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Home My WebLink AboutItem 5a. 1120 Marsh St. Tree Removal Appeal TREE COMMITTEE AGENDA REPORT SUBJECT: 1120 MARSH STREET TREE REMOVAL APPEAL FROM: Anthony Whipple, City Arborist Phone Number: (805) 781-7021 Email: awhipple@slocity.org 1.0 SUMMARY A Tree Removal Application #14483 was submitted for removal of one (1) Indian Laurel Fig (Ficus macrocarpa) tree at the above address under San Luis Obispo Municipal Code (SLOMC) Section 12.24.090(E)1 of the City’s Tree Regulations. Staff approved the tree removal due to tree canopy decline. The decision has since been appealed to the Tree Committee. 2.0 COMMITTEE PURVIEW The Tree Committee’s role is to be the final decision maker in this workflow type and may approve, deny, or approve with conditions the tree removal, regarding consistency with the policies and standards set forth in SLOMC Chapter 12.24 (Tree Regulations). 4.0 TREE REGULATIONS The City’s Tree Ordinance (Chapter 12.24) was adopted in 2010 , with the last update in 2019, with the purpose of establishing a comprehensive program for installing, maintaining, and preserving trees within the City. This ordinance establishes policies, regulations, and specifications necessary to govern installation, maintenance, removal, and preservation of trees to beautify the city; to purify the air; to provide shade and wind protection; to add environmental and economic value; and to preserve trees with historic or unusual value. 5.0 ATTACHMENTS A - 1120 Marsh Tree Inspection Report B - 1120 Marsh Proof of Posting C - 1120 Marsh Tree Removal Application D - 1120 Marsh Tree Appeal Meeting Date: 2/12/2024 Item Number: 5a Time Estimate: 30 minutes Page 13 of 26 Page 14 of 26 Tree Removal Inspection Report/ Permit TO: City of San Luis Obispo Maintenance Operations FROM: Anthony Whipple, City Arborist/Urban Forest Supervisor SUBJECT: Removal Application SR#14483 On Date: January 2,2024, I inspected one Indian laurel fig (Ficus microcarpa) tree(s) at 1120 Marsh Street in response to tree removal application SR#14483. The removal of the mentioned application was submitted based on: San Luis Obispo Municipal Code 12.24.090. (E)1 b. The tree is dead or dying or diseased or damaged beyond reclamation. During an inspection of the Indian laurel fig (Ficus microcarpa) tree on January 2nd, I observed several concerning signs. On the west side of the tree, facing Santa Rosa St., I found multiple dead branches and dieback affecting approximately 50% of the crown. The dieback appears concentrated in the upper branches. Additionally, I noticed two deadwood cuts, each measuring approximately 2-3 inches in diameter. The cuts are recent, and While Ficus Canker is a possible cause of the dieback, other factors such as drought, pests, or other diseases should also be considered. I have attached photos of the affected areas for reference. Ficus canker—Neofusicoccum mangiferae (=Nattrassia mangiferae) and Botryosphaeria spp. Indian laurel fig, or Chinese banyan, Ficus microcarpa =F. retusa, when stressed, is highly susceptible to Ficus canker. The disease, also called Ficus branch canker, bot canker, or sooty canker, is caused by a complex of fungi. Identification Apparently healthy branches are often interspersed with diseased or dead branches. New shoots often sprout on the limb or trunk below dead branches. The main symptoms are branch dieback, crown thinning, and, if the disease progresses to the trunk, eventual tree death. The entire tree can die within 2 or 3 years after the initial symptoms. Public Works - Urban Forestry 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3218 805.781.7220 slocity.org Page 15 of 26 City of San Luis Obispo, Title, Subtitle Life cycle The fungi infect Indian laurel fig through mechanical injury or pruning wounds and cause disease when trees are stressed. Disease generally progresses from leaf fading or yellowing, to premature leaf drop, canopy thinning, and then branch death. Advanced age (which reduces tree vigor) and unfavorable growing conditions (e.g., the root zone compacted or paved over) make Indian laurel fig highly susceptible to disease. Dying trees also commonly received inadequate irrigation, excessive canopy pruning, or root pruning to repair pavement. Solutions Provide proper cultural care to minimize tree stress. Avoid severe pruning of Ficus and conduct needed pruning during dry weather. Prune off cankered or dying limbs at least 6 inches below any cankers. To avoid spreading the pathogens, scrub cutting blades clean and disinfect them between cuts and avoid using chain saws. I contacted our CalFire pathology expert Kim Corella, and she visually confirmed my assessments and I APPROVE the tree removal(s). Replanting one 36-inch box tree(s) off Master Tree list within 45 days of removal. Owner or Applicant shall submit a photo taken after tree(s) are planted and mailed to Urban Forest Services 25 Prado RD. San Luis Obispo CA 93401 or emailed to City Arborist awhipple@slocity.org is a condition of this approval. NOTE: All trees replanted shall be maintained as a condition of their approved tree removal. Thank you, Anthony Whipple, City Arborist/Urban Forest Supervisor (805) 781-7021 awhipple@slocity.org Page 16 of 26 Public Works - Urban Forestry 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3218 805.781.7220 slocity.org Page 17 of 26 Page 18 of 26 TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, DEVELOPMENT Follow Non-Construction Tree Removal Criteria and Process here (SLOMC 12.24.090.E) Follow Construction Tree Removal Criteria and Process here (SLOMC 12.24.090.F) Owner: Applicant: Address: Address: City: Zip: City: Zip: Phone: Phone: Email: Email: Address of Tree(s): Number of trees applying to remove? ____ Tree Species: Reason: Is this removal a City Tree?____ YES_____ NO_____ UNKNOWN Dog in yard?___ YES____ NO Is this property governed by a Homeowners Association (HOA)?___ YES____ NO If YES, please provide HOA Board Approved Meeting minutes authorizing tree removal(s) with your tree removal application. 1 Please include a photo log that clearly shows the trees requested for removal. All Tree(s) must be uniquely identified by a number and a ribbon or an identifier wrapped around the truck in the photo and prior to inspection 2 Please include a replanting plan in accordance with Section 12.24.090(J) of the City’s Municipal Code. A minimum of one new tree shall be planted for each tree authorized to be removed on the same property (on site) or two new trees shall be planted for each tree authorized to be removed when planted on a different property or within the public right-of- way (off site). City of San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo 93401 (805)540-0895 nniles@slocity.org 11120 Marsh st. 990 Palm st. Nick Niles 990 Palm st. (805)540-0895 San Luis Obispo 93401 nniles@slocity.org Tips of tree are dying and another tree is growing into it. Spacing issue X X Indian Laurel Fig Page 19 of 26 Page 2 Tree Removal Decisions as outlined in Section 12.24.090 of the City’s Municipal Code  SELECT ONE CRITERIA FROM BELOW SUPPORTING TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION DECISION MAKER APPEAL BODY Imminent Hazard to Life or Property Section 12.24.090(E)(1)(a) City Arborist No Appeal Tree Health and Hazard Mitigation Section 12.24.090(E) City Arborist Tree Committee Convenience Removal (Tree Committee makes recommendation to Community Development Director) 12.24.090(E)(3) Community Development Director Planning Commission City Council Minor Ministerial Development Permit (removal for residential or accessory construction on an R-1 or R-2 lot) Section City Arborist Community Development Director Criteria for Discretionary Permits Construction Tree Removal Section 12.24.090(F)(3) Community Development Director Planning Commission City Council Major Development / Tentative Tract Map/ Conditional Use Permit Section 12.24.090(F)(4) Planning Commission City Council Please include a check for $182.37 along with completed application & documentation. Tree Removal applications may be submitted in person at 25 Prado Road at the City’s Corporation Yard in SLO or mailed to: City of San Luis Obispo Public Works- Urban Forest Services 25 Prado Road San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. 12.24.090(F)(1) Pursuant to San Luis Obispo Municipal Code 12.24.180, any person aggrieved by an act or determination of the authorized approving authority exercising the authority herein granted shall have the right to appeal the decision of the authorized approving authority. Appeals must be received by the city clerk within ten calendar days from the date of determination or act shall cause the director to withhold tree removal permits and any permits for construction or demolition activity relying on the subject tree removal until the appeal is heard and a decision is reached. The fee to appeal to the Tree Committee is $140.80 This tree removal application must be signed by the property owner or an Authorized Agent. I declare under penalty of perjury that all the facts stated within this tree removal application are true and correct. Property Owner Signature: _________________________________ Date:___________ Applicant’s Signature: _____________________________________ Date:___________ Please make check payable to the City of San Luis Obispo $182.37 Check#: __________ X Page 20 of 26 Page 21 of 26 Page 22 of 26 Page 23 of 26 Page 24 of 26 Page 25 of 26 Page 26 of 26