PZ Item 10 - Tree Assessment and Survey
12/13/2019
Mr. Chris Paulus
Cooper and Company
1256 Main Street, Suite 240
Southlake, Texas 76092
Re: Southlake Town Square – Block 11 Existing Tree Assessment
TBG Project: # FW19374
Dear Chris,
Cooper & Stebbins is proposing a multi-family residential development on the
parcel of land referred to as Block 11 at Southlake Town Square. Per our
discussions with Keith Martin, City of Southlake Landscape Administrator, and
Dennis Killough, City of Southlake Deputy Director of Planning &
Development, this letter and attached Tree Audit of Southlake – Block 11
report will suffice for the developer, Cooper & Stebbins, proposed multi-
family residential Concept Plan Tree Conservation Analysis.
Detailed below and attached is (1) an aerial plan of the existing parcel of land
with an overview of estimated tree species mix, (2) a letter from a third-party
arborist evaluating existing species for general quality and condition, (3) an
aerial plan of the entire site to accompany the proposed Concept Plan
quantifying tree cover by % of total site, (4) the extent of proposed tree
removal as part of the proposed Concept Plan, and (5) TBG’s summary of
findings and recommendations for existing tree suitability in an urban
downtown environment like Town Square.
Following is our summary and timeline of activity and findings:
⎯ We met with Keith Martin, City of Southlake Landscape Administrator
on 9/26/19 and walked the site to assess tree cover and condition. Mr.
Martin concurred that the overall condition of the trees on site did not
warrant the expense of a tree survey and all further requirements of
Southlake Tree Preservation Ordinance #585E. He recommended that
we procure the services of a certified Arborist to document the
conditions and provide a third-party report so stating.
⎯ TBG contracted Bartlett Trees on behalf of Cooper and Company to
complete an assessment. Their report – “Tree Audit of Southlake -
Block 11” was completed on 10/10/19, a copy of which is attached.
⎯ The conclusions of the Bartlett Trees report were that a total of
eighteen (18) Lacebark Elms are viable for reuse / transplant as they
are the only planted trees on site. They are planted in tree planters
along the north side of the site on Division Street. All remaining trees
on the property are in a native woody / brush condition representing
pioneer and riparian species only. No old growth specimens were
TBG
1306 may street
suite 200
fort worth, texas 76104
[817) 870-9848
tbgpartners.com
found, and the larger specimens were multi-trunked indicating
regrowth after land was cleared in the recent past.
⎯ Our assessment also noted that the species existing on site had very
poor potential for retention in a developed / urban context as most
have significant and dangerous thorns (i.e. Mesquite and Honey
Locust) or very weak wood and poor growth habit.
The proposed Concept Plan will result in a complete clearing of the property
except for 18 Lacebark Elms along Division Street. These 18 trees will be
reused on the subject parcel or transplanted to another location within
Southlake Town Square. The Illustrative Landscape Plan for the proposed
development of Block 11 conceptually indicates a total of 169 trees (66 within
adjacent rights of way and 103 within site open space areas), with an
accompanying caliper inch provision of approximately 575 inches. Final
species selections will mirror requirements of the Southlake Landscape
Ordinance #544B and be compatible with existing Town Square species
selections as well as urban / walkable requirements for similar developments.
Our conclusions based upon a) coordination with the City of Southlake
Landscape Administrator, b) consultation with an independent certified
Arborist, and c) our own site assessment is the tree cover that exists is
predominantly noxious and in poor condition, with generally poor quality,
unacceptable species for any reuse potential in a new development context,
particularly a downtown urban context like Southlake Town Square.
Conceptual landscape development for the proposed use will far exceed
existing tree cover in both suitability and quality of trees for use within an
urban, walkable context.
Sincerely,
Jim Manskey
Principal
TREE AUDIT OF SOUTHLAKE - BLOCK 11
BARTLETT TREE EXPERTS
1900 Brumlow Ave. Southlake, TX 76092
(817) 656-8733
Prepared for: TBG Partners Date: 10/10/19
Location: Southlake Block 11
Property bounded by State St., Federal Way, Division St., and N. Carroll Ave.
Arborist: Gareth Harrier
Board Certified Master Arborist #TX-3347B
Work Specification:
A certified arborist visually checked the trees within Southlake Block 11. This property is
bounded by Division St. on the north, State St. on the east , Federal Way on the south, and N.
Carroll Ave. on the west. The survey was completed by walking the perimeter of the
brushy/wooded area and estimating percentage of each identified species.
This service does not include a tree risk assessment. As such, no trees will be assessed for
risk in accordance with industry standards, nor will there be any tree risk ratings or risk
mitigation recommendations provided with the final deliverable(s).
___________________________________________________________________________
Observations:
The trees on the property were largely contained within a fence with the exception of the
north side. The northern edge of the property was also the only place with planted trees.
There were a total of 18 lacebark elms (Ulmus parvifolia) planted along Division St. in tree
wells within the sidewalk. The trees vary in size from 3 to 6 inches (DBH) with a total of 80
inches (DBH) and appeared to be in good health. They would be candidates for transplant.
The wooded/brushy area consisted of pioneer and riparian species regrowth (see photo 1).
Only a few small (less than 3” DBH) oak, elm, and ash were noted. No old growth trees were
found and the larger specimens were multi-trunked indicating regrowth after land was
cleared in the recent past (see photo 2). Based on species and condition, these trees are not
suitable candidates for transplant. Using the aforementioned observations, the percentages
of species within this area consisted of the following:
Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) – 20%
Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) – 20%
Southern Hackberry (Celtis laevigata) -20%
Bois d’Arc (Maclura pomifera) – 20%
Texas Hercules’ Club (Zanthoxylum hirsutum Buckley) – 5%
Lacebark Elm (Ulmus parvifolia) – 5%
Ash (Fraxinus spp.) – 1%
Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana) – 1%
Juniper (Juniperus spp.) – 1%
Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) – 1%
Gum bumelia (Sideroxylon lanuginosum) - >1%
Cedar Elm (Ulmus crassifolia) - >1%
American Elm (Ulmus americana) - >1%
Willow (Salix nigra) - >1%
Post Oak (Quercus stellata) - >1%
In addition to the woody/brushy area and the mowed margin around it, there was a large
pond in the northeast portion of the property (see photo 3) and a barren section surrounded
by a chain-link fence in the southeast quadrant of the property. This appeared to be used as
a construction or additional parking for events.
Photo 1:
Photo 2:
Photo 3:
The information shown
is based on the best
information available
and is subject to change
without notice
TBG
1306 may street
suite 200
fort worth, tx 76104
[817]870-9848
tbgpartners.com
southlake
block 11
existing
conditions
plan
southlake, tx
10/01/19
0 60'30'15'
construction/event
staging area
no existing trees
existing stock
pond
southlake town
square block 11
tree analysis Southlake, Texas
10/21/19
TBG
1306 May St.
Suite 200
Fort Worth, Texas 76104
[817] 870 9848
tbgpartners.com
The information shown is based on the best information
available and is subject to change without notice.
1
Legend
Approximate existing canopy extents -
• Mesquite ≈ 20%
• Honey Locust ≈ 20%
• Southern Hackberry ≈ 20%
• Bois d’Arc ≈ 20%
• Texas Hercules’ Club ≈ 5%
• Lacebark Elm ≈ 5%
• Ash ≈ 1%
• Bradford Pear ≈ 1%
• Juniper ≈ 1%
• Live Oak ≈ 1%
• Gum bumelia > 1%
• Cedar Elm > 1%
• American Elm > 1%
• Willow > 1%
• Post Oak < 1%
Existing ulmus parviflora (Lacebark Elm) 18 total for 80 DBH/in. total