CC - Item 5A - Preliminary Valley Boulevard Tree Planting Concepts M
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TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS
ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
FROM: FRANK G. TRIPEPI, CITY MANAGER4_
DATE: APRIL 15, 1997
RE: PRELIMINARY VALLEY BOULEVARD TREE PLANTING CONCEPTS
This item was continued from the City Council meeting of April 8, 1997. Attached for the
City Council's consideration are the original three preliminary concepts for the type of
street trees to be planted along Valley Boulevard, along with the existing conditions and
two additional concepts that were discussed at the previous Council meeting.
The existing trees along Valley Boulevard vary in both species and size. From the west
City limit to Muscatel Avenue there are very few street trees. From Muscatel Avenue to
Loma Avenue there are mature Eucalyptus trees mixed with other species smaller in size.
East of Loma Avenue there are various species ranging from large mature trees to recently
planted younger trees.
It is proposed to plant 36-inch box trees along the entire street. A single species may be
planted the entire length of the corridor, or the species may be alternated by city block or
tree well to provide variety. Following is a brief discussion of each of the single species
concepts presented as well as alternatives discussed at the April 8, 1997 City Council
meeting.
COUNCIL, AGENDA
APR 2 21997
ITEM No. J.-4 • _._. 1
April 15, 1997
Page 2.
EXISTING EUCALYPTUS SALVAGED
There are 43 existing Eucalyptus trees sporadically spaced between Muscatel Avenue and
Loma Avenue. There are an additional nine mature Eucalyptus trees on the north side of
Valley Boulevard..east of Loma Avenue, for a total of 52. Eucalyptus trees along the
corridor.
Six of the Eucalyptus are located within the existing protruding planters and will be
removed during construction. A recent field review by staff indicated that 12 of the trees
have caused major concrete damage, 12 have caused minor concrete damage (existing
displacement less than 1 inch), and there was not any existing damage around 22 of the
trees. However, of the 22 with no existing damage, 11 of the locations had newer sidewalk
which indicates damaged concrete has been replaced.
A standard sidewalk cannot be constructed in the areas where the trees have caused
either major or minor concrete damage unless the tree roots are pruned. Pruning the roots
on trees as large as the existing Eucalyptus will affect the trees stability during high winds
and is not recommended. In addition, it cannot be determined whether or not a standard
sidewalk can be constructed at the locations where no apparent damage exists until the
existing sidewalk is removed. Therefore, if the City Council elects to salvage the existing
Eucalyptus trees, it is staffs recommendation that the new sidewalk improvements be
eliminated within the limits of the existing Eucalyptus trees.
Another issue is that the spacing of the existing Eucalyptus trees is not uniform. For
example, between Ivar Avenue and Rosemead Boulevard there are only two Eucalyptus
trees on the south side and one Eucalyptus tree on the north side of Valley Boulevard.
The final result will not be as shown in the exhibit along the entire corridor. It must also
be determined what will be planted to fill in the areas between the existing trees and at the
east and west ends of the corridor where there are not any existing Eucalyptus trees.
SHRUB ONLY ALTERNATIVE
Another alternative discussed at the last City Council meeting was to eliminate all the trees
along the corridor. Planters would be installed along the street with shrubs and ground
cover. This advantage of this alternative is that it will provide maximum sign visibility. The
disadvantage is the shrubs and ground cover will not provide relief from sun and glare and
does not provide a pleasant skyline visually.
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April 15, 1997
Page 3
SWEETSHADE STREETSCAPE
The Sweetshade or large tree alternative will create the most "green" to the skyline and
provide the greatest relief from sun and glare. However, creating the most "green" also
has the negativeeffect of reducing visibility of signage along the street. The visibility can
be controlled to an extent by thinning the tree limbs until the trees are tall enough to be
above the sign level. The large tree alternative also has the greatest potential for future
concrete damage from the roots. It should be noted that the type of large tree can be
changed, such as the Eucalyptus trees that were planted along Garvey Avenue.
PALM STREETSCAPE
The palm trees are similar to the large tree alternative in that they provide "green" to the
corridor skyline. The advantage of the palm is the root system will have less impact on the
concrete and provides better sign visibility than other large trees. The disadvantage is that
palms require more frequent pruning than other trees and they will not provide much relief
from sun and glare. Another concern with the palm tree alternative is how it will blend with
the existing on-site landscaping along the corridor.
SMALL TREE STREETSCAPE
The small tree concept does not provide for the "green" skyline or the relief from sun and
glare of the large tree alternative. The advantage is that it does provide moderate sign
visibility and has low potential for damage to the surrounding concrete.
As mentioned above, the species of tree or shrub can be changed in any of the
alternatives. Staff is seeking the Council's input on the preliminary concepts to determine
how to proceed with the design of the project.
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