hickory cluster: trees

Updated July 27, 2023 ... click on images to enlarge

Not an endorsement or guarantee.

TREE ACTION PLAN

Along with world class Goodman building and landscape architecture, trees greatly enhance Hickory Cluster quality of life and property values. But as we saw during recent storms, even beautiful trees create risks for people and property. So how should Hickory Cluster manage risk created by more than 500 trees scattered throughout 18 acres?

Professionals tell us we should take reasonable steps to monitor those trees. And that we should take prompt action when we become aware of tree problems. The Hickory Cluster Board of Directors is doing just that.

During approved Phase 1 that started August 2011 and is still in process, tree professionals surveyed the Cluster several times and identified a number of trees exhibiting higher than typical risk. It’s a challenge because not all trees with problems create such risk.

These higher risk trees are now being prioritized and budgeted for removal, tentatively before January 1, 2013, after their leaves have fallen, before heavy snowfall, and to take advantage of off-season discounted rates.

Compared to the more than 100 trees scheduled for removal as part of the much-delayed Stream Restoration project, the Board has identified about 30 higher risk trees during Phase 1 so far. We have already removed several dead or otherwise higher risk trees since December 2011, including some downed by 2012 storms.

We must apply for and receive RA Design Review Board approval to remove live trees. That takes additional time. Tree photos, locations, descriptions, and status are posted below.

During proposed Phase 2 starting in 2013, we hope to identify trees that may actually be at risk but don’t exhibit obvious signs. We also plan to identify and remove other potentially higher risk trees while they are still small, less risky, and less expensive.

During proposed Phase 3 starting in 2014, we hope to start the process over again and pro-actively manage life cycle tree risk on an annual basis.

To better understand why a clusterwide Tree Action Plan is important to reduce risk and possible harm to residents, guests, passersby, property, and HCA, see the following recent newspaper articles:
New York Times, May 14, 2012
Washington Post, November 2, 2012
Washington Post, November 18, 2012
Washington Post, September 15, 2007

NOTE: The linked images below may not display properly when using Microsoft Internet Explorer v8. They display property using MS IE v10 or Google Chrome.

PHASE 1 STATUS: HIGHER RISK TREES

During Phase 1, professional tree experts independently identified the following trees during several clusterwide surveys, near the following Hickory Cluster addresses, as posing higher risks to people or property.

To reduce this risk, HCA and RA DRB authorized removal of the following trees:

2012 WORK COMPLETED
11508/10 Maple Ridge 1 ... REMOVED

2013 WORK COMPLETED

11500 Maple Ridge 1A 1B ... REMOVED

11599 Maple Ridge 4A ... REMOVED

11587 Maple Ridge 5B 5C ... REMOVED

11557/61 Maple Ridge 6A ... REMOVED

11565 Maple Ridge 6B ... REMOVED

11512 Hickory Cluster 6C ... REMOVED

11526 Maple Ridge 7A 7B ... REMOVED
11510 Maple Ridge 8A ... REMOVED
11555 Maple Ridge 9A ... REMOVED
11547 Maple Ridge 9C ... REMOVED

11543 Hickory Cluster 10A ... REMOVED

11540 Hickory Cluster 11ABC ... REMOVED
11505 Hickory Cluster 12A ... REMOVED

11501 Hickory Cluster 13A ... REMOVED

11506 Hickory Cluster 14A ... REMOVED

PHASE 1 STATUS: NUISANCE TREES

The following Hickory Cluster trees have also been identified as nuisances causing damage to cluster and/or personal property because they are diseased or damaged, or because of excessive size or growth habit, undesirable litter, or invasive roots.

To reduce this damage and larger future expenses, HCA and RA DRB have authorized treatment, and/or pruning, and/or removal of the following trees as funding allows after removal of trees identified as higher risks to people or property:

2012 WORK COMPLETED
11543/45/75/81/87 Maple Ridge 5 ... REMOVED
11501 Maple Ridge 2C ... TRIMMED

2013 WORK COMPLETED
11555/57 Maple Ridge 4 ... REMOVED
11539/55/61/69 Maple Ridge 2 3B ... TRIMMED
11543 Hickory Cluster ... leaning and dead trees ... REMOVED
11565 Maple Ridge ... stump in drain channel ... REMOVED
Pond footbridge area ... large downed trees .. REMOVED
Various hanging dead branches ... REMOVED
11555/61/69 Maple Ridge 3B ... TREATED

2013 WORK AUTHORIZED & PENDING
11539 Maple Ridge 3A ... pests/disease treatment

PHASE 2 POSSIBLE INITIAL SCOPE

HIGHER RISK TREES: PENDING HCA AND DRB APPROVALS

North Shore Drive 1A 1B 1C 1D 1E 1F 1G 1H

HIGHER RISK TREES SPECIFIC: PENDING INSPECTION, ESTIMATE, APPROVAL
11561 Maple Ridge ... rear floodplain-saturated tree near home, path
11563 Maple Ridge ... rear floodplain-saturated tree near home, path
11565 Maple Ridge ... rear damaged tree near path
11579 Maple Ridge ... rear leaning tree
11593 Maple Ridge ... rear damaged tree
11599 Maple Ridge ... side/rear, possible higher risk
11501 Hickory Cluster ... rear large declining slope tree near home
11546 Hickory Cluster ... rear large declining slope tree near home, path

HIGHER RISK TREES GENERAL: PENDING IDENTIFICATION
Dead trees near paths, cars, homes
Live trees, old, large, tall, near homes
Live trees weakened by substantially-dead trunks, limbs
Live trees weakened by other damage or structural defects
Live trees weakened by rain runoff-saturated or floodplain root bases
Live trees weakened by slopes, including streambeds
Live, tall evergreen trees with weak shallow roots
Live, small weakened trees that will grow large, costly

NUISANCE TREES & MORE: PENDING ESTIMATE, APPROVAL
11591 Maple Ridge 5A
Clusterwide tree branches brushing homes ... need inspection, estimate
Clusterwide tree hanging dead branches ... need inspection, estimate
Clusterwide clear pad transformer areas ... need inspection, estimate
Clusterwide bamboo removal ... need inspection, estimate