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ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS <br /> WlLapai J.MCA00 P.O.BOX 8181 Osfics: (919)245R615 <br /> Diki HMLSBOROUGH VC 24778 Pax: (919)6443016 <br /> To: John Link,County Manager <br /> Fmm: Wilbert McAdoo, Public Works Director <br /> CC: Rod Vleseh Assistant Manager <br /> January 26,2002 <br /> In the summer of 2000,Orange County Public Works staff determined that a thorough <br /> assessment and evaluation of the twelve maple trees surrounding the Richard E.Worried <br /> Human Services(REWHS) building located at Wit West Tryon St.in Hillsborough. N was <br /> warranted due to serious health and safety concerns (.a., risk M falling limbs). The Imes <br /> predate the County's acquisition of the building in 1975—exad figures on their ages are <br /> unknown. At that Ome,the observed condition of several of the trees indicated the possibility for <br /> loss of limbs, a particular concert during periods of severe weather when accompanied by high <br /> winds. Until recently, 5large sugar maples have bounded Me front of the property, near the <br /> nealning wall, while 0 red maples have bounded the east side of the building,mashooking a <br /> busy parking lot. However,the Public Works Departments concerts with Me trees were <br /> recently heightened wren a red maple located on the east side of the building fell down during a <br /> fairly typical storm In Onobarof 2001. Nthough no one was injured some property damage did <br /> occur, and Me risk of personal injury to County residers or staff Is a major concern. <br /> As you are aware, REWHS houses County departments and agencies providing a variety of <br /> services to County leaders, including beat and social services. As such, it experiences a <br /> constant irrflux of visitors, many of whom are young families, disabled or elderly. In November <br /> of 2001, Public Works staff contracted in an evaluation of each tree from Dr. James R. <br /> McGraw, Professor of Forestry and Extension Urban Forestry SperJanst war Me North Carolina <br /> CoopereEve Extension SeMce at NC Stara University. <br /> Unfortunately, Dr. McGraw confirmed many of Public Work's concerns with the properys <br /> remaining eleven trees. He stated in a letter dated Dec.5,2001,(Attachment 1),'An executive <br /> summary of nny examination of these eleven trees is: tree 42,#3,#5,#6,#E and #12 need to <br />