A. Minimum Plant Sizes: The following are minimum plant sizes for all required landscape areas:
TABLE 13.77.101
Type Of Tree | Minimum Size |
Coniferous tree | 6 foot height |
Ornamental tree | 2 inch caliper |
Shade tree | 2 inch caliper |
Woody shrubs | 2 gallon size container |
B. Plant Species: Plant species proven adaptable to the local climate should be used in all landscaping plans.
C. Tree Preservation: Wherever possible, existing significant trees as defined in section 13.04.040 of this title should be preserved.
1. Preliminary plans shall show all significant trees within the proposed development and the associated limits of disturbance for each significant tree(s).
2. No construction, grading, equipment or material storage or any other activity shall be allowed within the limits of disturbance established for all significant trees.
a. Within the limits of disturbance, fencing, at a minimum, should be placed around each significant tree and around stands of twelve (12) or more smaller trees a distance equal to the size of the individual or outermost tree's drip zone.
b. For purposes of this subsection, the drip zone is calculated by measuring the diameter of the tree at breast height. Every inch of tree trunk diameter equates to one foot (1') of drip zone.
c. Fencing shall remain in place until all land alteration, construction, and development activities are completed.
3. If it is necessary to fill over the root zone, compacted soils shall be avoided by sandwiching fabric, rocks and more fabric under the area to be filled.
4. Fill placed directly on the roots shall not exceed a maximum of six inches (6") in depth.
5. If fill creates a tree well or depression around a tree or shrubs, such area shall be drained so that the vegetation is not drowned by the pooling of rainfall or irrigation.
6. If a tree's roots must be cut, the branches shall be trimmed by an amount equal to the percent of roots that were lost. Roots shall be pruned cleanly prior to digging and not ripped off by heavy equipment. Cutting more than thirty percent (30%) of the roots endangers the health of the tree, and over forty percent (40%) affects the tree's stability.
7. Utility trenches near trees should be avoided. If a line must be near a tree, tunneling, auguring, or other mitigation measures shall be used.
D. Planting Areas: A minimum of fifty percent (50%) of the required landscaped area shall be planted with live plant materials. The remaining fifty percent (50%) may consist of permeable hardscape improvements as allowed by subsection 13.77.040D of this chapter. (Ord. 2013-22, 9-5-2013)