SUMMARY

Shade And Vegetation Assessment

On Austin Gardens

Conclusions:
Based on the data reviewed from the shade projections, the dynamic movement
of the shading on the site during growing season, visual assessments in the field,
and literature citations on species tolerances, the proposed Albion residential
project will not adversely affect the Austin Gardens plant system.
The natural woodlands (native trees) on the north portion of the park are not
affected by the proposed development.
The proposed development would only effect 11 trees during the growing
season which are already considered to be in fair or worse condition due current
and past conditions such as poor spacing, site disturbance, and suppression from
adjacent plantings pre-dating the Vantage development.
Based on hourly measurements, approximately 97% of the trees in Austin
Gardens will receive 9 hours or greater of direct sunlight during the growing
season.
Shadow Studies hour-by-hour from March September in 2D format are
provided in the report; 3D Shadow studies are being produced to demonstrate
the effects do not affect full trees on 97% of Austin Gardens.

Analysis:
Because of the dimension and configurations of the fixed structure and the
increasingly higher elevation the sun achieves during the subject months, and
the position of the sun at sunup and sunset, shade placement in the Park is
varied in its duration and location.
To accurately measure shade, six reference points were established in Austin
Gardens:
o Points 1 and 2 assigned to the southwest and southeast corners of the
park
o Points 3, 4 and 5 assigned on a west/east axis in the center of the park
o Point 6 center of the woodland
A table was created to show all six datum points monthly between March
September (Growing Season)
o March Albion Development was projected to have no shade effect on
approximately 80% of the Park over the course of the day. The effect on
the remaining 20% is not homogenous, but intermittent at different
times in the day.
o April Albion Development was projected to have no shade effect on
approximately 90% of the Park over the course of the day. The effect on
the remaining 10% is not homogenous, but intermittent at different
times in the day.
 o May Albion Development was projected to have no shade effect on
approximately 95% of the Park over the course of the day. The effect on
the remaining 5% is not homogenous, but intermittent at different times
in the day.
o June Albion Development was projected to have no shade effect on
approximately 97% of the Park over the course of the day. The effect on
the remaining 3% is not homogenous, but intermittent at different times
in the day.
o July Albion Development was projected to have no shade effect on
approximately 95% of the Park over the course of the day. The effect on
the remaining 5% is not homogenous, but intermittent at different times
in the day.
o August Albion Development was projected to have no shade effect on
approximately 90% of the Park over the course of the day. The effect on
the remaining 10% is not homogenous, but intermittent at different
times in the day.
o September Albion Development was projected to have no shade effect
on approximately 80% of the Park over the course of the day. The effect
on the remaining 20% is not homogenous, but intermittent at different
times in the day.

Observations and Methodology:
Performed a site visit on February 28, 2017
Visited Austin Gardens Park to understand the general locations of vegetation
and infrastructure throughout the Park
Confirms the park size of about four acres
Separated the park in to three areas of analysis for shade (south, central, north)
o South
Mix of urban landscape trees ranging in condition from Good to Poor
All trees in the south portion are considered non-native too the
woodland found in the north portion of the park
Some species to actually be found invasive in Illinois
Fair to poor condition of the several trees is directly related to the
overcrowding and diverse growth habits
Main Norway Maple in the far southeast corner has a significant
cavity in the trunk and rated poor due to its decay
11 trees in the southeast region receive shade based on 2D shadow
diagrams shared
o Central
Mix of dense plantings at both the east and west portions of the park
and area of turf in the center
Includes four large bur oaks
Condition range from good to excellent
o North
 Enclosed woodland
Maintained as a wildflower and natural area
Good condition
Shade Projection
o Important to realize how shade projections are viewed
o In plan view (2D), a shadow that encompasses half of a tree might not
actually affect the crown of the tree due to how the shade is projected
downward. In an example shown in the report, proves that a shadow most
likely needs to extend beyond the tree to fully enclose a tree in shade.
Sun Orientation
o Facts are laid out about the suns orientation and how the Earths movement
moves the shadow slightly everyday.
Tolerance of Austin Gardens Trees
o Tolerance refers to a trees ability to compete for resources (light, nutrients,
water, aerial space, and root space).

Credentials:
Report created by Mark Duntemann owner of Natural Path Urban Forestry
Consultants
Natural Path Urban Forestry Consultants originated in Oak Park, IL in 1988
Services includes tree risk assessments, tree preservation, tree valuation and
expert witness testimony in tree-related fatality and injury cases
About Mark:
o Bachelors of Science in Forestry; Masters of Science in Urban Forestry
o International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Board-Certified Master
Arborist (RM-131BM)
o Holds an ISA tree assessment qualification (TRAQ), tree assessment
certification from UK based Arboricultural Association
o ISA Instructor; ISA representative to seven-member, council of trees and
landscape appraisers (CLTA)
o President of the Illinois Arborist Association
o Governor-appointed chair of the Urban Needs Task Group for the Illinois
Council on Forestry Development
Recent familiarity with Oak Park - In 2013, Natural Path conducted an
assessment and mapping of remnant, large-diameter oaks on public and private
property in Oak Park. This civic engagement was intended to inform
stakeholders of the cultural and ecologic significance of these remnant trees as
well as the steward role each property owner had in managing the dwindling
population.

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