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Home My WebLink About58-20RESOLUTION 58-20 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS DESIGNATING TWO HOLLYWOOD JUNIPER TREES AT 26850 ORTEGA DRIVE AS HERITAGE TREES WHEREAS, a Heritage tree means any tree that, due to age, size, location, visibility, historic nature, or other unique attribute, has been deemed by the Town to be a heritage tree and accordingly deserves special consideration for preservation and protection; and WHEREAS, the Town's Heritage Tree Ordinance allows for the designation of Heritage Trees by the City Council upon a recommendation by the Environmental Design and Protection Committee at a noticed public hearing; and WHEREAS, on January 12, 2020, the Environmental Design and Protection Committee voted to recommend that the two Hollywood Juniper trees at 26850 Ortega Drive be designated as Heritage Trees; and WHEREAS, on August 28, 2020, the property owner of 26850 Ortega Drive submitted an application requesting that the two Hollywood Juniper trees be designated as Heritage Trees; and WHEREAS, the Heritage Tree Designation request included an arborist report prepared by Arbor Resources certifying the trees are healthy, have good structure, and are free of pathogens, and included a plan to maintain and protect the trees; and WHEREAS, the Town of Los Altos Hills City Council held a duly noticed public hearing to consider this Heritage Tree designation on October 15, 2020; and WHEREAS, the Heritage Tree designation is categorically exempt from the provision of the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15307 because it involves the protection of natural resources. NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills does resolve as follows: SECTION I. HERITAGE TREE DESIGNATION The two Hollywood Juniper trees (Juniperous chinensis `Torulosa') located in the rear yard of the property addressed as 26850 Ortega Drive are hereby designated as Heritage Trees pursuant to Section 12-2.401 of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code. SECTION II. HERITAGE TREE FINDINGS The two Hollywood Juniper trees meet the Town's criteria for designation as Heritage Trees due to their uncommonly large size, visually interesting structure, visibility to the public, and age. Resolution 58-20 Page 1 SECTION III. HERITAGE TREE PROTECTION PLAN The plan to maintain and protect both Heritage Trees, as required under Section 12-2.402 of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code, is set forth in Exhibit "A" attached hereto and incorporated by reference. It shall be the responsibility of the current and future property owners of 26850 Ortega Drive to comply with the terms of the maintenance and protection plan. The above and foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills at a regular meeting held on the 15th day of October 2020 by the following vote: AYES: Wu, Tankha, Corrigan, Spreen, Tyson NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None ATTEST: _V. Deborah Padovan, City Clerk BY: Michelle Wu, Mayor Resolution 58-20 Page 2 ARBOR RESOURCES professional consulting arborists and tree care August 25, 2020 via: email Pat Ley 26850 Ortega Drive Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 RE: HOLLYWOOD JUNIPERS 126850 Ortega Drive, Los Altos Hills Dear Mrs. Ley: You have retained me to perform the following regarding two Hollywood junipers (Juniperus e. 'Torulosa') located in your backyard at 26850 Ortega Drive, Los Altos Hills: ■ Ascertain their size and condition. ■ Obtain photographs. ■ Provide recommendations to help maintain and promote their longevity and vigor, as well as achieve protection during any future site development. I evaluated the trees on 8/11/20, and this report presents my observations, photos (attached) and recommendations. It also serves to supplement your application for designating both junipers as "heritage trees" pursuant to Section 12-2.401 of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code. OBSERVATIONS Location The subject junipers are located in your backyard, their trunks situated roughly 45 feet apart and 25 feet from the home. They frame the lawn's south perimeter, and present a highly impressive, mature and seemingly irreplaceable artistic feature serving to provide year-round shade, screening, privacy and aesthetic elements. To distinguish between the two junipers, I identify #1 as the easternmost and #2 the westernmost. These numbers and respective tree locations are shown within the aerial map on the following page (derived from Google Earth, image date of 8/9/18). p.o. box 25295, san mateo, california 94402 ■ email: arborresourcesQcomcast.net office: 650.654.335 I n cell: 650.274.3656 ■ licensed contractor #796763 Resolution 58-20 Page 3 IffMqIJW WILI ARBOR RESOURCES professional consulting arboriat5 and tree care August 25, 2020 26850 Ortega Drive page 2 of 6 Ground beneath #1's canopy is flat, an exception being a short, 6- to 8 -inch vertical gradient rise immediately southwest from its trunk. Ground beneath #2's canopy is flat in the north directions from its trunk, and has a vertical rise ranging between 14 to 24 inches immediately south and southwest from its trunk. Size and Age These large junipers have structures formed by multiple trunks, and those diameters are listed as follows (measured 4 feet above grade and rounded to the nearest inch): ■ Tree #1: 16, 15, 14, 13, 13, 12, 11, 11, 8, 8 and 8 inches. • Tree #2: 25, 21 and 19 inches. The trees' estimated heights are 40 and 45 feet, respectively, and both have average and broad canopy spreads of roughly 40 feet across. The canopy separation between the trees is 10± feet, and at some point within the foreseeable near future, branches are anticipated to join to created a shared and contiguous canopy. p.o. box 25295, san mateo, california 94402 email: arborre50urcc5@comca5t,net office: 650.654.335 1 m cell: 650.274.3656 m licensed contractor #796763 Resolution 58-20 Page 4 ARBOR RESOURCES profe55ional consulting arbori5t5 and tree care August 25, 2020 26850 Ortega Drive page 3 of 6 Based on the trees' sizes, locations and year the home was built, I estimate both trees are likely 60± years old. Condition Both trees appear sufficiently healthy to suggest a strong capacity to thrive during the foreseeable long-term. They are found absent of any harmful pathogens, and their structures appear stable without any obvious structural defects. Their overall form is generally balanced, and historical regular pruning and care is evident for both. The irregular and twisted branching architecture is pronounced for both trees, and represents an inherent, favorable quality of Hollywood junipers. RECOMMENDATIONS This section presents recommendations to help promote the longevity and vigor of both junipers, and also provides general protection measures to achieve a reasonably high assurance of survival should ground disturbance, construction, etc. occur around either tree. Tree Health and Structural Care 1. Continue to replicate the current supply of irrigation for both trees. Over the next year or two, an enhanced program during late spring through early fall months, or at least during summer months, would favor their health. In doing so, apply water through a garden hose to achieve moisture levels 12 to 18 inches deep per application where within 10 to 15 feet from the trunks. Depending on weather conditions, this would occur every week or two during summer months, and every three to four weeks for others. 2. Replenish mulch, when needed, to maintain depths of 2 to 3 inches throughout planter areas. p.o. box 25295, San mateo, california 94402 ■ email: arborre5ource5 a@comca5t.net office: 650.654.335 I m cell: 650.274.3656 ■ licen5ed contractor #796763 Resolution 58-20 Page 5 AMA ARBOR RESOURCES professional consulting arborists and tree care August 25, 2020 26850 Ortega Drive page 4 of 6 3. An ISA certified arborist should examine the trees at least every three to five years to identify and help address pruning needs. Any pruning work shall only be performed by qualified California licensed tree service contractor (D-49) with an ISA certified arborist in a supervisory role, and in strict accordance with the most recent ANSI A300 standards. 4. Fertilization or compost applications may help promote vigorous new growth. If executed, perhaps at 2- to 5 -year intervals, the work should be performed under the direction and supervision of an ISA certified arborist, and in accordance with the most recent ANSI A300 standards. Ideally, any fertilization program should first begin with a soil sample analysis to help identify pH and limiting nutrient levels. 5. The east side of tree #1's root collar is slightly buried by mulch and perhaps some soil. It should be manually cleared using hand tools, and carefully performed to avoid damaging the trunk and roots during the process. General Protection Measures 6. At early planning stages for any site development, designate an exclusion zone to avoid activities resulting in soil disturbance, trenching, grading, compaction, etc.; each excluded area for an individual tree can be regarded as its Tree Protection Zone (TPZ). For either juniper, the TPZ should be at least 15 to 20 feet in all directions from its trunk (these distances consider their current size and condition, and are subject to change as they age). Where activities encroach within a TPZ, an ISA certified arborist should be engaged to review potential impacts and develop mitigation measures. 7. Any existing, underground and unused lines or pipes within a TPZ should be abandoned and cut off at existing soil grade versus being dug up and causing subsequent root damage). p.o. box 25295, ran mateo, california 94402 ■ email: arborre5ource5Qcomca5t.net office: G50.G54.3351 ■ cell: G50,274.3G5G ■ licen5ed contractor #79G7G3 Resolution 58-20 Page 6 ARBOR RESOURCES professional consulting arborl5t5 and tree care August 25, 2020 26850 Ortega Drive page 5 of 6 8. Establish structures, staging areas, and equipment and vehicle access routes beyond canopies to avoid damaging large limbs and a tree's form. 9. Design any new underground utilities,. services, storm drain lines, bioretention features, and swales to be beyond TPZs. 10. Avoid prescribing herbicide use within a TPZ, and where used on site, they should be labeled for safe use near trees. Also, liming should not occur or be prescribed within 50 feet from the trees. 11. The landscape irrigation design should support the junipers' inherent drought resistance, and avoid any trenching and tilling within their. TPZs. 12. Prior to any demolition, grading, trenching, construction, or mobilization of heavy equipment to the site, install tree protection fencing to restrict access inside unpaved sections of ground within a TPZ. Where pavement can remain within a TPZ, fencing is not needed (in effect, the pavement allows access beneath canopies while serving as a root zone buffer). Fencing should consist of 6 -foot tall chain link mounted on 2 -inch diameter steel posts driven a few feet into the ground. It should remain in place throughout any site development, and can be installed in various phases (e.g. demolition as phase 1, grading and construction as phase 2). p.o. box 25295, san mateo, california 94402 ■ email: arborre5ource5Qa comcast.net office: 650.654.335 I m cell: 650.274.3656 ■ licensed contractor #796763 Resolution 58-20 Page 7 ARBOR RESOURCES professional consulting arborists and tree care August 25, 2020 26850 Ortega Drive page 6 of 6 ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITING CONDITIONS ■ All information presented herein reflects my observations and measurements obtained from the property on August 11, 2020. ■ My observations were performed visually, from the ground only, without probing, coring, dissecting or excavating. ■ The assignment pertains solely to the two junipers. I hold no opinion towards other trees on or surrounding the property. ■ I cannot provide a guarantee or warranty, expressed or implied, that deficiencies or problems of the two junipers may not arise in the future. ■ No assurance can be offered that the junipers' will remain healthy and/or structurally stable should any or all of my recommendations (verbal or in writing) be followed. ■ 1 assume no responsibility for the means and methods used by any person or company implementing recommendations presented in this report. ■ Information provided herein represents my opinion. Accordingly, my fee is in no way contingent upon the reporting of a specified finding, conclusion or value. ■ Tree numbers shown on the aerial map are intended to only approximate locations and shall not be considered surveyed points. ■ This report is proprietary to me and may not be copied or reproduced in whole or part without prior written consent. It has been prepared for the sole and exclusive use of the parties to who submitted for the purpose of contracting services provided by David L. Babby. Sincerely, AM 6 . �,/ David L. Babby Registered Consulting Arborist° #399 / Board -Certified Master Arborist°#WE-4001B CA Licensed Tree Service Contractor #796763 (C61/D49) Attachments: Photographs (two sheets) p.o. box 25295, sari mateo, california 94402 ® email: arborre5ource5@comca5t.nct office: 650.@54.335 I a cell: G50.274,3G5G (v licensed contractor #79G7G3 Resolution 58-20 Page 8 .t 4 f �M�� K#rr•"�t xis �, 4.1 t I�Ot�jSt'��'i ZAz tip t f• �� ' 4� � � y��.'. 4i-ra€ rte? _ i Set.. r•