Arboricultural consultants are the authoritative experts on trees and provide a key service to both municipalities and developers, conducting assessments, taking inventory of trees within a project site, and offering mitigation measures to prioritize both natural resources and project success.
Anyone who has tended a garden or cared for a yard knows that no growing thing has one-size-fits-all needs. To thrive, a green thumb must understand the specifications of each plant and protect it from the elements.
This knowledge is even more crucial when caring for the trees that serve multiple purposes in a community — recreation, beauty, history, culture, and more. Arborists are charged with protecting trees and other natural resources for a municipality, development project, or other interested party.
A biological resources assessment (BRA) evaluates whether a project potentially conflicts with, for example, any existing regional policy for protecting biological resources or a Heritage Tree ordinance. The purpose of these BRA reports is to complete a review on existing biological resources, including Heritage Trees, necessary for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Heritage Trees are those that have been recognized by a municipality for their unique size, age, historical, or horticultural significance. For example, in Sarasota, Florida, a large, mature oak tree would be considered a Heritage Tree and would require additional protection.
Conducting Arboricultural Assessments
Arborists frequently provide consulting and research services to identify any trees of concern before a project begins. This includes clarifying city or county policies in place that protect certain trees, and then completing a tree inventory. During an inventory, arborists assess the health, structural condition, and suitability for preservation of the trees located on and adjacent to the proposed project area.
Once the inventory is complete, arborists create a comprehensive report detailing their findings. This includes an overview of the development plans and an analysis of all the trees being considered for preservation or removal, as well as recommendations for any permit requirements or neighboring trees that may be impacted by design, construction, and maintenance phases of development.
Often, arborists will recommend protection measures, such as creating a buffer around the tree or trees in question. This includes the tree as well as its expansive root system, including mitigation measures such as tree protection zones (TPZ) or spreading mulch to avoid root damage by excavation equipment.
Arborist reports are often completed in collaboration with other technical teams, such as air quality, biological resources, and geology teams. Strategic tree establishment and management can reduce carbon emissions and temperatures within a given area. Arborists often work with air quality technicians to determine carbon emissions due to project-related tree removal. Technical teams are often eager to contribute to the report’s findings and recommendations.
However, there are situations where arborists may recommend tree removal due to existing damage, disease, or other disorders. This requires a keen understanding of how to diagnose tree disorders and what variety of native trees can be successfully planted to offset removal. Arborists’ expertise provides recommendations for planting, establishment, and maintenance.
Differences in Municipality Regulations
The Arborist Report and subsequent BRA is a crucial component of a project’s environmental review because of the widely varying regulations between various cities and counties. Some lead agencies maintain rigid restrictions with many trees falling under protected status, while others allow removal if, for example, a tree is under a defined height and Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) set forth by the municipality.
The most important factor when determining tree regulations is typically where the project site is located. The lead agency (i.e. designated county or city that holds jurisdiction over the project site), and a successful assessment requires ongoing collaboration with the municipality. If there are potential impacts to protected trees or removal is necessary, arborists work closely with the lead agency to ensure all tree removal, replacement, and/or mitigation measures are in place and adhered to.
This ongoing collaboration with the project’s lead agency often requires some level of back and forth to ensure continued tree establishment and management. For example, if a project is proposing the removal of three mature oaks, the lead agency may grant conditional approval of the project if stakeholders replace the removed trees with 12 native tree species. These newly planted trees can be planted in other areas of the project site that would not be impacted as part of the mitigation effort.
FCS arborist consultants work with both the client and the lead agency to ensure all agreed-upon conditions are met and all regulations are followed. Consultants can also help design and provide recommendations for the proposed project to avoid potential impacts to protected trees so fewer mitigation measures are necessary. This collaboration is beneficial for reducing concerns regarding fees or permitting, working with the existing conditions on the proposed project site.
Balancing Environmental Needs with Development Expertise
Partnering with an experienced arborist consultant team is essential for the success of any development project involving on-site tree maintenance, removal, and/or replacement. FCS’s in-depth expertise ensures accurate evaluations, while their ability to collaborate with municipalities helps navigate regulatory requirements and project compliance. By implementing effective recommendations and mitigation measures, these professionals help streamline the approval process, ensuring that both the environment and your project’s goals are successfully balanced.
