URGENT call out for help Migratory species act willful violation

[oldoakman]

We had one of our City oaks loose a huge leader and there are a number of other areas that are questionable. I was by today doing an inspection and noticed a pair of Red Bellied woodpeckers that appear to be nesting. Looks like it may be a while before we can remove this one. Not getting quite the attention of this one

 

[evo]

We had one of our City oaks loose a huge leader and there are a number of other areas that are questionable. I was by today doing an inspection and noticed a pair of Red Bellied woodpeckers that appear to be nesting. Looks like it may be a while before we can remove this one. Not getting quite the attention of this one

Does it really need to go?
Ours just dropped a limb. On a relatively calm day on the tail end of a unseasonal heat wave..

 

[oldoakman]

There are a number of areas that are questionable in the tree. Also possibility of owl nesting as well.

 

[Bendroctanus]

There are a number of areas that are questionable in the tree. Also possibility of owl nesting as well.

Ehh….it’ll heal itself…

 

[oldoakman]

Anybody know what the penalty for destroying a nesting tree would be? Misdemeanor or felony? Just asking.

 

[evo]

Here is our tree. 66dbh

Dropped a 18” limb back in May of 2023. The arborist assessed the tree by taking two core samples and sounding the trunk.

The TRAQ report contains errors in the matrix thus out put high risk. 6/14/23 12 month timeframe

6/28/23 an email basically saying the tree isn’t that bad and moderate risk was written

August sonic tomography was done and pruning was recommended by the hired provider.

His report argues against any mitigation and maintains recommendations for removal

1984 the highway was redone, and a effort was made after a outcry so they put a bend in the road. Now they are trying to expand the road once more.
Other internal emails are surfacing where folks are advocating stump grinding post removal, in case the tree stump sprouts it would retain the same historic status.

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[evo]

Felony under the migratory species act. There are loopholes..

Anybody know what the penalty for destroying a nesting tree would be? Misdemeanor or felony? Just asking.

 

[southsoundtree]

Seems like a failure at a suspect attachment.

Pruning and/ or cabling would have likely reduced that risk of tearout.


When was the last time the totally open-grown and sprawling tree was worked on?

 

[oldoakman]

What about support structures. A tree with that high a historical value, external support structures would certainly be justifiable. I have seen some structures that are quite involved and doing their job as designed.

 

[evo]

Seems like a failure at a suspect attachment.

Pruning and/ or cabling would have likely reduced that risk of tearout.


When was the last time the totally open-grown and sprawling tree was worked on?

Speaking to folks involved, essentially never. The tree has only really received reactive ‘care’ mostly clearance pruning and some volunteer work throughout the years. But nothing substantial.
I don’t have the dates infront of me, but the limb failed in calm weather, in May 2023. A 7-10 day heatwave peaking at 91 the day before. The day of the failure it dropped into the high 70’s.
I personally haven’t seen the tree but trusted folks who have seen it are all saying the same thing. With some variation of degree, end weight/reduction (some saying retrenchment) and possibly some cables..
the Traq report is stating the road has constant occupancy, and while busy the street data says 14k cars per day. Frequent would be a more accurate answer.

 

[Steve Connally]

Sorry. Haven''t been here for a while. Aside from that I really only know about raptors and some migratory waterfowl specific to their nesting in my area. The group I work with for the bird work would be very knowledgable in this area but it looks like things are all beyond that point.