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2224 Barefoot Trc Arborist Letter Tree Preservation Specialists September 30, 2024 Moody and Eugenia McCall 2224 Barefoot Trace Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 Dear Mr. and Mrs. McCall: On September 24, 2024 I visited your property at your request to evaluate the condition of your trees with special attention to a dead tree on your north property line. I performed a Level 2 Basic Assessment, which is a detailed visual inspection of a tree and its surrounding site. The Level 2 Assessment includes a 360-degree visual inspection from ground level on each tree and sound testing of the lower trunk and root flares with a rubber mallet to listen for tonal variations that may indicate internal hollows or decay. The Risk Assessment is done in accordance with ANSI A300 Standards on Tree Risk Assessment and the companion publication Best 1 Management Practices, Tree Risk Assessment. At the end of this report is a 2 description of the different health and structural condition categories I have noted in my reports of two trees. American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A300 Risk Assessment Part 9 Tree, Shrub, and Other 1 Woody Plant Management Standard Practices (Tree Risk Assessment a. Tree Structure Assessment), 2011. Thomas Smiley, Nelda Matheny and Sharon Lilly, Best Management Practices Tree Risk 2 Assessment, International Society of Arboriculture, Champaign, Illinois, 2011. 243 Shamrock Rd., St. Augustine, FL 32086 904-794-4200 info@shadetreeexpert.com Http://ShadeTreeExpert.com Type to enter text Tree #1 (Image 1) is a 14-inch DBH laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia) that is dead for reasons unknown. But possibly it died from hypoxylon canker, a secondary opportunistic disease. The tree is dead, in poor structural condition and should be removed before it or parts of it fail. There is no mitigation pruning that will help the condition. The risk rating is high. Tree #2 is a two leader 27-inch DBH laurel oak (Image 2) with basal rot indicated by the fungal conk (Image 3) which is likely inonotus dryadeus, a basal rot fungus. The mallet test was positive indicating internal decay at the base of the trunk. Because of the location of the decay at the base of the tree, there is no mitigation pruning that will sufficiently reduce the high risk of failure of one or both leaders. This double trunk tree should be removed. If you have any questions about my observations or recommendations, please give me a call. Advanced Tree Care, Inc. Chuck Lippi, president ISA Board Certified Master Arborist #FL-0501B ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist #443 Masters Degree in Horticulture 243 Shamrock Rd., St. Augustine, FL 32086 904-794-4200 info@ShadeTreeExpert.com Http://ShadeTreeExpert.com Page 2 Image 1 This is the 14-inch DBH dead laurel oak near or on the north property line. Type to enter text 243 Shamrock Rd., St. Augustine, FL 32086 904-794-4200 info@ShadeTreeExpert.com Http://ShadeTreeExpert.com Page 3 Image 2 The two leader laurel oak Image 3 A fungal conk, a fruiting body of a basal rot wood decay organism quite possibly inonotus dryadeus, is visible at the base of the trunk. Type to enter text Health and Structural Condition Categories Health An excellent health condition means the tree has high vigor, nearly perfect health with little or no pest activity, defoliation, discoloration or twig/branch dieback. A good health condition means vigor is normal for the species. There are no significant signs or symptoms due to pests or diseases, no more than minor discoloration, defoliation and twig or branch dieback. A fair health condition means the tree has reduced vigor and/or significant signs or symptoms from insects or diseases associated with foliar damage but are not likely to be fatal. Foliage discoloration can be significant. There could also be up to 50 percent twig dieback and possible branch dieback. A poor health condition means the tree has poor vigor, low foliage density and poor foliage color. It could also have a fatal pest and significant twig and branch dieback.. Structure Excellent structural condition means the tree structure is nearly ideal and free of defects. Failure is improbable. Good structural condition means the tree has a well-developed structure and defects such as decay are minor and can be corrected with pruning or support. Failure is improbable. A fair structural condition means there is either a single significant defect or multiple moderate defects. Branch or trunk failure is possible to probable. Defects are not practical to correct or would require multiple treatments over several years. A poor structural condition indicates there is a single serious defect or multiple significant defects. It could also indicate a recent change in trunk angle. Branch, root or trunk failure is probable. Defects may or may not be correctable. 243 Shamrock Rd., St. Augustine, FL 32086 904-794-4200 info@ShadeTreeExpert.com Http://ShadeTreeExpert.com Page 4