1. General Landscaping Requirements.
A. Landscape buffers may contain deciduous and evergreen trees, shrubs, groundcovers, berms, fences or a combination of these features, for the purposes of separating one land use from another land use or to shield or block lights, noise or visual impacts and/or to preserve the natural landscape of Springfield Township.
B. No structures, buildings, storage of materials, or parking shall be permitted in the buffer area unless specifically approved by the Board of Supervisors. Access driveways may cross buffer areas in order to connect the street with a parking area or driveway outside the buffer area. Trails and sidewalks may be located within a required buffer when authorized by the Board of Supervisors provided that the required planting is not diminished. Stormwater management basins and grading required for basin berms/slopes constructed as part of a stormwater management plan shall not be permitted in a required buffer unless specifically approved by the Board of Supervisors.
C. Where vegetation exists that meet the objectives and planting standards of the buffer requirements, it shall be preserved and may be used to meet the buffer and planting requirements. Photo documentation of the existing vegetated condition must be submitted for review. Quantities, size, species, genus, and locations of existing materials must be shown on the plans and verified by the Township. Where the Township allows existing vegetation to be counted toward meeting the buffer requirements, including berm requirements of this Ordinance, the vegetation shall not be removed except for dead plants, or exotic invasive species, and noxious weeds as defined by Act 72 of 1994, as amended. Additional plantings shall be required if the existing vegetation is not adequate to meet the buffer standards for density, width, or size. The vegetation shall be protected by recorded plan note to ensure that it remains as a part of the subdivision or land development.
D. Any plant material which does not survive, exhibits poor growth habits, is diseased, is missing, or is damaged by deer or natural causes within 18 months from the date of acceptance by the Township, or 18 months following installation of replacement landscape material, whichever is greater, shall be replaced by the developer.
E. Financial security shall be posted with the Township in an amount equal to the estimated cost of the trees and plantings to be released 18 months from Township acceptance of the installation or installation of replacement trees pursuant to subsection 1.D above.
F. Prior to acceptance of street tree installation/replacement and prior to acceptance of the 18-month maintenance period, all street trees must be pruned to provide a clear zone of 7 feet above the sidewalk (if existing) and curb. Tree branches shall be pruned in accordance with the standards of the Tree Care Industry Association (formerly the National Arborist Association).
G. All plant material shall be protected from deer damage. Any material damaged by deer prior to Township acceptance and/or completion of a maintenance period must be replaced by the developer.
H. All plantings shall be able to survive soot, gas fumes and salt. Trees which have low growing branches, gum or moisture which may drop on vehicles; or blossoms, thorns, seeds or pods which may clog drainage facilities, shall not be installed adjacent to streets, parking lots, sidewalks, pedestrian paths, and drainage facilities.
2. Plant Material Specifications.
A. Names of plants shall agree with the nomenclature of Standard Plant Names, as adopted by the American Joint Committee on Horticulture Nomenclature, 1942 edition, as amended; size and grading standards shall conform to those specified by the American Association of Nurserymen in the latest edition of the USDA Standards for Nursery Stock. No substitutions shall be permitted except by written permission of the Township.
B. All plants shall be typical of their species or variety and shall have normal, well-developed branches and vigorous fibrous root systems. All plants shall be nursery-grown unless otherwise stated and shall have been growing under the same climate conditions as Springfield Township for at least 2 years prior to the date of planting. Written verification of nursery/location shall be provided to the Township for approval prior to installation. All plants which are found unsuitable in growth or condition or which are not true to name shall be removed and replaced with acceptable plants. No plants with trunk damage or scarring shall be permitted to be installed. All nursery installed trunk wrapping must be removed at the time of installation to permit inspection of the trunk condition.
C. Preparation of Plants. All precautions customary in good trade practice shall be taken in preparing plants for moving. All balled and burlapped plants shall be dug to meet or exceed the USDA Standards for Nursery Stock.
D. Delivery. Plants shall be packed, transported, and handled with the utmost care to ensure adequate protection against injury.
E. Pruning. Each plant shall be pruned to preserve the natural character of the plant in a manner appropriate to the particular requirements. Branches should be thinned by approximately 25 percent by removal of crossing, damaged, or competing limbs back to the major crotch. The leader is to be left intact. Pruning shall comply with ANSI A300 Tree Pruning Best Management Practices (Revised 2008).
F. Required plant material shall meet the genus, species, and minimum size requirements as specified in the Township’s Plant List contained in Appendix “E” of this Ordinance.
G. Installation.
(1) All street trees and buffer trees to be installed shall be balled and burlapped in accordance with American Association of Nurserymen Standards. The ball depth shall be not less than 60 percent of the ball diameter, and in all cases, contain the maximum of the fibrous roots of the tree. The following standards shall apply:
Caliper | Minimum Ball Diameter |
2½ to 3 inches | 28 inches |
3 to 3½ inches | 32 inches |
3½ to 4 inches | 36 inches |
4 to 5 inches | 44 inches |
5 to 6 inches | 54 inches |
(2) Excavated plant pits shall be a minimum 2 feet wider than the ball size.
(3) Backfill mix for the excavated plant pit area shall be composed of topsoil, compost, or other recommended material.
(4) Trees shall be supported in accordance with American National Standards (ANSI) A 300 requirements. Tree guying shall be removed 1 year after planting.
(5) If used, tree wrapping paper shall not be installed prior to delivery to the project site. All tree wrapping material shall be removed 1 year after planting.
(6) All plantings shall be mulched to a depth of 3 inches in a 6-foot diameter ring around the base of each tree or continuous beds if trees or shrubs are less than 6 feet apart.
3. Street Landscaping.
A. Trees within the right-of-way of a Township street shall not be removed without Township approval except within the clear sight triangle, or removal of invasive species, dead trees, or trees determined by the Township to be in poor health.
B. Street trees shall be planted along all existing and proposed streets within any land development or major subdivision where suitable street trees do not exist. Street trees shall not be required for a minor subdivision. Trees shall not be planted opposite each other but shall alternate.
C. Street trees shall be planted within the street right-of-way except where the Township agrees suitable trees are already in place. (Refer Appendix “A,” “Typical Roadway Half-Section.”)
D. Street trees shall be selected and coordinated to provide adequate separation from overhead and underground utilities. (Refer Appendix “E.”)
E. “Medium to large” street trees shall be planted at intervals of not more than 40 feet “Small” street trees shall be planted at intervals not to exceed 30 feet. (Refer Appendix “E.”)
F. Existing streets within the AD, RP, and RR Zoning Districts shall be landscaped in a “naturalistic” manner with material/quantity subject to approval by the Township.
G. Street trees shall meet the following standards:
(1) At the time of planting, medium to large street trees shall have a trunk diameter of not less than 3 inches measured 6 inches above grade; small street trees shall have a trunk diameter of not less than 2.5 inches measured 6 inches above grade.
(2) Branching Height. The height of branching shall bear a relationship to the size, species, and location of the tree. Trees selected for street tree use between curb and sidewalk shall have a minimum clearance height of 7 feet above grade before branching begins.
4. Landscaping of Parking Areas. Any subdivision or land development application that includes an off-street parking facility shall propose landscaping of all such facilities. An off-street parking facility includes the designated parking areas and any appurtenant surfaced areas upon which a vehicle is designed to maneuver, including, but not limited to, all parking stalls, loading areas, driveways, and areas for maneuvering. Every off-street parking facility shall be landscaped so that 50 percent of each facility will be shaded with trees based upon the anticipated tree crowns at maturity. Development of such canopy shall be in accordance with the following:
A. The amount of facility that will be shaded at maturity shall be determined by using the appropriate percentage of the crown based upon whether the tree is a medium to large tree or small tree as included within the Deciduous Tree List (Refer Appendix “E” of this Ordinance), and on their location relative to the parking facility. A 35-foot diameter crown shall be utilized for trees included on the Medium to Large Deciduous Tree List; a 20-foot diameter crown shall be utilized for trees included on the Small Tree Deciduous List.
B. Trees not included on the Medium to Large Deciduous Tree List or Small Deciduous Tree List may be used as parking lot shade trees, if approved by the Township. No one species shall comprise more than 25 percent of the total number of parking lot trees.
C. Trees (existing trees to be preserved and proposed trees) shall receive 25 percent, 50 percent, 75 percent, or 100 percent shading credit based upon their location relative to the parking area. Areas where canopies overlap shall not be counted twice. Where the actual tree crown based upon species/location is less than one of the established percentage increments, the credit shall be “rounded” down to the next increment. (For example: If a crown will result in a large tree having an 800 SF of shading, the shading credit is reduced to 75 percent (722 SF) based upon the shading credit chart). If the site has two or more separate parking areas, the amount of shading shall be calculated separately for each facility. Refer Appendix “C.”
Shading Credit Chart | ||||
100 percent | 75 percent | 50 percent | 25 percent | |
Medium to Large Tree | 962 SF | 722 SF | 481 SF | 240 SF |
Small Tree | 314 SF | 236 SF | 157 SF | 79 SF |
D. A parking facilities shading plan shall be submitted with any subdivision or land development application including an off-street parking facility. The plan shall clearly show (graphically) all surfaced areas included in the calculation of the amount of the facility to be shaded. Trees shall be drawn to scale representing the canopy size at maturity as listed in the Deciduous Tree List.
(1) The shading plan shall also include a table identifying the quantity and type of trees used; the percentage of shade credited to each; and their corresponding canopy size.
(2) All off-street parking facilities shall be indicated on the shading plan, and the total area calculated shall be noted in the shade calculation table. Surfaced areas for automobile dealerships, lumber yards, and similar facilities as determined by the Township that are used for display, sales, service, and vehicle storage may be relieved of 50 percent shading requirements as follows:
(a) The Township may accept a fee-in-lieu-of the 50 percent shading requirement, equivalent to the cost of planting the trees required for 50 percent shade coverage, or,
(b) The Township may accept an applicant’s offer to plant the required number/size of trees on riparian areas that may or may not be owned by the Township, or other Township owned property as designated by the Township.
(3) Sample Shade Calculation Table.
Tree Label | Botanical Name/ Common Name | 100% Shading Credit (SF) | 75% Shading Credit (SF) | 50% Shading Credit (SF) | 25% Shading Credit (SF) | Total Credit (SF) |
T1 | ||||||
T2 | ||||||
T3 | ||||||
Total Tree Shade | ||||||
Total Paved Area | ||||||
Percent of Shade Coverage | ||||||
E. A minimum 6 feet by 6 feet planting area shall be provided for each tree planted in a tree well or planter strip. A minimum 4 feet by 8 feet planting area shall be provided for each tree planted in an island planter. Planter dimensions are measured from the interior side of the curb or other impervious surface. Centerline of trees must be planted at a minimum 24 inches from the face of curb or other impervious surface (where curb is not utilized). A 2-foot overhang for vehicles into the planter area is allowed as long as trees are installed a minimum of 4 feet from the edge of the parking area.
F. Planting areas shall contain soil, shrubs, and/or living groundcover with 2 inches of natural bark or root mulch. Dyed mulch may not be utilized. Interlocking pavers may also be utilized in heavily used areas.
G. Proper planting is essential to achieve the best growth of the tree. This includes, but is not limited to: tree handling, tree spacing, tree well size, soil composition, irrigation, and maintenance. The entire tree planting area (tree well, island or strip) shall be excavated to a depth of 3 feet. The planter area shall be backfilled with native soil and necessary amendment prior to tree planting. All planting areas shall have a minimum of 12 inches, of topsoil.
5. Open Space Plantings.
A. The applicant shall provide a method of physically delineating open space areas from private lots. Such methods shall include shrubs, trees, markers, fencing or other methods acceptable to the Township. Trees, shrubs, markers or fencing shall be placed on the linked open space at its boundary. Where hedge plant material is provided as screening or a barrier between private lots and open space, additional markers or plant material for delineation are not necessary.
B. A plan for control of noxious weeds, as defined by the Noxious Weed Control Law (Act 72 of 1994, as amended) and Invasive Plants as listed by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, shall be submitted for approval by the Township for all open space areas. The control plan may include periodic cutting, grubbing, foliar spray, basal bark herbicide application, soil application, or a combination of methods. Control plan approved by the Township shall be determined based upon the extent of infestation, quality of native vegetation, existing natural resources (floodplains, wetlands, steep slopes), natural habitat disturbance, etc. Herbicide applications must receive Township approval prior to use in a riparian corridor. Noxious weeds and invasive plants are listed in Appendix “F” of this Ordinance.
C. Open space areas not existing as forest or proposed as natural areas (e.g., wetland) shall be established in meadow, turf grass, or lawn; or established as forest. Open space areas to be dedicated to the Township and to remain “natural” which are field/meadow, shall be planted with native tree species to establish forest.
(1) A planting plan which identifies tree species, genus, size, and spacing; and ground cover/preparation shall be submitted with the preliminary plan application and is subject to approval by the Township.
(2) The planting plan shall, at a minimum, provide for the installation of one tree per 100 square feet of reforestation area. Trees shall have a minimum height of 2 feet at the time of installation. Bare root plants shall be planted between October 15 and December 1. Potted plants shall be planted between March 15 and May 1. Trees shall be fertilized, mulched, and staked and, protected from deer browsing. Species shall be approved native hardwoods. (Refer Appendix “E.”)
(3) Township-owned open space may be designated and remain in agricultural use pursuant to Zoning Ordinance requirements where permitted by the Board of Supervisors.
D. Prior to seeding open space areas, a soil test must be conducted by a soil testing laboratory and the soils amended to achieve pH and N.P.K. levels as recommended for the proposed seeding. At time of dedication, all open land areas must have at least 90 percent cover with appropriate grasses or other species and be free of noxious weeds as defined by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
E. Open space reforestation plantings which do not survive, exhibit poor growth habits, are diseased, are missing, or are damaged by deer within 5 years from the date of acceptance by the Township shall be replaced in kind by the developer.
F. Financial security shall be posted with the Township in an amount equal to the estimated cost of the trees and plantings, to be released 5 years from Township acceptance of the installation, or installation of replacement trees.
6. Protection of Existing Plant Material:
A. All major subdivisions and land developments shall be laid out in such a manner so as to maximize preservation of healthy trees and shrubs on the site. Any trees with a diameter of 10 inches or more that are removed must be replaced pursuant to subsection .7 of this Section.
B. On a forested lot, tree removal shall be permitted in the following areas only:
(1) On land to be occupied by a building or structure and within 40 feet of all sides of a building or structure.
(2) On land to be occupied by and within 15 feet of all sides of any driveway, parking area, stormwater management facility, utility line, water system or sewage disposal system.
(3) In any location where removal of a tree is required by Township Ordinance.
C. No grading, construction activity, or storage of topsoil or materials shall occur within a tree protection zone (TPZ) measured 15 feet from the trunk of a tree to be retained, or the distance from the trunk to the dripline, whichever is greater. No equipment may be driven over this area and no building materials are to be stacked against the trees or within the area of this buffer. Prior to construction, the TPZ shall be delineated by the following methods:
(1) The TPZ that is delineated on the site prior to construction shall conform to the approved development plans.
(2) All trees scheduled to remain shall be marked; where groups of trees exist, only the trees on the edge need to be marked.
(3) A 48-inch high wooden snow fence mounted on steel posts, located 8 feet on center, or other delineation approved by the Township, shall be placed along the boundary of the TPZ.
(4) When the tree protection fence has been installed, it shall be inspected and approved by the Township prior to clearing and further construction.
(5) Fencing along the tree protection zone shall be maintained until all work/construction has been completed; any damaged protective fence shall be replaced and repaired immediately.
(6) Trees being removed shall not be felled, pushed, or pulled into a TPZ or into trees that are to be retained.
D. During the construction on any site, trees and shrubs to be preserved shall be protected by snow fencing, safety fencing, or silt fencing, to insure that there is no encroachment within the area of their dripline by changing grade, trenching, stockpiling of building materials or topsoil, or the compaction of the soil and roots by any motor vehicle unless the following regulations are met:
(1) The grade of land within the entire area of dripline shall not be raised more than 6 inches unless tree wells are constructed around each trunk or group of trunks and aeration pipes are extended out to the edge of the dripline.
(2) Tree wells are to be constructed of uncemented stone, or any other suitable material. Such walls shall be a minimum of 3 feet in diameter or 1 foot in diameter for each inch in caliper measured 12 inches above natural ground level, whichever is greater; and shall be a maximum of 3 feet deep.
(3) Retaining walls are to be constructed around each tree or group of trees immediately after any grade is lowered within the area of the dripline. This retaining wall is to be constructed of 8-inch by 8-inch pressure treated landscape ties or any other suitable material. Retaining walls must be designed and constructed to withstand overturning and frost heave.
E. Specimen trees as defined pursuant to § 509.2 of the Zoning Ordinance shall be protected with a chain link fence installed 5 feet outside the dripline of the tree to be preserved.
F. If any plant material is to be moved, it must be done in accordance with specifications set forth by the American Association of Nurserymen.
G. All diseased or dead trees shall be promptly removed from the site. All trees to be preserved shall be pruned when necessary to remove dead limbs.
H. No tree is to support any scaffolding, signs, temporary utilities, surveying spikes or any other device.
I. Those trees whose removal will damage other trees which are to remain must be removed by hand. The resulting stumps must be carefully removed to minimize damage to roots and trunks of other trees.
J. Trees Damaged During Construction.
(1) Tree trunks and exposed roots damaged during construction shall be protected from further damage. Damaged branches shall be pruned according to Tree Care Industry Association (formally National Arborist Association) standards. All cuts shall be made sufficiently close to the trunk or parent limb but without cutting into the branch collar of or leaving a protruding stub. All necessary pruning cuts must be made to prevent bark from being torn from the tree and to facilitate rapid healing.
(2) All trees which have been disturbed or have experienced damage to their roots or branches shall be fertilized in early fall or mid-spring. Fertilizer grade shall have approximately 3 parts nitrogen to 1 part phosphorus and potassium (3-1-1 ratio). Fertilizer shall be broadcast over the soil surface in an area twice the size of the tree protection zone at a rate of 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
(3) Trees proposed to remain on a subdivision or land development plan which die or are so severely damaged during construction to require removal as determined by the Township shall be replaced pursuant to subsection 7. of this Section.
K. Stumps, branches and other wood debris shall not be buried on site. Where trees are removed outside of an area to be excavated, it is preferred that stumps be removed by grinding to a point 6 inches below existing grade.
7. Replacement Trees/Reforestation. Trees with a diameter of 10 inches or more which are to be removed or destroyed during any stage of development, grading and/or construction within a major subdivision or land development, shall be replaced with a tree or trees of the type found in Appendix “E” of this Ordinance. However, removal of trees on a site shall not exceed the maximum permitted pursuant to Natural Resource Protection Standards of § 509.2 of the Zoning Ordinance. Replacement trees shall meet the following size limitations:
A. Trees with a diameter of 10 inches or more, but less than 18 inches which are removed, shall each be replaced with a tree of like caliper or no less than four trees measuring 2½ inches to 3 inches in diameter.
B. Trees with a diameter of 18 inches or more, but less than 30 inches which are removed, shall each be replaced with no less than seven trees measuring 2½ inches to 3 inches in diameter.
C. Trees with a diameter of 30 inches or more which are removed, shall each be replaced with no less than 10 trees measuring 2½ inches to 3 inches in diameter.
D. All replacement trees shall be measured at a height of 4 feet above the finished grade level. Replacement trees shall be provided in addition to, not in place of, required buffers, street trees, trees in parking lots, or trees planted on single-family lots or common open space.
E. Where sufficient replacement trees of the required caliper size are not available or smaller caliper trees would have a greater survivability rate due to the planting environment, the Board of Supervisors may authorize smaller caliper replacement trees provided that the total caliper inches to be planted is comparable to the requirements set forth above.
F. Where development takes place on fully-wooded lots, replacement trees or their equivalent may be planted as follows:
(1) The applicant shall enhance existing wooded areas through planting of shade tolerant and deer resistant understory trees, shrubs and ground cover.
(2) In order to mitigate the impact of stormwater runoff either on site or upon adjacent properties, the applicant shall plant riparian buffers in areas designated by the Township, provided that the Township secures the necessary permission if the riparian buffer areas are on private property.
(3) The Township may accept designated off-site areas or other riparian buffer areas in need of planting.
(4) The Township may accept a fee-in-lieu of the required replacement tree plantings which shall be equivalent to the cost of planting the required replacement trees.
(Ord. 163, passed 2-28-2012, § 516)