommended due to the size of the tree, low probability of success, and the cost of relocation.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Commission could authorize the removal and replacement of the tree, per the Streetscape and Median Development Standards, Section 4.0.2 Category 3 - Discretionary Removals, which would require the replacement of the tree at a 3 to 1 ratio. The applicant would pay all removal and replacement costs. The City arborist would determine the tree species and location for plantings.
If the tree removal is approved by the Commission, the payment for the removal of the parkway tree and any required mitigation trees must be provided to the City prior to removal and within one year from the date of final approval, after which the approval expires.
FISCAL REVIEW:
There would be no fiscal impact to the City if the request to remove the tree was denied, or approved as a Category 3 - Discretionary Removals, as the applicant would pay all costs.
For the Commission’s information, the removal cost for the tree would be $856.80 and the replanting costs for the mitigation trees (1 - 24” box size and 2-15-gallon container size) would be $540.60. Costs are based on current City contract prices. The total cost for removal and replacement would be $1,397.40
The value of the tree is estimated to be $14,740.
LEGAL REVIEW:
No legal review is required for this item.
CONCLUSION:
The City-owned tree that has been requested for removal is located inside Wimbledon Park near the west side of 3462 Wimbledon Way. The tree is in good condition and has been maintained on a regular schedule. The pine needle drop is not unusual for this type of tree and the tree is not currently causing any damage to existing infrastructure. The request does not meet the criteria required for staff approval. Therefore, staff recommends that the Commission deny the request to remove the tree.