dwarfess
New Member
Is this tree in danger of failing?
HOA planted a Liriodendron (Tulip Tree) in 1992 in my front yard located in the East Bay hills of California on a residential street designated as a Fire Lane. The HOA is responsible for front landscape maintenance. The tree is now 80’ tall with an 18” diameter trunk (58” circumference). This area is in a high fire hazard severity zone. The tree overhangs the street, sidewalks, driveway, gutters and roof and is within 100’ of the only entrance/exit to HOA residences and community pool. Tree is subjected to wind gusts of 50-70 mph and is planted in the middle of a 13' x 15' sloped grassy area. Sidewalks are located both in front of and behind the tree (6-1/2’ and 4-1/2’ from base of tree). Driveway is 4’ feet from base of tree.
The tree has been infested with untreated aphids, bees/wasps, ants and other critters since 2000. In 2005, due to sidewalk displacement, the HOA landscaper chopped off the roots with an Axe 4 feet from the base of the tree along an 8-1/2 foot stretch of sidewalk. The tree now leans, just slightly, towards the street and driveway. The tree has had untreated Scale and Black Sooty Mold since 2005. Massive amounts of honeydew is rained down on everything from March through November each year, rendering the driveway un-useable during these 8-9 months. Sticky sidewalks and streets are presenting a hazard to pedestrians. There is now permanent staining of roof, gutters, sidewalks and driveway, power washing is no longer getting the stains off. In 2008 the tree began having far more branch dieback than in previous years. The leaves turned yellow and began dropping prematurely. In 2009, the leaves, along with smaller branches began dropping in July. The first two winter storms of 2009 brought down dozens of branches, far more than ever before seen. In January 2010, two subterranean termite tunnels were discovered in garage at the utility closet inset. Inspector said the tree roots had probably grown under the foundation and the termites are following the roots and coming up through the cold joint in the garage. Termite Inspector said that if the tree roots have gone under the foundation in this area, the underground utilities may be at risk. Termites were then found underneath moss that is growing at the base of the tree. Many of the remaining branches are drooping, dead or broken. Scale can be seen already developing. The HOA will not remove the tree, but authorized soil injection with Merit Application and Arbor Care 15-8-4 Fertilizer, with 40% slow release nitrogen and four micronutrients. Injections were done 03/25/10 around about one third of the base of the tree, concentrating most of the treatment in the area where the roots were removed in 2005.
The HOA has never had the tree inspected by a "certified" aborist, but instead uses the landscape company, that has provided the maintenance for the past 22 years, as their only source when making landscape maintenance decisions related to tree removal and/or replacements.
HOA planted a Liriodendron (Tulip Tree) in 1992 in my front yard located in the East Bay hills of California on a residential street designated as a Fire Lane. The HOA is responsible for front landscape maintenance. The tree is now 80’ tall with an 18” diameter trunk (58” circumference). This area is in a high fire hazard severity zone. The tree overhangs the street, sidewalks, driveway, gutters and roof and is within 100’ of the only entrance/exit to HOA residences and community pool. Tree is subjected to wind gusts of 50-70 mph and is planted in the middle of a 13' x 15' sloped grassy area. Sidewalks are located both in front of and behind the tree (6-1/2’ and 4-1/2’ from base of tree). Driveway is 4’ feet from base of tree.
The tree has been infested with untreated aphids, bees/wasps, ants and other critters since 2000. In 2005, due to sidewalk displacement, the HOA landscaper chopped off the roots with an Axe 4 feet from the base of the tree along an 8-1/2 foot stretch of sidewalk. The tree now leans, just slightly, towards the street and driveway. The tree has had untreated Scale and Black Sooty Mold since 2005. Massive amounts of honeydew is rained down on everything from March through November each year, rendering the driveway un-useable during these 8-9 months. Sticky sidewalks and streets are presenting a hazard to pedestrians. There is now permanent staining of roof, gutters, sidewalks and driveway, power washing is no longer getting the stains off. In 2008 the tree began having far more branch dieback than in previous years. The leaves turned yellow and began dropping prematurely. In 2009, the leaves, along with smaller branches began dropping in July. The first two winter storms of 2009 brought down dozens of branches, far more than ever before seen. In January 2010, two subterranean termite tunnels were discovered in garage at the utility closet inset. Inspector said the tree roots had probably grown under the foundation and the termites are following the roots and coming up through the cold joint in the garage. Termite Inspector said that if the tree roots have gone under the foundation in this area, the underground utilities may be at risk. Termites were then found underneath moss that is growing at the base of the tree. Many of the remaining branches are drooping, dead or broken. Scale can be seen already developing. The HOA will not remove the tree, but authorized soil injection with Merit Application and Arbor Care 15-8-4 Fertilizer, with 40% slow release nitrogen and four micronutrients. Injections were done 03/25/10 around about one third of the base of the tree, concentrating most of the treatment in the area where the roots were removed in 2005.
The HOA has never had the tree inspected by a "certified" aborist, but instead uses the landscape company, that has provided the maintenance for the past 22 years, as their only source when making landscape maintenance decisions related to tree removal and/or replacements.
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