Arborist Report/ Tree Inventory & Protection Plan

Transcription

1 Arborist Report/ Tree Inventory & Protection Plan 9567 Mississauga Road Brampton, Ontario Type of Document Arborist Report / Tree Inventory & Protection Plan Project Name 9567 Mississauga Road Brampton, Ontario Project Number BRM C0 Prepared By: Exp Services Inc Clark Boulevard Brampton, ON L6T 4V1 Canada Date Submitted

2 Legal Notification This report was prepared by Exp Services Inc. for the account of Golden Gate Mississauga Road Plaza Ltd. Any use which a third party makes of this report, or any reliance on or decisions to be made based on it, are the responsibility of such third parties. Exp Services Inc. accepts no responsibility for damages, if any, suffered by any third party as a result of decisions made or actions based on this project. ii

3 Table of Contents 1. Introduction General Overview Method of Evaluation Assessment: Condition: Vegetation Summary Trees within Subject Property Trees within Street Boulevard Trees within Adjacent Properties Plant Valuation Process Study Criteria Description of the Proposed Development Removal & Preservation Recommendations Trees Recommended for Removal Trees Recommended for Preservation General Tree Preservation Measures Protection of the Tree Root System Seasonal Construction Construction Procedures Assumptions & Limitations... 9 iii

4 List of Figures Figure 1: Site Location Map Appendices: Appendix 1 Tree Inventory Chart Photos: Photo 1-7: Existing Trees iv

5 1. Introduction 9567 Mississauga Road, Brampton, Ontario This report has been prepared for a proposed gas station development at the address of 9567 Mississauga Road, Brampton, Ontario. This Report performs the following: Evaluates the scope of the project. Evaluates the trees within the property that may be impacted. Evaluates the trees on adjacent lands that may be impacted. Determines the necessary remediation to permit the preservation of trees suitable for retention. Determines which trees are to be removed. A site visit was conducted on July 3rd, 2015 at the site. 2. General Overview The site is located at the north corner of Williams Parkway & Mississauga Road (see Figure 1), Brampton, Ontario. The site is currently vacant. The site is generally flat with existing trees inside and along the perimeter of the lot. Figure 1 Site Location Map 3. Method of Evaluation The subject property is governed by the City of Brampton Tree Conservation By-law : 5

6 Each tree greater than 30cm DBH within the property boundary is to be protected. All trees on City s Road Allowance are to be protected. All trees greater than 30cm DBH on adjacent private lands, within 6m of construction activities are to be protected. Each tree location and associated identification number is denoted on Drawing TPP for ease of reference. The trees were measured for DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) 1.37m above grade. The trees were assessed in accordance with the International Society of Arboriculture Methodology, by visual inspection from ground locations only. The tree was not climbed, nor was invasive assessment techniques (trunk boring) employed. The tree inventory and observations are summarized in Appendix Assessment: Vegetation is assessed based on a visual inspection of the trunk and branch condition, structure, foliage condition, and evidence of abiotic (environmental, mechanical and physical damage) and biotic (insects and disease) stressors. 3.2 Condition: Tree health and condition is evaluated as poor, fair or good: Poor - Considerable dieback, contorted growth, diseased, or extensive physical damage, root damage, decay, cavities and presence of secondary agents (harmful insects) that aid in the decline of the tree. The plant may have reached its normal life expectancy. Fair - some dieback, signs and symptoms of stress both by non-living and living agents, aesthetic value is compromised; however tree continues to show healthy growth. Good - healthy, vigorous growth, strong branch attachment and taper, no signs or symptoms of stress. 4. Vegetation Summary 4.1 Trees within Subject Property The existing trees along Mississauga Road are all coniferous trees including white pine ( Pinus strobus) & white spruce ( Picea glauca ), except one ash tree on the north end. As indicated on drawing TPP, the trees are labelled as #6 #15, #10 is a dead tree. The trees DBHs are between 29cm 74cm. The trees condition is not very good, the ash tree is severely infested; some of the trees trunks are damaged, and canopies are partially dead. The existing trees inside the subject property include American elm (Ulmus americana), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), silver maple (Acer saccharinum ), oak( Quercus sp.) and tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima). The trees DBH are between 24cm to 77cm, most of the trees are in good condition. The trees are labelled as #16 # 23 on drawing TPP. 4.2 Trees within Street Boulevard 6

7 Five City-owned trees are along Williams Parkway, they are newly planted, the DBHs are 5cm 6cm, the trees are ivory silk lilac (Syringa reticulata 'Ivory Silk'), maiden hair tree (Ginkgo biloba) and red maple (Acer rubrum). The trees are labelled as #1 #5 on drawing TPP. 4.3 Trees within Adjacent Properties Trees within the adjacent properties are mainly on north of the property. The trees have form a dense tree group labeled as G1 on drawing TPP. Ash ( Fraxinus pennsylvanica ) is the dominant species in this group, approximate ash trees; other species include basswood ( Tilia Americana), oak, white pine and tree of heaven, approximate 13 of these trees. The DBHs are between 25cm 45cm, the trees condition is good. The other two neighbour s trees are on east of the property, labeled as #24 & #25. The trees are ash & tree of heaven. 5. Plant Valuation Process 5.1 Study Criteria The composition of individual trees and tree grouping were analyzed utilizing the following categories; Common and Botanical Classification General Health Size Species Potential for Preservation in an Urban Situation Site Potential to Support Vegetation given proposed grading and drainage changes. Taking all the above factors into consideration a recommendation for preservation or removal was given. 5.2 Description of the Proposed Development As shown on the proposed site plan, the proposed development includes a gas bar with car wash and C-store, drive through, commercial buildings and parking spaces. 5.3 Removal & Preservation Recommendations Trees will not thrive, if major disruptions occur in their micro-environment. Changes in grade, drainage and wind pattern can all contribute to their decline and eventual death. This can result in very costly removal fees once homes have been built around the trees. Therefore, extreme care must be taken with any trees scheduled for preservation. To remove trees prior to construction is cost effective, but where possible every effort should be made to preserve trees. The decision to preserve trees must be coupled with sound arboriculture methods to ensure the long term health and survival of preserved trees Trees Recommended for Removal Based on the proposed site plan and tree assessment, ten(10) trees along Mississauga Road need to be removed due to the trees poor condition and site construction; eight(8) trees within the subject property need to be removed due to site construction; one(1) City-owned tree needs to be removed due to site driveway access. Total nineteen (19) trees need to be removed, refer to drawing TPP for the tree removal. 7

8 5.3.2 Trees Recommended for Preservation City-owned trees #1 - #3 & #4, neighbors tree group G1, #24 should be protected with tree protection hoardings. Refer to Drawing TPP for the location of the tree protection hoardings and the details of the City s standard. The Re-grading to the north of property will encroach to the drip line of tree group G1. Site construction will cause damage to the root system however the encroachment of trees drip lines is less than 1/3 of trees total canopies, the damage to trees are not severe or fatal. To maximum the tree protection area and in the meantime to provide enough space for construction, the tree protection hoardings are placed 1m from the north lot line, allowing enough space for site regrading. Clearances prune should be conducted for tree group G1, prune trees canopies to provide 3 meter of clearance from the building s exterior wall, and elevate the canopy 2.4m to 3m above ground. Before construction begins, the following actions shall be performed to adequately preserve and maintain the vigor and integrity of the existing trees to be protected: Install continues tree protection hoardings, details & locations are indicated on drawing TPP. Roots located outside the drip line that to be pruned must first be exposed by hand digging or by using a root sensitive Air knife soil excavation tool to help minimize damage to roots. Roots encountered outside the Drip Line shall be cut using a sharp saw or hand pruners. Roots shall be severed cleanly perpendicular to the long axis of the root and cut ends immediately covered with soil. 6. General Tree Preservation Measures In order to implement the recommendations contained in this report, the following Guidelines are to be observed where groups and individual trees are slated for preservation. 6.1 Protection of the Tree Root System To prevent damage to the root system of trees to be retained the area within the Drip Line must be protected with tree hoarding. If it is necessary to do minor work within the drip-line, the trunk of the tree should be protected with sturdy wooden guards. Within the area of protective fencing, no storage or building material or equipment should be allowed. 6.2 Seasonal Construction Movement of heavy construction vehicles near sensitive tree roots is the most damaging in the spring and fall when the soil is wet and more easily compacted. Confining necessary movement by these vehicles to mid-winter months when the soil is frozen is desirable. 6.3 Construction Procedures The following typical construction procedures are very detrimental to the health of existing trees and must be prevented: 8 Burning of waste material in the vicinity of existing trees. Installation of rigging cables in the branches or around the trunks of existing trees. Flushing of cement or concrete mixing machines over the root systems.

9 Storage of construction material and vehicles near existing trees. 7. Assumptions & Limitations This assessment and evaluation is limited to the assignment and purpose as stated within the Introduction. The assessment has been conducted using visual examination of only the above ground parts of trees. Unless specifically noted trees were not cored, probed, sounded or climbed. Parts of the trees below ground, unless specifically noted, were not inspected nor exposed by excavation for assessment. Trees are living organisms that respond individually to outside influences such as climate, biotic changes and abiotic changes. As such, this assessment is limited to the observations made at the time of inspection. Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the assessment, within Arboriculture Industry accepted practices; however no guarantees are offered or implied that the trees and their parts will remain standing or alive. On behalf of exp Services Inc. Sally (Xuan) Wang O.A.L.A. C.S.L.A. Landscape Architect ISA Certified Arborist ON-1600A 9

10 Appendix 1: TREE INVENTORY CHART Project: Williams Pkwy. / Mississauga Rd., Brampton, ON Date of Field Work: July 10, 2015 Tree ID # Botanical Name Common Name Quantity DBH(cm) Canopy Diameter(m) Health Condition Action Reasons for Removal Trees Within the City's Road ROW T1 Syringa reticulata 'Ivory Silk' Ivory Silk Lilac Fair Protect T2 Syringa reticulata 'Ivory Silk' Ivory Silk Lilac Fair Remove site construction T3 Ginkgo biloba Maidenhair Tree Fair Protect T4 Ginkgo biloba Maidenhair Tree Fair Protect T5 Acer rubrum Red Maple Fair Remain Trees Within the Subject Property T6 Pinus strobus White Pine Poor, half canopy dead Remove poor condition Remove T7 Picea glauca White Spruce Poor, dead upper canopy poor condition T8 Pinus strobus White Pine Fair Remove site construction T9 Picea glauca White Spruce Fair Remove site construction T10 Dead 1 53 Dead Remove dead tree T11 Picea glauca White Spruce Fair Remove site construction T12 Pinus strobus White Pine Good Remove site construction T13 Pinus strobus White Pine Fair Remove site construction T14 Pinus strobus White Pine Poor, bared tree trunk Remove poor condition T15 Fraxinus pennsylvanica Ash Poor, infested Remove poor condition T16 Ulmus americana American Elm Good Remove site construction T17 Picea pungens ' Glauca' Colorado Blue Spruce Good Remove site construction T18 Acer saccharum Sugar Maple Good Remove site construction T19 Acer saccharum Sugar Maple 1 32, 78 3 Good Remove site construction T20 Ailanthus altissima Tree of Heaven Fair Remove site construction T21 Acer saccharinum Sliver Maple 1 32,42,45,55 4 Good Remove site construction T22 Quercus Alba Good Remove site construction T23 Quercus rubra Red Oak Good Remove site construction Trees Within the Adjacent Neighour's Property T24 Ailanthus altissima Tree of Heaven Fair Protect T25 Fraxinus sp. Ash Fair Remain Pinus strobus White Pine Fraxinus pennsylvanica Ash G1 Tilia americana Basswood Good to Fair Protect Quercus rubra Red Oak Ailanthus altissima Tree of Heaven

11 Photos: 9567 Mississauga Road, Brampton, Ontario Photo 1: City-owned trees along Williams Parkway 1 1

12 Photo 2 & 3: private trees along Mississauga Road, #6 & #7, trees in poor condition. 1 2

13 Photo 4 & 5: infested ash tree #15 & tree #14. 10

14 Photo 6: trees within the subject property, #18 & #19. Photo 7: view from the east of the site looking west, trees in the picture are #6 to #13, #16 & #17. 11