Landscape Guidelines for Front Yards, Parkways, Brownout and Tree Maintenance

Transcription

1 Beverlywood Homes Association Landscape Guidelines for Front Yards, Parkways, Brownout and Tree Maintenance Questions regarding the content of these guidelines should be directed to: Beverlywood Homes Association ( BHA ) 9911 W. Pico Boulevard, Suit 1410 Los Angeles, CA (310) January

2 Table of Contents Page Philosophy...2 Submittal Requirements...2 General Guidelines for Front Yard Landscaping...2 Landscape Design Guidelines...4 Examples/Images of Acceptable Landscape Designs...5 Examples/Images of Unacceptable Landscape Designs...9 Photo-Simulation of Acceptable Designs...11 Recommended Plant List...13 Drought Tolerant Turf Substitute...15 Brown-out Guidelines...16 Residential Parkway Landscape Guidelines...17 Water Management Guidelines...18 Root Zone Watering System...19 Tree Cut Sheets...20 List of Terms

3 Philosophy The Beverlywood Homeowners Association (BHA) landscape guidelines are created to assist and give direction to homeowners who choose to make their landscape more drought tolerant and/or who choose to install more water-wise irrigation systems. In the new water-wise era, the emphasis of these guidelines is to allow the homeowner to have a personalized landscape while also fi tting in with the existing theme of the community. Homeowners are encouraged to plant California Friendly plants and to choose drought resistant plant types that fi t well within the existing community theme. Submittal Requirements 1. Proposed planting plans, as well as a complete Landscape Design Review Application must be submitted to the BHA for approval prior to installation. Plan review applications are reviewed once a month by the Landscape Committee and then voted on by the BHA Board. All planting plans should include a list of plants intended to be used (with color photographs of proposed plants), plan view locations, north arrow, scale, all planter and pot locations, and locations of all existing plants that shall remain. The plan may be a hand drawn, scaled plan, roughed out by the homeowner or contractor. Photographs of existing and adjacent homes are also required. 2. These guidelines are intended for front yard and parkway areas and visible side yards only and shall include proposed walkways and other hard scape. Photos of existing conditions are also required as part of submittal package. 3. For proposed fences, walls, and gates, drawings shall note materials, colors and heights. Heights shall be noted in relation to the immediate ground elevations. 4. BHA is well established with a variety of common area and parkway trees. As our community has unique features, it is important that selection of a proposed front yard tree be appropriate based upon each street s established street tree. Each selection must receive approval from the BHA Board. General Guidelines for Front Yard Landscaping 1. Planting that fi ts well with the existing community landscape that is well suited for the soil, moisture level, and sun exposure. 2. Using plants that are an appropriate size for the space they are planted in so that frequent severe pruning is not necessary. 3. Layered planting is preferred; taller foundation plants, with lower mid ground plants and low foreground shrub or ground cover accents. 4. Selecting plant species that provide beauty and visual interest which may not need to be replanted every season(annual color). 5. Larger shrubs should be placed in front of side yard block walls to soften the view. 6. With the expectation for a strong initial aesthetic, it is encouraged that foundation shrubs be a minimum of 5 gallons, with specimen accents sized at 15 gallon or larger. 7. The eclectic mix of many plant species is cautioned, which may cause disharmony within the landscape. Grouping plants together of similar species provides a stronger design. 8. New planting is intended to adhere with the approved plant list. However, any proposed plants that are not on the approved plant list may be submitted with a basis for use, subject to review by the Landscape Committee. 2

4 General Guidelines for Front Yard Landscaping continued 9. All trees planted within 5-feet of hardscape (sidewalk, driveways, etc.) should have a root barrier device installed adjacent to hardscape areas. BHA will discourage the use of trees with invasive root systems. 10. Homeowner assumes all liability and responsibility for any root damage from trees planted in their yards (including but not limited to fencing, walls and structures, utility lines, drainage and to adjacent neighbor improvements). 11. The BHA Board shall have the right, but not the obligation, to require the Homeowners to remove, trim, top or prune any tree, bush, shrub or plant which in the reasonable belief of the BHA Board unreasonably impedes the passage of light or air of any lot and to shape and thin trees for wind resiliency and appearance. California Friendly Landscape Design Guidelines California Friendly is all about using plants that have low water requirements. Homeowners are encouraged to create thoughtful designs that have low water requirements. While this style, often includes desert landscape of gravel and cactus, this is not the look that suits our community. The BHA Board will not approve a parched, barren look, nor a no-maintenance (e.g. all rock/gravel) approach. While cactus may be allowed in a design, thorns may pose a risk to children if adjacent to sidewalks or hard scape. Cactus must be proportionally balanced with other drought resistant plants and mulch. Large, predominately rock/gravel/mulch areas are not allowed. Properly designed and implemented California Friendly design can signifi cantly reduce (but not eliminate) maintenance and it has been estimated that it can reduce water use by up to 60 percent. It is important to note that homeowners have additional fl exibility (including cactus gardens and more gravel/rock/mulch options) in their rear and non-public side yards. While a successful California Friendly design may look informal, it requires a keen design eye both to create the design, then to review/approve it. We highly recommend that you hire a design professional and adhere to the design guidelines presented in this booklet. General Information Needed to Get Started 1. Contact the BHA to get a copy of the most up-to-date Rules and Regulations, CCR s from the Associations website. 2. If you need to relandscape the parkway in front of your home please refer to the City of Los Angeles Residential Parkway Landscape Guidelines. For reference, please refer to the following website for up-to-date guidelines: Although this is a starting place, the parkways are subject to review and approval by the BHA Board. 3. To get more information on California Friendly plants, current drought restrictions, and rebates visit the LADWP s website to fi nd out up-to-date general information Review the contents of this booklet and the more detailed BHA Water Management Addendum for information about designing and landscaping your front yard and parkway. 3

5 Design Guidelines for Front Yard Landscaping Landscape/Hardscape in the Front Setback 1. If utilizing groundcover in lieu of grass (turf), balance the amount of low groundcover with larger plant material to retain an open inviting environment. 2. Hedgerows cannot be taller than 3 feet and may not be planted adjacent/parallel to the sidewalk. 3. Retaining walls in the front yard are subject to approval and should not be taller than While construction to a residence is in progress and a construction fence is not being used, or any other time that a front yard remains without landscaping, it is imperative to keep the yard in a clean and kept manner. In these instances, the front yard landscaping must be in place within 90 days(from construction fence removal or landscape removal), unless a longer period is granted to the homeowner by the Board upon the homeowner s request. 5. Homeowners shall not fi ll in the natural grade to create a need for a retaining wall in the front setback. Parkway and Street Trees 1. Each residence should have at least one tree, selected for consistency with the dominant and/or City approved block street tree and planted in the parkway. 2. The parkway shall be planted with turf or groundcover, but no large shrubs or hedges shall be allowed. 3. The parkway shall not be paved or contain other hardscape except for required driveway access. 4. Homeowners shall not include rocks and boulders in their parkway landscape. Note: If these guidelines contradict any and all existing/prior guidelines, these guidelines shall take precedent. 4

6 Acceptable Design Images: The following images on pages 5-8 illustrate successful designs that utilize mostly drought resistant plant material. These images are provided to be general examples of other California Friendly designs, and may not specifi cally work in every situation. Micro-climate, shade/sun factors, aspect, unique grading situations all affect the design of a landscape. A professional landscape design plan of your yard is the best tool for a successful, long lasting landscape. Acceptable Designs Dymondia can be a great turf substitute because of its low growing habit and silver color. Dymondia spp. Lantana spp. Drought resistant grasses of different contrasting colors and textures provide year round interest. Salvia spp. Phormium spp. 5

7 Acceptable Designs The design to the right effectively utilizes appropriate California Friendly landscape material in a natural, relaxed arrangement. Salvia leucantha Festuca spp. Consistency/re-use of plants as well as a thoughtful balance of color and height/ type yield a successful design solution. The design to the left uses Limonium (purple fl ower), Lantana (red and yellow fl owers), and Stipa grass to create a unifi ed look. Lantana camera spp. Stipa spp. Limonium Perezii The design to the right effectively creates a California Friendly garden, with various low grasses and masses of drought tolerant plants. Festuca spp. 6

8 Acceptable Designs Red and bronze Pennisetum grasses contrast well against the grey and blue of the Festuca lawn substitute as shown on the left. Pennisetum rubrum Festuca glauca The design to the left groups various plant types in massings, like the Senecio ground cover along the walkway, and the Agave attenuata and Aeonium rosettes beneath the bench. Succulents store water in their leaves which makes them a great drought tolerant choice in the landscape. Aeonium spp. Senecio spp. Agave attenuata Synthetic turf is an acceptable lawn substitute as seen in the image to the left. Maintenance is important, homeowners should rinse the turf off monthly, and keep it free of tears and rips. Not all Synthetic turf will be approved. Synthetic Turf 7

9 Acceptable Designs Variegated plants such as Phormium Yellow Wave and succulents like Agave work well for a cohesive design. Phormium Yellow Wave Agave spp. Low ground covers such as Dymondia and Myoporum are great low water lawn substitutes as seen to the right. Larger shrubs need to be massed near the house to soften the transition between the architecture and the landscape. Boulders were incorporated in the landscape as a natural element but not in such a quantity as to overpower the design with rock. Myoporum spp. Dymondia spp. The house to the left uses a nice mix of complimentary landscape foliage colors. The burgundy accent tree is contrasted with the lime green and blue plants beneath. Phormium spp. 8

10 Unacceptable Designs Although these designs are drought tolerant they would be unacceptable in our community due to the large rock/gravel/decomposed granite areas. Unnatural colored mulch is also unacceptable, as seen below. 9

11 Unacceptable Designs Light colored rock as seen above may be fi tting for a desert community but may not be approved for use in Beverlywood. Landscape designs using no more than 30% rock mulch or dry creek designs are preferred, 100% rock mulch as seen in the image to the left and below will not be approved. 10

12 Photo-simulation of Acceptable Design Typical Existing all Turf Landscape Photo-simulation of Drought Resistant Planting Renovation Design 11

13 Photo-simulation of Acceptable Design Typical Existing all Turf Landscape Photo-simulation of Drought Resistant Planting Renovation Design 12

14 SHRUBS AND VINES Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List Aeonium spp. - Canary Island Rose Agave spp. - Agave Attenuata Agave spp. - Agave attenuata Kara s Stripes Agave spp. - Agave attenuata Variegata Aloe spp.-ncn Anigozanthos spp. - Kangaroo Paw Bougainvillea spp. - Bougainvillea Buxus microphylla jap. - Japanese Boxwood Caesalpinea mexicana - Mexican Bird of Paradise Caesalpinia pulcherrima - Dwarf Ponciana Calliandra haematocephala - Pink Powder Puff Carex spp. - Sedge Centranthus ruber - Red Valarian Citrus spp. - Citrus Clytostoma callistegioides - Violet Trumpet Vine Correa spp. - Australian Fushia Crassula spp. - Crassula spp. Dianella spp. - Dianella Dietes bicolor - Fortnight Lily Echeveria spp. - Hens and Chickens Elaeagnus pungens - Silverberry Euphorbia Rudolph - Red Nose Spurge Galvesia speciosa - Island Bush Snapdragon Graptopetalum - graptopetalum Grevillea canberra - Parrot s Beak Grevillea Firesprite - Grevillea Grevillea lanigera Coastal Gem - Coastal Gem Grevillea Grevillea Long John - Long John Grevillea Grevillea Moonlight - Moonlight Grevillea Grevillea rosmarinifolia Scarlet Sprite - Grevillea Grevillea thelemanniana filioba - Spider Net Grevillea Grevillea Poorinda Signet - Poorinda Signet Grevillea Grevillea Red Hooks - Red Hooks Grevillea Heuchera sanguine - Coral Bells Justicia spicigera - Mexican Honeysuckle Kalanchoe blossfeldiana - Kalanchoe Kniphofia uvaria Flamenco - Flamenco Poker Lantana spp. Lavandula s. Lemon Leigh - Lemon Leigh Lavender Lavandula stoechas Madrid Pink Improved - Madrid Pink Improved Lavandula stoechas Snow Bunny - White Spanish Lavender Lobelia Laxiflora - Mexican Lobelia Lomandra longifolia - Mat Rush Myrsine Africana - African Boxwood Myrtus communis - True Myrtle Miscanthus spp Pandorea jasminoides - Bower Vine Pennisetum spp. Agave Attenuata Diannella Lantana Grevillea Long John Tecoma stans Correa Aeonium Grevillea canberra Euphorbia Rudolph Carex 13

15 Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List SHRUBS AND VINES CONTINUED Phormium hybrids - Flax Portulacaria afra - Elephants Foot Rhaphiolepis spp. - Hawthorne Rosmarinus o. Lockwood de Forest - Rosemary Rosmarinus o. Majorican Pink - Rosemary Sambucus Black Beauty - Elderberry Sedum spp. - NCN Sempervivums spp. - House leek Tecoma stans - Yellow Bells Lomandra longifolia Miscanthus GROUND COVER Ajuga reptans - Carpet Bugle Arctotis hybrids - African Daisy Armeria maritima - Sea Pink Carpobrotus spp. - Ice Plant Drosanthemum spp. - Ice Plant Dymondia margaretae - Dymondia Festuca spp. Sheeps fescue Lampranthus - Ice Plant Lantana m. Cream Carpet - Trailing Lantana Lantana m. Tangerine - Trailing Lantana Lantana m. White Lightening - Trailing Lantana Myoporum parvifolium - Myoporum Osteospermum - African Daisy Pelargonium peltatum - Ivy Geranium Rosmarinus o. Lockwood de Forest - Rosemary Rosmarinus o. Majorican Pink - Rosemary Senecio mandraliscae - Blue Ice Plant Portulacaria afra Caesalpinea mexicana Senecio mandraliscae Phormium hybrids Note: Plant material should be carefully selected based on the unique conditions occurring in the landscape. Aspect, sun/shade conditions, soil type, grading conditions, watering schedules, all factor in to the selection of a particular plant. Please consult a professional when selecting or locating plant types in your yard. This list is provided for general consideration and as a guide to the landscape designer, and is not to be used without the understanding of each plants size, habits, trimming recommendations, and location in which it will be located. Lobelia Laxiflora Pennisteum Little Bunny Arctotis Festuca 14

16 Drought Tolerant Turf Substitute Parkway Ground covers Homeowners need to verify with the most up-to-date City of Los Angeles Residential Parkway Landscaping Guideline Dymondia margaretae Spreading perennial. Green leaves edged in silver, yellow fl owers in summer. Slow growing. Needs welldrained soils. Grows very low to the ground and can tolerate some foot traffic. Myoporum parvifolium Low growing green ground cover. White fl owers. Sold in fl ats and readily available. Carex pansa Cool season sedge, can go dormant in summer without regular summer water. Sold as plugs. Mow to maintain uniform, consistent height. Needs deep weekly water especially in the summer months. Achillea millefolium Low growing fern lawn that spreads. Mow every month for a low uniform height. Small meadow type fl owers appear in the spring through summer. Can be fl atted or planted as one gallons. Many cultivars to choose from. Synthetic Lawn Many high quality Synthetic Turf options are available and take no water or mowing. However, sub grade must be prepared for proper drainage; requiring a crushed rock base. Not all Synthetic turf will be approved. Refer to pg. 17 for further resources. Dymondia Myoporum parvifolium Carex pansa Achillea millefolium SYNFescue 354 Non-Parkway Lawn Substitute Grasses For use in the front yard Festuca ovina glauca Low grey grass. Sold as in fl ats or in 1 gallon. Can brown in the summer a bit, replace as necessary. Needs well-drained soils and weekly water. Buchloe dactyloides UC Verde (Buffalo grass) Warm season grass. Goes dormant in winter. Sold as plugs. Not good in sandy soil. Mow every 2 to 3 weeks to maintain uniform consistent height. Carex praegracillis Cool season sedge, can go dormant in summer without regular summer water. Sold as plugs. Mow to maintain uniform, consistent height. Needs deep weekly water especially in the summer months. Festuca ovina glauca Buchloe - Buffalo Grass Carex praegracillis 15

17 Brown-out Guidelines Getting Started If a homeowner decides to stop watering their lawn and begin the process of replanting with drought tolerant and/or California Friendly plants, the following information is pertinent to maintaining healthy soil. Listed below are several ways to remove turf grass. The one you choose will depend on how large your lawn is, how much manual labor you want to invest, how much you want to spend, and what you plan to do with the area after the grass is gone. With state mandated water restrictions, instituted in 2015 and LADWP encouraging L.A. residents to reduce their irrigation, lawns may brown given the limited watering schedules during the summer months. Homeowners may want to re-seed or re-sod their brown lawns if the restrictions are lifted and they prefer to keep their lawn area. Herbicide There are a number of herbicides that will kill turf grass, many of which contain residual chemicals that carry too much risk of eventually ending up in the water supply. Other choices, such as glyphosate (the active ingredient in widely available Roundup ), contain much less residuals. It is recommended that a licensed applicator be consulted if considering lawn removal with this method. Physical removal The fastest way to remove a lawn is to physically remove the sod by cutting it into strips with a sod cutter, rolling the strips up, and either taking them away or turning them over and letting them compost in place. The cut sod can be laid upside down in the middle of the area being removed, to create a mound, as fi ll in a low spot or to create a berm if needed elsewhere in the garden. Whether moving to a new spot, or composting in place, cover with a layer of newspaper (6-10 sheets thick, and overlapping) and 4-6 inches of compost, and lastly with 3-4 inches of mulch to decompose, create good soil, and prevent grass re-growing. (Note that if you leave the sod in place, or mound it, you re turning a quick method into a slower one.) You can do the same thing in a small area with a fl at shovel, but it is labor intensive. Removing sod doesn t work if you have a persistent perennial lawn grass like Bermuda grass. Simply removing Bermuda sod guarantees that it will be back, since the roots penetrate deep into the soil; and it only takes an inch of root to grow it back. Homeowners should be careful with removing lawn around trees as to not damage the tree s surface root structure. Dry Kill During the summer months, you can shut off the irrigation to the turf area and let it die from lack of water. This method may not work well in the winter if it s a wet season. The heat and ample sun during the summer months speed up the die off. Once the turf is dead you can go through the physical method stated above. Existing trees must be watered during a dry kill. See below for tree care. Tree care during turf removal Homeowners should continue to supply water to existing trees in or adjacent to the areas being re-landscaped. This can be done by installing bubblers within the dripline of the tree and/ or installing deep watering sleeves (Refer to pg. 19 for deep watering product type) so that the homeowner can deep water the tree by hand with their hose. See further links for more information regarding maintaining established trees and protecting them during construction

18 Brown-out Guidelines continued Front Yard Maintenance Whether you choose to brown-out, use synthetic lawns or drought tolerant planting, maintenance is required. For example, but not limited to these items, plants and trees need to be watered, trimmed, pruned, leaves need to be cleared and weeds should be removed. A 2 layer of mulch is strongly recommended in bare areas to reduce run off in the event of a rain. It is recommended that the homeowner continue to provide water to existing trees during any renovation of the landscape. Synthetic Lawn Is an option to either a traditional lawn, drought resistant plants or mulch areas. The Association requires a high quality product, with multi-colored blades, temperature blocking properties and properly prepared sub-base to insure drainage through the lawn. The lawn must be clear of existing tree surface roots. The artifi cial turf shall be properly maintained without unraveled edges and kept in good repair without tears and spots. Generally, synthetic lawns have a 10 year replacement life cycle. Submit sample of product to BHA Landscape Committee for approval. Not all Synthetic turf will be approved. We suggest homeowners contact a licensed Contractor to install all Synthetic turf. The homeowner must still provide irrigation to the trees in the landscape. See link below. City of Los Angeles Residential Parkway Landscape Guidelines This section is to give homeowners a summary to the City of Los Angeles Residential Parkway Landscape Guidelines. For reference, please refer to the following website for up-to-date guidelines: The City of Los Angeles Residential Parkway Landscape Guidelines(LARPLG) states that the preferred parkway planting materials include drought-tolerant turf substitutes or drought-tolerant turf grass as the preferred planting materials. The guidelines provide a list of acceptable plant material. In general, a permit is required prior to installation or modifi cation of landscaping in the Public right of way, but residential parkways are presently exempt for the General Permit Requirements as long as they comply with the Guidelines. Homeowners are responsible for acquiring any necessary City permits required for their parkway landscape project. The parkway landscape guidelines are subject to change, please refer to the link provided to get up-to-date information. Note: Homeowners are still required to submit detailed plans to the BHA Landscape Committee for approval, in addition to adhering with LA City Parkway requirements, L.A. City parkway requirements do not override the necessity to submit a BHA landscape design application. 17

19 Water Management Guidelines Getting Started and Understanding your Landscape These guidelines are intended to aid homeowners in the process of renovating their front yard spaces in order to conserve water and stay within the lower tiers of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) rate structure. Using low water California Friendly plants will not necessarily translate into water savings unless the planting is grouped on it s own irrigation valve/station and programmed appropriately. Irrigation systems are normally programmed for the plants that require the most water; so, if low water use plants are coupled with thirstier plants, the drought tolerant plants will undoubtedly succumb to disease or root rot. Group plants with like water needs. The plant lists provided as part of the Beverlywood Landscape Guidelines and Standards are all within the low to moderate water use which may be grouped together. Check with your local nursery or the following link ( ciency/docs/ wucols00.pdf) to further assist in selecting plant material with common water use. For information and assistance with evaluation of your existing irrigation system or understanding how the Tiered Water Rates are calculated contact: LADWP/ LADWP Conservation Program To get more information on California Friendly plants, current drought restrictions, and rebates visit the LADWP s website to fi nd out up-to-date general information. Irrigation Equipment Rebates For an overview of available rebate products like controllers, soil moisture sensors, irrigation nozzles, go to socalwatersmart.com. Turf Removal Program LADWP launched the Landscape Incentive Program in 2009, which involves replacing turf grass with California Friendly plants, mulch, permeable pathways, and drip irrigation. Since turf grass is very expensive to maintain, requiring heavy water use and lots of attention, the California Friendly Landscape Incentive Program is a great way for both residential and commercial LADWP customers to save money and save water. Please refer to the following link for up-to-date turf removal incentives offered: adf.ctrl-state=740owccyt_33&_afrloop= Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, PO Box 51111, Room 1019, Los Angeles, CA. The turf removal program subject to change, please refer to the link provided to get up-to-date information. Does the City of Los Angeles Get Involved with My Landscape Renovation? If the homeowner only wishes to re-landscape their front yard and not construct walls, fences and other appurtenances requiring a permit, there is no requirement at this time to submit plans to the City. However, ALL landscape improvements are subject to Beverlywood BHA submittal and approval prior to construction. If there are questions regarding permit requirements for other construction elements contact: City of Los Angeles / Planning / 201 N Figueroa St. 4th Floor / Los Angeles, CA /

20 Deep Watering Systems The following image is an example of a deep watering sleeve for new and existing trees in the landscape. The concept is to get the water into the root zone of the tree and to prevent water being lost due to surface run-off while irrigating or hand watering trees. While there are many manufacturers that provide deep watering sleeves, the following image is provided to give the reader an idea of what the typical equipment looks like and how it can be installed. STRATAROOT SYSTEM DELIVERS WATER TO ROOTS AT ALL SOIL DEPTHS Eliminate wasteful run-off by putting water right where it s needed: in the ground, at the roots. Air flow to bypass dense soil and directly reach root systems. shrub s root system, near the surface and deep down. serviceability of bubblers and check valves. Patented StrataRoot design: Innovative internal baffle system distributes water near the surface and down deep to foster roots. Pre-assembled watering system: Each unit is ready to go for fast installation. Premium pressure-compensating bubbler: Built-in swing joint on bubbler models: Sturdy removable end cap: check valve to be serviced. Long-lasting pre-installed check valve option: Valve prevents low-head drainage. Optional fabric filter sleeve: Keeps sandy soil out of the irrigation well. 19

21 Avoiding Tree Damage During Construction Possible ways in which existing trees may be damaged during a construction project and methods for planning and facilitating the prevention of tree damage. Homes are often constructed near existing trees to take advantage of their aesthetic and environmental value. Unfortunately, the processes involved with construction can be deadly to nearby trees. Proper planning and care are needed to preserve trees on building sites. An arborist can help you decide which trees can be saved. The arborist can also work with the builder to protect the trees throughout each phase of construction. How Trees Are Damaged During Construction Physical Injury to Trunk and Crown. Construction equipment can injure the above-ground portion of a tree by breaking branches, tearing the bark, and wounding the trunk. These injuries are permanent and, if extensive, can be fatal. Root Cutting. Digging, grading, and trenching associated with construction and underground utility installation can be quite damaging to roots. A tree s root system can extend horizontally a distance 1 to 3 times greater than the height of a tree. It is important to cut as far away from a tree as possible to prevent damage that can compromise tree health and stability. Cutting under a tree s crown can reduce tree vitality. Cutting roots close to the trunk can severely damage a tree and limit its ability to stay upright in storms. Soil Compaction. An ideal soil for root growth and development contains about 50 percent pore space for water and air movement. Heavy construction equipment can compact soil and dramatically reduce pore space. Compaction inhibits root growth, limits water penetration, and decreases oxygen needed for root survival. Smothering Roots by Adding Soil. The majority of fine water-and-mineral-absorbing roots are in the upper 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) of soil where oxygen and moisture levels tend to be best suited for growth. Even a few inches of soil piled over the root system to change the grade can smother fine roots and eventually lead to larger root death. Exposure to the Elements. Trees in a forest grow as a community, protecting each other from the elements. The trees grow tall with long, straight trunks and high canopies. Removing neighboring trees during construction exposes the remaining trees to increased sunlight and wind which may lead to sunscald or breakage of limbs and stems. Getting Advice Not all trees on the building site can or should be preserved. Your arborist can assess the health and structural integrity of trees on your property and suggest measures to preserve and protect them. When determining which trees to retain, consider the species, size, age, location, and condition of each tree. Your arborist can advise you about which trees are more sensitive to compaction, grade changes, and root damage. Planning Your arborist and builder should work together early in the planning phase of construction. Sometimes small changes in the placement or design of your house or driveway can make a great difference in whether a critical tree will survive. Alternative construction methods can be discussed, such as bridging over the roots as a substitute for a conventional walkway, if flexibility in placement is limited. If utilities cannot be re-routed away from trees, less damaging tunneling and trenching installation techniques exist. Erecting Barriers Treatment for construction damage is limited, so it is vital that trees be protected from injury. Set up sturdy fencing around each tree that is to remain, as far out from the tree trunk as possible to provide above- and below-ground protection. Place fence approximately one foot (0.3 m) from the trunk for each inch (2.5 cm) of trunk diameter. Instruct construction personnel to keep fencing intact and the fenced area clear of building materials, waste, and excess soil. No digging, trenching, or other soil disturbance should be allowed in the fenced area. 20

22 If possible, allow only one access route on and off the property. All contractors must be instructed where they are permitted to drive and park their vehicles. Often this same access drive can later serve as the route for utility wires, water lines, or the driveway. Specify storage areas for equipment, soil, and construction materials. Limit areas for burning (if permitted), cement wash-out pits, and construction work zones. These areas should be located away from protected trees. Specifications All measures intended to protect your trees should must be written into the construction specifications and should detail exactly what can and cannot be done to and around the trees. It is a good idea to post signs as a reminder. Fines and penalties for violations should be built into the specifications. The severity of the fines should be proportional to the potential damage to the trees, and should increase for multiple infractions. Maintaining Good Communication Communicate your objectives clearly with your arborist, builder, and all subcontractors. Construction damage to trees is often irreversible. Visit the site at least once a day if possible. Your vigilance will pay off as workers learn to take your wishes seriously. Take photos at every stage of construction. If any infraction of the specifications does occur, it will be important to prove liability. Final Stages Careful planning and communicating with landscape designers and contractors is just as important as avoiding tree damage during construction. Irrigation system installation, grading, and planting bed cultivation can damage root systems. Post-Construction Tree Maintenance Your trees will require several years to adjust to the injury and environmental changes that occur during construction. Stressed trees are more prone to health problems, such as disease and insect infestations. Talk to your arborist about continued monitoring and maintenance for your trees. Despite the best intentions and most stringent tree preservation measures, injury to your trees may still occur. Your arborist can suggest remedial treatments to help reduce stress and improve the growing conditions around your trees. This brochure is one in a series published by the International Society of Arboriculture as part of its Consumer Information Program. You may have additional interest in the following titles currently in the series: Avoiding Tree and Utility Conflicts Avoiding Tree Damage During Construction Benefits of Trees Buying High-Quality Trees Insect and Disease Problems Mature Tree Care New Tree Planting Plant Health Care Proper Mulching Techniques Palms Pruning Mature Trees Pruning Young Trees Recognizing Tree Risk Treatment of Trees Damaged by Construction Tree Selection and Placement Trees and Turf Tree Values Why Hire an Arborist Why Topping Hurts Trees 21

23 List of Terms Permeable - A material that permits water penetration to a soil depth of 18 inches or more. Synthetic Turf - is a surface of synthetic fi bers made to look like natural grass. Herbicide - Are pesticides used to kill unwanted plants. Drought Resistant - Refers to the degree to which a plant is adapted to arid or drought conditions. Succulent Plants - are plants having some parts that are more than normally thickened and fl eshy, usually to retain water in arid climates. Irrigation - Is the artifi cial application of water to the land or soil. Soil Moisture Sensor - Measures the volumetric water content in the soil. Irrigation Controller - Is a device to operate automatic irrigation systems such as lawn sprinklers and drip irrigation systems. 22