(A) Number of rows. Two or more rows of trees or three or more rows of trees and shrubs combined shall be required.
(B) Spacing of rows.
(1) Between shrub rows: seven feet;
(2) Between conifers and small broad leaf trees: ten feet; and
(3) Between large broad leaf trees: 13 feet.
(C) Distance between dissimilar rows of plantings. When between-row spacing requirements are different due to dissimilar plantings row to row, the greater space requirement shall prevail.
(D) Distance between plantings within rows.
(1) Shrubs: three to ten feet (depending on species).
(2) Conifers and small broad leaved trees: ten to 13 feet (depending on species).
(3) Large broad leaved trees: ten to 13 feet (depending on species).
(E) Offset of planting from row to row. Individual plantings of any row will be staggered from those in an adjacent row such that the most effective screening is achieved for the species utilized.
(F) Selection of species.
(1) Fifty percent of the plantings shall be coniferous and they shall be evenly distributed throughout the running length of the buffer strip, unless soil would limit their use.
(2) The county soil survey shall be the accepted reference for the soil type in the selection of compatible species.
(3) Only one species will be utilized in any given row, except where a change in soil type dictates a change in species.
(4) The selection of species from row to row, based on plant characteristics for rate of growth, mature height, mature width, and density shall be made to maximize the achievement of an effective visual screen.
(5) Replacement and protection of trees and shrubs required plantings within a buffer strip shall be maintained and cared for to ensure their survival with special attention to preventive measures to minimize rodent damage to young trees and shrubs during hard winter months. Planting lost to insects, disease, or severe weather shall be replaced within eight months of their loss.
(G) Minimum plant sizes.
(1) Shrubs and conifers shall be a minimum of three feet in height.
(2) Small and large broad-leaved trees shall be a minimum of six feet in height.
(Ord. 85-1, passed 5-8-1985)