§ 153.285 GUIDE FOR PROTECTING EXISTING TREES.

   (A)    Section 153.253 provides for the retention and protection of regulated trees when land is developed.

   (B)   To improve the chances of survival of existing trees, the following guidelines have been established:

      (1)   Protect trees with fencing and armoring during the entire construction period in accordance with § 153.290;

      (2)   Avoid compaction of the soil around existing trees due to heavy equipment. Do not pile dirt or other building materials and equipment in the critical root zone of the tree;

      (3)   Keep fires or other sources of extreme heat well clear of existing trees; and

      (4)   Injured trees must be thoroughly watered during the ensuing growing year.

(Ord. passed 4-9-2013; Ord. 2021-03, passed 6-8-2021)

§ 153.286 STANDARDS FOR STREET AND PARKING LOT TREES.

   (A)   Trees planted in compliance with the requirements of §§ 153.255 and 153.256 shall have most or all of the following qualities.

   (B)   The trees recommended in § 153.290 represent the best combinations of these characteristics:

      (1)   Hardiness;

      (2)   Resistance to extreme temperatures;

      (3)   Resistance to drought;

      (4)   Resistance to storm damage;

      (5)   Resistance to air pollution;

      (6)   Resistance to insects and disease;

      (7)   Ability to survive physical damage from human activity;

      (8)   Foliage and branching;

      (9)   Wide-spreading habit; and

      (10)   Relatively dense foliage for maximum shading.

(Ord. passed 4-9-2013; Ord. 2021-03, passed 6-8-2021)

§ 153.287 TYPICAL PARKING LOT PLANTING ISLANDS.

(Ord. passed 4-9-2013; Ord. 2021-03, passed 6-8-2021)

§ 153.288 GUIDE FOR PLANTING TREES.

   (A)   The trees recommended in § 153.290 have minimal maintenance requirements. However, all trees must receive a certain degree of care, especially during and immediately after planting.

   (B)   To protect an investment in new trees, the developer should ensure that the following guidelines are followed when planting:

      (1)   The best times for planting are early spring and early fall. Trees planted in the summer run the risk of dehydration.

      (2)   Plant all trees at least three and one-half feet from the end of head-in parking spaces to prevent damage from car overhangs.

      (3)   Provide a no work zone around the tree to prevent damage to the plant and compaction of the soil.

      (4)   In digging a tree pit, excavate to a depth that approximates the height of the root ball. The top of the root ball should be level with or slightly above grade.

      (5)   The width of the tree pit should be no less than twice the diameter of the root ball.

      (6)   The bottom of the tree pit should be undisturbed soil.

      (7)   Spread at least three inches of mulch over the entire excavation in order to retain moisture and keep down weeds. This layer of mulch should be pulled away from the trunk of the tree to prevent rot.

(Ord. passed 4-9-2013; Ord. 2021-03, passed 6-8-2021)

§ 153.289 GUIDE FOR PLANTING SHRUBS.

   (A)   Shrubs planted for screening purposes should be given a proper culture and sufficient room in which to grow. Many of the guidelines for tree planting listed in § 153.288 also apply to shrubs. However, because specific requirements vary considerably between shrub types, this subchapter does not attempt to generalize the needs of all shrubs.

   (B)   For detailed information on individual plant species refer to:

      (1)   Dirr, Michael A. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation, and Use. Champaign, Illinois: Stipes Publishing Company, 1990 (revised edition); and

      (2)   Whitcomb, Carl E., Ph.D. Know It and Grow It: A Guide to the Identification and Use of Landscape Plants in the Southern States. Tulsa, Oklahoma: Oil Capital Printing Company, 1978.

(Ord. passed 4-9-2013; Ord. 2021-03, passed 6-8-2021)