Letter to Montrose TIRZ from arborist Matt Latham - Board Certified Master Arborist #TX-3737B

To Whom it May Concern:

I am writing concerning the misconceptions surrounding the Montrose Boulevard Improvement Project, phase 1 currently planned by Montrose TIRZ, with regard to the consequences of the planned tree removals. 

I've included a PDF copy of this letter/report as well.
 
The International Society of Arboriculture is the governing entity which works directly with the American National Standards Institute to set the standards for tree care in the United States. The American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) is a more prestigious industry association which deals primarily with official reporting and consulting, and its members often handle specialized projects such as the ones being proposed for phase 1 and 2 of the TIRZ 27 proposed construction projects which would affect hundreds of trees along Montrose Blvd.

I am one of only 5 ISA Board Certified Master Arborists (BCMAs) within a 25 mile radius of the 77019 zip code according to the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). I’m also one of 2 individuals in the same radius of 77019 who are members in good standing with the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA). Both Qualifications have approximately less than 600 individuals worldwide. Holding these globally and nationally recognized qualifications gives me a unique perspective on the project at hand. 

I was surprised to discover that not only were no Board Certified Master Arborists or ASCA members consulted with by the TIRZ 27 team when planning for phase 1 of the upcoming TIRZ 27 project, but to my knowledge, no Certified Arborists have been consulted by the TIRZ 27 team either. This choice is very uncommon for projects of this nature, and it is my professional opinion that foregoing advice from an ISA Certified Arborist or one with greater qualifications such as Board Certified Master Arborist, ASCA Member or RCA, Municipal Arborist, etc., is not a wise strategy when considering the long-term impacts the project has on the surrounding communities and the entire city of Houston. 

At the request of the "Save Montrose Live Oaks Team, I was asked to give an objective report on the trees slated for removal along Montrose Blvd. upon commencement of the upcoming TIRZ project, and that report can be found on their website. 

In that report, I respectfully disagreed with the statements given by the Montrose TIRZ in their September memo stating that the mature live oaks to be removed were “unhealthy.” It can be reasonably assumed that any urban tree will endure some amounts of stress of varying quantity, including the mature and semi-mature oaks between Dallas and West Clay, which have endured extreme weather events such as the recent freezes, floodings, and drought events that the Houston area has experienced in the past decade. If not for the proposed construction plans, most of the trees along Montrose Boulevard can be reasonably preserved and can even thrive with relative ease and with proper arboricultural practices implemented over time, in spite of currently showing some normal signs of minor stress.

Since issuing that report, I’ve been surprised and disappointed with the sheer volume of disinformation that has been disseminated regarding the project. For example, it has been stated by individuals promoting the project that if the ~60 trees on Montrose Boulevard are clearcut, and replaced with small trees, then we can have better, taller, and stronger trees that provide a better canopy than exists right now. Based on my qualifications and experience, this is false and misapprehends the current condition of the trees and the conditions specific to Montrose Boulevard today.

The reality is that conditions are actually less favorable for trees being planted now compared to 20-40 years ago when the mature live oaks lining the boulevard were planted. Even with a 3-year plan to water the new trees in place, if conditions remain the same, the new trees will actually be more vulnerable to drought than the trees today would have been if left alone. While it is said that the new trees will have more room to grow, any increase in soil growing volume (the amount of soil they have to take root in), the amount of change (being very small) does not fundamentally change survivability.   

I wish to add one more comment regarding the trees that will be planted. It has been stated that in 10 years, the canopy of the newly planted live oaks will be "as good" as what currently exists. Currently several of the live oaks lining the boulevard between Dallas and West Clay form a true canopy with median trees. However, the Texas Agrilife Extension labels Quercus virginiana (live oak) as a slow growing tree (https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2007/02/22/live-oaks-are-a-texas-landscape-mainstay/). The term “slow-growing” means that the tree most commonly grows at a rate of 12" or less per year. The plans call for, and it has been publicly stated on multiple occasions that 30 gallon trees are to be planted which are typically around 6'-8' tall. This means that in 10 years, the trees would be approximately 16' tall in IDEAL conditions. With municipal requirements of 14' clearance, this means that the trees will only be able to branch out a MAXIMUM of 2' across Montrose after the 10 year mark, assuming that the trees survive the initial years after planting. 

Again, because of these facts, I must respectfully and professionally disagree with the statements that the canopy along Montrose Boulevard will be "as good" as the current conditions within 10 years. Such statements are false according to current existing science. 

If the primary goal is to have the best canopy possible, my professional advice to Montrose, the entire community, and those involved with the Montrose TIRZ proposed construction would be this: currently existing trees, particular mature trees, should be preserved wherever possible, and cared for during and after construction, and additional trees should be planted around them to further develop the already existing healthy canopy spanning Montrose Blvd. Additionally, moving the power lines on the east side, which is planned, will help. 

I want to be very clear once again, because I'm hearing much misinformation, and even blatantly false information, that within the 10 year period, the most effective way to have the best canopy along Montrose Boulevard is to preserve as many of the existing mature and semi-mature trees (especially the live oaks) as possible, while planting new trees in the bare spaces. 

There's an old proverb that states, "the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago... the next best time is now." Instead of keeping the trees which were planted 20+ years ago, the construction plans would have ALL of the mature and semi-mature trees along Montrose blvd. destroyed, in exchange for a far smaller canopy which would take at least 20 or more years with intentional care to get to the point where the existing canopy is at the time of my writing this email. 

Additionally, I'm very concerned for the median trees which would arguably be considered "heritage trees" given their contribution to Montrose’s historic nature. Montrose TIRZ says it wants to keep the trees, but narrow the medians by 5' on each side. This work will greatly damage and stress these trees. To accomplish construction plans and goals proposed, many of the trees will need to be pruned to remove 20% to 40% of the canopies to meet municipal requirements (14' clearance). This greatly threatens the survival of the trees during and after construction, especially given that the trees have experienced varying levels of extreme weather events and stressors over the past decade or so, and will be inherently stressed (again, not enough to warrant condemnation or removal), further decreasing the survival of the trees. 

Additionally, new curbs will be cut into both the critical root zone and the root plates immediately around these trees' trunks. These damages to the existing root system of the median trees will have a profound impact on both the health and the structural integrity of said trees. It can reasonably be presumed that this will present a significant increase in risk and liability to those responsible for the damage, as these changes to the median trees and their root systems will increase the risk that the trees will fall over. 

Lastly: Upon my site inspection, I observed and noted that many of the mature trees had large scars at the base of the trees which, to me, appeared to be consistent with damage caused by vehicular accidents. Upon further research into the history of these damages, it was confirmed that indeed many of them had been run into by motor vehicles. If the goal of the TIRZ 27 construction projects is to encourage pedestrian traffic along Montrose Boulevard, the new small trees that are proposed to be planted would do very little to protect pedestrians from oncoming traffic in the manner in which the large existing trees have historically done. I am concerned that this project could result in a Montrose Boulevard that is more dangerous to pedestrians than it was before.

I'll conclude by stating this: if it is true what the Montrose TIRZ team and others involved have stated, that the median trees and the overall tree canopy along Montrose blvd are what those involved value and wish to preserve and enhance, then I'm concerned that the plans which have been publicly set forth will be entirely counter-productive and greatly threaten the success of accomplishing those goals. 

I have on multiple occasions offered my consulting services to the Montrose TIRZ team, and there has thus far been no response to my offer.

I'm happy to answer any questions at the contact information below.  My preliminary arborist report can be found which includes much of this same data in more detail at https://www.savemontroseliveoaks.com/arborist-report. Again, I offer my consulting services to the Montrose TIRZ team, and anyone else involved, and would value the opportunity to work together to have the greatest positive impact to the urban forest of Houston as a whole, the individual trees along Montrose Boulevard, and especially the people and communities surrounding the area. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

My Best, 

Matt Latham
Board Certified Master Arborist #TX-3737B
Member - American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA)
info@arboristondemand.com
www.arboristondemand.com