The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutDRB130176 PE Lettert. boyle engineering, inc. D 1650 e. vail valley drive fallridge unit c -2 vail, colorado 81657 (970) 476 -2170 fax (970) 476 -4383 June 14, 2013 Jeff Brown JAB Management, LLC 450 E. Lionshead Circle Vail, Colorado 81657 Subject: Existing Pine Tree Southeast Corner of Building I Treetops Condominiums 450 E. Lionshead Circle Vail, Colorado Dear Jeff, At your request I have inspected the area around the southeast corner of Building I at the Treetops Condominiums. The purpose of this inspection was to assess the damage to planter walls and sidewalks in the area from the root system of the large pine tree adjacent to the southeast corner of the building. This is a summary of my findings. The tree is immediately adjacent to the building, and grows from a raised soil bed that is retained by the building on two sides and by wood crib walls on two sides. The cribbing has been distorted by the root system of the tree, and it has pulled away from the building on the west side. Concrete sidewalks exist on the south and west sides of the building. These walks have experienced a considerable amount of heave and cracking from the tree's root system. There is a differential of approximately 1" at a couple of the cracks, which has created a tripping hazard. The bottom of footings for the foundation in this corner are approximately 48" below the finished grade. I would expect that given the size of this tree, the root system has extended well below these adjacent footings. This could create a structural problem in the future. A massive root system such as this one can potentially cause settlement and/or heave under the building's footings. The forces generated by the root system are apparent when observing the movement in the adjacent concrete walks and planter box. In order to preserve the integrity of the foundation for this portion of the building, I would recommend that this tree be removed. Although I am not a mechanical engineer, I know that root systems can also cause considerable damage to plumbing in the area. There is a real possibility of a rupture in a water or gas line in the area if this root system causes movement in the building's foundation. This completes my assessment of this situation. Feel free to give me a call if you have any questions or comments regarding this matter.