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1628 Linkside Dr W 8.28.25 - 1 treeArbor Report August 28, 2025 Amy Wilson 1628 Linkside Dr. W Atlantic Beach Re: Tree Health and Risk Assessment for one (1) sabal palm (Sabal palmetto). Scope: Services were retained to assess the health and risk for one (1) tree located at 1628 Linkside Dr. W, Atlantic Beach, Fl. (Figure 1). Figure 1. Aerial view and tree location. This tree was identified to species and visually inspected using a Level 2, Tree Risk Assessment as defined by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). This level of inspection includes a 360-degree visual evaluation of the tree from top to bottom including a review of the crown, trunk, root flare, and above- ground roots to look for structural defects, decay, pests, and disease. This tree was measured for Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) using a standard forestry DBH tape or field calipers. Tree height was estimated using a clinometer and / or tangent height gauge. Live Crown Ratio (LCR) was estimated using aerial imagery, ground observation and / or a convex spherical densiometer. LCR is a useful measurement to indicate tree vigor using a ratio of crown length to total tree height or the percentage of a tree’s total height that has foliage. Risk and liability determinations include location to potential targets such as building structures, automobiles, streets, sidewalks, and nearby utilities. The Level 2 Inspection is used to help determine three main categories of risk: Likelihood of Failure (Imminent, Probable, Possible, and Improbable), Likelihood of Impact (High, Medium, Low, Very Low), and Consequences of Failure (Severe, Significant, Minor, Negligible). Together, these three risk categories can be used to help the property owners in making decisions for pruning and / or removal. Observations / Discussion: This palm tree is approximately 70’ tall with a DBH of 11” and a LCR of around 10%. This palm grows on the back corner of the home, only a few feet from the foundation. The tree has lost most of the pseudo bark mid stem and the pseudo bark is sloughing off in various places on the main stem. This has compromised the structural support of the palm. The homeowner wishes to remove this palm tree to eliminate the risk of it failing and impacting the home during a tropical storm or high wind event. This tree poses an unacceptable risk for the homeowner. Height reduction pruning is not a practical solution for this tree. Reducing the height on palms removes the living canopy of the tree and will accelerate decline. Sloughing bark that separates from the main stem and cambium layer is usually an indication of environmental stress (freeze or wind damage), mechanical injury, senescence, or disease (decay). Trees can sometimes recover and compartmentalize the exposed wood if the affected area is small. If the bark separation encompasses most of the stem or branch, it is likely to lead to failure. These open wounds often make the tree vulnerable to pests and diseases, and it is weakened structurally. Any tree can fail under extreme weather events such as hurricanes and tornadoes. The following risk categories are standardized ratings that follow the International Society of Arboriculture, Tree Risk Assessment Guidelines. These ratings are based on available targets in which the tree could impact if it were to fail . The Likelihood of Failure rating in this report is for a 2-year time frame from the date of inspection. Conclusion / Risk Ratings: The categories of risk for this tree: Likelihood of Failure – Possible Likelihood of Impact – High Consequences of Failure – Significant Potential Targets – Home Overall Risk Rating – Moderate for home Tree Risk Assessment Evaluation Matrices and Definitions provided by the International Society of Arboriculture, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification Training: Very Low Low Medium High Imminent Unlikely Somewhat Likely Likely Very Likely Probable Unlikely Unlikely Somewhat Likely Likely Possible Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Somewhat Likely Improbable Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Negligible Minor Significant Severe Very Likely Low Moderate High Extreme Likely Low Moderate High High Somewhat Likely Low Low Moderate Moderate Unlikely Low Low Low Low Consequences of Failure Severe: Serious personal injury or death, high-value property damage, or major disruption of important activities. Significant: Substantial personal injury, moderate to high-value property damage, or considerable disruption of activities. Minor: Minor personal injury, low to moderate - value property damage, or small disruption of activities. Negligible: No personal injury, low - value property damage, or disruptions that can be replaced or repaired. Low: There is a slight chance that the failed tree or tree part will impact the target. Very Low: The chance of the failed tree or tree part impacting the specified target is remote. Probable: Failure may be expected under normal weather conditions. Possible: Failure may be expected in extreme weather conditions, but it is unlikely during normal weather Improbable: The tree or tree part is not likely to fail during normal weather conditions and may not fail in extreme weather conditions. Likelihood of Impact High: The failed tree or tree part is likely to impact the target. Medium: The failed tree or tree part could impact the target but is not expected to do so. Likelihood of Failure Imminent: Failure has started or is most likely to occur in the near future, even if there is no significant wind or increased load. Likelihood of Failure Likelihood of Impact Matrix 1 . Likelihood Matrix. Matrix 2 . Risk Rating Matrix. Likelihood of Failure & Impact Consequences of Failure Risk Tolerance Risk tolerance is the amount of risk you are willing to accept. Different people have varying amounts of risk they will tolerate. You will have to decide your own risk tolerance and decide on a course of action for this tree. Risk Mitigation Options There are a few options that can be considered for mitigation to lower your risk for this tree. 1. Prune to reduce the palm height by 50%. Reducing the height that covers targets could reduce the risk from Moderate to Low. Height reduction pruning is not a practical solution for this tree. Reducing the height on palms removes the living canopy of the tree and will accelerate decline. 2. Do nothing and continue to monitor the tree with regular inspections. 3. Remove the tree. This would eliminate all risk. SINCERELY, Ray Jarrett Biologist / Arborist ISA Certified Arborist FL-5343A (Nov 2005) ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ) ASSUMPTIONS, LIMITING CONDITIONS and DISCLAIMER My inspection was a ground based visual inspection that sometimes includes a sounding test with a mallet to detect decay. The inspection was limited to defects that can be seen while standing on the ground. There may be defects below ground or in the canopy that were not visible from this perspective. These hidden defects may result in the failure of branches, trunks, or roots. No other trees o n this property were inspected other than those specifically addressed in this report. Trees and plants are living things and are subject to an array of potential health problems, abiotic factors and unpredictable weather that can cause healthy trees and plants to fail. Informa tion provided in this report is for consideration; and is based on my professional experience, formal education, and methodologies of the Inte rnational Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Ultimately the client must make their own judgment and decisions but may consider these recommendations. Technical Literature References American National Standard Institute (ANSI) A300 (Part 9) 2017. Tree Risk Assessment, Tree Care Industry Association, Inc. (TCIA), Manchester, NH. American National Standard Institute (ANSI) A300 (Part 8) 2020. Tree, Shrub, and Woody Plant Management – Standard Practices (Root Management), Tree Care Industry Association, Inc. (TCIA), Manchester, NH. Black, Robert J. and Kathleen C. Ruppert. 1995. Your Florida Landscape; A Complete Guide to Planting and Maintenance. University of Florida. Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers.2000. Guide for Plant Appraisal, 9th Edition. International Society of Arboriculture, Champaign, Illinois. Costello, L.R. and K.S. Jones. 2003. Reducing Infrastructure Damage by Tree Roots: A Compendium of Strategies. Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture) WCISA). Porterville, CA. Deitz, Katy. Field Guide to Diseases on Florida Trees. 2025. Florida Chapter, International Society of Arboriculture. Dunster, Julian A. Tree Risk Assessment Manual, Second Edition. 2017. International Society of Arboriculture, Champaign, Illinois. Fite, Kelby and E. Thomas Smiley. 2016. Best Management Practices, Managing Trees During Construction. International Society of Arboriculture, Champaign, Illinois. Fishel, Frederick M., Susan W. Williams and O. Norman Nesheim. 2013. Ornamental and Turfgrass Management. University of Florida. Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. 2005. List of Florida’s Invasive Species. Internet: http://fleppc.org. Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. Gilman, Ed. 2012. An Illustrated Guide to Pruning, 3rd Ed. Delmar, Cengage Learning. Clifton Park, NY. Hodel, Donald R. 2012. The Biology and Management of Landscape Palms. University of California Cooperative Extension. 176pp. Luley, Christopher J., 2023. Wood Decay Fungi Common to Urban Living Trees in the Northeast & Central United States. Urban Forest Diagnostics LLC in Cooperation with Draves Arboretum. Darien Center NY. Matheny, N. (2000). Trees and development: A technical guide to preservation of trees during land development. International Society of Arboriculture. Matheny, Nelda P., and James R. Clark. Evaluation of Hazard Trees in Urban Areas. 1994. International Society of Arboriculture. Champaign, Illinois. Merullo, Victor D and Michael J. Valentine. Arboriculture & The Law. 1992. International Society of Arboriculture, Champaign, Illinois. Purcell, Lindsey. Arboricultural Practices: A Science-Based Approach. 2024.Waveland Press, Inc. Long Grove, Illinois. Smiley, E. Thomas, Nelda Matheny and Sharon Lil. 2017. Best Management Practices, Tree Risk Assessment. International Society of Arboriculture, Champaign, Illinois. Watson, Gary. 2014. Best Management Practices, Tree Planting. International Society of Arboriculture, Champaign, Illinois. Wunderlin, R. P., and B. F. Hansen. 2004. Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu/).[S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), Florida Center for Community Design and Research.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa. Documentary Photographs: