November 30, 2006
Sycamore Tree Report
Job site:
Residence
Newport Beach, Ca.
Client:
On November 17, 2006, I inspected one California Sycamore (Platanus
racemosa) tree in the front yard, located at the residence under construction.
Overview
The Sycamore is a mature tree 35’ tall x 25’ wide with a 24” DBH trunk
located in the front yard 12’ from the corner of the house. The tree has been
severely topped in the past. The tree is infested with the Sycamore Borer.
The tree has sustained recent construction damage. The trees overall health
at the time of inspection is moderate.
Site observations
The Sycamore tree is growing in sandy loam soil with a neutral PH of 7.0.
The PH reading was obtained with a hand probe in the field. No irrigation
system is present at that time. The tree was severely topped in the past with
large cuts on all the major branches. New growth has grown back with
possible weak branch connections. Suckers have sprouted around the trunk.
ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNS ARBORIST
P.O. Box 247, Laguna Beach, CA. 92652 Tel: (800) 811-3010 Fax: (800) 811-3014
E-mail: Craig@environmentaldesignsarborist.com Web: www.environmentaldesignsarborist.com
Page 1 of 7
Photo 1 & 2. Sycamore at 1234 Any Ln., Newport Beach, Ca
Avoid Topping Trees
Topping, also called stubbing or dehorning, is the drastic heading of large
branches in mature trees. Main limbs are often sheared as with a hedge,
leaving stubs. Topping is a poor pruning practice sometimes used to shorten
tall trees, remove hazardous or diseased limbs, or to prevent interference with
overhead utility lines.
Drastic pruning is rarely justified simply because trees are believed to be
too tall. Removing extensive canopy may not leave enough foliage to
manufacture sufficient food and may cause roots to die and the tree to
decline. The large wounds left by topping often fail to close and are sus-
ceptible to internal decay and attack by wood-boring insects. Topping
encourages growth of branches weakly attached below the cut, which
become susceptible to wind breakage.
Prune trees properly when they are young to minimize the need for severe
pruning when trees mature. Instead of topping, selectively remove upper
limbs back to lower lateral branches. This proper method is more time
consuming and expensive, but avoids future expense from improper pruning
and provides a more attractive, healthier, and safer tree.
Sycamore Borer
Synanthedon resplendens
The tree is infested with Sycamore Borer Synanthedon resplendens as
evidenced by the patchy, rough bark and frass at the base of the trunk.
ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNS ARBORIST
P.O. Box 247, Laguna Beach, CA. 92652 Tel: (800) 811-3010 Fax: (800) 811-3014
E-mail: Craig@environmentaldesignsarborist.com Web: www.environmentaldesignsarborist.com
Page 2 of 7
Photo 3. Frass at base of trunk. Photo 4. Sycamore Borer larva.
The Sycamore Borer occurs in the Southwest. It is prevalent in sycamore
and also infests oak and ceanothus. Adults emerge from May through July
after overwintering as larvae or pupae in tunnels in bark. Adults resemble
yellowjacket wasps. The male is mostly yellow with a brownish black head
and black bands on the body. Its legs are yellow, except for black along the
margins on the portions nearest to the body. The wings are mostly clear with
orangish to yellow margins. Adults display wasplike behavior by intermittently
running while rapidly fluttering their wings.
Eggs are laid on bark, and the grublike larva is pink to white with a reddish
brown head. When mature, it tunnels near the bark surface and leaves a
paper-thin layer of outer bark through which the pupa protrudes just before
adult emergence. Borer larvae cause bark to appear rough, and sawdustlike
material sometimes accumulates around the tree base. The insect has one
generation a year.
Sycamores tolerate extensive boring by this insect, and generally no
control is recommended. Parasitic nematodes can be applied to kill larvae
and are most effective in spring when tunnel openings are largest. A
persistent pesticide applied to bark when adults are active also provides
control, but this is generally not recommended unless trees are of such high
aesthetic value that damage cannot be tolerated.
Roots
Multiple roots had been exposed and some had been cut or split due to a
recent grade change. The exposed roots were located 12” to 24” below
existing finish grade approximately 4’ from trunk.
ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNS ARBORIST
P.O. Box 247, Laguna Beach, CA. 92652 Tel: (800) 811-3010 Fax: (800) 811-3014
E-mail: Craig@environmentaldesignsarborist.com Web: www.environmentaldesignsarborist.com
Page 3 of 7
Photo 5. Existing grade change. Photo 6. Existing cut and damaged roots.
Roots support the tree, store energy reserves, absorb water, and with the
help of root-associated fungi, absorb elements that are essential for life.
There are woody roots and nonwoody roots. The woody roots are large
support roots and smaller fine roots, The nonwoody roots are nonmycorrhizal
or mycorrhiza associated with fungi.
The anatomy of roots is basically the same as trunks. The roots have a
vascular cambium, bark and wood. There is no pith in the center of roots. The
roots usually have more parenchyma cells and fewer fibers. The distinction
between growth rings is not as clear in roots as it is in trunks. Roots do not
have a normal, colored, core of heartwood. The anatomical changes from
trunk to root occur in a transition zone at the base of the tree. There is seldom
an abrupt anatomical change from trunk to root. If there is a pith center, the
section is trunk and not root.
Roots, like branches and twigs, also age and die. As roots die, boundaries
form that resist the inward spread of pathogens. When nonwoody roots die, a
corky periderm boundary forms that separates the nonwoody infected root
from the healthy woody root.
Image 7. Plan showing construction fence location, wall locations and potential root water
locations.
ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNS ARBORIST
P.O. Box 247, Laguna Beach, CA. 92652 Tel: (800) 811-3010 Fax: (800) 811-3014
E-mail: Craig@environmentaldesignsarborist.com Web: www.environmentaldesignsarborist.com
Page 4 of 7
Tree Summary and History
California sycamore Platanaceae Platanus racemosa
Robust native of California foothills and Coast Ranges; grows near
streams in the wild. Deeply lobed leaves turn dusty brown early in autumn; in
mild coastal climates, they hang on until new growth starts.
Leaf: Alternate, simple, deciduous, 5 to 10 inches long, palmately lobed
(usually 3-5 lobes) with lobes about half as long as the leaf; hairy when
young; petioles are long, swollen at their base, and hairy.
Flower: Monoecious but imperfect, male and female flowers are tiny and
borne in dense, round heads (like fuzzy marbles on a string).
Fruit: Golf ball sized heads of tufted achenes; 3 to 7 hang on a long
pendulous stalk designed to fracture at maturity; seeds are wind dispersed.
Twig: Slender and covered with numerous fine hairs when young;
becoming smooth and reddish brown with age. Terminal buds absent; lateral
buds conical.
Bark: The most striking feature of this tree. Young greenish-gray bark
exfoliates leaving almost pure white inner bark; older bark is thicker (1 to 3
inches), furrowed, and dark brown.
Form: A medium to tall tree (30 to 100 feet tall) that sometimes reaches
50 feet in diameter. Crown is open and rounded.
Photo 8. Examples of Platanus racemosa, California Sycamore tree parts.
ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNS ARBORIST
P.O. Box 247, Laguna Beach, CA. 92652 Tel: (800) 811-3010 Fax: (800) 811-3014
E-mail: Craig@environmentaldesignsarborist.com Web: www.environmentaldesignsarborist.com
Page 5 of 7
Recommendations
Install a construction fence around the tree at the drip line. Refer to partial
site plan (Image 7. Page 4) for location.
Keep the fenced area clear of building materials, waste, and excess soil.
Avoid grade changes within the drip line except where necessary to
construct footings and retaining walls. Where possible use grade beams for
the wall footings to minimize root damage.
When excavating for the footings take care not to crush, break or tear the
roots. Roots are to be cut cleanly and perpendicular with bypass pruner or
tree saw.
No wound dressings are to be applied to the cuts, as this technique has
been proven ineffective at preventing decay.
Back fill excavation with native soil.
Deep water the root zone when the top 18” of soil becomes dry. Infrequent
deep watering is preferable to constantly moist soil.
Hire a professional tree trimming company that employs certified arborists
for future pruning. The tree will need constant care to repair past pruning
damage.
Prune suckers at base of tree.
Apply organic fertilizer per manufacturer’s specifications.
Apply 2” thick top dressing of mulch around base of tree.
Sycamores tolerate extensive boring by the Sycamore Borer, and generally
no control is recommended. Parasitic nematodes can be applied to kill lar-
vae.
ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNS ARBORIST
P.O. Box 247, Laguna Beach, CA. 92652 Tel: (800) 811-3010 Fax: (800) 811-3014
E-mail: Craig@environmentaldesignsarborist.com Web: www.environmentaldesignsarborist.com
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Summary / Conclusion
Thank you for calling on my services with your questions regarding your
Sycamore tree. Protect the tree from construction damage by erecting a
fence around the tree at the drip line. Prune damaged and exposed roots.
Apply mulch. Apply organic fertilizer. Deep-water tree as needed. Properly
prune tree canopy in the future. The tree will protect itself from decay and
pathogens by compartmentalizing the cuts to the roots.
With proper protection and care the Sycamore tree will survive the
construction process and remain healthy for many years.
If you have any questions concerning this report or if I can be of further
service to you, please call me at any time.
Craig de Pfyffer
Certified Arborist
Certificate # WE-6533A
Expiration Date: 12-31-2006
Disclaimer
Although all the recommendations in this report are based on sound and
accepted horticultural practices, the author cannot be held responsible for the
final outcome of the recommendations, or any liabilities associated with this
project. Tree inspections, in this case, do not cover internal cavities,
structural defects, or diseases with non-visible symptoms.
ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNS ARBORIST
P.O. Box 247, Laguna Beach, CA. 92652 Tel: (800) 811-3010 Fax: (800) 811-3014
E-mail: Craig@environmentaldesignsarborist.com Web: www.environmentaldesignsarborist.com
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