(A) All plant material shall comply with the provisions set forth by the American Standard for Nursery Stock, ANSI (most recent edition) (http://www.anla.ord/).
(B) Plant material used in conformance with the provisions of this chapter shall be selected to provide:
(1) Climate hardiness of plant material.
(2) High disease resistance and stress tolerance.
(3) Adaptability of proposed plant material to the particular microclimate (sun, shade, dry or wet soils, etc.) in which it is to be located.
(4) Inclusion of native plant material where appropriate.
(5) Select plants for drought tolerance.
(6) Overall year round ornamental effect.
(7) Conformance with Best Management Practices (BMPs).
(C) Plant material shall be healthy, free of insects and diseases, physical damage (bark bruises, cracked branches, scrapes, etc.), and exhibit a straight central leader when applicable.
(D) Unless otherwise specified, minimum size requirements for plant materials at time of planting are as follows:
(1) Overstory trees: 2.5" caliper and 6' clear of branches.
(2) Understory and ornamental trees:
(a) Single trunk – 2" caliper;
(b) Multi trunk – 6' height.
(3) Evergreen trees: 6' height.
(4) Large shrubs: 36" height
(5) Small shrubs: 18" – 24" height.
(E) The caliper of the trunk shall be measured six inches above the ground for plants with calipers of four inch or less and 12 inches above the ground for larger sizes.
(F) The use of stone, rock, or gravel as a ground cover is discouraged unless used as a decorative accent or as part of an appropriate landscape concept.
(Ord. 1565, passed 4-1-96; Am. Ord. 2341, passed 12-18-06) Penalty, see § 158.99