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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-04-08 Arborist ReportJulie Hultman From: kdwidin@comcast.net Sent: Friday, April 08, 2005 7:40 AM To: Tom ozzello; Julie Hultman; Dennis Postler; Eric A. Johnson; Jinn Butler; Scott Richards; Mark Vierling Subject: Menard's Landscaping t- I Menards.doc O P H Staff - Attached is a report on the Menard's landscaping related to their expansion project. Many trees need to be replaced. I will be faxing the report to the Menard's project manager and store manager. Contact me if you have any questions. Kathy Wid i n OPH Arborist To: OPH Staff Troy Anderson, Store Manager, Menard's Conrad K.orbisch, Project Manager, Menard's Front: Kathy Widin OPH Arborist 651 - 439 -4439 4/7/05 I recently visited the site of the Menard's store in Oak Park Heights and inspected the landscaping replacements and additions. I have the following comments regarding the plant materials: 1. Replacements were specified for at least 9 crabapples in front of the building which had declined or died due to poor site conditions and use of de-icing salts. I recommended that a plant such as Japanese tree lilac, which has some tolerance to de -icing salts, be used for replacing the plants. Weeping forms of crabapple were used in this location instead and these trees have a very peculiar form and look. These plants are not appropriate in this location since they do not match the upright form of the existing crabs still on site. Standard crabapples or Japanese tree lilacs should be used to replace the crabs. "Sinai Fire" is the cultivar which was specified on the original landscape plan for Menard's. This tree is a weeping form and highly resistant to apple scab, a fungal disease. This cultivar should not be used. Apparently another cultivar was substituted for it in the original planting because the older crabapples on site, including the ones which were replaced, are not a weeping form. 2. On the east side of the building there are two spruce and a large gap. It was specified in my review of 6128104 that there should be 6 replacement spruce in this location. Are these trees going to be planted this spring? 3. The spruce which have been transplanted to the south and west sides of the building are in poor condition and are not acceptable landscape specimens. The trees have some or all of the following problems: dying lower branches, broken branches, a needlecast disease, exposed root balls, crooked trunks or have been planted at an angle. Trees which are unacceptable have been marked with fluorescent green flagging on which has been written "Replace ". In all, there are 20 transplanted spruce on the south side and 12 transplanted spruce on the west side of the building to be replaced with healthy spruce in good condition. The root balls must be completely covered with soil after planting. Exposed roots are particularly a problem with some of the trees which were planted on a slope on the south side. 4. There are Z gaps in the spruce /fir planting on the south side of the building and trees should also be planted in those spots. Menard's Landscaping 417105 — 2 5. The number of evergreen. trees specified on the landscape plan for the east, south and west sides (72) does not match the number of trees on site (61). There is fencing exposed on the west end of the south side of the new addition and additional trees should be planted there for screening. In conclusion a. The number of spruce needed for replacement of transplanted trees and to fill in gaps in existing plantings = 40 b. Additional spruce should be planted along the west end of the fencing on the south side of the new addition (# to be figured by Menard's contractor based on length of planting area and planting to snatch spacing of existing trees). c. Replacement trees for evergreens should be 10-12 foot `Black Hills" white spruce. d. Crabapples with weeping form in front of building should be replaced with standard, disease - resistant flowering crabapples or Japanese tree lilacs. d. New trees and existing trees should all be mulched with 4 -6 inches of wood chips to conserve moisture. e. Trees which were planted last year or this year should be watered well once 1 every two weeks durin g the next two growing seasons from May 1 until September 3 0h to insure proper establishment and survival in a healthy condition. I would be willing to meet a Menard's representative and the landscape contractor on site to review my recommendations. If you have any questions regarding this report, please contact me.