Attachment 4 - Arborist Report, prepared by Sandborn Tree Service, Inc., date stamped received August 31, 2022, and correspondence — Santa Rosa City Council, February 27, 2024

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City of Santa Rosa
Planning Department
50 Santa Rosa Avenue
Santa Rosa, Ca
March 30th, 2022

SANDBORN
T ret:p Service Inc.

Since 1975
RE: Imminent hazard Bunya Bunya (Araucaria bidwillii) 66.0"d x 122'h x 16' spread foliage located at Silvercrest Housing for Seniors 1050 3rd Street Santa Rosa, Ca 95404
Dear Planner,
This tree is rooted on the southeast side of Second St. at the corner of Pierce St. Its branches overhang the city sidewalk, the entrance to the Silvercrest parking lot, and a vegetable garden adjacent to that parking lot.

It has a straight central leader with two co-dominant stems on the northwest side at 90'h. Co-dominant stems form weak attachments that are prone to failure. As such this tree has poor structure. It hqs a good vitality with 100± branches radiating out from both forks with an abundance of thick, dark green foliage.

This tree is an imminent hazard for the following reasons. The co dominant stems are split risks, at risk of failure targeting transmission lines, the city sidewalk and Second Street. Its branches are he�vily weighted with foliage at their distal ends making them prone to failure.

Many branches have failed in the past. The leaves fall constantly, they are long (18"±) spirals of sharp pointed leaflets capable of inflicting wounds on passers by and are noted to have done so in the past. The tree produces large cones weighing up to 24 lbs. on its uppermost branches. When the tree sheds its cones, which are currently forming, no one and nothing is 119 Morris St. Sebastopol, CA 95472 P. 707-823-9144 [email protected] Attachment 4

From: Murray, Susie
To: [email protected]
Cc: Nicholson, Amy; Jones, Jessica
Subject: RE: 1080 2nd Street, TR22-062
Date: Tuesday, September 13, 2022 10:08:00 AM
Hi Chip,

Thanks again for calling me to chat about the Bunya Bunya tree. Please see my notes in red below which summarize your responses to my questions. Feel free to add anything; these are YOUR comments.

Have a great vacation!

Susie

P.S. It’s still a pleasure working with you, even when we disagree!

Please note that I will be on vacation beginning September 15, 2022, and returning to work on October 11, 2022.

From: Murray, Susie
Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2022 2:22 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Nicholson, Amy <[email protected]>; Jones, Jessica <[email protected]> Subject: 1080 2nd Street, TR22-062

Hi Chip,

I hope this email finds you well.

We’ve received a Tree Permit request to remove the Bunya Bunya tree at 1080 2 nd Street. I’ve read
your evaluation and have some questions:

Please clarify “imminent hazard.” Generally we see this term used when a tree is failing or has some other issue that must be resolved immediately or may otherwise result in the loss of life or property. I visited the site and the tree didn’t appear to present any imminent danger.

Imminent hazard refers to the risk of a pod, branch or fork from the top falling.

Would annual/bi-annual maintenance including the trimming of branches and removal of the pods minimize the risk? It would reduce the risk. It would not eliminate the risk.

During my site visit, I noticed three, not two, leaders at the top. Did you or your team get up there to determine the cause? I’m wondering if the tree’s been topped which may cause that condition, similar to redwood trees? If so, I’m concerned there may be weak attachments. If this were the case, can just that portion of the tree be removed? Your assessment was down from the ground. Regardless if the tree was topped, the co-dominant leaders are known to form weak attachments.

Have you considered cabling the co-dominant stems? It looked to me that one of the three could be removed, and the other two cabled to minimize the risk of splitting, but that’s a tough call to make without understanding what’s really going on. Removing the one that extends west and cabling the remaining two would mitigate risk of splitting. Should the tree be retained, cabling all three top leaders may be more desirable. That determination can be made when the time comes.

I will ask a City-contracted arborist to come evaluate the tree as well, but I’d like your response to these items first. If possible, I would appreciate your response by Wednesday so I can schedule the a visit by our arborist while I’m on vacation.

In closing, I want to acknowledge that I haven’t met an arborist or tree climber yet who likes Bunya Bunya trees, and I’ve known quite a few. I understand that these trees require maintenance, perhaps more than some other large varietals, and are difficult to maintain. As you know, the City has two Bunya Bunya trees in very well-populated areas, one at Railroad Square and the other at Courthouse Square. Similar to the excellent maintenance you’ve provided for the subject tree, the City maintains these two trees to ensure all pods are removed and trees remain safe.

Give me a call I you’d like to talk about it. I’m working remotely this week and don’t want to miss your call. With that in mind, please use my cell, 707-529-2590.

Thanks much.

Susie

Please note that I will be on vacation beginning September 15, 2022, and returning to work on October 11, 2022.

Santa Rosa City CouncilFebruary 27, 2024

Santa Rosa City Council
February 27, 2024