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Letter to Mike Fulford Hort Science, Inc. Deodar cedar trees, 4189 Stanley Blvd. Page 2 At least two branch failures were evident on the northeast side of the crown. Both failures were out from the branch attachment to the trunk. A hanger was present over the east driveway. This could fall to the ground at any time. Tree #62 This 40" diameter tree was the source of most of the failed branches. The base was normal in appearance. The tree had either been topped or lost the central leader at 35' to 40'. As a result, 7 lateral branches sweep upright. Some are more vertical than others. On the west side of the crown, several small diameter branches had poor taper. The very top of the crown was flat- topped, perhaps due to topping. Several horizontally oriented lateral branches arose at this point. In the center of the crown, best seen ,., %M,, • from the east driveway, a vertical stem t'a' .r • broke approximately 10' above its ! ` 6 point of attachment (Photo 2, red is arrow). This stem now lacks any ^ i ` `, }. � i� branches and foliage. An east - facing „ %, 4 1 lateral branch over the driveway also ` 1 failed, leaving a 1" lateral as the only �'M live foliage. There had also been a �j s �, `L j' failure on a north - facing stem, away r , from the attachment. •. , y:.� , I' Photo 2. Close -up of east side of the .4 \` , j , / ,c crown of tree #62 -a . } tlft A. Or ►w As a result of the branch failures, the east side of the crown was open and relatively branchless. In contrast, the west side was full and dense. Tree #63 Located at the north end of the planter area, this r,' '. , tree had a trunk diameter of 431/4". Overall tree a� height was less than trees #61 and 62. The crown was formed by three upright stems (Photo 1 ` t ' ' ' 3). There was no central leader and the crown ' • was flat at the top. Branches in the upper crown 4 were vertical in orientation while those in the lower crown were horizontal or pendant. At • r ; ,;� -r • least two branches, 6" and 10" in diameter, had ! '� failed (Photo 3, red arrows). Photo 3. View of crown of tree #63. .,. Summary , F.. a r! The three Deodar cedars were mature in development with good overall vigor. Structural �y condition of all three trees has been j y£ ,, compromised by the history of pruning, including 01 , topping. As a result, each tree possessed f.t 1 • defects in structure that would increase the likelihood of branch failure.