A. Canopy Tree Size.
1. Canopy trees shall have a minimum height at maturity of 40 feet and a minimum crown width of 30 feet (see Figure 5.6.6: Plant Material Specifications).
2. All canopy trees shall have a minimum height of eight feet, or more, and a minimum caliper size of two and one-half (2 ½) inches, or more, at planting (see Section 9.3.12.A, Determining Tree Size at Time of Planting).
3. Evergreen trees shall be a minimum of six feet in height at planting.
B. Understory Tree Size.
1. Understory trees shall have a minimum height at maturity of 15 to 40 feet, except that trees to be placed below overhead utility lines may not exceed a mature height of 20 feet (see Figure 5.6.6: Plant Material Specifications).
2. All understory trees shall have a minimum height of four feet, or more, and a minimum caliper size of one-and-one-half inches, or more, at planting (see Section 9.3.12.A, Determining Tree Size at Time of Planting).
3. Drought tolerant understory trees shall have a minimum caliper size of one inch at planting.
4. Nothing shall limit the use of multi-stemmed understory trees provided that 25 percent or more of the leaders meet the requirements in Section 9.3.12.A, Determining Tree Size at Time of Planting.
C. Shrub Size and Variety.
1. All shrubs shall be at least a three-gallon size and have a minimum height or spread of 18 inches at the time of planting (see Section 5.6.6: Plant Material Specifications).
2. Shrubs shall reach a minimum height of 36 inches and a spread of 30 inches within three years of planting.
3. Decorative grasses may be proposed as a substitute for shrubs, provided the grasses meet the screening objectives and are approved by the Planning Director.
4. Shrubs or grasses used to screen off-street parking areas shall be evergreen or retain their leaves/blades throughout the year.
D. Native or Locally-Adapted Species.
1. Required landscaping materials shall be cold-hardy for the location where planted.
2. Plant species used in required landscaping areas must be native species or species of a locally-adapted nature. Other species require approval by the Planning Director.
E. Species Diversity.
1. To curtail the spread of disease or insect infestation in a plant species, new plantings shall comply with the following standards:
2. When fewer than 20 trees are required on a site, at least two different species shall be utilized, in roughly equal proportions (see Figure 5.6.6.E: Species Diversity).
3. When more than 20 but fewer than 40 trees are required to be planted on site, at least three different species shall be utilized, in roughly equal proportions.
4. When 40 or more trees are required on a site, at least four different species shall be utilized, in roughly equal proportions.
5. A larger number of different species than specified may be utilized.
6. In no instance shall invasive species, as determined by the North Carolina Extension Service, be utilized as landscaping materials to meet the requirements of this Ordinance.
F. Stabilization.
1. Required landscaping areas shall be stabilized and maintained with vegetative cover, mulch, decorative gravel, cinders, or other approved materials to prevent soil erosion and allow rainwater infiltration.
2. Required landscaping areas with slopes of 15 percent or more shall be stabilized with vegetative cover (not mulch or gravel) designed to minimize erosion. Required vegetative cover shall be established and functional prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
3. Use of landscape fabric on slopes of 15 percent or more is discouraged.
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)