418 Oceanwalk Dr Arborist Letter 5.1.25 Tree Preservation Specialists
Lynn Roossien April 24, 2025
418 Oceanwalk Dr. South
Atlantic Beach, FL, United States
Dear Mrs. Roossien:
On April 3, 2025 at your request I visited your
property at 418 Oceanwalk Dr. South in Atlantic
Beach to evaluate a 30-Inch DBH laurel oak
(Quercus laurifolia) located in the front yard in a
driveway island (Image 1).
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. 2
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A300 Risk Assessment 2023 Tree, Shrub, and Other 1
Woody Plant Management Standard Practices,Tree Risk Assessment, clause 13.
Thomas Smiley, Nelda Matheny, Sharon Lilly, et, al, Best Management Practices Tree Risk 2
Assessment, third edition, International Society of Arboriculture, Champaign, Illinois, 2025.
243 Shamrock Rd., St. Augustine, FL 32086
904-794-4200 info@shadetreeexpert.com
Http://ShadeTreeExpert.com
Image 1 The 30-inch DBH laurel oak
Type to
enter
text
I found the health condition of the
tree is fair and the structural
condition is poor. Health condition
and structural condition are
separate and independent
conditions. You can have a tree with
very good health but poor structural
condition and vice versa. At the end
of this report is a description of the
different health and structural
condition categories.
Based upon the poor structural
condition that included basal decay
(Image 2) and cankers and cavities
caused by decay throughout the
trunk, forks and lateral branches
(Image 3), I have graded the risk
level or risk rating as high. The tree
had a positive mallet test indicating
hollow areas at the soil line and an
internal column of decay in the
lower trunk. Recently the tree
dropped a large branch on a car
parked in the driveway causing
significant damage to the vehicle.
The tree also has a lean that I normally would classify as a stable lean because the
lean is caused by competition for sunlight by nearby trees over time not by root
slippage (Image 1). The upper growth has self-corrected to vertical. However, the
significant level of basal decay (Image 2) has weakened the connection between the
lower trunk and the roots making the tree lean unstable and catastrophic failure likely
with or without a wind event.
The extent of decay throughout the tree canopy and the difficult-to-mitigate basal
decay make it unlikely to reduce the defects and structural problems to a risk level
lower than “high”. The tree currently presents an unacceptable risk to people and
243 Shamrock Rd., St. Augustine, FL 32086
904-794-4200 info@ShadeTreeExpert.com
Http://ShadeTreeExpert.com
Page 2
Image 2 Basal day has caused a significant portion of the
lower trunk to be hollow and likely to break at this location
causing the entire tree to fall over.
Type to
enter
text
property which cannot, in my opinion, be mitigated through pruning to a moderate risk
level or lower. Removal is the only option.
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 3
Image 3 Areas of decay are visible
throughout the crown and at an important
fork.
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