HomeMy WebLinkAboutAppendix D - Arborist ReportSOUTHRIDGE ARBORIST STUDY AND TREE
PROTECTION PLAN
CITY OF FONTANA
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Project Proponent:
City of Fontana
8353 Sierra Ave
Fontana, California 92335
Prepared for:
NH Southridge LLC
500 Newport Beach Center Drive, Suite 570
Newport Beach, California 92660
Prepared by:
Rico Ramirez
ISA Certified Arborist WE-12191A
4535 Park Avenue
Baldwin Park, California 91706
___________________
Signature
July 27, 2022
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 1
METHODS .............................................................................................................................................. 1
RESULTS ................................................................................................................................................ 2
CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS .......................................................................................... 3
TREE PRESERVATION GUIDELINES .................................................................................................. 3
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A - Site Plan
Exhibit B - Protected Tree Location Map
Exhibit C - Protected Tree Photos
INTRODUCTION
This Protected Tree Report addresses protected trees and specimen trees on the Southridge Development Project, in the City
of Fontana, San Bernardino County, California. This report complies with the City of Fontana Preservation of Heritage,
Significant and Specimen Tree Ordinance, which establishes standards for new development and the protection of native and
protected trees. The proposed site plan is depicted as Exhibit A.
The following information is included in this report:
1.Mapped location of all trees of protected size,
2.Identification of all trees subject to tree protection.
3.Photo documentation of the trees.
4.Protected trees health and growth profile.
5.Analysis of potential impacts during and after construction
Heritage, Significant and Specimen Tree Ordinance
The following excerpts provide guidance from Section 28-63 of the Fontana Municipal Code:
•Protected trees include the following tree species: Oak (Quercus sp.), California Walnut (Juglans Californica),
Western Sycamore (Plantanus racemosa), London Plane (Platanus acerifolia) or Deodora cedar (Cedrus deodora)
that have at least one trunk (a) 6 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH) as measured four and one-half feet above
mean natural grade or (b) a combination of any two trunks measuring a total of 8 inches in DBH as measured four
and one-half feet above mean natural grade.
•New development shall be designed to preserve oak, walnut, sycamore, London plane and Deodora cedar to the
maximum extent feasible.
•Tree Protected Zone (TPZ) is the area within the dripline of the tree and extending at least five feet beyond the
dripline, or 15 feet from the trunk of the tree, whichever is greater. Structures, including roads or driveways, shall be
designed to prevent any encroachment into the protected zone and to provide an adequate buffer outside of the
protected of individual native trees.
METHODS
Trees were assessed by ISA certified arborist, Rico Ramirez (WE-12191A), on June 25, 2022. The following steps were used
to document each tree within the project site:
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•Assigned a unique identifier to each native tree of protective size,
•Documented DBH,
•Recorded the location using a GPS unit with sub-meter accuracy,
•Photo-documented native trees of protected size
•Evaluated overall tree health and physical structure.
The location and species identification of these native trees were verified and included on Exhibit B.
RESULTS
Three (3) trees of protected species per the city code were found on the project site. Exhibit B illustrates the location of these
tree. Only one native species of protected tree was identified and mapped: Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia). These are
listed in Table 1 below and photo-documented in Exhibit C. The majority of the trees within the parcel were non-native,
ornamentally planted trees which can be found in Table 2.
Table 1. City Protected Trees within the Project Site
Unique
Identifier
Common
Name
(Scientific
Name)
Trunk
Type DBH
(inches) Tree Health Tree Health
Comments
#274
Coast Live
Oak (Quercus
agrifolia)
Single
16 Good 80% 4 replacement
trees are needed
#275
Deodora
Cedar
(Cedrus
deodora)
Single
12 Average 65% 4 replacement
trees are needed
#276
Deodora
Cedar
(Cedrus
deodora)
Single
12 Good 75% 4 replacement
trees are needed
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Table 2. Non-native ornamentally planted trees on the parcel
Common name (Species name) Amount of trees on site Health Rating Replacement size
Eucalyptus species (Eucalyptus sp.) 71 trees greater than 7 inch DBH 40 trees- Average 65%
31 trees- Average 70%
40-24 inch box
31-36 inch box
Grevillea (Grevillea robusta) 23 trees greater than 7 inch
DBH
23 trees- Average 65% 23-24 inch box
Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) 14 trees greater than 7 inch DBH 7 trees- Poor 55%
7 trees- Average 65%
7-15 gallons
7-24 inch box
Canary island pine (Pinus
canariensis)
29 trees greater than 7 inch DBH 29-Average 65%29-24 inch box
Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) 5 trees greater than 7 inch DBH 5 trees- Poor 55% 5-15 gallon
Fan palm (Washingtonia robusta) 3 trees greater than 7 inch DBH 3 trees – Average 65% 3-24 inch box
Peruvian pepper (Schninus mollie) 7 trees greater than 7 inch DBH 7 trees – Average 65% 7-24 inch box
Casuarina (Casuarina equisetifolia) 1 trees greater than 7 inch DBH 1 tree – Average 65% 1-24 inch box
Jacaranda (Jacaranda mismosifolia) 3 trees greater than 7 inch DBH 3 trees – Average 65% 3-24 inch box
Tipu tree (Tipuana tipu) 2 trees greater than 7 inch DBH 2 trees – Average 65% 2-24 inch box
Cypress (Cypress sp.) 7 trees less than 7 inches 7 trees – Average 65% 7 -15 gallon
Total Non-Native Trees 165 115 trees–Average 65%
19 trees – poor 55%
31 trees – Average 70%
115 – 24 inch boxes
19-15 gallons
31-36 inch boxes
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CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
All trees that were mapped are of protective size and are within good to average health. The trees were assigned a grade level
based their current health, aesthetic and value to the property and natural environment. All 3 protected trees are considered
to be structurally sound and do not exhibit any signs of imminent failure or risk. However, based on the proposed project site
plan, it will not be feasible to preserve any of the trees onsite and mitigation for the removed trees will be required as part of
the proposed project's landscape design.
All trees will be removed and will be mitigated elsewhere per the city's tree replacement ordinance requirements
described below and as shown on the project's site plan (see Exhibit A).
TREE REPLACEMENT AND PRESERVATION GUIDELINES
(a) Heritage, significant or specimen tree preservation on the site is preferred to relocation or replacement. Relocation is
subject to a written report by a certified arborist on the feasibility of transplanting the subject tree. In the event that a permit
is issued by the city for the removal of any heritage, significant or specimen tree as provided in sections 28-64 and 28-68,
such trees removed shall be replaced with a species designated by the staff according to the following guidelines, unless the
staff determines that replacement is inappropriate:
(b) All heritage and significant trees shall be replaced with a species designated by the designated staff according to the
species, age, size, structure, and trunk diameter, graded on a scale from ten percent to 100 percent.
Heritage and Significant Tree Replacement Table No. I for Trees Under Seven Inches in Diameter (Approx.) Replace With
Heritage and Significant Tree Replacement Table No. II for Trees Seven Inches in Diameter or Greater
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(c) Specimen tree replacement. The staff shall determine which trees shall be considered as specimen trees and/or in
conjunction with an excellent rating by a certified arborist. Specimen trees shall be replaced per the heritage and significant
tree replacement table no. II above with a species to be designated by staff.
(d) All other trees which are not heritage, significant, or specimen tree shall be replaced. The size of the
replacement tree(s) shall be based on a scale of ten percent to 100 percent. Staff may require that the ratings be performed by
a certified arborist. The arborist report will be approved by staff.
Other Tree Replacement Table No. III for Trees Under Seven Inches in Diameter (Approx.) Replace With
Other Tree Replacement Table No. IV for Trees Seven Inches in Diameter or Greater
(e) The replacement trees for heritage, significant and/or specimin trees shall be exclusive of the trees required as part of
the standard landscape requirements. The replacement trees shall be guaranteed for one year. The applicant shall file a cash
bond with the city community development department in an amount to be determined by the staff to assure performance of
this guarantee.
(f) In lieu of the replacement trees as required by subsections above, a cash equivalent as determined by the staff may be
deposited with the city in the tree account. This account is established to purchase, plant or relocate trees in public areas,
conduct surveys of trees in public areas, design master landscape plans to include trees in public areas, and maintain existing
heritage, significant and/or specimen trees.
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EXHIBIT A
EXHIBIT B
Protected Tree Location Map
EXHIBIT C
Protected Tree Photos
Photo 1: Tree 275 Deodora Cedar Photo 2: Tree 276 Deodora Cedar
Photo 3: Tree 274 Deodora Cedar