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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Alexander Tachnes-True Tree Service Updated Tree Mitigation and Restoration PlanSubmitted into the public record or ite (s) P .g on I 2 City Clerk To: Habitus LLC In care of Loreto Doucet From: Ian Wogan True Tree Service Phone: 305-905-9244 E-Mail: lanwogan@gmail.com Web: www.truetreeservice.com CC: Alexander Tachmes of Shutts & Bowen (atachmes@shutts.com, kmaurer(sbutts.com) Date: September 30th, 2015 Re: Updated Tree Mitigation and Restoration Plan for 3985 Loquat Ave, Miami Florida 33133 Updated Tree Mitigation and Restoration Plan This correspondence shall serve to outline the updated Tree Mitigation and Restoration as carried out by True Tree Service for the property located at 3985 Loquat Ave, Miami Florida. Proiect Background: When initially contacted by Shutts & Bowen LLP (representing Loreto Doucet of Habitus LLC), I was asked to analyze the health and life safety issues associated with (2) Ficus aurea (96" DBH & 59" DBH) which were located on the property line of 3985 & 3981 Loquat Avenue in Coconut Grove. In mid -July, I was provided an initial arborist report that had been completed detailing the damage that had been done to the trees and upon walking the site, 1 was able to confirm those reports first hand. Basically, the canopy of the trees had been reduced away from the 3985 site in order to provide clearance for construction equipment and the root system 3' off the trees to the West had been cut through in order to install a septic drain field. With an imbalanced canopy and reduced root system, the trees represented a hazard with the potential to fail. As an arborist with considerable experience handling damaged trees, I was tasked with providing a plan to restore the overall health and stability of the trees and reduce the life safety hazard they posed. An initial restoration and phased maintenance plan was established under the pretense that work would be allowed on both 3985 & 3981. A verbal agreement had been made by Sheryl Turner allowing access to the 3981 site which would allow proper balancing of the tree canopies and a reduction of weight. This would be the first step in reducing the hazard that these trees pose by: 1) Reduction of weight load (gravitational force exerted on the tree) that would decrease stress on the weakened root system. 2) Reduction of drag load (force exerted on tree by wind hitting the canopy) 15-bb1015hA- Abmitial-A\-ucGndtr TU( 0.6- Tut Tr-tL AYVI(-e UpdU d Trot 10-ipthon Gael us rcifian PIGn Submitted into the public record for i em(s) 2.9) on City Clerk Several follow up attempts with the property owner of 3981 were made to arrange work to be done onsite. These attempts proved unsuccessful in securing the property clearance necessary to balance and reduce the canopies of the trees. With no access to 3981, the Initial Restoration Work of effective canopy balancing was virtually impossible. The next best solution was to design and implement a bracing system that would provide additional support in the canopy as well as to secure the root system. The following is a brief outline of work completed to effectively brace the trees and eliminate any life safety issues posed by these trees: Updated Bracing System - Root Bracing: (3) Helical Piles were installed adjacent to each tree as anchor points. Pile holes dug to 7' underground adjacent to root system with Helical Piles installed. For Ficus with DBH of 96", (3) x 3" Ratchet Straps with load limit of 15,500 Ibs were installed, whereas (2) x 3" Ratchet Straps were installed on the Ficus with 59" DBH. - Main Leader Bracing: In order to provide additional support to the trees, (2) Helical Piles were installed approximately 15' West of the trees, to be used as attachment points for a cabling system. The cables were installed between a range of 15'-22' off the ground to main leaders in both trees. Cables used were galvanized, high -strength 3/8" 7x19 Strand, with (3) attachment points anchored on 59" DBH Ficus and (2) attachment points anchored on 96" DBH Ficus. This system shall be further strengthened should access be granted to allow for proper canopy balancing, thinning and reduction, which will commence immediately upon approval of property access from owner of 3981 Loquat. It's also important to note that the recently installed septic drain field located near the trees contains a root barrier, which is a semi -permanent fixture that prevents tree roots from infiltrating the septic system. The effect of the root barrier is to make the root system even stronger than before by creating a strong hold on the root system. The bracing system described above creates additional support for the roots so that the entire root system is able to support the tree within the confines of the existing area. Given that the structural stability of the root system for these particular trees is as a more vertical root system comprised of aerial roots, the root barrier will give the tree roots an opportunity to regenerate and grow down into ground and laterally along an existing coral wall, in accordance with the trees' historical growth pattern. Again 1 reiterate that I greatly appreciate the opportunity to work on this project alongside fellow professional arborists, homeowners, the HEPB and the City of Miami as well as being retained on this unique situation in order to demonstrate to others within the community the proper ways in which trees of such importance may be professionally managed to mitigate their presence as a hazard and how they may be preserved as the vital resource they represent to us. Sincerely, Ian Wogan ISA Certified Arborist #FL-6594A, TRAQ Certified True Tree Service