09.7 - 705 West Lynn - Heritage Live Oak — original pdf

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June 4, 2025 OWANA Attn: Donna Osborn Austin, TX 78703 RE: Level One Assessment Heritage Live Oak Back Yard of 705 West Lynn Street, Austin, Texas 78703 The client contacted me to assess the Heritage Live Oak (Quercus fusiformis) at the back yard of 705 West Lynn Street in central Austin (see aerial on the next page). The tree was assessed from abutting public property on June 3, 2025, by Bartlett Tree Expert employees Francine Kruger and Audrey Gonzales. It is presumed that the tree has a 34-inch diameter trunk and that the parcel is subject to the most recent Land Development Code of the City of Austin. If so, this tree is considered a Heritage Tree, and removal requests are required to be processed via the Land Use Commission. The tree had a co-dominant trunk and was in fair condition. The tree is a moderate candidate for preservation (rating definitions below). It appears that the tree has not had recent maintenance due to numerous dead branches and thin canopy. Photographs are attached to assist with substantiating these conditions. If preserved, a more detailed assessment is recommended to ensure that the proposed impacts meet the preservation criteria of the Tree Preservation Ordinance. This includes assessing canopy and root zone impacts and designing a robust tree protection plan. Additionally, the canopy characteristics indicate that Root Invigoration, pruning and a prescriptive fertilization program would benefit the tree (see descriptions of services attached). Condition Rating Good A healthy tree that may have a slight decline in vigor, small amount of twig dieback, minor structural defects that could be corrected. Fair Tree with moderate vigor, moderate twig and small branch dieback, thinning of crown, poor leaf color, moderate structural defects that might be mitigated with regular care. Poor Tree in decline, epicormic growth, extensive dieback of medium to large branches, significant structural defects that cannot be abated. Suitability for Preservation Rating High A tree with fair or good health, structure or form that has the potential for longevity at the site; Moderate Tree with somewhat declining health and/or structural defects that can be abated with treatment. The tree will require more intense management and monitoring, and may have shorter life span than those classified as ‘high’ suitability; Low Tree in poor health or with significant structural defects that cannot be mitigated. Tree is expected to continue to decline, regardless of treatment. The species or individual may have characteristics that are undesirable for landscapes and generally are unsuited for use areas. Arborist Report for Heritage Live Oak at 705 West Lynn Street, Austin, TX 1 of 5 North Courtesy of Google 2025 Please contact me if you have any questions, Michael Embesi MICHAEL EMBESI CONSULTING ARBORIST REPRESENTATIVE Registered Consulting Arborist 710, ISA Certified Arborist TX-3239M, TRAQ, TOWC BARTLETT TREE EXPERTS 2403 Howard Lane, Austin, TX 78728 Arborist Report for Heritage Live Oak at 705 West Lynn Street, Austin, TX 2 of 5 TREE CARE SERVICES Root Invigoration Bartlett Research Laboratories’ Root Invigoration™ program for soil revitalization reduces soil compaction and incorporates organic matter and nutrients to promote root growth. This program has been very effective in maintaining healthy trees, reversing tree decline and reducing transplant shock in large trees. Soil Sampling and Prescribed Fertilization A key component of tree health is good soil. We have solutions whether or not adjustments to minor problems or large-scale soil enhancements are needed. This is performed by visiting the site, collecting soil samples, sending them for laboratory analysis, assessing the results, and then prescribing the appropriate fertilization. In addition, our fertilizers use a regionally specific blend of necessary macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) with key micronutrients (iron, manganese, copper and zinc) to give the best results under typical soil conditions within the project’s area. The nitrogen is slowly released over the growing season so that the plant has a constant flow of nutrients. We inject our fertilizer in the soil to reduce the risk of runoff and to counteract competition from turf roots. Prescription Fertilization combines soil analysis, the trees’ needs, and the project’s goals to create a unique fertilizer specifically for the preserved trees. Pruning Trees in construction are susceptible to losing branches and causing interference. The removal of dead, dying, and damaged branches is one of the most common mature tree pruning practices. These are often the only branches that need to be removed from mature trees to keep them healthy. If a tree is overgrowing the construction site some live branches will need to be reduced in length or removed from the tree. To ensure long term tree health, only the minimum number of live branches are removed. It is our common practice with mature trees to prune the minimum amount as needed. All of the pruning practices will adhere to the guidelines of the State of Texas to minimize the spread of Oak Wilt. Arborist Report for Heritage Live Oak at 705 West Lynn Street, Austin, TX 3 of 5 Photographs Western View of Thin Canopy Arborist Report for Heritage Live Oak at 705 West Lynn Street, Austin, TX 4 of 5 Internal Dead Branches Co-dominant Trunk Limits of the Assignment The tree assessment was performed from the ground for visual conditions. This tree inventory was not a tree risk assessment. As such, no trees were assessed for risk in accordance with industry standards, nor are there any tree risk ratings or risk mitigation recommendations provided within this report. Care has been taken to obtain all information from reliable sources. All data has been verified insofar as possible; however, the consultant can neither guarantee nor be responsible for the accuracy of information provided by others. Illustrations, diagrams, graphs, and photographs in this report, being intended as visual aids, are not necessarily to scale and should not be construed as engineering or architectural reports or surveys. Information contained in this report covers only those items that were examined and reflects the condition of those items at the time of inspection. There is no warranty or guarantee, expressed or implied, that problems of deficiencies of the plans or property in question may not arise in the future. There is no guarantee for the preservation of the trees contained in this report, however, the preservation plan is made with the best interest intended for the trees being preserved. Arborist Report for Heritage Live Oak at 705 West Lynn Street, Austin, TX 5 of 5