CONCRETE JUNGLE FORESTRY LTD. Arborist Report - 297 View Royal Avenue

Executive Summary:

Limekiln Cove waterfront residential lot at 297 View Royal Avenue is the site of proposed; erosion protection / new beach access hardscape / native species landscape within the property's 15m Natural Watercourse Shoreline DPA. Because proposed works impact five (5) on and off-property Town of View Royal Tree Protection Bylaw No. 1069, 2022 (Bylaw) protected trees adjacent to the project area ISA Certified Arborist Donald Skinner of Concrete Jungle Forestry Ltd. (CJF) has been retained to develop the project Tree Protection Plan.

With other project consultants CJF visit the subject property on July 26 and August 19, 2021 to review project goals and record inventory attributes for five (5) potentially impacted Bylaw 1069, 2022 protected trees. CJF returned on June 27, 2022 to review project details with proponent Leanne Howes. This report is based on July 26, August 19, 2021 and June 27, 2022 observed conditions, discussions and contractor supplied plans only. CJF has not been advised of any change in site condition since June 27, 2022.

As designed, proposed construction will require adjustment to some native grades with new retaining / plantable wall systems and porous level surfaces. In CJF's opinion; retaining wall excavation grade change has the greatest potential to negatively impact project area overlapping protected tree PRZs.

Impacted Tree Resource:

The impacted tree resource is composed of the following species:

• Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii); ID No. 491.
• Either English or White Oak (Quercus sp.); ID No. 492.
• Black Hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii); ID No. 493.
• Grand fir (Abies grandis); ID No. 494.
• Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum); ID No. 495.

All Bylaw protected trees will be retained; ID Nos. 491, 492, 494, 495 require protective measures, No. 493 does not. Among mandated tree protection measures CJF is responsible for:

• Discuss canopy pruning goals / practice with tree service contractor prior to beginning work.
• Layout protection fence alignment with builder at site.
• Consult on temporary machine / materials access slope design / location.
• Layout wood chip soil compaction protection with contractor.
• Oversee temporary machine / materials access slope construction.
• Oversee excavation along:
  • North property line between waterline and Grand fir 494.
  • South property line within Bigleaf maple 495 8.1m PRZ.
  • 1.5m either side of Douglas-fir 491 35cm surface holding roots 1, 2.
• Prune excavation exposed roots >/=2.5cm diameter flush at undamaged tissue.
• Consult on location of plantable walls where these encroach toward Douglas-fir 491 35cm surface holding roots 1, 2.
• Remain available to other consultants, home owner and builder until end of project.
• Occasionally visit site to ensure tree protection measures maintained / functional.
• If requested by View Royal; supply project completion / Bylaw 1069, 2022 protected tree impact assessment report.

With no Bylaw protected trees removed; replacement trees are not required for this project.

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July 12, 2022

Leanne Howes 297 View Royal Ave View Royal, BC V9B 1B3

CC: Lehna Malmkvist (lehna@swell.ca), Sara Stallard (sara@swell.ca), Lisa May (imaginegardendesigns@gmail.com)

Re: 297 View Royal Avenue; 15m Natural Watercourse Shoreline DPA New Landscape, Tree Protection Plan; Arborist Report.

Introduction:

Limekiln Cove waterfront residential lot at 297 View Royal Avenue (VRA) is the site of proposed; erosion protection / new beach access hardscape / native species landscape within the property's 15m Natural Watercourse Shoreline DPA (DPA) (Figure 1).

Figure 1: May 18, 2022 Imagine Garden Design Planting Plan.

Because proposed works impact five (5) on and off-property Town of View Royal Royal Tree Protection Bylaw No. 1069, 2022 (Bylaw) protected trees adjacent to the project area (Figure 2) ISA Certified Arborist Donald Skinner of Concrete Jungle Forestry Ltd. (CJF) has been retained to develop the project Tree Protection Plan.

Figure 2: 297 View Royal Avenue; Impacted Trees.

Methodology:

With other project consultants¹ CJF visit the subject property on July 26 and August 19, 2021 to review project goals and record inventory attributes for five (5) potentially impacted Bylaw 1069, 2022 protected trees. CJF returned on June 27, 2022 to review project details with proponent Leanne Howes.

CJF tree inventory; measured, calculated and awarded attributes include:

• Tree type.
• Diameter at breast height (DBH=1.3m high side).
• 18:1 protected root zone (PRZ) radius ((DBH in cm/100)*18).
• 12:1 protected root zone (PRZ) radius ((DBH in cm/100)*12)².
• Canopy radius.
• Health and Structure rating (good, fair, poor).
• Descriptive notes plus,

Additional relevant attributes:

• Latin name.
• Bylaw 1069, 2022 Protected (yes / no).
• Ownership (295, 297, 299 View Royal Avenue).

Surveyed tree locations, scaled tree PRZs compared against project retaining wall locations (Figure 1) were used to gauge impact and necessary tree protection measures. This report is based on July 26, August 19, 2021 and June 27, 2022 observed conditions, discussions and contractor supplied plans only. CJF has not been advised of any change in site condition since June 27, 2022.

Project Scope:

Toe slope erosion protection / improved beach access functionality requires:

• Swell Environmental Consulting gabion construction / placement.
• Ryzuk Geotechnical designed toe-slope gabions and setback slope retaining walls.
• Imagine Garden Design native species planting, hardscape plan (Figure 1).

As designed, proposed construction will require adjustment to some native grades with new retaining / plantable wall systems and porous level surfaces. In CJF's opinion; retaining wall excavation grade change has the greatest potential to negatively impact project area overlapping protected tree PRZs.

Impacted Tree Resource:

The impacted tree resource is composed of the following species:

• Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii); ID No. 491.
• Either English or White Oak (Quercus sp.); ID No. 492.
• Black Hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii); ID No. 493.
• Grand fir (Abies grandis); ID No. 494.
• Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum); ID No. 495.

Ownership:

• 299 View Royal Avenue; Nos. 491, 492, 493.
• 297 View Royal Avenue; No. 494.
• 295 View Royal Avenue; No. 495.

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Protected tree measured / estimated³ DBHs between 40cm (Quercus 492) and 85cm (Douglas-fir 491), creating 18:1 PRZs between 7.2m and 15.3m. CJF age estimates; 30 years (Quercus 492 / Black Hawthorn 493 / Bigleaf Maple 495), 70 years (Grand fir 494) and 120 years (Douglas-fir 491). Canopies of off-property trees 491, 492, 494 and 495 overhang 297 View Royal Avenue project area (Figure 2). Health ratings 'good' / 'fair' and structure ratings 'good', 'fair' and 'poor' awarded.

Tree Resource Description / Expected Project Impact:

• Douglas-fir No. 491 (Image 1):

  • ~9.0m north of northwest property corner and immediately above 299 View Royal Avenue concrete seawall.
  • 15.3m radius 18:1 PRZ.
  • Trunk / canopy:
    • Lower trunk; Ivy covered / may rest on seawall.
    • Health rating 'fair'; upper canopy branch deadwood – primary lateral and smaller branch.
    • Structure rating 'poor';
      • Extensive upper trunk decay.
      • Repeated primary lateral branch loss at trunk union.
    • Possible decay origin; historic heading cut.
  • At 297 VRA two Exposed 25-35cm diameter lower slope surface holding roots (Image 2):
    • Root 1 extends south from trunk behind proposed gabion wall.
    • Root 2 extends southeast from trunk up-slope of Root 1, possible limited holding function - decayed / broken at distal end.
    • Retention of Roots 1, 2 critical to Douglas-fir No. 491 near-term stability / viability.
    • Gabions, plantable wall system behind and hardscape must not disturb current root diameter and allow for yearly diameter increases up to 0.5cm.
  • Fir No. 491 trunk / canopy west over Limekiln Bay beach. Most fallen branch / trunk sections land here.
  • CJF expects Fir No. 491 structure decline to continue over with trunk / canopy eventually falling apart under own weight.
  • Safe Useful Life span; estimated 20 years; area under canopy should be avoided.
  • Future trunk fail onto beach could dislodge Roots 1, 2 disrupting 297 VRA hard / soft landscape.
  • Retain⁴ with protective measures.

• Quercus sp. No. 492 (Image 3):

  • Unmaintained landscape tree, upslope of Fir 491 / ~4m north of north property line.
  • Health and structure ratings 'good'.
  • CJF expects; minor impact to 7.4m radius 18: 1 PRZ from proposed hard / soft landscape.
  • Retain with protective measures.

• Black Hawthorn 493 (Image 4):

  • Unmaintained, ~1.5m north of property line.
  • Upslope of 15m DPA boundary.
  • Health and structure ratings 'good'.
  • CJF expects; no project impact to 8.8m radius 18:1 PRZ.
  • Retain without protective measures.

• Grand fir 494 (Image 5):

  • 1-1.5m east of planting area at north property line.
  • Health rating 'good'; small branch canopy deadwood.
  • Structure rating 'fair';
    • Minor canopy deadwood.
    • Possible previous broken leader / resulting misshapen top.
    • Minor southwest trunk sweep southeast over project area
  • CJF expects; minor impact to 11.7m radius 18: 1 PRZ from closest proposed retaining wall / crushed gravel landscape.
  • Existing mortared stairway platform / dry stacked rock wall to be retained / rebuilt in same location⁵.
  • Stone landing / stairs; if rebuilt by hand; separate from trunk. Within 7.8m 12:1 PRZ reduce root disturbance by retaining native grade inside tree protection fence above / below / parallel with trunk (Image 6).
  • Retain with protective measures.

• Bigleaf Maple 495 (Image 7):

  • ~3m south of south property line.
  • Health and structure ratings 'good'.
  • CJF expects; limited retaining wall grade change within 8.1m 18:1 PRZ.
  • Retain with protective measures.

See Appendix 1: Tree Inventory Table for complete list of tree inventory attributes / notes.

Tree Protection Measures:

The following protection measures are required to minimize hard and soft landscape construction impact to Bylaw 1069, 2022 protected trees 491, 492, 494 and 495:

1. Canopy Clearance Pruning:

• Complete clearance pruning prior to constructing Grand Fir 494 tree protection fence.
• Trees 491, 492, 494, 495 canopy lift pruning candidates.
• CJF recommends 2-5m canopy lift from current depending on current lowest branch height / project area overlap.
• Grand fir 494; CJF advises whole tree safety and maintenance prune.
  • Reduce canopy density along length of trunk.
  • Simplify irregular upper canopy structure / remove largest deadwood.
  • Pruning amount and approach purview of selected tree service contractor.
• Complete all pruning using arboricultural best practice only;
  • No heading cuts.
  • No canopy lift above 50% of tree height.
• Tree work on adjacent lots requires owner signed permission.
• Remove debris from project area.

2. Tree Protection Fence:

• Construct one run of well braced 1.2m tall 2'x4' wood frame / snow fence panel tree protection fence (Figure 3) surrounding base of Grand fir 494.
• Attach snowfence to frame with UV resistant 'ZIP' ties / twisted aluminum wire.
• Maintain tree protection fence in good functioning condition until hardscape changes complete / new landscape planting material onsite.
• Construction materials / waste / concrete outwash must not be placed against / stored behind protection fence.
• Remove / alter fence alignment with CJF permission only.

3. Machine / Materials Access:

• Primary project access from street via north side of home.
• Temporary wood chip path / fill slope required to access lowest project area.
• Separate Tree Protection Plan required for Bylaw 1069, 2022 protected trees impacted trees up slope of 15m DPA.

4. Soil Compaction Protection:

• Reduce foot traffic soil compaction between machine access slope and bottom north property line rock landing / stairs.
• Lay minimum 10cm layer wood chips over heavy weight non-woven geotextile (Texel 35c⁶ or similar standard product).

5. Excavation:

• Excavator:
  • Working within project area; use smallest rubber tracked excavator suitable for job.
  • Unless conditions dictate otherwise; toothless clearing bucket only.
  • Do not allow excavator to climb / descend slope over Douglas-fir 491 35cm surface holding roots 1, 2.
  • Unless absolutely necessary; have excavator work from middle of project zone reaching toward north / south property lines and toe-slope.
• Hand excavation:
  • In the following locations supplement machine excavation with hand:
  • North property line between beach / Grand fir 494 / rock landing / stairs.
  • South property line within Bigleaf maple 495 8.1m PRZ.
  • 1.5m east / west of Douglas-fir 491 35cm surface holding roots 1, 2.

6. Root Pruning:

• Flush prune exposed roots >/=2.5cm diameter, severed or damaged beyond reasonable chance of continued function, at undamaged tissue.
• Appropriate hand / power tools:
  • Hand pruner.
  • Lopping shear.
  • Sawzall / Hackzall with wood blade.

CJF Project Responsibilities:

• Discuss canopy pruning goals / practice with tree service contractor prior to beginning work.
• Layout protection fence alignment with builder at site.
• Consult on temporary machine / materials access slope design / location.
• Layout wood chip soil compaction protection with contractor.
• Oversee temporary machine / materials access slope construction.
• Oversee excavation along:
  • North property line between waterline and Grand fir 494.
  • South property line within Bigleaf maple 495 8.1m PRZ.
  • 1.5m either side of Douglas-fir 491 35cm surface holding roots 1, 2.
• Prune excavation exposed roots >/=2.5cm diameter flush at undamaged tissue.
• Consult on location of plantable walls where these encroach toward Douglas-fir 491 35cm surface holding roots 1, 2.
• Remain available to other consultants, home owner and builder until end of project.
• Occasionally visit site to ensure tree protection measures maintained / functional.
• If requested by View Royal; supply project completion / Bylaw 1069, 2022 protected tree impact assessment report.

Replacement trees:

With no Bylaw 1069, 2022 protected trees removed; replacement trees are not required for this project.

End Report:

Sincerely,

Donald Skinner M.Sc. Registered Professional Biologist (#827). I.S.A. Certified Arborist (# PN5907A). I.S.A. Tree Risk Assessment Qualified.

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¹ Swell Environmental Consulting, Ryzuk Geotechnical, Imagine Garden Design ² 18:1 PRZ shown on Tree Protection Plan, CJF typically uses 12:1 PRZ when judging construction impact. ³ DBHs estimated due to; 1) Maple 495; no permission to enter 299 View Royal Avenue, 2) Douglas-fir 491 English Ivy (Herera helix) covered lower trunk. CJF confident tree DBHs >Bylaw 1069 30cm protected tree threshold. ⁴ While CJF does not consider Fir No. 491 an immediate tree hazard to proposed works it should be monitored every 1-2 years by a Tree Risk Assessment Qualified professional to ensure it does not become one. ⁵ Leanne Howes personal communication June 27, 2022. ⁶ Technical Datasheet: GTX_TEXEL035C_en.pdf