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0 | Page __________________________________________________________________________________________ Arborist Associates Ltd. __________________________________________________________________________________________ 94 Ballybawn Cottages, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow Tel: 2742011 Mobile: 087-2629589 Email: [email protected] Ref: LS0869780 4 th December 2012 For the Attention of Mr. Michael Noonan Senior Executive Parks Superintendent Dublin City Council Parks & Landscape Services Division Culture & Recreation Department Ground Floor, Block 4 Civic Offices Wood Quay Dublin 8 Dear Mr. Noonan, An Arboricultural Assessment of the Trees on “Lennox Street”, Portobello, Dublin 8. Further to our meeting on Friday the 31 st November 2012, I carried out my assessment of the trees in question on Monday 3 rd of December as requested and am pleased to submit my report. If you require further information please do not hesitate to contact us, and we will do our best to be of assistance. Yours sincerely, For Arborist Associates Ltd. ______________ Felim Sheridan, NCH, Nat. Dip, RFS Dip. & F.Arbor.A In Arboriculture. Felim Sheridan’s qualifications: National certificate Horticulture (NCH), National diploma Arboriculture (ND), Professional diploma Arboriculture (RFS), Fellow of the Arboricultural Association (F. Arbor. A) and Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).

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__________________________________________________________________________________________

Arborist Associates Ltd. __________________________________________________________________________________________ 94 Ballybawn Cottages, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow Tel: 2742011

Mobile: 087-2629589 Email: [email protected]

Ref: LS0869780 4th December 2012 For the Attention of Mr. Michael Noonan Senior Executive Parks Superintendent Dublin City Council Parks & Landscape Services Division Culture & Recreation Department Ground Floor, Block 4 Civic Offices Wood Quay Dublin 8 Dear Mr. Noonan, An Arboricultural Assessment of the Trees on “Lennox Street”, Portobello, Dublin 8.

Further to our meeting on Friday the 31st November 2012, I carried out my assessment of the trees in question on Monday 3rd of December as requested and am pleased to submit my report. If you require further information please do not hesitate to contact us, and we will do our best to be of assistance. Yours sincerely, For Arborist Associates Ltd. ______________ Felim Sheridan, NCH, Nat. Dip, RFS Dip. & F.Arbor.A In Arboriculture. Felim Sheridan’s qualifications: National certificate Horticulture (NCH), National diploma Arboriculture (ND), Professional diploma Arboriculture (RFS), Fellow of the Arboricultural Association (F. Arbor. A) and Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).

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Arborist Associates Ltd.

An Arboricultural Assessment of the Trees on “Lennox

Street”, Portobello, Dublin 8.

Prepared for: Parks & Landscape Service Division, Dublin City Council. Prepared by: Felim Sheridan (NCH, Nat. Dip, RFS Dip. & F.Arbor.A in

Arboriculture) Date: 4th December 2012 94 Ballybawn Cottages, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow. Tel: 01-2742011

Mobile: 087 2629589 Email [email protected]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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1.0 Instructions 1.1 I have been instructed by Mr. Michael Noonan of the Parks & Landscape Services

Division of Dublin City Council to carry out an assessment of the trees at the eastern end of “Lennox Street”, Portobello, Dublin 8 and to report on the following:

a) To assess their present condition.

b) Make recommendations towards their management now and for the

future. 2.0 Report Limitations 2.1 The inspection of the trees has been carried out from ground level only, is a

preliminary report and does not include climbing inspections, below ground investigations or an assessment of any damage caused by the trees to the boundary walls or coal bunkers/ basements.

The assessment is based on what was visible at the time of the inspection and

recommendations made are subject to the knowledge and expertise of the qualified Arboriculturist that carried out the above inspections.

2.2 This report only relates to factors apparent at the time of the inspection; as a result,

further monitoring is imperative if potential problems/hazards are to be avoided. The recommendations within this report are valid for a 12 month period only, unless otherwise stated within the recommendations of the attached report.

3.0 Survey Data Collection and Methodology 3.1 The trees included within this assessment are located at the eastern end of “Lennox

Street” on both sides extending from “Richmond Street South” to the west of “Lennox Terrace”. The assessment started on the northern side of the street working from east to west and then continued on the southern side working from east to west.

3.2.0 Identification 3.2.1 Each tree included within this assessment has been numbered numerically starting

from 1 – 15 and the house number/s opposite the tree has also been recorded to aid relocation on site. The tree positions along with their crown spreads have also been shown on the accompanying drawing to help identification.

3.3.0 Inspection of the trees 3.3.1 The information collected during our assessment has been presented within a tabular

format within ‘appendix 1’. This assessment lists the tree species, age class, physiological condition, structural condition and management recommendations that are required now and in the future. Good, fair and poor have been used to summarize the physiological and structural conditions of these trees with the comments giving more detail. It does not comment on the condition or structural damage to the adjoining boundary walls or coal bunkers/ basements.

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3.3.2 The inspection of the trees involves a visual assessment from ground level only and

does not include any invasive means of assessing the trees internally; their below ground parts or the aerial parts that are not visible from the ground.

3.3.3 The recommendations made on the management of these trees have been assessed

on the following criteria:

1 - Structural Defects within the tree. 2- Environmental site factors that would increase the likelihood of failure. 3- Component/s most likely to failure and their size. 4- The target that would be injured or damaged if failure occurred. 5 – Procedure and treatment to abate the hazard.

4.0 General 4.1 I carried out my assessment of the trees in question on Monday 3rd of December

2012. The trees included within this assessment are located at the eastern end of “Lennox Street” on both sides of the road extending from the junction with “Richmond Street South” to the west of the junction with “Lennox Terrace”.

4.2 The trees are located on the outer edge of the c.2 metre (m) wide concrete footpath

and are bordered with the road and on their inside by the front low plinth boundary wall and along some trees by the retaining wall of the coal bunkers/basements. They have been planted into very small confined planting pits and in most situations the trees are outgrowing these pits. As a result, their roots are causing structural damage to the concrete surface of the footpath and the kerb line with the road. This will worsen as the trees continue to grow in size and will need to be repaired on health and safety grounds. There is also the possibility as these trees continue to grow in size that their roots will cause structural damage to the low plinth front boundary walls and where present the retaining walls of the coal bunkers/basements.

4.3 These trees are of a semi-mature age class with a trunk diameter range of 220-

330mm, a tree height range of 9 – 13m, a crown spread range of 6 – 10m and a crown clearance range over the surrounding surfaces of 3.5-4m. At full maturity, Norway Maple trees can reach a size of 25m with a trunk diameter in excess of 1m with broad round crowns.

4.4 The past pruning regime of these trees has mainly involved pruning of their lower

branches in order to raise up their crowns over the surrounding surfaces. In some instances in order to achieve this clearance, lower branches have been removed creating large size pruning wounds on the main trunks where decay is gaining entry. The trees are encroaching in on the adjoining houses and will require pruning to contain their crown spread and to maintain clearance over the surrounding surfaces.

4.5 The tree species on this street are all a cultivar of Norway Maple (Acer platanoides cv)

and a number of them are of the cultivar known as Acer platanoides ‘Drummondii’. This is a variegated cultivar which has a central green leaf surrounded by a broad creamy white margin. This cultivar due to the variegated leaf has less chlorophyll than a normal Norway Maple leaf and as a result, the vigour/growth rate of this cultivar is less. They do not become as large, but the problem with this variety is that it is prone to reverting back to ordinary Norway Maple losing its variegated leaf and

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once this happens, the rate of growth increases and it becomes a vigorous tree. On this street, based on my assessment of photographs from the City Council and Google images, this has already occurred and the variegation is being suppressed out by the faster growing sections of ordinary Norway Maple that have developed within their crowns. Eventually, the variegated sections will be totally suppressed out.

4.6 Two main problems with Norway Maple trees are as follows:

• They can have structural weaknesses in the form of acute union formations with included bark present between stems/branches and as these grow in size, they are very prone to breaking out. This is evident on the trees present on this street with a number of them already suffering breakages as a result with others also prone as they grow further in size.

• Norway Maple have a substantial shallow root system and are now known to be

problematic as a street tree causing structural damage to footpath surfaces and road side kerb lines as they grow in size. They are not used anymore for this purpose, especially where space is confined such as planting into small planting pits within footpaths.

5.0 Conclusion 5.1 I would conclude that the species selection in the first place was inappropriate for this

street. It is my professional opinion that the current trees should be phased out over a period of time as trees become more problematic and that a new more appropriate tree species be planted to replace those that are removed. Species of trees that could be considered as replacement subject to availability include Acer campestre ‘Streetwise’, Acer campestre ‘William Caldwell’, Carpinus betulus ‘Frans Fontaine’ or Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’ to name a few. This phased removal of trees and replanting allows the character of the street to be retained at all times as the removal of a small number of trees at any one time will not significantly impact on the overall streetscape and sylvan character.

5.2 Delaying the start of the tree removal from this street any longer will only see the

problem worsen and more trees needing to be removed in one phase in the future on health and safety grounds. Starting a programme of works now allows them to be removed in small quantities that would have a minimal impact on the overall streetscape. New trees planted as replacements for those removed will be establishing and growing to help mitigate against future tree removal. This plan of action would be seen as good arboricultural management practice as delaying tree removal will not help the long-term treescape of this street.

5.3 The option of pruning to contain the size of the trees would not be seen as a long-

term solution and would require to be repeated every few years. This pruning would not deal with the issue of the trees causing structural damage to the footpath, services and possibly to the boundary walls and coal bunkers. The pruning would also detract from the visual appearance of the trees and if not continually repeated, could lead to future structural weaknesses within these trees with limbs that developed from old pruning points breaking out due to weak union attachment.

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6.0 Tree Management/ Recommendations 6.1 The management objective is to protect and preserve the tree cover on this street for

the long- term. In order to achieve this, it will be necessary to start a program of selective removal of the existing trees and to carry out replacement tree planting using a more appropriate tree species. It is proposed that this would occur over a period of time with those trees that are most problematic being removed first.

6.2 On this basis, tree No. 3 on the northern side of the street and Tree Nos. 8 & 13 on

the southern side of “Lennox Street” should be removed now as part of phase one removal due to their structural weaknesses.

This should be followed by Tree No. 6 on “Richmond Row” in 2-4 years as part of the

phase two removal.

After this tree Nos. 4 & 5 on the northern side and tree Nos. 9 & 11on the southern side of the street will most likely need to be removed in the next phase in the future due to structural weaknesses.

6.3 Long- term, it is likely that the remaining trees will need to be removed for one reason

or another, but by this time, the tree planting that has been added as part of phase one, two and three removal will be establishing and becoming of a size to mitigate the loss of the remaining trees. It is now accepted as good policy to have a diverse mix of tree species and age classes within a street so that if one species becomes problematic or diseased and needs to be removed, then the impact on the street tree cover is not seriously affected.

6.4 In order to promote health and safety, repair works will need to be carried out on the

footpath surface. Care will need to be taken to ensure the trees do not suffer root damage during these works that could impact on their health and safety. It will also be important that future service installations or repairs do not dig through the footpath that could also cause root damage.

This report is for the sole use of the above named client and refers to only those trees identified within. Its use by any other person(s) in attempting to apply its contents for any other purpose renders the report invalid for that purpose. Signed_____________________ Date___________ Felim Sheridan’s qualifications: Fellow of the Arboricultural Association (F. Arbor. A), Professional diploma Arboriculture (RFS), National diploma Arboriculture (ND) and National certificate Horticulture (NCH).

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Appendix 1

A Condition Tree Assessment

Of the Trees on “Lennox Street”, Portobello, Dublin 8. Date: 4th December 2012

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Notes

All codes referred to in this report are approximate and serve as a general guide only.

Reference to Numbers: The trees have metal tags attached and these correspond with the numbers in this report. Reference to age is as follows: Young: A tree, which has been planted in the last 10 years or is less than 1/3

the expected height of the species in question. Early Mature: A tree, which is over 10 years old or is approximately 1/3 to 2/3’s the

expected height of the species in question. Mature: A tree that has reached the expected height of the species in

question, but still increasing in size. Late Mature: A tree at the end of its life cycle and the crown is starting to break up

and decrease in size. Physiological Condition (Phys. Con.) – Good: A tree with a full dense crown of good vigour with no evidence of pathogenic

diseases. Fair: A tree with some minor signs of sparseness within its crown and minor infection

by pathogenic diseases. Poor: A tree with more serious decline/dieback within its crown and evidence of

pathogenic diseases. Structural Condition Good: A tree of good form with no major defects. Fair: A tree with some minor defects such as bark wounds, isolated decay pockets or

structure affected due to overcrowding. Poor: A tree with more serious defects such as extensive deadwood, decay or

defective to the point of being dangerous. Reference to comment: This contains information about the tree health and explains the reason for the action required. Reference to Pruning/felling All tree works are to be performed to BS3998 and ANSI A300 pruning guidelines may also be referred to. Pruning is defined as the selective removal of branches from the tree for specific results. All pruning is to be as specified in the schedule and all pruning cuts are to be made in accordance with ‘natural target pruning’ methods. All final cuts to be made outside the branch collar and at an angle equal but opposite to that of the branch bark ridge. If during climbing works, a climber (tree surgeon) discovers any defects not noted in the Arborist report, he should inform and consult the Arborist in question. If it is a minor defect, it would be expected that the tree surgeon would deal with it as part of his contract. If it is deemed a serious problem, then there will be a need to consult with the client/owner and to carry out the agreed works at an additional cost. This problem may arise for example as a result of additional storm damage since the last inspection and it must be borne in mind that

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the survey is a visual inspection from ground level only and problems in the aerial part of the tree may not be visible from ground level or be hidden under Ivy. Terms used in explaining this work; Deadwooding This is the removal of deadwood (>5cm) without attempting to remove it from the branch tips or green foliage areas as in conifers. It is expected that major deadwood is removed from all trees that are climbed, even if it is not stated on the survey. Crown Clean This includes the removal of deadwood, diseased and dying wood, broken or split branches, epicormac growth, and basal suckers if requested and crossing or rubbing branches. Reduction (m) This includes cleaning out the crown as described above and the reduction (careful shortening) of the entire crown or an individual limb in length in all directions to leave a balance branch structure. The finished pruning cuts should not exceed one-third the size of the branch or stem that it is located on. The reduction works are normally expressed in meters (m) measuring in from the outer extremities of the crown or branch and should be considered as an approximate guideline. Lightening This technique is a combination of selective thinning together with moderate length reduction of a section or entire crown. The main objective is to reduce the end weight on potentially hazardous crown sections, individual limbs or individual branches. Crown appearance should not be altered greatly by this pruning. Crown raising The removal of the lowest branches that effectively increase the height of the main crown above ground level. Felling Trees to be felled shall be cut as low as possible to ground level, unless otherwise specified. Trees for felling should be dismantled (section- felled) wherever necessary using appropriate rigging techniques to avoid damage to adjacent trees/ structures and other potentially vulnerable landscape features.

Stumps Generally, stumps are to be ground out using a mechanical stump grinder taking care not to cause damage to neighbouring trees.

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Tree No Tree Species Age Class Phys. Condition Structural Condition

Management

Phys.-physiological.  

An arboricultural assessment of the trees located at the eastern end of “Lennox Street” extending from “Richmond Street South” to the west of “Lennox Terrace”, Portobello, Dublin 8. These trees have been numbered numerically from 1 -15 and the house number/s opposite the tree has been recorded to aid relocation on site. Their positions and numbering have also been shown on the accompanying drawing. The following trees are located on the northern side of the street, at the eastern end starting at the junction with “Richmond Street South” and working westwards along the street to the junction with “Synge Street”.

 

Tree No.1 Norway Maple cv Acer platanoides cv

Semi Mature Fair- Good Fair Trunk Diameter (mm)

Tree Height (m)

Crown Clearance (m)

Crown Spread (m)

320 11m 4 4N,3S,4E,3W

Located outside house No.2. It is growing out of a small planting pit and it is beginning to outgrow this and to cause structural damage to the surrounding footpath surface. This will worsen as the tree grows in size. It has received pruning in the past to raise up its crown and a low scaffold limb has been removed from c.2m up as part of this process. This has created a large wound on the main trunk with decay developing into this as a result and this may develop into a structural weakness as the tree grows in size. The crown is beginning to obstruct the building on the northern side. It is located c.3m west of a public lamp standard and is obstructing the light from this.

Current Prune back branches in order to create sufficient clearance with the public lighting on its eastern side and the building on the northern side. Prune remaining crown sides to reshape / balance crown. Enlarge the planting pit around its base to prevent direct contact with the footpath and to alleviate damage being caused to the trunk of this tree as it grows in size. Future It will require repeat pruning of side branches and lower crown to maintain clearance with the surrounding surfaces and structures.

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Tree No Tree Species Age Class Phys. Condition Structural Condition

Management

Phys.-physiological.  

Tree No.2 Norway Maple cv Acer platanoides cv

Semi Mature Fair- Good Fair Trunk Diameter (mm)

Tree Height

(m)

Crown Clearance (m)

Crown Spread (m)

300 13 4 4N,3S,4.5E,3W

Located outside house Nos. 8 & 10. It is growing within a small planting pit and its base is causing structural damage to the footpath surface with the concrete lifting as a result. It leans slightly from its base in an eastwards direction. The lower branches have been removed in the past in order to raise up its crown. The side branches are beginning to encroach in on the building on the northern side.

Current Carry out pruning of side branches in order to improve clearance with the building to the north and on the road side in order to rebalance crown. Enlarge the planting pit around its base to prevent direct contact with the footpath and to alleviate damage being caused to the trunk of this tree as it grows in size. Future It will require repeat pruning of side branches and lower crown to maintain clearance with the surrounding surfaces and structures.

Tree No.3 Norway Maple cv. Acer platanoides cv

Semi Mature Fair- Good Poor Trunk Diameter (mm)

Tree Height (m)

Crown Clearance (m)

Crown Spread (m)

330 11m 3.5m 4N,5S,5E,4W

It is located between House Nos.16 & 18. It is one of the larger trees on this road and it is growing within a small planting pit within the footpath. Its base is outgrowing this planting pit and is causing structural damage and the footpath is also obstructing the growth of the base of this tree. It leans at an angle towards the road, I suspect as a result of subsidence from the root plate. Its crown leans out over the road and parking spaces and it could be hit by passing high vehicles which could result in partial or complete failure. I suspect that there is some spiral cracking on the main trunk and this is a further structural weakness.

Current It has outgrown this space and I would have concerns regarding its safety. As a result, I would recommend its removal as the most appropriate management option.

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Tree No Tree Species Age Class Phys. Condition Structural Condition

Management

Phys.-physiological.  

An electrical cable runs through its crown and it has received some pruning of its crown in order to maintain clearance with this cable. The lower branches have been removed in the past in order to raise up its crown. The crown is beginning to encroach in on the building on the northern side.

Tree No.4 Norway Maple cv.

Acer platanoides cv Semi Mature Fair- Good Fair - Poor Trunk

Diameter (mm) Tree Height

(m) Crown

Clearance (m) Crown Spread

(m) 220mm 11m 3.5m 3N,4S,3E,3W

It is located outside house Nos. 20 & 22. It is growing within a small planting pit and is causing structural damage to the surrounding footpath surface. An electrical and telephone cable run through the crown of this tree and it has received some pruning of its crown in order to maintain clearance with these cables, in particular the electrical cable. It has also received pruning to raise up its crown over the surrounding surfaces. There is a slightly acute union formation between the first scaffold limb on the main trunk at a height of c.3m creating a structural weakness at this point. This scaffold limb will be prone to breaking out as it increases in size.

Current Prune side branches in order to contain the width of its crown, particularly extending towards the building. Prune scaffold limb with acute union formation to reduce size of this limb by 2m in order to reduce pressure on the weakened union formation. Enlarge the planting pit around its base to prevent direct contact with the footpath to alleviate damage being caused to the trunk of this tree as it grows in size. Future It will require repeat pruning of side branches and lower crown to maintain clearance with the surrounding surfaces and structures. Monitor for structural weaknesses caused by the acute union

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Tree No Tree Species Age Class Phys. Condition Structural Condition

Management

Phys.-physiological.  

formation between the main trunk and scaffold limb. This may require further pruning to reduce pressure on this union or the tree may need to be removed in the future as a result.

Tree No.5 Norway Maple cv. Acer platanoides cv.

Semi Mature Fair- Good Fair Trunk Diameter (mm)

Tree Height (m)

Crown Clearance (m)

Crown Spread (m)

260 11m 3.5m 4N,4S,4E,4W

It is growing within a very small planting pit and the roots and base are beginning to grow out over the surrounding footpath surface. It is causing some structural damage to the footpath and the kerb line. It has received pruning of lower branches in order to raise up its crown. There is an acute union formation between the first main scaffold limb on the main trunk on the northern side with some included bark present. This has created a structural weakness and this limb may be prone to breaking out as a result. The electrical cables run through the southern side of its crown and it has received some pruning to maintain clearance.

Current Prune side branches in order to maintain clearance with the building on the northern side. Reduce the main scaffold limb on the northern side with the weak union formation by c.1m to reduce pressure. Carry out some other formative pruning in order to improve the structure and appearance of this tree. Enlarge the planting pit around its base to prevent direct contact with the footpath and to elevate damage being caused to the trunk of this tree as it grows in size. Future It will require repeat pruning of side branches and lower crown to maintain clearance with the surrounding surfaces and structures. Monitor for structural weaknesses caused by the acute union formation between the main trunk and scaffold limb. This may require further pruning to reduce pressure on this union or the

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Tree No Tree Species Age Class Phys. Condition Structural Condition

Management

Phys.-physiological.  

tree may need to be removed in the future as a result.

The following trees are located on the southern side of “Lennox Street” working from the junction with “Richmond Row” westwards to finish at “Lennox Terrace”.

Tree No.6 Norway Maple Acer platanoides

“Drummondii”

Semi Mature Fair Poor Trunk Diameter

(mm)

Tree Height (m)

Crown Clearance (m)

Crown Spread (m)

220 10 3.5m 3N,3S,2E,2.5W

It is located on “Richmond Row” along the gable end of house No.1. on “Lennox Street”. It is growing within a small planting pit and is beginning to outgrow this opening. It is beginning to cause structural damage to the surrounding footpath with cracking evident. It has suffered a large linear bark wound from c.1m up to a height of c.4.5m on the main trunk, I suspect as a result damage caused by fire. This has created a large wound up along the main trunk where decay is gaining entry as a result and this is likely to have an impact on its long-term health and stability. The tree itself is trying to compensate by laying down wound wood around this wound, but this is likely to develop into a structural weakness as the tree grows in size. Its crown is encroaching in on the building on its western side. Some side branches / shoots are reverting back to ordinary Norway Maple.

Current Prune back lower branches in order to maintain clearance with the building. Carry out some formative pruning to improve structure and to prune out where possible the shoots that have reverted. Enlarge the planting pit around its base to prevent direct contact with the footpath and to alleviate damage being caused to the trunk of this tree as it grows in size. Future I would recommend its complete removal in the short-term (2-4 years) as the most appropriate management option.

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Tree No Tree Species Age Class Phys. Condition Structural Condition

Management

Phys.-physiological.  

Tree No.7 Norway Maple Acer platanoides

“Drummondii”

Semi Mature Fair- Good Fair Trunk Diameter

(mm)

Tree Height (m)

Crown Clearance (m)

Crown Spread (m)

220 11m 3 2.5N,3S,3E,3W

It is located on “Lennox Street” outside House No.1. It is located within a small planting pit and is beginning to cause structural damage to the surrounding footpath surface. It has received pruning on lower branches in order to raise up its crown. Its crown is beginning to encroach in on the building on the southern side. Some side branches / shoots are reverting back to ordinary Norway Maple.

Current Remove lower branches in order to raise up its crown and carry out some formative pruning to help improve the shape/ balance of its crown. Prune back from the building to give sufficient clearance and prune where possible the shoots that have reverted. Enlarge the planting pit around its base to prevent direct contact with the footpath and to alleviate damage being caused to the trunk of this tree as it grows in size.

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Tree No Tree Species Age Class Phys. Condition Structural Condition

Management

Phys.-physiological.  

Future It will require repeat pruning of side branches and lower crown to maintain clearance with the surrounding surfaces and structures.

Tree No.8 Norway Maple cv. Acer platanoides cv.

Semi Mature Fair Poor Trunk Diameter

(mm)

Tree Height (m)

Crown Clearance (m)

Crown Spread (m)

210 11m 3 2.5N,3.5S,4E,3E

Located outside house No.3. It is growing within a small planting pit and is beginning to cause structural damage to the surrounding footpath surface. It leans at an angle from its base and is possibly subsiding from the root plate. It was initially twin-stemmed from c.2.5m up and one of these stems has broke out either due to a weak union formation or from being hit by a passing vehicle. This has left its crown very asymmetrical and more open / exposed as a result. It has also created a large wound on the main trunk where decay is gaining entry and will create a structural weakness. Due to the size of the wound it is unlikely to recover from this damage. The crown is beginning to encroach in on the building on the southern side and Telecom cables run through its crown.

Current I would recommend its removal as the most appropriate management option.

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Tree No Tree Species Age Class Phys. Condition Structural Condition

Management

Phys.-physiological.  

Tree No.9 Norway Maple cv. Acer platanoides cv.

Semi Mature Fair- Good Fair - Poor Trunk Diameter

(mm)

Tree Height (m)

Crown Clearance (m)

Crown Spread (m)

170 9 3.5m 3N,3S,2.5E,3W

It is located outside house No.7. It is growing within a small planting pit and some repair works have been carried out to the footpath around its base. There is a water valve located at its base. It has suffered bark wounds on its lower trunk caused by the parking vehicles. There are utility cables running through its crown and it has received pruning in the past in order to maintain clearance with these cables and this has left its crown slightly more open as a result. The lower branches have been removed in order to raise up its crown, including a large lower branch that extended towards the building on the southern side creating a wound where decay is developing. There is an acute union formation between some scaffold limbs/ branches within its crown, particularly in mid-crown and it is prone to limb failure from this point as a result. Due to its structural weakness, it is unlikely to be suitable for long-term retention.

Current In order to retain, carry out some formative pruning to reduce pressure on the structurally weak limbs/ branches with acute union formations. Future It will require repeat pruning of side branches and lower crown to maintain clearance with the surrounding surfaces and structures. Monitor for structural weaknesses caused by the acute union formation between the main trunk and scaffold limbs. This may

Page 18: Arborist Associates Ltd. - Dublin · 2014-06-05 · 6.0 Tree Management/ Recommendations 6.1 The management objective is to protect and preserve the tree cover on this street for

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Tree No Tree Species Age Class Phys. Condition Structural Condition

Management

Phys.-physiological.  

require further pruning to reduce pressure on the union or the tree may need to be removed in the future as a result.

A utility service trench runs down between the following trees and the boundary walls to the adjoining gardens. When this occurred is not known, but it may have resulted in some root damage to the trees, although they are showing no signs of ill health within their crowns at the present time that would indicate such damage.

Tree No.10 Norway Maple cv. Acer platanoides cv.

Semi Mature Fair- Good Fair Trunk Diameter

(mm)

Tree Height (m)

Crown Clearance (m)

Crown Spread (m)

280 9 3.5m 3N,3S,3E,2.5W

It is located outside house No.11. It is obstructing the vehicle entrance to this property and it has suffered bark wounds on its lower trunk and base on numerous occasions as a result. This has exposed the underlying timber to decay. It is growing within a very small planting pit and it is outgrowing this with some structural damage being caused to the footpath as a result. The lower branches have been removed in the past in order to raise up its crown. It is located c.2m east of a utility pole (telecom) with a lot of wires running through its crown from this. The lower branches have been removed in the past in order to raise up its crown.

Current Carry out pruning to create clearance with the utility wires. Enlarge the planting pit around its base to prevent direct contact with the footpath and to alleviate damage being caused to the trunk of this tree as it grows in size. Future It will require repeat pruning of side branches and lower crown to maintain clearance with the surrounding surfaces and structures.

Page 19: Arborist Associates Ltd. - Dublin · 2014-06-05 · 6.0 Tree Management/ Recommendations 6.1 The management objective is to protect and preserve the tree cover on this street for

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Tree No Tree Species Age Class Phys. Condition Structural Condition

Management

Phys.-physiological.  

Tree No. 11 Norway Maple cv. Acer platanoides cv.

Semi Mature Fair- Good Fair - Poor Trunk Diameter

(mm)

Tree Height

(m)

Crown Clearance

(m)

Crown Spread (m)

200 10 3.5m 2.5N,2.5S,2.5E,2.5W

It is located outside house Nos.17-19. It is growing within a small planting pit and there is some structural damage occurring to the surrounding footpath surface. The lower branches have been removed in the past in order to raise up its crown. It subdivides at a height of c. 3m into a twin-stemmed tree with an acute union formation between stems with some included bark present, this has created a structural weakness at this point. As a result, it will be prone to failure from this point as it grows in size. This is not an ideal tree for long-term retention within this area. The telecom wires are running through the crown of this tree.

Current Carry out pruning to create clearance with the telecom wires. Enlarge the planting pit around its base to prevent direct contact with the footpath and to alleviate damage being caused to the trunk of this tree as it grows in size. Future It will require repeat pruning of side branches and lower crown to maintain clearance with the surrounding surfaces and structures. Monitor for structural weaknesses caused by the acute union formation between the main trunk and scaffold limbs. This may require further pruning to reduce pressure on the union or the tree

Page 20: Arborist Associates Ltd. - Dublin · 2014-06-05 · 6.0 Tree Management/ Recommendations 6.1 The management objective is to protect and preserve the tree cover on this street for

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Tree No Tree Species Age Class Phys. Condition Structural Condition

Management

Phys.-physiological.  

may need to be removed in the future as a result.

Tree No.12 Norway Maple cv. Acer platanoides cv.

Semi Mature Fair- Good Fair – Good Trunk Diameter

(mm)

Tree Height

(m)

Crown Clearance (m)

Crown Spread (m)

200 10 3.5m 3N,3.5S,3.5E,3.5W

It is located outside house No.27. It is growing within a small planting pit on the footpath and there is some structural damage occurring to the surrounding footpath surface. The lower branches have been removed in the past in order to raise up its crown. There are cables running through the outer perimeter of its crown.

Current Requires no work at the present time. Future It will require repeat pruning of side branches and lower crown to maintain clearance with the surrounding surfaces and structures.

Page 21: Arborist Associates Ltd. - Dublin · 2014-06-05 · 6.0 Tree Management/ Recommendations 6.1 The management objective is to protect and preserve the tree cover on this street for

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Tree No Tree Species Age Class Phys. Condition Structural Condition

Management

Phys.-physiological.  

Tree No.13 Norway Maple cv. Acer platanoides cv.

Semi Mature Fair Poor Trunk Diameter (mm)

Tree Height (m)

Crown Clearance (m)

Crown Spread (m)

280 12 3.5m 2N,4S,3E,3W

It is located outside house No.29A. It is growing within a small planting pit on the footpath and there is some structural damage occurring to the surrounding footpath surface. The lower branches have been removed in the past in order to raise up its crown. It subdivides into a number of stems at a height of c.4m and limbs have already broken out at this point and above this again due to a weak union formation with included bark present. There are other acute union formations at this point with decay also progressing into the wounds created by the previous limb failures at this height. It would appear to have been pruned in the past to reduce size and has since developed a dense, multiple-stemmed crown from these pruning points. It is prone to further limbs breaking out due to structural weaknesses.

Current I would recommend its removal as the most appropriate management option.

The following trees are located west of the junction with “Lennox Terrace”.

Tree No.14 Norway Maple Acer platanoides

“Drummondii”

Semi Mature Fair- Good Fair- Good Trunk Diameter (mm)

Tree Height (m)

Crown Clearance (m)

Crown Spread (m)

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Tree No Tree Species Age Class Phys. Condition Structural Condition

Management

Phys.-physiological.  

190 10 3.5m 3N,3S,3E,3W

It is located outside house No.33. It is growing within a small planting pit and is beginning to outgrow this area and cause structural damage to the surrounding footpath surface. Some repair works have been carried out on the footpath and there is evidence of a service trench running through this section of the footpath on the southern side of the tree. When this work occurred is not known, but it has not impacted on the physiological health of this tree. The lower branches have been removed in the past in order to raise up its crown. An electrical cable runs through its crown on the eastern side and it has received some trimming to maintain clearance.

Current Prune out where possible any stems / shoots that have reverted to ordinary Norway Maple in order to retain this tree true to its cultivar. Enlarge the planting pit around its base to prevent direct contact with the footpath and to alleviate damage being caused to the trunk of this tree as it grows in size. Future It will require repeat pruning of side branches and lower crown to maintain clearance with the surrounding surfaces and structures

Tree No.15 Norway Maple Acer platanoides

“Drummondii”

Semi Mature Fair- Good Fair- Good Trunk Diameter (mm)

Tree Height (m)

Crown Clearance (m)

Crown Spread (m)

210 10 3.5 3N,3S,3E,3W

It is located outside house No.33. It is growing within a small planting pit and is beginning to outgrow this area and is causing structural damage to the surrounding footpath surface. A service trench runs on the southern side of this tree within the footpath. When this work occurred is not known, but it has not impacted on the physiological health of this tree. It has received pruning of lower branches in the past in order to raise up its crown.

Current Prune out where possible any stems / shoots that have reverted to ordinary Norway Maple in order to retain this tree true to its cultivar. Enlarge the planting pit around its base to prevent direct contact with the footpath and to alleviate damage being caused to the trunk of this tree as it grows in size.

Page 23: Arborist Associates Ltd. - Dublin · 2014-06-05 · 6.0 Tree Management/ Recommendations 6.1 The management objective is to protect and preserve the tree cover on this street for

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Tree No Tree Species Age Class Phys. Condition Structural Condition

Management

Phys.-physiological.  

Future It will require repeat pruning of side branches and lower crown to maintain clearance with the surrounding surfaces and structures

Notes:

Page 24: Arborist Associates Ltd. - Dublin · 2014-06-05 · 6.0 Tree Management/ Recommendations 6.1 The management objective is to protect and preserve the tree cover on this street for

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