Why are Humans Blind to Understanding Trees?

I watched a terrific webinar hosted by Mr. Neville Fay, an gifted, learned arborist in England. Here are some takeaways from the Webinar.

Humans identify with other living animals because humans are animals. anthropomorphism, the interpretation of nonhuman things or events in terms of human characteristics, as when one senses malice in a computer or hears human voices in the wind. Anthropomorphism is a human characteristic hindering are ability to fully comprehend and understand the plant kingdom, particularly trees and plants.

Why are humans blind to the plant kingdom? Is it because humans have become increasingly separated from nature? Since we are a part of nature, indeed we came into existence in nature, what happens when we separate ourselves from nature, if we become alienated from nature are we alienated from our own self?

Our language and thoughts create and limit our world and influences our opinions. “The tree which moves some to tears of joy is, in the eyes of others, a green thing that stands in the way”. Our language limits how we think, how we view the world, and explains why we cannot fully understand and appreciate trees.

We often define a tree based on its location, aesthetics, function or monetary value. Trees in forests are viewed for the timber value. Old, mature, dying trees are viewed as dangerous threats to our well being. Trees life expectancy is often viewed from a “useful” perspective, usually resulting in damage, flawed or senescent trees being removed rather than allowed to progress through their lifespan? This may make sense in the urban environment, but what happens when a supposedly dying or dangerous tree is allowed to continue living beyond its “useful” lifespan?

These trees defy our attempts at defining what a tree is. They are remarkable living beings that have the ability to define or refine what a tree is, can or should be. Every tree pictured above has retrenched itself into a new being, growing new tree parts or new trees from original broken or decayed stems and trunks. Obviously they have no timber value, but appreciating there ability to survive and recreate is very inspirational.

Trees have several life stages, young to early mature, full to late maturity, ancient and or sessile. We frequently never allow trees to exist in their ancient life stage, especially in the urban environment.

As trees enter the ancient life stage, they undergo crown and root retrenchment, dramatically increasing their functional complexity and reiteration.

Here is an ancient olive tree, a tree completely hollowed out, the original trunk is gone, yet it has drawn upon resources to interweave multiple stems and roots into a retrenched healthy olive tree. Is this one tree or multiple trees or even a forest of trees? This tree has no timber value, and would most likely never be allowed to exist in an urban setting. Yet It can only be viewed as awe inspiring, magnificent.

While trees are a part of ecosystems, a single mature or ancient tree is in and of itself a complete ecosystem, supporting an abundance of animal, bird, insect, fungal and bacterial life.

Did plants and animals evolve from a single source? A theory called Endosymbiosis posits plants and animals evolved from the same original source. The Endosymbiotic Theory states that the mitochondria and chloroplast in eukaryotic cells were once aerobic bacteria (prokaryote) that were ingested by a large anaerobic bacteria (prokaryote). This theory explains the origin of eukaryotic cells.https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Microbiology/Microbiology_(Kaiser)/Unit_4%3A_Eukaryotic_Microorganisms_and_Viruses/07%3A_The_Eukaryotic_Cell/7.8%3A_The_Endosymbiotic_Theory

The separation between animal and plant cells diverged when mitochondria evolved from bacteria evolving into animals versus chloroplasts developing from bacteria evolving into algae and plants. Records depict trees have lived and evolved with humans for thousands of years. Their existence and importance to humans cannot be overestimated.

Trees cannot escape where they grow, they become soil farmers, they are conductors of the soil orchestra of microorganisms. Soil is alive, a living breathing thing. Where trees are allowed to flourish, they enrich soils, thereby creating the endless cycle of life. When we develop and compact soils, we are killing a living environment. Mega agribusiness utilizes monocropping to produce our food, a practice that increases their profit while killing off biodiversity and depleting our soil resources. https://www.greenmatters.com/p/what-is-monocropping

Leonardo de Vinci understood the complexity of trees and their roots, positing the root structure being a mirror image of above grade stems and limbs.

Soil compaction is the single greatest threat to soils, thereby our future.

We need to embrace trees, eliminate bias views of trees based on our own anthropomorphic views. We cannot exist without trees, they provide the oxygen for our planet, without trees, humans would not survive. And even if somehow we managed to survive, I for one could not imagine a world without trees.

Saving the Giant Sequoia Forest

For several years, climate change and drought created conditions for uncontrolled California wildfires. These wildfires burned with such intensity, several Giant Sequoia, (Sequoiadendron giganteum), forests were heavily damaged. We have lost approximately 20% of the entire species, over 10,000 Giant Sequoias have been destroyed the past three years alone.

Although these magnificent trees are fire adapted, with an incredibly thick outer bark protecting the cambium within, the recent fires burned with such incredible intensity scores of trees were incinerated. Another fire adaptation are the Sequoia cones that normally open after a fire, distributing thousands of seeds that germinate and replenish the burned groves. Yet the fires were so hot, even the cones were destroyed, so the trees produced no new seedlings.

All of the groves are located in a relatively small band on the western slope of the southern Sierra range. Due to climate change, the southern Sierra range has become a dryer environment, very different than 2,000 years ago when these magnificent trees first germinated. As the forest regenerates, shrubs, fir, and cedar have replaced the Sequoias.

Sequoia seedlings require a lot of water to germinate and grow into juvenile trees. The hotter, drier climate and competition with other less favorable species, reduces Sequoia germination and ultimately, the survival of the species. Imagine Sequoia National Park without any Sequoia trees. Your kids and grandchildren might end up never being able to visit and enjoy these incredible trees. My father took me to the park when I was a child. My love for this species influenced my decision to study horticulture, eventually making my profession, first as a landscape contractor, later as a consultant and expert witness as certified and registered consulting arborist.

Fortunately, the Save the Redwoods League has teamed with the US Forest Service and National Park Service undertaking replanting thousands of redwood seedlings throughout several burned forest areas. The goal is to reestablish groves that can be managed to become fire resistant again. It is a massive undertaking, that has never been tried before. While the odds of any seedling becoming a massive, thousand year old monarch are depressingly low, (one in 10 billion), it is the morally right undertaking for mankind. Without restoration, the redwood groves will convert to shrub lands, a sad ending for the official state tree of California.

Read about the restoration efforts in this article from the Los Angeles Times.https://landscapeexpertwitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Los-Angeles-Times-eNewspaper.pdf

Why Attorneys Hire an Arborist Expert Witness

Whether an attorney represents a plaintiff or defendant, they hire an expert who will provide compelling testimony to support their client.  Sometimes, multiple experts from a variety of disciplines may be required. When should an attorney consider hiring a certified or registered consulting arborist as an expert witness? 

  1. Trip, slip and fall accidents caused by tree roots damaging concrete sidewalks, asphalt streets, patios, and decks.
  2. Tree failures, forensic tree risk assessment to determine open and obvious?
  3. Appraisal(s) to establish the pre-casualty tree value prior loss due to fire, vandalism and trespass.
  4. Determine whether an owner, individual or company satisfied the arboriculture industry standard of care.

Living with trees implies accepting a certain amount of risk in exchange for the wonderful benefits trees provide.  While the risk of a tree limb or whole tree failure resulting in a fatal injury is low, hazards caused by trees that result in personal injury or property damage lawsuits are not uncommon.

Tree species and proximity to infrastructure may be a factor in accidents with personal injury or property damage.  Tree roots seek out moisture regardless of their location.  Structural roots emanate from the trunk to the edge of the crown, also known as the drip line, then small moisture absorbing root grow far beyond.  Tree root systems may grow 1.5 times the tree crown diameter.

Trip, Slip and Fall Accidents

In the urban environment, tree proximity to hardscape may result in roots growing beneath concrete sidewalks and paved streets while seeking moisture.  Roots will grow into adjacent water meters and sewer laterals, especially older leaking, permeable infrastructure.  Once established beneath a paved surface, a root continues growing, over time enlarging in diameter. 

Over time, these surfaces may begin to lift along the crack or expansion joint.  Adjacent sidewalk panels may lift several inches, resulting in a hazardous condition for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Uplifted sidewalk panels resulted in bicyclist personal injury lawsuit

After sidewalk was removed, large structural roots were observed beneath the sidewalk.
Multiple roots damaged the sidewalk, created the hazardous condition and resultant accident.

Eventually root enlargement lifts concrete infrastructure, including water meter boxes and sidewalks. Cracks may develop across a sidewalk panel, in my experience, most concrete sidewalk uplifts occur along an expansion joint.

In their pursuit of moisture, roots from neighboring trees ignore property lines.  They can grow beneath garage slabs and foundations, especially in situations where there has been a water or sewer leak beneath the slab. Moisture discharged beneath slabs, footing and foundations create an attractive environment for root development. 

Neighbor’s Ficus tree root grew beneath their garage slab, resulting in property damage lawsuit.
Roots suspected of lifting sidewalk panels and water meter box that resulted in personal injury lawsuit.
After sidewalk was removed, large roots observed growing around the water leaking water meter.

Installing street trees within small concrete confined planters is an invitation for root damaging infra-structure.  Leaking water meters, fittings and sewer connections increase soil moisture, an invitation for root growth.

A root penetrating a leaking sewer lateral or potable water meter pipe or fitting will quickly establish a mass of roots within and surrounding the pipe.  Root growth may continue from the sewer lateral into the public sewer main.  Over time, the root growth may block or cause a sewer back up to neighboring properties.

Roots deform a sewer lateral beneath garage slab.
Section of removed sewer lateral filled with roots.

Improperly designed, installed or maintained sprinkler systems may result in over-spraying paved pedestrian sidewalks. Regardless of cause, their is no reason to allow sprinklers to over-spray onto paved surfaces, it wastes a vital resource while creating an obvious slip and fall hazard.

Park sprinklers over-spraying a public sidewalk, resulted in a personal injury lawsuit.

Tree failures and forensic tree risk assessment

Tree limb and whole tree failures may result in personal injury and property damage lawsuits. Whole tree failures may occur due to loss of load bearing structural roots, whether due to root rot disease, construction impacts, mechanical root damage, or soil failure. Limb drops may occur for a variety of known reasons, typically the failure occurs during a weather event. Sometimes, a tree will drop a limb for unknown reasons, referred to as sudden or summer limb drop. Stems may contain defects such as cankers, decay, and cracks that may be predisposed to failure when enough force exceeds the wood carrying capacity. Forensic tree risk assessment may determine why the tree failed and whether the defects were open and obvious.

A root or soil failure.
Stem failure resulted in personal injury and property damage lawsuit.

Tree and landscape appraisal for fire damage, trespass and vandalism

The same holds true for tree loss or diminution in value due to trespass and vandalism.   You may love your tree, but your neighbor may not. Neighbors frequently engage in tree disputes, sometimes resulting in trespass and vandalized trees. You may love your tree, but your neighbor may not.

Avocado groove scorched from wildfire in Fallbrook. Appraisal performed for insurance and tax purposes.
Oak tree property damage claim due to Thomas fire.
Tree and landscape appraisal for property damage lawsuit caused by Thomas fire mudslide.
Palm tree nursery burned due to vandalism, appraised palm value for property damage lawsuit.
Bamboo hedge poisoned by neighbor, property damage lawsuit.
Tree loss due to neighbors pruning, resulting in property loss lawsuit.

Arboriculture standard of care

Tree service contractors may become involved in a lawsuit for failing to satisfy the industry standard of care. When a tree failure occurs, the landscape maintenance or tree care contractor may find themselves as defendants in a lawsuit. A plaintiff may contend the landscaper or tree care company should have known the tree had defects but was the contractor responsible for risk assessment?

A C-27 landscape contractor may not be a certified arborist or provide arboricultural tree care, certified arborist may not be a trained or knowledgeable of Tree Risk Assessor Qualified, (TRAQ).

To determine a contractor’s standard of care, I examine their membership in industry associations such as the California Landscape Contractor Association, (CLCA), the International Society of Arboriculture, (ISA), the American Society of Consulting Arborists, (ASCA), and Professional Tree Care Association. I determine whether the certified arborist and tree care professionals adhere to the American National Standards Institute, (ANSI) A300 arboriculture standard practices and Z133 safety requirements. I check their standing on the California State Licensing Board.

In summary, personal experience, education and training are essential qualifications an attorney looks when selecting an arborist expert witness. Having expertise in multiple disciplines is an added benefit. My qualifications as a professional horticulturist, a C-27 landscape contractor, a certified arborist, registered consulting arborist and tree risk assessor qualified and land development manager enable me to opine on a broad array of landscape, tree, plant and land development issues.

Top 10 List: What we have learned about trees

While reading the Western Arborist, an tree industry publication, I came across a top ten list of what we have learned about trees by Nelda Matheny and Jim Clark, both very well known researchers, teachers, lecturers and industry titans. I have had the honor to meet both, read their work and attend their workshops. So when I came across their top ten list, I felt compelled to share it with you.

  • 10. Our view of trees has evolved from being niceties to being necessities.
  • 9. Tree preservation requires space.
  • 8. Tree care practices can have either positive or negative consequences.
  • 7. Soil health is vital to tree health and requires protection and nurturing .
  • 6. Structural defects in mature trees can largely be prevented through selection and early care.
  • 5. Trees are both biological organisms and mechanical structures.
  • 4. Tree care applies general information to specific genotypes.
  • 3. Tree risk assessment is an imprecise endeavor.
  • 2. We must use science to guide tree management.
  • 1. Education is a lifelong process.

Bonus: It’s not enough to know about trees.

We have to know things that affect trees and things trees affect.

We have to describe and present our work.

CERTAINTIES

1. Trees will continue to grow and require care.

2. Trees will become more important to people and cities.

3. If you stop learning the world will pass you by.

Nelda Matheny & Jim Clark, Western Arborist, Fall 2020

As a certified arborist, tree risk assessor qualified, registered consulting arborist, C-27 landscape contractor and professional horticulturist, I have spent my personal and professional life involved with trees. They are my passion and profession, I’m extremely grateful for spending a lifetime with trees. For me, trees provide beauty, aesthetics and functional benefits. But most important, trees provide me an emotional connection to our planet. We could exist without trees. They bring me happiness and beauty, they uplift me and provide calm and peacefulness in times of need. They are truly magnificent biologic organisms we should maintain, share, and protect for future generations.

Trees for Tomorrow Start Today’ Workshop

Hello, this is Jeremy Rappoport, president of Rappoport Development Consulting Services LLC (RDCS). The workshop goal is to increase tree health and reduce impacts of urban heat islands by properly selecting and caring for trees today to ensure a greener tomorrow. The workshop is sponsored through the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.

As an experienced legal expert witness, I consult for defendant and plaintiff attorneys and insurers in the fields of arboriculture, horticulture, landscape and land development. My credentials as a certified arborist, registered consulting arborist, tree risk assessor qualified (TRAQ), C-27 landscape contractor, and B.S. in ornamental horticulture enable me to opine on relevant legal cases.

My presentation, ‘Are Your Trees Safe?’ focuses on legal cases involving roots lifting sidewalks creating trip and fall hazards, root, limb and trunk failures, and the forensic application of tree risk assessment. I will propose solutions to reduce tree potential tree risk during the design / development process for planners, landscape architects, civil engineers and government agencies and how to reduce current tree risk before the a defect results in a accident and resultant lawsuit.

The ‘Trees for Tomorrow Start Today’ Workshop also features ‘Working Together Across Professions ‘Success Stories’, presented by several distinguished speakers, followed by roundtable discussions. The workshop is scheduled on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 via Zoom. Click here for the registration link.

Tree Roots Lifting up Sidewalk?

Who is Better Qualified to Opine on Root Damage, Civil Engineer or Certified Arborist?

I was retained by a defendant attorney to determine whether her client’s tree was responsible for lifting the adjacent civil sidewalk that resulted in a plaintiff trip and fall lawsuit.  Based on the photographs and tree species, White mulberry (Morus alba), I was fairly certain her client’s tree was responsible for the sidewalk damage.

The attorney retained me and requested a site inspection and tree root assessment.  I trenched adjacent to the sidewalk and within a short time, encountered a three-inch diameter root growing under the sidewalk.  Further excavation revealed a network of two to four-inch diameter roots that had grown under the sidewalk, resulting in the tree roots lifting up the sidewalk panel, creating a hazardous condition resulting in a trip and fall accident.

I informed the attorney that tree roots lifting up the sidewalk, or root encroachment from her client’s tree resulted in the sidewalk damage, she said her civil engineer expert claimed it impossible for a tree root to lift a concrete sidewalk.  I questioned the engineers knowledge and experience with trees, was the civil engineer a certified arborist or horticulturist?

Although the answer was no, she felt his qualification as a civil engineer was superior to my qualifications as a certified arborist, tree risk assessor qualified, registered consulting arborist and a college educated horticulturist.  Her dilemma was having two experts who disagreed and she requested I alter my opinion.

I told the attorney altering my opinion to suit her needs was unethical, and I removed myself from the case.

What Causes Tree Roots To Lift up a Sidewalk?

The common myth is trees have tap roots that grow straight down into the soil.  While this may occur in very deep, loam soils, the reality is most containerized nursery grown trees lose their tap root in the container.  Once planted in our poor Southern California soils, when the tap root encounters physical soil obstructions, such as rock, clay or hardpan, the tap root divides and grows multiple roots around the obstacle, forming a fibrous root system.  Tap root grows into fibrous root system.

Trees require a spreading root system to maintain structural stability.  Trees dissipate energy generated during a storm or wind event by transmitting leaf, limb and trunk movement down to the roots.  A spreading root system anchors the tree movement and dissipates the energy far more effectively than a single tap root system.

Most tree roots grow within the top 24-inches of the soil horizon. Roots in top 24″ of soil.  Over time, structural tree roots (2-inch diameter and greater) growing within a shallow soil adjacent to sidewalks, footings, foundations, walls or othersub-surface infrastructure may cause damage.

Just as a twig grows into a branch, and then a limb, roots increase in length and circumference.  Irrigation water, sewer or water service leaks increase subsoil moisture beneath sidewalks or garage slabs, creating a perfect environment for root growth.

Cracked garage slab

As the root circumference increased, it exerts pressure on the concrete slab or footing above the root.  Depending on the species, root diameter might increase 1/8-1/4” annually.

Within five to eight years, a small feeder root may grow to one-inch in diameter or greater.

Ficus root cracked the garage slab

The root growth may be compared to the action of a hydraulic jack, as the circumference increases, the upward pressure on the sidewalk or slab may crack and or eventually cause tree roots to lift the sidewalk.  Concrete lifting may often occur at an expansion joint between concrete panels

Sidewalk lifted at expansion joint

Root network beneath sidewalk.

Roots seek out soil moisture, they can and will grow under walls, footings and garage slabs.  Roots are opportunistic, leaky plumbing, old cast iron sewer lateral or water services contribute to the soil moisture needed for roots to flourish. 

Sewer lateral root damage

Roots may infiltrate pvc, abs and cast-iron pipe through even the smallest of cracks or holes. 

Once inside, the roots expand in size and quantity, eventually completely clogging the utility.

If the tree crown has grown over a sidewalk or adjacent structure, it is a reasonable assumption structural roots (two-inch diameter and greater) have grown under the sidewalk, slab or footing.

Root growing under house footing

Planter areas confined by concrete pose one of the greatest risks for root damage.  City sidewalks often incorporate small, square planters within the sidewalk easement.

Roots lifting water meter and sidewalks

Confined planters quickly fill with structural roots, as well as damaging girdling root.  As the tree crown grows, so to do water absorbing feeder roots.  Over time, root mass and size increases, structural roots may begin to grow beneath concrete improvement while seeking out moisture.

Leaking water meter, high soil moisture, confined growing space.

The tree pictured above and to the right had a leaky water meter adjacent to the small sidewalk planter.  The leaky service provided idea soil moisture conditions for the roots to lift the water meter box, adjacent sidewalks and crack the curb and gutter.

Preventative measures to minimize root encroachment include a variety of root barrier methods.  All root barrier systems work best when the tree is installed.  Once roots have enlarged and matured, barrier mitigation is not successful.

In summary, our Southern California poor, shallow soils do not support deep tree tap root systems.  Most trees grow fibrous spreading root systems.  Structural roots emanating from the root collar extend to the edge of the tree crown, (drip line).  Most structural roots growing beneath sidewalks range from two to four inches in diameter, lifting sidewalk panels on average one-two inches. Trees growing in confined planters or adjacent to concrete, utilities or foundations may develop structural roots capable of lifting, cracking or damaging adjacent improvements.

Dealing with legal issues due to tree roots lifting up a sidewalk?

Attorneys should select an expert based on the case criteria, not simply a title, license or certificate. Choose an expert most appropriate to address the cause of the problem and develop opinions based on sound, industry practices.

A Horticulturists Local Neighborhood Walk

I took my usual walk through local neighborhoods surrounding Balboa Park in San Diego.  A glorious spring day, I couldn’t help but marvel at the beautiful ornamental landscape trees, shrubs and vines in bloom everywhere!  Very uplifting, glad plants are not affected by the virus!

Arborist Online Learning Opportunities in the Covid Era

In a recent blog, I discussed using online media for a site online site inspection involving a Torrey pine tree root conflict with adjacent asphalt paving.  That marked the first time I used an online media tool rather than being physically present at the site.  My client and I used Facetime to conduct the real time inspection.

As the restrictions ease, I believe the use of online media such as Zoom, Hangouts, Facetime etc will increase.  I have already presented this concept to a legal client in Northern California concerning an irrigation inspection.  Do I really need to fly from San Diego to San Francisco, rent a car, drive to the site, observe irrigation defects, then reverse the process returning home or, can I watch the inspection over the web?  The level of scrutiny required depends on the individual case.

A slide from Dr. Smiley’s presentation

Like so many other industries, the tree industry is rapidly adapting to the new Covid – 19 reality.  Today, I attended an online Zoom seminar titled Sidewalks, Urban Plazas and Tree Roots.  This seminar was presented through the ISA Southern Extension.  I believe it was originally going to be part of a “normal” ISA Southern Association Annual meeting that was cancelled due to Covid.

The online presentation occurred through Zoom with over 1000 arborists throughout the U.S. and other countries attending. The topic concerned tree roots damaging sidewalks, presented by Dr. Thomas Smiley.  Once a few technical glitches were adjusted, the presentation was almost identical to what I had experienced attending many seminars.

The slides presented alongside the audio streaming from Dr. Smiley was easy to view.  I became immersed in the content and found myself taking pics of some of the slides.  The topic provided test data results using different techniques designed to reduce root intrusion beneath sidewalks.

Incorporating root growth inhibitor practices

 

The presentation lasted an hour, same amount of time I’m accustomed to when attending a seminar.  Although I already knew a great deal about the topic, I still came away with new information for use in my practice, including a great specification detail incorporating multiple root growth inhibitor practices that may reduce sidewalk damage due to roots.

In the past month, I’ve been able to continue my consulting practice from my home office.  I’ll continue to utilize more online media tools, whether for learning, conducting site inspection work, and client meetings.  I believe these new opportunities are one of the (few) beneficial results from the Covid-19 virus.

I recently provided a client with a proposal to develop landscape maintenance specifications for commercial properties located in several different climatic regions.  The proposal did not include any site visits.  All data collection would occur online through various means.  Using online data collection versus conducting multiple site visits saved the client thousands of dollars.

I’m looking forward to these new opportunities utilizing online media sources as potential replacement for physical presence.  Hopefully it will prove an efficient, effective, cost saving technique without sacrificing product accuracy.

 

 

 

Online Site Inspections with Corona Virus: A New Paradigm?

The corona virus and resulting stay at home order has prevented me from scheduling or attending site inspections.  I require site inspection for most forms of consulting work, including as a consulting arborist or expert witness.

  • Tree failures, health and risk assessment
  • Tree inventories
  • Tree and nursery appraisals
  • Tree roots and infrastructure damage.
  • Landscape appurtenances creating trip and fall hazard.
  • Obscured landscape hazards, grade changes
  • Irrigation operation, maintenance issues

A client wanted me to attend and observe asphalt paving taking place adjacent to an 80 year old Torrey Pine.  I had previously consulted on preserving this tree during construction on an adjacent property.  The client was repaving his driveway on the alley, the pine is right on the edge of the paving.

Due to California stay at home orders, I informed the client I could not be present to observe the paving to make recommendations, so we used the Facetime app and did an online site observation whereby I watched in real time as the work was being performed.  I was able to give the client recommendations in real time.

Moistened towel protect surface roots

He was concerned about root damage, and rightly so.  Some of large buttress roots would be impacted by the paving.  Instead of cutting, I recommended covering the roots with wet towels, fabric etc, then placing moistened sand base, then pave over the roots.

Moistened sand placed over protected roots

As terrible as it is, the corona virus has created many new ways for industries to re-invent how they do their business.  This was the first time I have attempted on online site inspection and it worked!  This may not be applicable for the types of investigations I perform, but there is a great new tool I can use for certain types of investigations during stay at home and even beyond.

Asphalt paving over protected roots

 

The financial savings for the client are obvious.  Travel costs for me to travel to Los Angeles, Orange or Inland Empire typically range from $500 to $1000 or more if hotel stay is required.

Not all inspections can be performed remotely.  Forensic investigations that require measurements, excavations, sampling, testing etc may not be applicable.

Since this is new to me, it will take some real time client cases for me to determine how and when I can utilize this new tool.

Old Growth Redwood Destruction Continues

I read an L.A. Times article discussing ongoing logging of redwoods in Humboldt County.  In a battle spanning several generations, tree sitters and eco-activists are putting their bodies on limbs in redwood tree tops to prevent logging.

This is not the first time tree activists have climbed hundreds of feet up old growth redwoods to prevent logging the tree and surrounding trees.  It reminded me of a remarkable novel I read called “The Overstory” by Richard Powers.  The novel is about people and their interaction with and the affect specific trees and forests.

It primarily focuses on loss of old growth redwoods and firs in the pacific northwest and activists actions to prevent tree and habitat loss.  However, the novel was historical, taking place several decades ago.  Yet it appears old growth logging in Humboldt county continues to in present.

I recently visited, camped and explored the Jedediah Smith State and National Redwood park, not far from where present day logging takes place.  For me, the thought of logging off trees that are hundreds to over a thousand year old is difficult to accept.

We have commercial redwood farms for harvesting lumber.  Of course, it does not possess the grain, size, color and characteristics of true old growth redwood trees.  If we want future generations to be able to view and experience the incredible creation of a true, old growth tree, we MUST stop logging and preserve this resource.