110 Jackson Road Arborist letterArbor Report
August 18, 2023
Brent Laurint
110 Jackson Road
Atlantic Beach, Fl
Re: Tree Health and Risk Assessment for one (1) pecan tree (Carya illinoensis).
Scope:
Services were retained to assess the health and risk for one (1) tree located at 110 Jackson Road, Atlantic
Beach, Fl. (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Aerial view and tree location.
This tree was 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. 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 tree is approximately 35’ tall with a combined DBH of 24” and a LCR of around 70%. This tree is growing
in the front yard adjacent to the driveway. The canopy has extensive dieback, and the tree is retrenching. This
dieback is probably from construction activities several years ago. The tree formed a co-dominant stem at the
base and has bark. The homeowner wishes to remove this tree because it has recently dropped large limbs on
the home and poses a hazard.
Included Bark, also know an Ingrown Bark, occurs when two trees or branches grow closely together creating
a weak branch union. This narrow branch angle creates a weak union and is often ‘V’ shaped. The competing
stems or branches produce and push bark between each other creating a weak attachment that can lead to
splitting or failing during extreme weather events.
Retrenchment is the process of natural canopy height reduction of older trees that are beginning to decline due
to old age. As trees start to deteriorate with age, they cannot support a full canopy and a new canopy is flushed
at a lower height allowing the tree to sustain itself for a while longer. Retrenchment is also a pruning strategy
that reduces and removes the dying canopy in older trees and encourages new, lower canopy growth. This
pruning strategy allows the tree to sustain itself longer and make it safer in urban areas.
Any tree can fail under extreme conditions 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 during
an extreme weather event.
Conclusion / Risk Ratings:
The categories of risk for this tree:
Likelihood of Failure – Probable
Likelihood of Impact – High
Consequences of Failure – Significant
Potential Targets – Home, cars
Overall Risk Rating – Moderate for home, cars
Tree Risk Assessment Evaluation Matrices and Definitions provided by the International
Society of Arboriculture, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification Training:
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 length of lateral branches and tree height by 30%. Reducing the height and length of
lateral branches that cover targets could reduce the risk from Moderate to Low. This tree appears to be
senescing and a reduction prune may accelerate tree decline. The tree is growing in an area with limiting
root space and is unlikely to survive long term.
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 on 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. Information provided in
this report is for consideration; and is based on my professional experience, formal education, and methodologies of the International
Society of Arboriculture, ISA. Ultimately the client must use 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Documentary Photographs: