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MEMORANDUM <br /> DATE: August 25, 1997 <br /> TO: Hendricks Park Tree Committee <br /> FROM: Jon Raney <br /> RE: Criteria for tree removal. <br /> After considering the information presented at our last meeting and examining the <br /> targeted trees, I believe further inquiry is necessary prior to taking any action with regard to <br /> removal of these trees from the park. My reasons are as follows: <br /> 1. There seems to be no correlation between presence of the fungus in a given tree, <br /> and the danger that the tree will fall. I base this conclusion on the facts that (a) the <br /> tree which fell last winter and which we examined showed no evidence of the <br /> fungus, or for that matter any of the other risk factors identified by the urban <br /> forester, and that (b) no diseased trees in the area appear to have fallen. <br /> 2. Even if all eighteen trees identified as having the fungus are removed the fungus <br /> will still be present in the park since there are apparently numerous infected trees <br /> throughout the park. Furthermore, the most visibly infected tree we examined <br /> was surrounded by trees which showed no evidence of the fungus. Evidently <br /> infection strikes certain trees and is transmitted over considerable distances. <br /> Therefore, removing the targeted trees seems unlikely to reduce the spread of the <br /> fungus to any significant degree. <br /> • <br /> 3. It appears that root rot and soil saturation are greater risk factors than the fungus <br /> and apparently neither the extent nor the cause of these factors has been examined <br /> to the degree I believe to be necessary. It seems likely that there is a connection <br /> between root rot and soil instability and the summer irrigation of the <br /> rhododendron garden. We need some basis upon which to determine whether this <br /> is the case and if so what remedial measures need to be taken to ensure the safety <br /> of park users and area residents. <br /> 4. Both of the professional foresters on the committee have stated that the risk of <br /> trees in the area blowing down will be increased rather than reduced by removal <br /> of the targeted trees since the canopy will be fragmented and the effects of <br /> windwhip in that area augmented. If this is the case then removal of these trees <br /> will not only increase the danger to area residents and park users, but perhaps <br />