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TREE APPRAISAL |

EXPERT WITNESS |
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TREE EVALUATION
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1 |
Tree evaluations can give some forewarning
to structural problems or weaknesses that may result in tree failure (limbs or
leaders breaking) or complete tree failure (the tree falling over). |
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The split
leaders (left) were the result of weak attachments because of acute branch
angles and included bark of co-dominante stems. Fortunately the failure
only resulted in minor property damage and no injuries.
The
result of this same defect can be seen on the multi-trunk melaleuca to the
right. This failure landed on a car. Multi-trunks
can be attractive but are very weak. |
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An evaluation of the live oak (left) determined
that there was extensive root decay. The crown had severe dieback and, duringthe
winter, the area within the dripline had a large number of honey mushrooms (right).
These honey mushrooms are the fruiting body of oak root fungus, Armillaria
mellea. The tree was not removed and fell over. Fortunately, there were no
injuries. | |

Above are the basidiocarps of the
white rot, Ganoderma applanatum. |
CONKS & MUSHROOMS -- signs
of decay -- By the
time conks appear, the fungus has been decomposing the wood for years. Breaking
off the conk or removing the mushrooms does nothing to stop the fungus.
The majority of the fungus, the mycelium, is in the wood or cambium. Decay
detection may help determine the extent of internal decay. |

The conks of
Ganoderma lucidum,
a white rot (above) are a sign of decay
inside the base of this trunk. This fungus kills the cambium as well as rotting
the wood. This will lead to complete tree failure. |
| 2 |
An evaluation can also spot conditions causing
tree stress. Stressed trees are more susceptible to deseases and insect
attacks than are healthy trees. |
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The blue gum eucalyptus (left), Eucalyptus
globulus, were killed by the eucalyptus
long-horned beetle. The beetle is a secondary infestation and (in the
blue gum's natural habitat) a natural weeding agent of stressed and unhealthy
trees. The trees were stressed after years of drought and no supplemental irrigation.
The beetles are able to enter the cambium area of the tree where the larvae destroy
the tree's ability to transport water resulting in death. |

Above
are the channels the feeding larvae create under the bark. This is what
is left of the tree's vascular bundle. There
are different bark beetles for different genus of trees, but the result
is the same and the primary cause is stress. |
| 3 |
An evaluation is also invaluable
in protecting the health and future of specimen trees and recommending
proper care & maintenance. |
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This California sycamore, Plantanus
racemosa, had an evaluation prior to starting construction of a sub-division.
As a result of the evaluation, competing trees within the dripline were removed.
The area within the dripline was mulched and a construction fence was placed approximately
five feet outside the dripline to protect the root zone during construction. This
tree has since been successfully registered as the National co-champion for the
largest California sycamore. It is located in Poway, California. |
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Call 619-443-1770 for an evaluation before it's too
late! |