City of Fontana Citywide
Sidewalk Repair Project #3
Construction Impact Report
SUBMITTED TO:
Shawn Matejcek
City of Fontana
8353 Sierra Avenue
Fontana, CA 92335
PREPARED BY:
JEFF CRAIN
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist WE-
6658B
ISA Qualified Tree Risk Assessor
MAY 8, 2025
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Table of Contents
Background and Assignment .......................................................................................................... 1 Assignment ................................................................................................................................. 1 Limits of the Assignment ............................................................................................................ 1 Purpose and Use of the Report .................................................................................................... 1 Results of the Site Visit................................................................................................................... 1 General Site Conditions .............................................................................................................. 3 Tree Conditions ........................................................................................................................... 5 Potential Project Impacts and Recommendations ..................................................................... 14 Bibliography ................................................................................................................................. 16 Appendix A Assumptions and Limiting Conditions ..................................................................... 17 Appendix B Certificate of Performance ....................................................................................... 18
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1 Background and Assignment
Assignment
The assignment per the Scope of Work on Proforma 95581 was to prepare a Pre-Construction Impact Report for two hundred seventy-one (271) sites identified by the City of Fontana requiring sidewalk repair. Sixteen of the identified sites had multiple trees that could be potentially impacted by the sidewalk repairs. The site visits were conducted April 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, and May 5, 2025, and included an evaluation of each existing tree, the tree’s proximity to the adjacent sidewalk, and the potential impact removal of roots would have on the tree with the sidewalk repair.
Limits of the Assignment
The assignment did not include any excavation of soil to determine the location of tree roots prior to the beginning of construction work. The recommendations in this report are generalized protocols if roots from the subject tree are encountered during construction activities.
The report is not intended to be legal advice and does not represent legal advice as such.
Purpose and Use of the Report
The purpose of this report is to provide the City of Fontana (City) staff with an evaluation of the suitability for preservation for each subject tree and recommended procedures to protect the roots of the subject trees during the sidewalk repair activities. The decisions as to which recommendations will be adopted and how they will be implemented will be the responsibility of the City staff as the Controlling Authority.
Results of the Site Visit
Site visits were conducted The site visits were conducted April 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, and May 5, 2025, to evaluate the current status of the subject trees, site conditions, and potential impacts if roots were to be removed. A total of two hundred seventy-one (271) trees were inspected. Nine (9) sites had trees that had been removed, six (6) sites had no tree that was near the sidewalk repair area. The number of each individual species included in the inspections is shown in Table
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2 Common Name Botanical Name Number of
Trees
African fern pine Afrocarpus falcatus 1
African sumac Searsia lancea 7
Aleppo pine Pinus halepensis 5
American sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua 18
Bottle tree Brachychiton populneus 11
Brazilian pepper Schinus terebinthifolius 2
Brisbane box Lophostemon confertus 1
Cajeput tree Melaleuca quinquenervia 1
California fan palm Washingtonia filifera 1
California sycamore Platanus racemosa 9
Camphor tree Cinnamomum camphora 9
Canary Island pine Pinus canariensis 3
Carob Ceratonia siliqua 1
Carrot wood Cupaniopsis anacardioides 2
Chilean mesquite Prosopis chilensis 3
Chinaberry Melia azedarach 1
Chinese flame tree Koelreuteria bipinnata 7
Chinese pistache Pistacia chinensis 5
Columbia London plane Platanus x hispanica
‘Columbia’ 1
Crape myrtle Lagerstroemia indica 3
Edible fig Ficus carica 1
Flooded gum Eucalyptus rudis 4
Holly oak Quercus ilex 5
Hong Kong orchid tree Bauhinia x blakeana 6
Italian stone pine Pinus pinea 3
Jacaranda Jacaranda mimosifolia 7
Java plum Syzygium cumini 3
Lemon-scented gum Corymbia citriodora 1
London plane tree Platanus x hispanica 48
Modesto ash Fraxinus velutina ‘Modesto’ 5
Mondell pine Pinus eldarica 55
Nichol’s willowleafed
peppermint Eucalyptus nicholii 1
Ornamental pear Pyrus calleryana 4
Pepper tree Schinus molle 5
Red ironbark Eucalyptus sideroxylon 7
River red gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis 1
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3 Common Name Botanical Name Number of
Trees
Rusty-leaf fig Ficus rubiginosa 1
Sawleaf zelkova Zelkova serrata 1
Shamel ash Fraxinus uhdei 1
Silk tree Albizia julibrissin 1
Silver dollar gum Eucalyptus polyanthemos 1
Southern live oak Quercus virginiana 7
Southern magnolia Magnolia grandiflora 9
Weeping fig Ficus benjamina 2
Table 1: Trees included in the inspection by species.
General Site Conditions
The sites were all located in residential or commercial settings. The street trees controlled by the City were generally in parkway settings between the sidewalk and the curb for the adjacent street or in a tree well surrounded by concrete on all sides. Thirty-seven (37) of the inspected trees were on private property adjacent to the sidewalk. The site conditions around the trees on private property varied from tree wells, turf lawns, and various other landscape settings. The survey areas were within Map Grids 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 18, 19, and 26 of the City of Fontana Map Index (Figure 1). The grid number for each tree is provided in Table 2.
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4 Figure 1: Map grids (highlighted in red) for trees included in the assessment.
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5 Tree Conditions
The ArborAccess Tree number, common name, botanical name, measurement of the concrete area to be repaired, diameter at breast height (DBH), height range, canopy width, health, structure, and form for each tree assessed is listed in Table 1.
Photos of each City maintained tree evaluated have been attached to each tree site in the City of Fontana ArborAccess Inventory.
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13 Table 2: Tree Condition and Potential Impacts for the trees included in the Assessment.
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14 Potential Project Impacts and Recommendations
The sidewalk repair plan calls for the removal of roots encountered during the removal of existing concrete and regrading for the new concrete. The critical root zone (CRZ) for a tree is the minimum root volume necessary for the tree to survive. The size of the CRZ can vary depending on species and life stage, however, generally roots within three to five times (3x – 5x) the DBH of a tree are considered to be part of the CRZ. When structural roots are removed in this zone, the stability of the tree can be significantly compromised, making the tree more susceptible to root plate failure.
Structural surface roots were observed for one hundred sixty-nine-seven (169) of the assessed trees that would be cut within three times (3x) the DBH (Highlighted Red in Table 2). If the roots will be cut, these trees will likely be recommended for removal. A certified arborist should evaluate the root cuts during the demolition and grading phases to provide individual recommendations to the City.
An additional two (2) trees had visible structural roots that would be cut within five times (5x) the DBH (Highlighted Orange in Table 2). The root plate stability will be less impacted by root cuts in this zone, however, these trees should also be evaluated by a certified arborist during the demolition and grading phases to provide the City with recommendations for each tree.
Fifty-three trees (53) had no visible structural roots that were within three times (3x) the DBH, however, the base of the tree was within this zone (Highlighted Yellow in Table 2). Thirty-three (33) trees had no visible structural roots in the CRZ, but the base of the tree was within five times (5x) the DBH of the sidewalk (Highlighted Blue in Table 2). Fourteen (14) trees had no visible structural roots and the base of the tree was not within the CRZ (Highlighted Green in Table 2). If the decision is made to retain these trees, construction should be monitored by a Certified Arborist and the following mitigation measures, based on ANSI A300 Standards and ISA BMPs, should be followed.
1. An International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist (Arborist) should be present during excavation.
2. Do not disturb or cut roots greater than 2” in diameter without first being inspected by the Arborist.
a. Roots greater than 2” diameter inadvertently cut should be reported to the Arborist to be inspected.
3. Clean cut all roots still connected to the tree root system at the edge of the excavation zone to encourage compartmentalization of the wounds and reduce the likelihood of pathogen infection.
4. Cover roots exposed during excavation with moist burlap to prevent desiccation. The burlap should be kept in place and moist until they are covered with soil or other materials associated with the project work.
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15 a. If the burlap must be removed for project activities, the time the roots are uncovered should be minimized to the extent possible. The burlap should remain in place unless immediate work is being conducted in the protected area. b. To the extent possible, work that will require removal of the root protection should be conducted when temperatures are below 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and exposure should be avoided during the heat of the day.
c. The Arborist will inspect the exposed roots after work is completed in the area for signs of desiccation.
i. If exposed roots are damaged or desiccated, the root should be clean cut back to the remaining healthy tissue.
5. If large roots are encountered in the excavation area, they must be inspected by the Arborist.
a. If possible, larger roots should be left in place and protected in burlap or foam. i. Excavation can continue around and below the protected root. ii. Backfill and compaction can occur as required by project specifications with the root protected and intact.
b. Where preservation and protection of larger roots is not possible, the Arborist will determine if there is a risk to either the health or stability of the subject tree.
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16 Bibliography
American National Standards Institute. A300 Tree Care Standards. ANSI. 2023.
Matheny, Nelda, E. Thomas Smiley, Ryan Gilpin, and Richard Hauer. Best Management Practices: Managing Trees During Site Development and Construction. Atlanta:
International Society of Arboriculture, 2023.
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17 Appendix A Assumptions and Limiting
Conditions
1. Care has been taken to obtain all information from reliable sources. All data has been verified insofar as possible; however, the Consultant can neither guarantee nor be responsible for the accuracy of information provided by others. Standard of Care has been met with regards to this project within reasonable and normal conditions.
2. The Consultant will not be required to give testimony or to attend court due to 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.
3. Loss or alteration of any part of this report invalidates the entire report.
4. 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 written consent of the Consultant.
5. This report and any values expressed herein represent the opinion of the Consultant, and the Consultant’s fee is in no way contingent upon the reporting of a stipulated result, a specified value, the occurrence of a subsequent event, nor upon any finding to be reported.
6. Unless expressed otherwise: 1) information contained in this report covers only those items that were examined and reflects t he condition of those items at the time of inspection; and 2) the inspection is limited to visual examination of accessible items without dissection, excavation, or coring, unless otherwise stated. There is no warranty or guarantee, expressed or implied, that problems or deficiencies of the tree(s) or property in question may not arise in the future.
7. 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 the risk of living near trees. It is highly recommended that you follow the arborist recommendations; however, you may choose to accept or disregard the recommendations and/or seek additional advice.
8. 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 not 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 specific period.
9. Any recommendations and/or performed treatments (including, but not limited to, pruning or removal) of trees may involve considerations beyond the scope of the arborist’s services, such as property boundaries, property ownership, site lines, disputes between neighbors, and any other related issues. Arborists cannot take such considerations into account unless complete and accurate information is disclosed to the arborist. An arborist can then be expected to consider and reasonably rely on the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.
10. The author has no personal interest or bias with respect to the subject matter of this report or the parties involved. He/she has inspected the subject tree(s) and to the best of their knowledge and belief, all statements and information presented in the report are true and correct.
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18 Appendix B Certificate of Performance
I, Jeff Crain certify that:
• I have personally inspected the trees referred to in this report and have stated my findings accurately. The extent of the assessment is stated in the attached report and the Limits of the Assignment.
• I have no current or prospective interest in the tree or the property that are the subject of this report and have no personal interest or bias with respect to the parties involved. • The analysis, opinions, and conclusions stated herein are my own and are based on current scientific procedures and facts.
• My analysis opinions, and conclusions were developed, and this report has been prepared according to commonly accepted arboricultural practices. • No one provided significant professional assistance to me, except as indicated within the report.
• My compensation is not contingent upon the reporting of a predetermined conclusion that favors the cause of the client or any other party nor upon the results of the assessment, the attainment of stipulated results, or the occurrence of any subsequent events.
I further certify that I am a member of good standing of the International Society of Arboriculture. I have been involved in the field of municipal arboriculture in a full-time capacity for a period of more than 20 years.
Respectfully,
Jeff Crain
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist #WE-6658B
ISA Qualified Risk Assessor
Plant Health Care Arborist
West Coast Arborists Inc.