TREE PLANTING DESIGN & DIMENSIONS

Mark A. Peterson, Regional Urban Forester - Alamo Region, Texas Forest Service

In order to ensure long-term survival, low maintenance, personal safety, and overall aesthetic appeal, adherence to the following considerations is essential.

SPECIES COMPOSITION

·        Limit the percentage of any single species within the total population to 15%

·        Limit species to those whose provenance is within 100 miles radius (or exotic species with demonstrated adaptability)

·        May be accomplished by either regulatory or educational emphasis

 

 

LOCATION

 

“There are two aspects to the challenge of locating new trees and related plants in the urban environment: (1) to locate plants for minimum interference with the objects and workings of society; and (2) to locate them for maximum environmental enhancement.” (Grey and Deneke, 1992).

 

Distance and Spacing Rules:

1.      Minimum distance of a tree from an intersection is 30 feet; from a driveway is 15 feet; from a utility pole or fire hydrant is 10 feet

2.      Minimum distance between trees is dependent on tree size at maturation.

·        For trees < 30 feet, plant 25 feet apart.

·        For trees < 60 feet, plant 35 feet apart.

·        For trees > 60 feet, plant 40 – 60 feet apart.

3.      Minimum distance between trees and building is also dependent on tree size.

·        For trees < 30 feet, plant 10 feet away.

·        For trees < 60 feet, plant 15 feet away.

·        For trees > 60 feet, plant 20 feet away.

DESIGN

 

“The street corridor must be considered a volume or a space and not simply an elongated or lineal ground plane.  A successfully designed streetside landscape will be open where pleasant views or safe vision is desired; closed where visual screen is needed; and varied in form, size, texture, and color for interest.  Spatial variety is important…(it) must, however, be properly designed.  Too much variety leads to disorder, a lack of harmony and continuity, while too little variety results in monotony.” (Grey and Deneke, 1992)