Ray Morneau, Arborist
ISA Certif. #WC-0132 650.964.7664
February 14, 2023 Certified Arborist’s Coastal Redwood Status Report: 333 Franklin St., MV. Page #1 of 4.
Certified Arborist’s Pre-Construction
Subpar Redwood Tree Status Report
Data Date: February 13, 2023 Report Date: February 14, 2023 Prepared for: APN: Site:
Jenny Kang n/a Residential Rebuild
Silicon Valley Custom Homes 333 Franklin St.
Mountain View, CA 94041
Prepared by:
Ray Morneau
ISA Certified Arborist #WE-0132A
Tree Risk Assessment Qualified
Contents 1.0 Assignment & Introduction (w/ photo)
2.0 Observations: MVMC, Tree Photos, Tree Data Spreadsheet
3.0 Discussion
4.0 Conclusion & Recommendation
5.0 Certification & Use Statement
P-1 & P-2 (at
right): Subject
Redwood
viewing from
existing interior
courtyard &
from driveway
looking in off of
Franklin Street.
Attachment 4
Ray Morneau, Arborist
ISA Certif. #WC-0132 650.964.7664
February 14, 2023 Certified Arborist’s Coastal Redwood Status Report: 333 Franklin St., MV. Page #2 of 4.
1.0 Assignment & Introduction
I have been retained by Jenny Kang [Silicon Valley Custom Homes] to provide a Tree Status Report documenting the condition of a subpar (defective) Redwood tree (Sequoia sempervirens) at 333 Franklin Street, Mountain View, California.
2.0 Observations: MVMC, Tree/Location Photos, Tree Data Spreadsheet I inspected this Sequoia sempervirens (Coastal Redwood tree) most recently on 2/13/2023.
As a 37.4” diameter redwood tree, it measures within the Heritage Tree category for the City of Mountain View … a tree protected by city ordinance (MV Municipal Code section: 32.23-c).
P-3 at right shows multiple leaders at
lowest severe (topping) cut above roof
level with all laterals (side branches)
also severely truncated/stubbed.
P-4, P-5, P-6 (below): Subject Redwood crowds existing building/stairs with root flare (burl) breaking concrete curb and driveway … prior box form retained, adding to accumulated defects.
Attachment 4
Ray Morneau, Arborist
ISA Certif. #WC-0132 650.964.7664
February 14, 2023 Certified Arborist’s Coastal Redwood Status Report: 333 Franklin St., MV. Page #3 of 4.
2.1 Municipal Code
Applicable rules here include The City of Mountain View’s Protected Trees Ordinance in Municipal Code Section 32.23 digitally available at:
https://library.municode.com/ca/mountain_view/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIITHCO_ CH32TRSHPL
2.2 Tree Data Spreadsheet
3.0 Discussion
The above photographs combine to tell a story of this subject redwood tree as a large-scale forest-species shoehorned into a too-small urban space … but was genetically destined to grow as big as its Santa Cruz Mountains comrades
The already hazardous condition of this tree would only be aggravated by new construction on these Franklin Street parcels … the risk of failure of the v-crotches with narrow-angled trunk attachments and breakage of limbs due to foliage endweight accumulation will continue to overhang new homes and residents.
4.0 Conclusion & Recommendations:
Two factors drive the requirement to remove this 37” Coastal Redwood … current structural defects … and stability and health after construction To remove it before the project would allow replanting with a better-structured specimen which would benefit these properties, the neighborhood, and the whole community.
Conclusion: A removal permit for this redwood should be granted by the City with no further delay.
TREE INVENTORY (partial): 333 Franlin Street, Mountain View, California. Data date: February 13, 2023 T #
Genus
species /
Name,
Common
DBH = Standard Diameter at
Breast Height (inches)
Circumference (inches)
Av.Crown Radius (ft)
Height (ft)
% Condition: Vigor, Health,
Vitality
% Condition: Form, Structure
%Overall Condition
Species' Aptitude (ability to
overcome disruptions)
Age / Longevity
Keep? Remove?
Comments
1 Sequoia
sempervirens
/ Redwood,
Coastal
37.4" @
4.5'
118"
@ 4.5' 8' ~48' 45% 15%
25%
Very
Poor
Mod. Over-
mature R
Driveway asphalt at 3'; current building
stairway at 2'; History of multiple severe
pruning events make this redwood's
structural regrowth a standing imminent
hazardl. Root damage must be expected by
new construction project.
Attachment 4
Ray Morneau, Arborist
ISA Certif. #WC-0132 650.964.7664
February 14, 2023 Certified Arborist’s Coastal Redwood Status Report: 333 Franklin St., MV. Page #4 of 4.
5.0 Certification & Use Statement
The instant report is applicable to this redwood tree at 333 Franklin St. and may not be adopted elsewhere without site-specific updates/revisions/adaptations by this Project Arborist.
I certify that all the statements of fact in this report are true, complete, and correct to the best of my knowledge, ability, and belief, and are made in good faith.
This report is valid for submittal and use upon my receipt of valid payment.
Respectfully submitted,
Raymond J. Morneau
ISA Certified Arborist #WE-0132A
ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified Professional
< APPENDIX >
Re: 31” diameter (97” circumference) Acer saccharinum (Silver maple) in rear yard There is a large glowing mushroom mass where the trunk meets the soil … https:// ipm.ucanr.edu/legacy_assets/pdf/pestnotes/pnarmillariarootrot.pdf This tree is irrecoverably dead … those mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of oak root fungus.
Tree No. 2
Attachment 4