1 OFFICE: 949.207.3770
WWW.MONARCHU.COM
34237 VIA SANTA ROSA
DANA POINT, CA 92624
Mr. Tom Perez April 20, 2026
City of Laguna Beach, Public Works Department
505 Forest Avenue
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Re: Summary of Peer Review and Visual Assessment of Trees within Forest Avenue Promenade Project Dear Mr. Perez,
Monarch Environmental was recently asked to review arborist reports and related documents associated with the City’s Forest Avenue Promenade project, which were prepared by the consulting arborist team at Dudek, who are providing ongoing oversight of all trees that may be impacted by the project.
After reviewing their reports and conducting my own level two assessment of the subject trees on April 15th and 16th, I have concluded that the Dudek team’s findings and recommendations are sound and reasonable. Of the sixteen trees within and immediately adjacent to the project boundaries, nine are being recommended for removal and seven should be preserved and monitored closely.
I have prepared a brief summary of some of their findings below, which were reviewed along with provided photos and substantiated through my own on-site observations. In the following pages you will also find a map, data table, and photos of each tree.
Observations
• During recent air spading and excavation activities, it became apparent that the subject trees were planted on top of existing concrete, one of two buried layers that were not previously known • Root barriers had been installed just inches from the trunks of most trees, impeding the growth and spread of structurally vital roots
• There was a notable absence of structurally significant roots (over 2 – 3 inches in diameter) observed during air spading
• Numerous trees were found to have had roots pruned for sidewalk repair work in past years; most of these roots now appear to be decaying
• Anticipated construction impacts will require the removal of structurally significant roots in 30% of the critical root zone for at least three of the subject trees • In recent weeks a tree within the project confines (Tree J, not included in the current tree map) failed due to apparent existing root and / or root collar decay, completely unrelated to current construction activities
112
2 OFFICE: 949.207.3770
WWW.MONARCHU.COM
34237 VIA SANTA ROSA
DANA POINT, CA 92624
Notes
• SWA’s Comprehensive Tree Plan exhibit, dated April 8, 2026, has the location and status / disposition of trees A and B interchanged – Tree A was removed, but Tree B is still in place and recommended for preservation
• Trees listed as Eucalyptus grandis are actually Eucalyptus rudis, both of which go by the common name “Flooded Gum.” For the purposes of this assessment, I have used the provided nomenclature in my own notes in order to maintain consistency with past reports and the City’s GIS tree inventory
Summary
Due to the existing structural concerns observed during air spading along with anticipated constructionrelated impacts that the trees would sustain in the coming weeks, I advise City staff to proceed with Dudek’s recommendations:
• Remove trees D, E, G, H, (Alessa – no ID on map), O, P, S and U • Preserve and closely monitor trees B, I, K, M, N, Q, and W In the coming days I will prepare a more detailed peer review of the Dudek team’s reports, but please consider this document a conclusive recommendation for the management of the trees within the Promenade project footprint. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have, and thank you for allowing us to assist with this assignment. Thank you for your time.
Evin Lambert
ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist 667
ISA Arborist WE – 9776A
ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified
CA Pest Control Adviser 123990
113
City of Laguna Beach - Forest Ave Promenade
Existing Trees 4.16.26
B
E
U W
D
G
Alessa S
H
I
Q
P
O
K
N
M
B
E
U W
D
G
Alessa S
H
I
Q
P
O
K
N
M
Map data ©2026 Imagery ©2026 Airbus Report a map error
Legend (16)
Removal (9)
Preserve and Mon... (7)
114
City of Laguna Beach
Forest Avenue Promenade - Tree Recommendations
Tag # Botanical Height DBH Health Objective Note
B Eucalyptus polyanthemos 30 26 80% - Good Preserve and Monitor Outside of construction fence; preserve and monitor.
SWA exhibit shows that this tree was removed.
D Eucalyptus polyanthemos 30 13 60% - Fair Removal
Recommend removal due to current structural concerns
as well as anticipated construction impacts
E Eucalyptus polyanthemos 30 12 60% - Fair Removal
Recommend removal due to current structural concerns
as well as anticipated construction impacts
G Eucalyptus polyanthemos 25 12 60% - Fair Removal
Recommend removal due to current structural concerns
as well as anticipated construction impacts
H Eucalyptus grandis 28 18 40% - Poor Removal
Recommend removal due to current structural concerns
as well as anticipated construction impacts
I Eucalyptus grandis 30 16 40% - Poor Preserve and Monitor Preserve and monitor; may continue to decline in health due to existing condition and expected stress from
construction activities.
K Ficus rubiginosa 30 38 80% - Good Preserve and Monitor Minimal construction impacts anticipated; preserve and
monitor
M Eucalyptus grandis 28 23 60% - Fair Preserve and Monitor Outside of construction fence; preserve and monitor N Ficus rubiginosa 23 28 60% - Fair Preserve and Monitor Minimal construction impacts anticipated; preserve and
monitor
Alessa Eucalyptus polyanthemos 25 16 80% - Good Removal Recommend removal due to current structural concerns
as well as anticipated construction impacts
O Eucalyptus polyanthemos 30 15 60% - Fair Removal
Recommend removal due to current structural concerns
as well as anticipated construction impacts
P Eucalyptus polyanthemos 30 14 60% - Fair Removal
Recommend removal due to current structural concerns
as well as anticipated construction impacts
Q Eucalyptus polyanthemos 25 6 80% - Good Preserve and Monitor Small tree planted in 2018; minimal impacts expected,
preserve and monitor
S Eucalyptus grandis 30 16 60% - Fair Removal
Recommend removal due to current structural concerns
as well as anticipated construction impacts
U Eucalyptus polyanthemos 50 32 60% - Fair Removal
Recommend removal due to current structural concerns
as well as anticipated construction impacts
W Eucalyptus polyanthemos 30 15 80% - Good Preserve and Monitor Outside of construction fence; preserve and monitor 115
City of Laguna Beach - Forest Ave Promenade
April 20, 2026
Eucalyptus polyanthe… ID# 2
Silver Dollar Gum Tag# B
Height: 30 DBH: 25.9
Health: 80% - Good
Preserve and Monitor
Outside of construction fence;
preserve and monitor
SWA exhibit shows that this tree was
removed
April 20, 2026
Eucalyptus polyanthe… ID# 2
Silver Dollar Gum Tag# B
Height: 30 DBH: 25.9
Health: 80% - Good
Preserve and Monitor
Outside of construction fence;
preserve and monitor
SWA exhibit shows that this tree was
removed
April 20, 2026
Eucalyptus polyanthe… ID# 2
Silver Dollar Gum Tag# B
Height: 30 DBH: 25.9
Health: 80% - Good
Preserve and Monitor
Outside of construction fence;
preserve and monitor
SWA exhibit shows that this tree was
removed
116
City of Laguna Beach - Forest Ave Promenade
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus polyanthe… ID# 4
Silver Dollar Gum Tag# D
Height: 30 DBH: 12.6
Health: 60% - Fair
Removal
Recommend removal due to current
structural concerns as well as
anticipated construction impacts
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus polyanthe… ID# 4
Silver Dollar Gum Tag# D
Height: 30 DBH: 12.6
Health: 60% - Fair
Removal
Recommend removal due to current
structural concerns as well as
anticipated construction impacts
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus polyanthe… ID# 4
Silver Dollar Gum Tag# D
Height: 30 DBH: 12.6
Health: 60% - Fair
Removal
Recommend removal due to current
structural concerns as well as
anticipated construction impacts
117
City of Laguna Beach - Forest Ave Promenade
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus polyanthe… ID# 5
Silver Dollar Gum Tag# E
Height: 30 DBH: 12.3
Health: 60% - Fair
Removal
Recommend removal due to current
structural concerns as well as
anticipated construction impacts
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus polyanthe… ID# 5
Silver Dollar Gum Tag# E
Height: 30 DBH: 12.3
Health: 60% - Fair
Removal
Recommend removal due to current
structural concerns as well as
anticipated construction impacts
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus polyanthe… ID# 5
Silver Dollar Gum Tag# E
Height: 30 DBH: 12.3
Health: 60% - Fair
Removal
Recommend removal due to current
structural concerns as well as
anticipated construction impacts
118
City of Laguna Beach - Forest Ave Promenade
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus polyanthe… ID# 7
Silver Dollar Gum Tag# G
Height: 25 DBH: 12.2
Health: 60% - Fair
Removal
Recommend removal due to current
structural concerns as well as
anticipated construction impacts
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus polyanthe… ID# 7
Silver Dollar Gum Tag# G
Height: 25 DBH: 12.2
Health: 60% - Fair
Removal
Recommend removal due to current
structural concerns as well as
anticipated construction impacts
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus polyanthe… ID# 7
Silver Dollar Gum Tag# G
Height: 25 DBH: 12.2
Health: 60% - Fair
Removal
Recommend removal due to current
structural concerns as well as
anticipated construction impacts
119
City of Laguna Beach - Forest Ave Promenade
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus grandis ID# 8
Rose Gum Tag# H
Height: 28 DBH: 17.6
Health: 40% - Poor
Removal
Recommend removal due to current
structural concerns as well as
anticipated construction impacts
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus grandis ID# 8
Rose Gum Tag# H
Height: 28 DBH: 17.6
Health: 40% - Poor
Removal
Recommend removal due to current
structural concerns as well as
anticipated construction impacts
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus grandis ID# 8
Rose Gum Tag# H
Height: 28 DBH: 17.6
Health: 40% - Poor
Removal
Recommend removal due to current
structural concerns as well as
anticipated construction impacts
120
City of Laguna Beach - Forest Ave Promenade
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus grandis ID# 9
Rose Gum Tag# I
Height: 30 DBH: 16
Health: 40% - Poor
Preserve and Monitor
Preserve and monitor; may continue
to decline in health due to existing
condition and expected stress from
construction activities.
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus grandis ID# 9
Rose Gum Tag# I
Height: 30 DBH: 16
Health: 40% - Poor
Preserve and Monitor
Preserve and monitor; may continue
to decline in health due to existing
condition and expected stress from
construction activities.
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus grandis ID# 9
Rose Gum Tag# I
Height: 30 DBH: 16
Health: 40% - Poor
Preserve and Monitor
Preserve and monitor; may continue
to decline in health due to existing
condition and expected stress from
construction activities.
121
City of Laguna Beach - Forest Ave Promenade
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus grandis ID# 9
Rose Gum Tag# I
Height: 30 DBH: 16
Health: 40% - Poor
Preserve and Monitor
Preserve and monitor; may continue
to decline in health due to existing
condition and expected stress from
construction activities.
April 16, 2026
Ficus rubiginosa ID# 10
Rusty Fig Tag# K
Height: 30 DBH: 37.5
Health: 80% - Good
Preserve and Monitor
Minimal construction impacts
anticipated; preserve and monitor
April 16, 2026
Ficus rubiginosa ID# 10
Rusty Fig Tag# K
Height: 30 DBH: 37.5
Health: 80% - Good
Preserve and Monitor
Minimal construction impacts
anticipated; preserve and monitor
122
City of Laguna Beach - Forest Ave Promenade
April 16, 2026
Ficus rubiginosa ID# 10
Rusty Fig Tag# K
Height: 30 DBH: 37.5
Health: 80% - Good
Preserve and Monitor
Minimal construction impacts
anticipated; preserve and monitor
April 16, 2026
Ficus rubiginosa ID# 10
Rusty Fig Tag# K
Height: 30 DBH: 37.5
Health: 80% - Good
Preserve and Monitor
Minimal construction impacts
anticipated; preserve and monitor
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus grandis ID# 12
Rose Gum Tag# M
Height: 28 DBH: 22.6
Health: 60% - Fair
Preserve and Monitor
Outside of construction fence;
preserve and monitor
123
City of Laguna Beach - Forest Ave Promenade
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus grandis ID# 12
Rose Gum Tag# M
Height: 28 DBH: 22.6
Health: 60% - Fair
Preserve and Monitor
Outside of construction fence;
preserve and monitor
April 16, 2026
Ficus rubiginosa ID# 13
Rusty Fig Tag# N
Height: 23 DBH: 27.6
Health: 60% - Fair
Preserve and Monitor
Minimal construction impacts
anticipated; preserve and monitor
April 16, 2026
Ficus rubiginosa ID# 13
Rusty Fig Tag# N
Height: 23 DBH: 27.6
Health: 60% - Fair
Preserve and Monitor
Minimal construction impacts
anticipated; preserve and monitor
124
City of Laguna Beach - Forest Ave Promenade
April 16, 2026
Ficus rubiginosa ID# 13
Rusty Fig Tag# N
Height: 23 DBH: 27.6
Health: 60% - Fair
Preserve and Monitor
Minimal construction impacts
anticipated; preserve and monitor
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus polyanthe… ID# 14
Silver Dollar Gum Tag# Ale…
Height: 25 DBH: 16.2
Health: 80% - Good
Removal
Recommend removal due to current
structural concerns as well as
anticipated construction impacts
Alessa - No ID on Map
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus polyanthe… ID# 14
Silver Dollar Gum Tag# Ale…
Height: 25 DBH: 16.2
Health: 80% - Good
Removal
Recommend removal due to current
structural concerns as well as
anticipated construction impacts
Alessa - No ID on Map
125
City of Laguna Beach - Forest Ave Promenade
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus polyanthe… ID# 14
Silver Dollar Gum Tag# Ale…
Height: 25 DBH: 16.2
Health: 80% - Good
Removal
Recommend removal due to current
structural concerns as well as
anticipated construction impacts
Alessa - No ID on Map
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus polyanthe… ID# 15
Silver Dollar Gum Tag# O
Height: 30 DBH: 15.4
Health: 60% - Fair
Removal
Recommend removal due to current
structural concerns as well as
anticipated construction impacts
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus polyanthe… ID# 15
Silver Dollar Gum Tag# O
Height: 30 DBH: 15.4
Health: 60% - Fair
Removal
Recommend removal due to current
structural concerns as well as
anticipated construction impacts
126
City of Laguna Beach - Forest Ave Promenade
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus polyanthe… ID# 16
Silver Dollar Gum Tag# P
Height: 30 DBH: 13.9
Health: 60% - Fair
Removal
Recommend removal due to current
structural concerns as well as
anticipated construction impacts
Uneven weight distribution
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus polyanthe… ID# 16
Silver Dollar Gum Tag# P
Height: 30 DBH: 13.9
Health: 60% - Fair
Removal
Recommend removal due to current
structural concerns as well as
anticipated construction impacts
Uneven weight distribution
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus polyanthe… ID# 17
Silver Dollar Gum Tag# Q
Height: 25 DBH: 5.5
Health: 80% - Good
Preserve and Monitor
Small tree planted in 2018; minimal
impacts expected, preserve and
monitor
127
City of Laguna Beach - Forest Ave Promenade
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus polyanthe… ID# 17
Silver Dollar Gum Tag# Q
Height: 25 DBH: 5.5
Health: 80% - Good
Preserve and Monitor
Small tree planted in 2018; minimal
impacts expected, preserve and
monitor
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus grandis ID# 18
Rose Gum Tag# S
Height: 30 DBH: 16.4
Health: 60% - Fair
Removal
Recommend removal due to current
structural concerns as well as
anticipated construction impacts
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus grandis ID# 18
Rose Gum Tag# S
Height: 30 DBH: 16.4
Health: 60% - Fair
Removal
Recommend removal due to current
structural concerns as well as
anticipated construction impacts
128
City of Laguna Beach - Forest Ave Promenade
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus grandis ID# 18
Rose Gum Tag# S
Height: 30 DBH: 16.4
Health: 60% - Fair
Removal
Recommend removal due to current
structural concerns as well as
anticipated construction impacts
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus polyanthe… ID# 20
Silver Dollar Gum Tag# U
Height: 50 DBH: 32.1
Health: 60% - Fair
Removal
Recommend removal due to current
structural concerns as well as
anticipated construction impacts
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus polyanthe… ID# 20
Silver Dollar Gum Tag# U
Height: 50 DBH: 32.1
Health: 60% - Fair
Removal
Recommend removal due to current
structural concerns as well as
anticipated construction impacts
129
City of Laguna Beach - Forest Ave Promenade
April 16, 2026
Eucalyptus polyanthe… ID# 22
Silver Dollar Gum Tag# W
Height: 30 DBH: 15.4
Health: 80% - Good
Preserve and Monitor
Outside of construction fence;
preserve and monitor
130
20 OFFICE: 949.207.3770
WWW.MONARCHU.COM
34237 VIA SANTA ROSA
DANA POINT, CA 92624
ASSUMPTIONS & LIMITING CONDITIONS
While trees vary in their tolerance to changed conditions, disruption in any form of the environment to which the trees have grown accustomed may result in adverse reaction. Human activity among and near trees is inherently contrary to tree welfare and there are inherent risks associated. The following are limitations to this report:
• All information presented herein covers only the trees examined at the area of inspection, and reflects the conditions observed of said trees at the time of inspection. • Observations were performed visually without probing, dissecting, coring, or exaction, unless noted above, and in no way shall the observer be held responsible for any defects that could have only been discovered by performing said services in specific area(s) where a defect was located. • No guarantee or warranty is made, expressed or implied, that defects of the trees inspected may not arise in the future.
• No assurance can be offered that if the recommendations and precautionary measures are accepted and followed, that the desired results may be attained. • No responsibility is assumed for the methods used by any person or company executing the recommendations provided in this report.
• The information provided herein represents an opinion, and in no way is the reporting of a specified finding, conclusion, or value based on the retainer.
• This report is proprietary to Monarch Environmental, Inc., and may not be reproduced in whole or part without written consent. This report has been prepared exclusively for use of the parties to which it has been submitted.
• Should any part of this report be altered, damaged, corrupted, or lost the entire evaluation shall be invalid.
• This report shall remain valid for a period of one year from date of delivery, unless stated otherwise.
Attachment 2
131