Capital Tree Service: Arborist Report - 100 Aldersmith Place
Arborist review of the existing tree buffer zone and recommendations for its safe use as a playground area.
Arborist Report
NAME AND ADDRESS
Revesco Properties #650 – 1090 West Georgia St Vancouver BC V6E 3V7
Attn: Scott Lee, Jeff Lougheed
JOBSITE::: 100 Aldersmith Place Victoria BC
Details
- Location ———————— Tree buffer Zone at west side property
- Species ———————— Mixed Douglas Fir, Arbutus, Grand Fir, Holly, Garry Oak, Bigleaf Maple, Yew
- Number of trees ————— approx.. 47
- Height ———————— varying – approx.. 3 metres to approx. 30 metres
- DBH ———————— various – from approx.. 10cm to approx. 1 metre
- Health and Appearance — generally good
Synopsis
The tree buffer zone at the west side of the property at 100 Aldersmith Place Victoria BC measuring approx. 800 square metres is being considered as a refuge and play area for attendees of a proposed day care facility. Also being considered is the impact of pedestrian traffic on the root zones of the trees within the buffer zone, and mitigation to reduce any impact.
Concerns
The concerns surround the impact of the root zones of the trees in this area, and what mitigation is needed to reduce the impact of pedestrian use in the root zones. Upon minor observation of the soil conditions in the buffer zone, it is found that the soil is a mix of forest loam, sandy/gravelly loam/clay, various sized stoney aggregate, and bedrock. Because of this composition, the area is well drained. The area has some mulch coverage contributed by the trees in the zone and is composed of natural forest floor leaf and twig debris, which eventually composts into a forest floor soil – a beneficial natural process, and one that should be supported and enhanced if possible.
Conclusion, Recommendation, and Mitigation
Given the favourable condition of the forest floor in the subject area, the conclusion is that the subject area can be a suitable refuge and play area for pedestrian traffic if supporting measures are implemented to mitigate root zone impact. The recommended measures to mitigate are that a 15 cm (6”) layer of tree-chip mulch be install throughout the entire ground floor of the proposed area to be used by the day care attendees. The thickness of the mulch layer should be maintained annually, and it will begin a process of continually composting down into forest soil, and therefore the layer needs to be replentished annually.
As a note for consideration, The City of Colwood has implemented this technique in its Herm Williams Park on Kelly Rd.- a heavily treed park with playground facilities within, and had been a beneficial support to mitigate the impact on the root zones of the trees there.
Robert Bond ISA Certified Arborist #PN0298A Capital Tree Service, Victoria BC October 14, 2014.
Document Images
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