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LTC 241-2024 Hazardous Calophyllum Removal at 911 Meridian AvenueMIAMI BEACH OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER LTC# LETTER TO COMMISSION TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Honorable Mayor Steven Meiner and Members of the City Commission Rickelle Williams, Interim City Manager~~ -f'or June 12, 2024 Hazardous Calophyllum Removal at 911 Meridian Avenue The purpose of this Letter to Commission is to advise that a Calophyllum (Brazilian beauty leaf tree) has been found to be in a hazardous health condition in the right-of-way adjacent to 911 Meridian Avenue (Exhibit A). The following provides a brief overview regarding the health of the tree and plans for removal and replacement. The Calophyllums in South Beach are a cherished part of the City's tree canopy. The health of a tree located adjacent to 911 Meridian Avenue has sadly declined and requires removal. Unfortunately, the tree's condition cannot be remedied by pruning nor other means. The main issue is evident on the trunk of the tree, which has a large section of trunk with the heartwood exposed (Exhibit B). Heartwood is interior wood typically underneath sapwood and bark. This is a somewhat common feature on Calophyllums along Meridian Avenue; however, the exposed heartwood has begun to rot on this tree. The tree also presents a drastically heavy lean over the street to the West, opposite the decaying exposed heartwood (Exhibit C). The absence of sapwood combined with decayed heartwood at the base of the trunk results in less available holding wood (healthy wood without its strength compromised) opposite the heavy lean. The tree was also sounded (struck with a mallet to detect changes in sound which can indicate interior cavities) and appears to have hollow areas of the trunk, increasing the tree's risk. A final contributing factor to the declining health is the tree has active termites. These issues combine to elevate the risk rating of the tree to an unacceptable level given its location in the right-of-way. The decline may be the result of past storms and pruning as Calophyllums do not appear to heal well from pruning large-diameter limbs. Over time, the tree was unable to compartmentalize the wound to the lower trunk and decay set in. Compartmentalizing is the process of blocking off the wound so pathogens or rot cannot spread. The decayed wound is attractive to termites, compounding the health issue. Unfortunately, in light of the compounded health issues, there is no remedy other than tree removal as the decay cannot be reversed and the issue cannot be pruned out. This condition is also evidenced by a TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification) report conducted on two additional Calophyllums along Meridian Avenue, and these additional trees will be monitored. The Public Works Department's Greenspace Management Division will perform the removal of the tree and the Environment and Sustainability Department's Urban Forestry Division will replace the Calophyllum with the same species later this year. Please contact Amy Knowles, Chief Resilience Officer, at AmyKnowles@miamibeachfl.gov for any additional informational needs regarding this memorandum. Additionally, Ander Alvarez, Urban Forester, can provide additional information with respect to the health of the tree and public safety considerations at AnderAlvarez@miamibeachfl.gov. w&%6ki 241-2024 Exhibit A: Location map of the declined Calophyllum. Exhibit B: Photographs of the exposed heartwood and hazardous health condition of the Calophyllum. Exhibit C: Streetview demonstrating the Calophyllum's heavy lean to the West.