Arborist Treatmen 12.9.20
David C. Hawkins – Consulting Arborist
Office/Fax: 413-253-4266 Mobile: 413-237-5106
Email: dhawkufs@comcast.net Web: www.ufstrees.com
December 9, 2020
John Handzel
NU-Way Homes
10 White Avenue
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
RE: Air Excavation and Root Pruning Report – 61 Warner Street and 170 Federal Street,
Northampton, Mass.
John,
This is a summary of the air excavation (Airspade) and root pruning that took place December
8th at 61 Warner Street and 170 Federal Street in Northampton. This was done at your request
to accommodate the construction of a residential home on each site.
The location of the of the Airspade excavation (and tree protection zone) for 61 Warner was
based the proposed foundation footprint in relation to the property line. The Federal Street
excavation location was determined after reviewing the latest construction plans you and Gary
provide and the location of the foundation footprint.
The next pages contain a description of the Airspade process and photographs of the trees
and roots exposed during the excavation process.
John, thanks for the to assist you with this project. Please call or email with any questions.
David Hawkins, Consulting Arborist
Urban Forestry Solutions, Inc.
NU-Way Homes Air Excavation and Root Pruning Report December 9, 2020
Attn: John Handzel 61 Warner Street & 170 Federal Street
Prepared by David Hawkins, Consulting Arborist 2 | Page
Urban Forestry Solutions, Inc.
61 Warner Street
The subject tree is a 28-inch diameter (at 4.5 feet high) Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) located
on the property at 53 Warner Street about 5 feet from the property line. The airspade
excavation occurred 13 feet from the property and about 18 feet from the tree’s trunk. The
excavated trench was approximately 35 feet long and 12 to 18 inches deep. A mini excavator
assisted in the operation by removing the top layer of sod and soil prior to the air excavation.
View looking North showing property line (right yellow) and excavation area (left red)
18
’
NU-Way Homes Air Excavation and Root Pruning Report December 9, 2020
Attn: John Handzel 61 Warner Street & 170 Federal Street
Prepared by David Hawkins, Consulting Arborist 3 | Page
Urban Forestry Solutions, Inc.
Excavation Observations – The entire 35 feet of trench was excavated first to determine root
size and density and the feasibility of root pruning. Except for one root 2.5 inches diameter, all
roots exposed were 2 inches or less. Root density was moderate. No roots were encountered
deeper than 15 inches where the soil profile was mostly clay and rock. No large, support roots
were encountered (> 4 inches) and all roots were pruned at the excavation limit (red line). The
trench was then refilled.
Recommendations:
• Establish a tree protection zone and install high visibility fencing 5 feet east of the
excavation line
• Install 3 inches of woodchip mulch from the trench edge to the property line
• Fertilize remaining root zone (on both properties) with liquid injection of root promoting
fertilizer.
View looking north of the excavated trench and most of the exposed roots (right). The inset
(left) is representative of the larger roots exposed
NU-Way Homes Air Excavation and Root Pruning Report December 9, 2020
Attn: John Handzel 61 Warner Street & 170 Federal Street
Prepared by David Hawkins, Consulting Arborist 4 | Page
Urban Forestry Solutions, Inc.
170 Federal Street
The excavation took place in the southern portion of the property and 10 to 14 feet from a row
of six Canadian hemlocks and two black walnuts (see July and November 2020 tree
measurement and health assessment reports). The mini excavator also assisted by removing
the top layer of sod and soil
The root system of the eastern most hemlock (arrow below) was not excavated due to the
proximity of one walnut within the foundation’s footprint (to be removed), and the difficulty that
would arise from attempting to excavate two intertwined root systems. The eastern most, two
leader hemlock my also be removed prior to construction.
View looking east of the excavation limit (red) and the first three hemlocks in the row
NU-Way Homes Air Excavation and Root Pruning Report December 9, 2020
Attn: John Handzel 61 Warner Street & 170 Federal Street
Prepared by David Hawkins, Consulting Arborist 5 | Page
Urban Forestry Solutions, Inc.
Excavation Observations – The excavation trench for the remaining five hemlocks and two
walnuts was 45 feet long and up to 24 inches deep. No large support roots were encountered
for both the hemlocks and walnut trees. All roots were in the top 15 inches of soil
The largest root exposed for the hemlock was 1.5 inches (left photo; yellow arrow). The
remaining hemlock roots were less than one inch. Root density was low to moderate. The
excavation in front of the two walnuts exposed five roots between 1.5- and 2.0-inches diameter
(right photo). Walnut root density was low. All roots were pruned at the excavation limits. Once
the pruning was completed, the excavator dug to 24 inches to confirm roots were limited to the
top 15 inches and then backfilled the trench.
Recommendations: 1
• Establish a tree protection zone and install high visibility fencing 5 feet south of the
excavation line
• Install 3 inches of woodchip mulch from the trench edge to the property line
• Fertilize remaining root zone (on both properties) with liquid injection of root promoting
fertilizer.
1 See December 7th Addendum to November 30th Tree Health Assessment report