Communitywide Tree Removal and Replacement Project

The Board of Directors is in the process of planning a communitywide tree removal and replacement project. The Association has engaged landscape consulting company Monarch Environmental to survey all of the Association-maintained trees that are located on the community slopes and provide a proposal that includes the identification of trees for removal based on the criteria below, in addition to the preparation of a plant list for the replacements. The criteria for removal are listed in the order of priority:

(1) Dead or dying

(2) Too close to homeowners’ properties, potentially causing damaging or excessive amounts of tree leaves and debris to fall onto properties

(3) Either at or nearing the end of their useful lives and/or not adding any aesthetic value

(4) Blocking homeowners’ views

The Board will focus on doing the removal portion of the project first, followed by the replacements. The Association is currently working with Monarch Environmental to put together the scope of work for the removals. Once the scope is finalized, it will be bid out competitively to several tree maintenance companies. The Association’s landscape company, Brian William Smith Landscaping, will be tasked with the installation of the new plantings, as they are familiar with the OCFA guidelines and irrigation on the slopes. The new plantings will include a combination of trees and shrubs that will give aesthetic value and privacy, while not infringing on views.

The Board determined to hold off on installing any new plantings on the slopes at this time, as these are likely to be trampled during the removal and replacement process. This will be addressed when the project is complete. Furthermore, any trimming of trees that is not deemed absolutely necessary by the Association’s arborist will be deferred until the removal portion of the project is completed, as some of these trees are likely to be removed. Homeowners that submit complaints regarding Association-maintained trees will be informed that their complaint will be forwarded to the landscape consultant to review and determine if the trees meet the criteria for inclusion in the scope for the removals. Please note that the Association is under no obligation to preserve views per the governing documents.

The project is in the very preliminary planning phase and there is not a timeline for scheduling at this point. The Association will provide updates to the community regarding this project as it progresses.