Document Puyallup_doc_14ed4bea9d

Page 1 of 51 CITY OF PUYALLUP DEVELOPMENT AND PERMITTING SERVICES DEPARTMENT Planning Division VEGETATION MANAGEMENT STANDARDS ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES November, 2022 Policy Procedure Number By: Date: Development Services Director TITLE: Vegetation Management Distribution: All Employees Managers Others 11/17/2022 ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 2 of 51 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT STANDARDS (‘VMS’) SECTIONS: 1.0 PURPOSE 1.1 GOALS 2.0 CITY DEPARTMENTS AFFECTED 3.0 AUTHORITY AND REFERENCE 4.0 RESPONSIBILITIES 5.0 SCOPE 5.1 ENVIRONMENTALLY CRITICAL AREAS 5.2 OVERLAY AREAS 6.0 LANDSCAPE PLANTING PLAN 6.1 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 6.2 LANDSCAPE PLAN REQUIRED 6.3 PRELIMINARY PLANS 6.4 FINAL PLANS 6.5 CLEAR SIGHT TRIANGLE 7.0 MATERIAL STANDARDS 7.1 PLANT MATERIAL - GENERAL STANDARDS 7.2 PLANT MATERIAL - REQUIRED SIZES 7.3 NATIVE PLANT MATERIALS 7.4 NON-VEGETATIVE LANDSCAPE MATERIAL 8.0 LANDSCAPE INSTALLATION STANDARDS 8.1 GENERAL INSTALLATION STANDARDS 8.2 SOIL QUANTITY AND QUALITY STANDARDS 8.3 MULCHING 9.0 GUARDING AGAINST DAMAGE 9.1 VEGETATION PROTECTION 9.2 EXCAVATING IN ROOT ZONE 9.3 VIOLATION - PENALTY FOR DAMAGE 10. 0EXISTING AND NATIVE VEGETATION 10.1 EXISTING TREES 10.2 EXISTING VEGETATION 11.0 MAINTENANCE STANDARDS 11.1 GENERAL MAINTENANCE 11.2 BUFFERS AND OPEN SPACE 11.3 CULTIVATED AREAS 11.4 STREET TREE OBSTRUCTION CLEARANCE 11.5 STREET TREE AND VEGETATION MAINTENANCE 12.0 STREET TREE SELECTION AND INSTALLATION STANDARDS 12.1 WORK NOTIFICATION 12.2 TREE INSTALLATION CENSUS 12.3 STREET TREE MATERIAL STANDARDS ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 3 of 51 12.4 STREET TREE LOCATION AND SPACING 12.5 TREE SELECTION 12.6 STREET TREE MIX 12.7 CLASS I – OVERHEAD UTILITY STREET TREES 12.8 CLASS II - NARROW STREET TREES 12.9 CLASS III - MEDIUM STREET TREES 12.10 CLASS IV - BOULEVARD STREET TREES 12.11 CLASS V – PROHIBITED TREES 13.0 LANDSCAPE BUFFERS 13.1 REQUIRED LANDSCAPE TYPES FOR PERIMETER LOT LINES 14.0 LANDSCAPE TYPES - PERIMETER BUFFERS 14.1 TYPE I (VISUAL BARRIER) 14.2 TYPE II 14.3 TYPE III 14.4 TYPE IV 14.5 SLD-01, SLD-02 15.0 GENERAL REVISIONS 15.1 ADMINISTRATIVE EXCEPTIONS OR MODIFICATIONS 15.2 OVERLAY DISTRICTS 15.3 CONFLICTS 16.0 COMPLETION OF INSTALLATION - SURETY 16.1 SURETY FOR DELAYED LANDSCAPE INSTALLATION 16.2 LARGE PROJECT SURETY OR WARRANTY 17.0 MAINTENANCE SURETY AND ENFORCEMENT 17.1 RELEASE OF SURETY WITH PLAN CONFORMITY 17.2 SURETY HELD ON NON-CONFORMING LANDSCAPES 18.0 EFFECTIVE DATE 19.0 DEFINITIONS 20.0 APPENDICES 20.1 PUYALLUP MUNICIPAL CODE 11.28 20.2 PUYALLUP MUNICIPAL CODE 20.58 20.3 NATIVE LANDSCAPE PLAN EXAMPLES 20.4 PLANTING AND ROOT BARRIER DETAIL 20.5 STANDARD TREE PROTECTION DETAIL 20.6 VIEW CORRIDOR TREE TRIMMING EXAMPLES 20.7 SIGHT TRIANGLE DIAGRAM 20.8 TREE REMOVAL, PRUNING AND PLANTING APPLICATIONS 20.9 DOE BMP T5.13 20.10 TREE PROTECTION STANDARDS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES 20.11 ANSI A300, Z60.1 STANDARDS 20.12 ANSI Z133.1 SAFETY STANDARDS 20.13 LANDSCAPING PLAN EXAMPLE 20.14 WHY TOPPING HURTS TREES 20.15 TYPE IV DESIGN STANDARDS – SAMPLE SITE PLAN ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 4 of 51 1.0 PURPOSE: To establish uniform policies, procedures, and standards relevant to vegetation management within the rights-of-way, established setbacks and other lands owned or controlled by the City of Puyallup and all other areas where landscaping or a landscape plan is required by the Puyallup Municipal Code (PMC). The standards contained in this document are intended to: encourage development which is economically viable; utilize the criteria that selection and maintenance of vegetation shall consider the horticultural, aesthetic, and urban design requirements in equal measure; promote environmentally sound practices and clarify, supplement and augment existing language in Titles 11, 20 and 21 of the PMC. Where conflict might arise, the more stringent or restrictive shall be controlling. 1.1 Goals The vegetation management policies, procedures and standards are intended to achieve: A. The proper selection, installation, maintenance, preservation, and protection of vegetation within all areas controlled by City of Puyallup and all other areas where landscaping or a landscape plan is required by the PMC. B. To outline needed information to be provided on landscape plans when required. C. Conservation and enhancement of the City’s physical and aesthetic environment through the proper utilization of vegetation to: Maximize the inherent functional qualities of vegetation while providing physical buffering and visual screening where required to achieve acceptable separation and transition between different uses or zones; Enhance and complement the existing natural landscape character; Provide positive climate and environmental modification, energy conservation, reduction, and control of storm water runoff and erosion; Increased development of potential urban wildlife habitat; Maintain and protect property values; Contribute to neighborhood identity, enhance the attraction of customers to commercial areas; Provide visual relief and reduction of heat island effect from expansive impervious surfaces and/or parking areas; Enhance the streetscape along public rights-of-way with an emphasis on street tree installation and maintenance. D. Protect and enhance of the quality of life, general welfare, and safety through increased stewardship of vegetation within areas controlled by the City of Puyallup; and, E. Implement the policies, goals and objectives outlined in the City of Puyallup Comprehensive Plan. 2.0 CITY DEPARTMENTS AFFECTED: Development and Permitting Services (Planning, Engineering and Building), Parks Department (Parks Maintenance), Public Works (City Engineer, Water, Sewer, Streets, Stormwater, Collections). 3.0 AUTHORITY and REFERENCE: The authority for establishing these policies, procedures and standards is granted to the Development and Permitting Services (Planning) Director ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 5 of 51 pursuant to the provisions set forth in various Puyallup Municipal Code Sections including: 11.28.010, 11.28.025(4); and 20.58.015(6). 4.0 RESPONSIBILITIES: Implementation of policies and standards are primarily carried out by the lead processor of various development applications. Lead processors or “case managers”, within Development and Permitting Services are primarily responsible for implementation and monitoring compliance. The Planning Division is typically the lead in reviewing, approving, and inspecting landscape plans. Staff members from Engineering Services, Public Works and the Parks Department/Parks Maintenance may also be involved. Other staff members of the development permit team will have adjunct responsibility to work with the case planner. Additional City staff may handle enforcement, research, and field duties. Staff may include the City’s Certified Arborist, technicians from Planning or Parks handling field work concerning landscape plan compliance, street tree placement or vegetation management. The Development and Permitting Services Department Code Enforcement Officer may assist with enforcement. 5.0 SCOPE: This policy shall apply to all rights-of-way, established setbacks, street tree easements, regulated critical areas and other lands regulated, owned, or controlled by the City of Puyallup, and all other areas where landscaping or a landscape plan is required by the Puyallup Municipal Code except as provided for in this section. 5.1 Environmentally Critical Areas Nothing in this policy shall in any way alter or amend the provisions of the Environmentally Critical Areas Management Regulation as set forth now or as amended in the PMC. Where conflicts exist between tree maintenance or other provisions of this policy and the Environmentally Critical Areas Management Regulation, the more stringent or restrictive shall be controlling. 5.2 Overlay Area Establishment Upon appropriate City approval, overlay areas may be established that set forth additional, different, or unique requirements or specifications for tree and vegetation installation and/or maintenance with the intent of improving the functional or aesthetic qualities of a specific area. Overlay areas may include but are not limited to entry nodes or corridors, gateway corridors, sub-plan areas, pedestrian districts, special business districts, historic districts, or neighborhood plan areas. 6.0 LANDSCAPE PLANTING PLAN: Landscape plans are required as part of the development process as described in PMC 20.58.010 (see Appendix 20.2). 6.1 Design Considerations In addition to the application of appropriate functional requirements described in Section 14, all landscaping shall incorporate the following design criteria: A. Selection and placement of design material shall consider the horticultural, functional, and aesthetic requirements in equal measure; ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 6 of 51 B. Design materials shall be combined with the existing site opportunities through the application of artistic principles (variety, emphasis, repetition, balance sequence) to the basic elements (line, form, color, texture) to produce a visually pleasing design that is more than just functional decoration; C. Establish groupings or zones of plant material that have compatible horticultural and maintenance requirements. Groups or zones of plants should coordinate with proposed irrigation hydrozoning as well as topographic features to best utilize precipitation along with the natural movement of surface and sub-surface water; D. Select and locate plants to match the existing site conditions with the plant’s horticultural needs. Plant selection should coordinate and enhance the existing local natural vegetation as well as integrate native vegetation in landscape plans, where appropriate; E. Develop site specific designs that integrate and accentuate the positive project features while providing a beneficial and functional addition to the greater community landscape, while respecting the need for sustainable landscape installation Right-Tree, Right-Place); and, F. Develop landscape plans and designs that respect and integrate the need for healthy and adequate soil volume needed to develop landscaping and grow large trees that will produce functional environmental services and benefits. 6.2 Landscape Plan Required Landscape plans are required for projects as described in PMC Chapter 20.58 and are briefly summarized here. No permit or license for new construction, including the physical expansion of an existing building or parking lot, or for moving a building shall be issued unless a landscape plan for such improvement has been approved by the Director. This provision does not apply to single-family and multiple-family developments with four or less units per enabling language in PMC 20.58 and 11.28. Landscape plans for all projects involving new structures or 10,000 square feet or greater or 20,000 square feet or greater of affected site area shall be prepared by a professional landscape architect licensed in this state unless this requirement is expressly waived by the Director, where allowed by law. For smaller projects with unique site or development characteristics, the Director shall have the authority to require that a landscape architect licensed in this state prepare the plan. Landscape plan design shall integrate the Right-Tree, Right-place concept ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 7 of 51 6.3 Preliminary Plans A preliminary landscape plan shall be submitted during the land use permit process, preliminary site plan, conditional use permit, preliminary plat) for staff review. A preliminary plan may indicate existing and proposed shrubs and trees as masses rather than showing individual plants. Only general or proposed plant types need to be identified at this time except for those existing trees to be identified as heritage or significant as described in section 10 of this document which must be specifically identified, although a more detailed planting plan will enable more specific comments by staff on placement and selection of plant material. Plant quantities are encouraged but not required on the preliminary plan. Additionally, preliminary plan shall meet the following criteria. (Note: Greater detail than what is outlined here may be required if the project landscaping is a key element for mitigation or satisfying an applicable PMC requirement.) A. Drawing with a verifiable scale; B. Landscape plans shall be submitted on standard sized sheet(s) and contain standard informational labeling such as title block, north arrow, scale, date of submission etc. C. Provide address or location of project, tax assessor’s parcel number and name/business name and mailing address for: property owner, developer or applicant, landscape designer and landscape installer; D. Show existing and proposed buildings, walks, parking areas, driveways, and other hardscape site elements; E. Show property lines, easements, rights-of-ways, existing and proposed streets, or alleys, loading and storage areas, designated open space, and recreational amenities; F. Identify location and dimensions of any Environmentally Critical Area and the associated buffer; G. Show location of storm water retention, detention, and drainage ponds and swales; H. Provide approximate location for existing and general trench depth or height from final grade for new utilities, including overhead or underground power, water, sewer, cable television, telephone or other lines that may impact the aesthetics or vegetation on site; I. Define all areas devoted to landscaping clearly showing all existing plant materials to be retained; J. Show all areas reserved for future development and proposed use; K. Identify proposed and existing physical landscape elements such as fences, walls, all retaining structures with approximate height and light fixtures; L. Identify all areas with existing or proposed grades of 15 percent or greater. Sections, elevations, or spot elevations of existing and/or proposed contours may be required; M. Provide size and location of proposed topographic features within the area to be landscaped such as berms or swales; N. Provide a contour plan when requested, for proposed landscape features such as berms or swales which have slopes exceeding 15 percent. Plans will show elevation intervals no greater than two feet for the proposed landscape feature. Additionally, elevation and/or section diagrams with cross section location clearly shown may be required; O. Label all areas devoted to turf or lawn and indicate the method of establishment (seed, hydroseed or solid sod). ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 8 of 51 6.4 Final Plans Final landscape plans shall be consistent with, and incorporate any comments made by staff during the preliminary landscape plan review. Final plans which are normally submitted with final permit applications will include all information required by section 6.2 (preliminary plans). Final landscape plans are submitted during the civil permitting stage of the construction permitting process unless no civil permits are required in which case final landscape plans shall be reviewed and approved along with any building permits. The final landscape plan shall be included with the final civil construction permit drawings when final mylar drawings are submitted for city record keeping. Final landscape plan shall meet the following criteria: A. Identify all proposed plants to be installed. Plants should be clearly labeled and linked to a plant schedule that includes common name, botanical name, quantity, installation size, planting method/condition, on-center spacing, and other information necessary to describe the plant material; B. Provide location and extent for all inert ground covers such as stone, landscape paving, and all non-living organic ground covers including bark or mulch; C. Identify all civil utilities overlaid on the proposed landscape plan, fire hydrants, fire department connections, check valves, light poles, street signs, ornamental fountains, trash receptacles, bollards, gates, drinking fountains, pools, benches, or other landscape furnishings. D. Show all existing and proposed landscape watering facilities. Depending on the site and complexity of the facilities, this may include an ‘as built’ plan; E. Indicate all provisions for handicapped parking and access ramps into buildings; F. Include appropriate details to illustrate fine, complex, or special construction requirements for landscape elements; G. Show details for tree staking when applicable and consistent with city standards for all landscaping (public and private). H. Include cross-section details showing typical tree and shrub installation. Identify procedures for inspecting nursery stock, including corrective practices needed prior to installation correcting circling roots, removing dead branches, inspecting/correcting branch architecture for defects, etc.). If needed, show planting methods and spacing for: bare root, container-grown, ground cover or any material requiring special or unusual installation; (See VMS appendices for an example of a landscape plan with plant schedule and details) I. Identify all soil resources on site currently and analyze their potential re-use on- site. Identify all soil resources to be used and estimated soil volumes to meet the soil depth and quantity requirements stipulated by section 8.2 and type IV landscaping treatment; provide details of soil source and composition. Identify if soil will be imported or if on-site soils will be retained and amended. J. Furnish other information or submissions consistent with this chapter as may be required by staff or the Director. 6.5 Clear Sight Triangle Adjacent to public rights-of-way and points of access, no fences or landscape material at maturity, shall exceed three feet (36”) above the local finish grade within a clear sight ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 9 of 51 triangle. The dimensions of the required sight triangle are described in the PMC and illustrated in Appendix 20.7. 7.0 MATERIAL STANDARDS: 7.1 Plant Material - General Standards At the time of installation, landscape plants required by the Puyallup Municipal Code, or this document shall be healthy, vigorous, disease-free specimens that meet or exceed the minimum standards presented below. A. All planting material shall meet or exceed the most recent standards established in the publication ‘American Standards for Nursery Stock’, ANSI Z60.1-2004 or current successor, of the American Association of Nurserymen (AAN). B. Specific size, location, spacing, installation, maintenance and/or removal techniques not specifically stated herein shall conform to prevailing arboricultural and horticultural best management practices and /or the most recent standards as set forth by the American Association of Nurserymen, International Society of Arboriculture or applicable equivalent. C. All plants installed shall be of the type, size and condition shown on the project’s approved final landscape plan. Plants shall exhibit normal habits of growth for the species, shall be free of scars, bruises, breaks to major branches and weed roots and seeds. Trees shall be pruned to correct any structural defects in the branch architecture co-dominant stems, crossing branches, branch spacing, etc.) as well as correct circling/girdling roots in the root ball. D. Plants shall be spaced appropriately for their type, function, and intent within the landscape design (massing, screening, specimen). For example, plants used for screening need to be spaced more closely than those for individual display. E. All plants shall be from stock which has been cultivated. Use of collected native material shall only be used with prior Director approval. All stock shall be acclimatized to conditions like those prevailing at the project site. F. No artificial lawn or plant material shall be accepted as satisfying landscape requirements. 7.2 Plant Material - Required Sizes All non-street tree landscape material shall meet or exceed the following size standards at time of installation. Required sizes for street tree material is described in section 12.3. In some instances, additional or larger sized material may be required to mitigate the loss of on-site vegetation, to provide more immediate vegetation re-establishment, screening or buffering of the project site, or as other mitigation as determined appropriate by the Director. The following standards shall not apply in voluntary restoration of natural or critical areas. A. All small deciduous trees, those less than 25 feet tall at maturity, shall be at least 1” caliper, preferably 1.5” or larger, and branched with a strong, central single leader. B. Medium or large deciduous trees shall be at least one inch in caliper, preferably 1.5” or larger, and branched with a strong, central single leader. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 10 of 51 C. All shrubs required by this document and/or Title 20 of the Puyallup Municipal Code shall be no smaller than two gallon in size at the time of planting, unless otherwise specified. D. All groundcover materials required by this document and/or Title 20 of the Puyallup Municipal Code shall be no smaller than one gallon in size, unless otherwise specified. F. Coniferous evergreen trees shall be a minimum of 5 to 6 feet in height. G. Any material not specifically listed shall meet current AAN standards and be of appropriate size to satisfy the intent of this document and/or the PMC. 7.3 Native plant materials A minimum of 50 percent of the shrubs and ground covers used in projects under the requirements of the PMC and the VMS shall be native to the Puget Sound region. Drought tolerant non-PNW Native species, such as xeriscape plants, may be used as a substitute to native plant requirements to create landscapes adaptable to climate change and localized heat island issues that may not allow PNW native species to successfully establish. PNW native species shall be used in all cases as a first priority; the project landscape architect must detail why xeriscape species of plants would be used as a supplement or substitute. 7.4 Daffodils The Puyallup area has a long history with daffodil bulb agricultural cultivation. To reflect that cultural heritage, daffodils shall be used in all perimeter yard areas. All perimeter landscape yard areas required by PMC 20.58 shall include Narcissus trumpet 'King Alfred' or ‘Dutch Master’ in the first 3’ of landscape areas behind the property line, planted at 6” on-center. Other groupings of Narcissus shall be used in groupings through landscape areas. A. Daffodil Bulbs may be interspersed throughout the perimeter landscape areas with standard landscaping shrubs/ground cover/trees, as required. B. Other varieties of Narcissus trumpet may be used, with the preference of 'King Alfred' or ‘Dutch Master’ in the frontage areas closest to any property line for visibility from the right of way. C. Daffodil bulb planting shall be completed at appropriate time of year to allow establishment (September – November). Applicants may be required to post an assignment to secure the installation at the appropriate time of year. Project landscape architect may spec an alternative time of year to plant, such as during the winter or very early spring. 7.5 Non-vegetative Landscape Material A. Bark, mulch, gravel, or other non-vegetative material shall only be used in conjunction with ground cover plantings to assist growth and maintenance or to visually complement plant material. Non-vegetative material is not a substitute for and should not appear to be visually dominate over plant material. B. All non-vegetative ground cover material shall be generally free of foreign material and not detract from the overall design intent of the plan or these policies. C. All non-vegetative material, site furnishings and built structures shall meet all applicable codes and be installed in a safe and professional manner. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 11 of 51 8.0 LANDSCAPE INSTALLATION STANDARDS: 8.1. General Installation Standards A. All work shall be performed and completed in a professional manner. All public rights-of-ways shall be cleared of all mud and debris at the completion of every workday. All on- site storage and work areas shall be maintained in a safe and hazard free condition. B. All final landscape plans shall indicate the method of planting and tree staking when applicable. Staking shall only be used where demonstrated to be necessary. Newly planted trees installed in very loose soil or extremely windy locations shall be staked for one full growing season to minimize tree movement. The tree shall be secured to the stakes with a loose attachment that will allow the tree to grow without injury. The stake will be placed in such a manner that there will be no limb or bark damage. The stake shall not penetrate the root ball and be place on the lee side of the prevailing winds. All stakes and attachment material will be removed by the contractor or property owner at the completion of the first full growing season. C. In parking areas, trees and shrubs shall be planted at least two and one-half feet from the inside edge of the curb or wheel stop, where vehicles may overhang planted areas. Ground cover vegetation should be installed on a regular spaced grid pattern including the overhang area. 8.2 Soil Quantity and Quality Standards Purpose and Definition Naturally occurring (undisturbed) soil and vegetation provide important stormwater functions including water infiltration; nutrient, sediment, and pollutant adsorption; sediment and pollutant biofiltration; water interflow storage and transmission; and pollutant decomposition. These functions are largely lost when development strips away native soil and vegetation and replaces it with minimal topsoil and sod. Not only are these important stormwater functions lost, but such landscapes themselves become pollution- generating pervious surfaces due to increased use of pesticides, fertilizers and other landscaping and household/industrial chemicals, the concentration of pet wastes, and pollutants that accompany roadside litter. Establishing soil quality and depth regains greater stormwater functions in the post development landscape, provides increased treatment of pollutants and sediments that result from development and habitation, and minimizes the need for some landscaping chemicals, thus reducing pollution through prevention. All soils in all landscape installations shall conform to the following soil depth and quality requirements. Please refer to appendix 20.9 for further installation guidance: A. A minimum of eight inches of topsoil, containing ten percent dry weight in planting beds, and 5% organic matter content in turf areas, and a pH from 6.0 to 8.0 or matching the pH of the original undisturbed soil. The topsoil layer shall have a minimum depth of eight inches except where tree roots limit the depth of incorporation of amendments needed to meet the criteria. Subsoils below the topsoil layer should be scarified at least 6 inches with some incorporation of the upper material to avoid stratified layers, where feasible. Installation of the eight inches of topsoil, as described above, shall generally be achieved by placing five inches ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 12 of 51 of imported sandy loam topsoil into planned landscape areas (sub-base scarified four inches with a three-inch layer of compost tilled into the entire depth. B. For street trees in the right of way planter strip, the following standards shall apply in relation to soil depth, soil amendments and installation of new street trees. The following notes shall be shown on the face of the preliminary and final landscape plan sheets: For new construction: In areas where a new planter strip and street tree shall be established or reconstructed due to a street construction project, the planter strip area shall be excavated to a depth of 24” and backfilled following the standard above to achieve a topsoil mix with 40 percent compost by volume. The contractor or installer shall: i. Review the city standard planting detail – All contractors/installers are required to following city standard #01.02.07 (street tree planting) and #01.02.03 (root barrier installation). The contractor/installer shall review the planting standard detail prior to installation to understand the city’s requirements. Failure to follow the standard may result in rejection of the work by the inspector and/or Planning Department. ii. Schedule a field pre-construction meeting - The contractor/installer shall contact the site inspector and Planning Department 48 hours in advance of the installation of street tree(s) for a field pre-construction meeting on- site to review the approved plan set and city standard details. If street trees are to be installed over a longer timeline (such as a residential plat where trees may be installed over a multi-month period), the contractor/installer shall hold one consolidated pre-con to review plans. All street trees shall be inspected after planting by the Planning Department. iii. Excavate all construction materials - Excavate all construction materials, remnant soil, gravel, pit run, construction debris, etc. from the planter strip area to a depth of 24” prior to planting. Discard this material as the placement of new compost amended topsoil is required. iv. Prepare the planting strip - After excavating all materials from the planter strip, scarify and rip the sub-base with the teeth of a backhoe bucket (or other mechanical means or hand tools) to a depth of 6” with multiple passes, 90 degrees to each other. Prior to planting the tree, re-compact the tree base where the street tree will be planted to avoid setting of the root ball. At this stage, if the tree is to be planted when the planter strip is backfilled with amended topsoil, the contractor/installer should measure the depth of the root ball to determine when to place the tree in the pit during the backfilling process. If the root ball or root mass (in the case of bare root trees) is less than 24”, the street tree shall be planted in a manner in which the root flare is level with or at least 1” above grade at the time of finished planting. This may require the root ball be placed on a compacted sub-base of the compost amended topsoil as backfilling is occurring, ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 13 of 51 v. Install root barrier panels - At this stage the contractor/installer shall place 24” deep root barrier panels (UB-24) along the edge of the sidewalk and curb line for a total of eight feet of lineal protection along either side of the planting area. The panels shall be installed perpendicular to the edge of paved surface in accordance with the manufacturer’s standards for a ‘linear’ application; the root barrier panels shall not be installed in the planting pit as a ‘surround’ application, unless specified on the final landscape plans. The top of the root barrier panel shall be installed such that ½” of the root barrier is above the finished grade. vi. Compost amended topsoil required – Topsoil source shall be reviewed and approved during the pre-construction meeting; all topsoil shall be a top quality sandy-loam mix, or equivalent as approved by the Planning Department. The topsoil shall be amended on site during installation with compost to achieve a 40 percent by volume topsoil mix in the right-of-way planter strip. Imported topsoil may be used by the contractor if data ‘cut sheets’ are available from the supplier certifying compost amendment equaling 40 percent by volume using one of the approved compost sources below. Compost shall only be sourced from: • Cascade Compost (also known as PREP/LRI) (available through Pierce County Recycling, Composting & Disposal, 10308 Sales Road, Tacoma, Washington 98499, or retail/wholesale landscape material suppliers) • TAGRO Compost Mix (available through City of Tacoma, 2201 E. Portland Avenue, Gate 6, Tacoma, WA, 98421, or retail/wholesale landscape material suppliers) • Cedar Grove Compost (available through Cedar Grove Compost, 17825 Cedar Grove Road S.E., Maple Valley, 98038, or retail/wholesale landscape material suppliers) vii. Install and amend topsoil - To avoid stratified layers, first place seven inches of approved topsoil in the prepared/scarified planting strip area and mechanically till in five inches of approved compost; follow this procedure twice to achieve the total 24” topsoil depth. Finished grade of topsoil should be 1/2” below the edge of sidewalk to allow the root barrier panel to be properly installed above finished grade. viii. Install tree stakes and finish mulch - Placement of four inches of wood chip mulch, water basin rings, tree staking, and temporary irrigation bags (where required) shall follow city standard #01.02.07. For street trees to be planted in existing right-of-way planter strips: In a planter strip which already exists, and a new street tree shall be installed, the following procedures shall be followed to achieve a topsoil mix with 40 percent compost by volume: i. Excavate soil - Excavate existing soil to a depth of 24” (or equal to the root ball depth, whichever is greater) and width of 8’ (or three times (3X) wider than the root ball or root mass, whichever is greater). Stockpile excavated soil on a tarp away from the street and storm water catch basins. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 14 of 51 ii. Prepare the planting strip - After excavating all materials from the planter strip, scarify and rip the sub-base (by mechanical means or hand tools) to a depth of 6” with multiple passes, 90 degrees to each other. Prior to planting the tree, re-compact the tree base where the street tree will be planted to avoid setting of the root ball. At this stage, if the tree is to be planted when the planter strip is backfilled with amended topsoil, the contractor/installer should measure the depth of the root ball to determine when to place the tree in the pit during the backfilling process. If the root ball or root mass (in the case of bare root trees) is less than 24”, the street tree shall be planted in a manner in which the root flare is level with or at least 1” above grade at the time of finished planting. This may require the root ball be placed on a compacted sub-base of the compost amended topsoil as backfilling is occurring, iii. Install root barrier panels - At this stage the contractor/installer shall place 24” deep root barrier panels (UB-24) along the edge of the sidewalk and curb line for a total of eight feet of lineal protection along either side of the planting area. The panels shall be installed perpendicular to the edge of paved surface in accordance with the manufacturer’s standards for a ‘linear’ application; the root barrier panels shall not be installed in the planting pit as a ‘surround’ application, unless specified on the final landscape plans. The top of the root barrier panel shall be installed such that ½” of the root barrier is above the finished grade. iv. Compost amended topsoil required – The topsoil shall be amended on site during installation with compost to achieve a 40 percent by volume topsoil mix in the right-of-way planter strip. Imported topsoil may be used by the contractor/installer if data ‘cut sheets’ are available from the supplier certifying compost amendment equaling 40 percent by volume using one of the approved compost sources below. Compost shall only be sourced from: • Cascade Compost (also known as PREP/LRI) (available through Pierce County Recycling, Composting & Disposal, 10308 Sales Road, Tacoma, Washington 98499, or retail/wholesale landscape material suppliers) • TAGRO Compost Mix (available through City of Tacoma, 2201 E. Portland Avenue, Gate 6, Tacoma, WA, 98421, or retail/wholesale landscape material suppliers) • Cedar Grove Compost (available through Cedar Grove Compost, 17825 Cedar Grove Road S.E., Maple Valley, 98038, or retail/wholesale landscape material suppliers) v. Install and amend topsoil - To avoid stratified layers, first place seven inches of approved topsoil in the prepared/scarified planting strip area and mechanically till in five inches of approved compost; follow this procedure twice to achieve the total 24” topsoil depth. Finished grade of ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 15 of 51 topsoil should be 1/2” below the edge of sidewalk to allow the root barrier panel to be properly installed above finished grade. vi. Install tree stakes and finish mulch - Placement of four inches of wood chip mulch, water basin rings, tree staking, and temporary irrigation bags (where required) shall follow city standard #01.02.07. B. The project landscape architect shall utilize one of the design methods outlined in appendix 20.9 in incorporating this standard. The landscape architect shall estimate total topsoil and compost import volumes and specify the topsoil and compost source during the final landscape plan review. A topsoil delivery ticket(s), invoice(s), or other physical proof that the correct quantity and quality of topsoil was delivered shall be provided at the time of final inspection. 8.3 Mulching To minimize water use, reduce costs and use of chemicals for maintenance, all planting areas shall be mulched with a uniform four inch layer of organic compost mulch material or wood chips over a properly cleaned, amended and graded subsurface. Four inches of mulch in planting areas shall be maintained through the life of the project. Herbicides shall not be used in the mulch ring area for street trees; see city standard #01.02.07 for street tree mulch application and dimensions. 9.0 GUARDING AGAINST DAMAGE: 9.1 Vegetation Protection Any person, firm or corporation engaged in the construction, alteration or repair of any street, sidewalk, parking area, building or portion thereof, prior to starting of any such activity, shall place proper guards or temporary fences to ensure the protection of adjacent existing vegetation from all damage or injury. This shall include the restriction on stacking, storing, stockpiling, or the accumulation of goods or material in the area defined as the Critical Root Zone. See appendix 20.10 for tree protection on construction and development sites best management practices. See appendix 20.5 for standard detail for protection of all trees (public, private) In developing a tree protection plan, the applicant shall consult a certified arborist, with a certification in Tree Risk Assessment (TRAQ). All vegetation scheduled or conditioned to be retained during development or construction actions shall be assessed by a certified arborist in accordance with industry accepted arboricultural standards as well as the standards contained in appendix 20.10. The project arborist shall integrate any and all applicable protection and pre- conditioning measures outlined in appendix 20.10. 9.2 Excavation in Root Zone To avoid damaging the health and stability of any existing tree which is to be retained, all root structures one inch in diameter or greater found within the upper 24 inches of soil, should not be cut. All roots over two inches in diameter should be tunneled under. Use of ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 16 of 51 pneumatic air tools to remove soil around existing root system is preferred. As last resort, if roots are to be cut, they should be cut cleanly. All exposed/cut roots shall be immediately covered with wet burlap, wet hog fuel/wood chips/sawdust or damp soil or compost to prevent desiccation. No ripping or tearing of the root structure shall be allowed. At no time shall the amount of root disturbance pose a danger to the general health or stability of the tree. 9.3 Violation - Penalty for Damage Penalties for damage to vegetation covered by this document shall follow the appropriate PMC Section(s) including 11.28 or 20.95. 10.0 EXISTING AND NATIVE VEGETATION: 10.1 Existing Trees To maintain and improve the environmental quality, comply with the intent of the Comprehensive Plan and to integrate the project with the existing vegetation, the following classes of trees shall be deemed worthy of retention per the standards of this section: significant trees and heritage trees. Significant trees (as defined below) on a single family or other residential property containing four dwelling units or less are not regulated under the following standards, unless that tree is located in a critical area (as designated under PMC 21.06) or is a tree designated under the city’s Heritage Tree Program (PMC 20.58.025). See appendix 20.5 and 20.10 for further details regarding tree retention and protection during construction. Critical Root Zone areas shall be established using the following standards: A. Critical Root Protection Zones for Significant Trees. In establishing the extent of the Critical Root Protection Zone (CRPZ) for individual significant trees, groupings of significant trees, a stand of significant trees, or a heritage tree the following formula shall be used: ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 17 of 51 Tree diameter (in inches) X 2, converted into feet = CRPZ diameter (example: 20” tree X 2 = 40’ CRPZ diameter) A tree's root system ranges well beyond the dripline. The (CRPZ) has been established above to set a practical limit beyond which any loss of roots would not have a significant impact on a tree's survival. Certain conditions may require larger critical root zones to expect tree survival. Staff may request a larger preserved area for species that are less resilient to the impacts of development, high value trees, heritage trees, rare trees, and trees in sensitive site conditions. This request could identify a critical root zone 1.25 to 1.5 times larger than the minimum standard. The following minimum design standards are established and shall be used to determine the extent of allowable impacts to the CRPZ of significant trees: i. For significant trees, a minimum of 50 percent of the critical root zone must be preserved at natural grade, with natural ground cover. For heritage trees, a minimum of 75 percent of the critical root zone must be preserved at natural grade with natural ground cover. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 18 of 51 ii. No cut or fill greater than four inches will be located closer to the tree trunk than ½ the CRPZ radius distance. iii. No cut or fill within the distance from the tree which is three times the trunk diameter (also can be determined by calculating the ¼ CRPZ). For example, no cut is allowed within 60-inches of a tree which has a 20-inch diameter trunk. These criteria represent minimum standards for determining whether or not a tree may be retained. Greater impacts may be allowed, provided that all design alternatives have been proven unfeasible and that a pre- conditioning and after care mitigation program is established. Such pre and after care program shall follow the guidelines for pre-conditioning found in appendix 20.10 (pages 18-20) and at a minimum shall include: i. Establishing and maintaining a 4-6” layer of hard wood chip mulch in the CRPZ ii. Soil aeration using a high pressure air spade, pneumatic air tool or power auger to create a spoke patterned area around the base of the tree and throughout the CRPZ, back filled with compost to encourage root growth. See appendix 20.10, page 20, section 4 for specific standards. iii. Temporary irrigation (soaker or drip irrigation) throughout the CRPZ during construction The CRPZ shall be shown on the final clearing (CFG and TESC) plan sheets (under the civil site development permit) and final landscape plan sheet. The CRPZ shall be protected using the city standard detail found in appendix 20.5. The case planner shall complete an inspection of the CRPZ prior to any work occurring on the development site. The CRPZ fencing and tree protection signage shall remain in place throughout all phases of construction. Other permit conditions, which shall be shown on the face of all CFG, TESC and final landscape plan sheets, include: i. All trees shall be marked in the field. This may be done with a small aluminum tag, spray painted numbers using a stencil template, or other minimally invasive method that aids the site contractor and case planner in identifying each tree scheduled for retention. ii. No work shall occur within the CRPZ, including, but not limited to, stockpiling materials or soil, parking equipment, placing solvents, or dumping any construction related debris, etc. iii. Entry into the CRPZ or modification of the CRPZ area requires prior authorization from the city Planning Department. iv. Roots cut shall be cut cleanly and immediately covered with wet burlap, wet wood chips/hog fuel, wet compost, etc. to prevent root desiccation. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 19 of 51 v. Areas immediately adjoining the CRPZ that will remain a root zone area/landscaping area post-construction but impacts to that area of the root zone are needed for construction related activities shall be covered with 6-8 inches of coarse wood chip mulch/hog fuel and covered with plywood to protect the roots in that area. B. Significant Trees Established. Significant trees are all healthy and growing trees greater than fifteen (15) inches diameter breast height (DBH – 4.5’ above grade). Significant tree protections do not apply to native black cottonwood or red alder species (unless associated with a critical area, as protected by PMC 21.06). These sizes may be adjusted up or down for individual trees or sites based on site location, tree location on site, percent of tree coverage, species, species mix, potential for and other factors consistent with this document. All significant trees shall be assessed by a certified arborist - with a certification in Tree Risk Assessment (TRAQ) - for suitability of retention. Perimeter trees in landscaping setback areas represent the highest likelihood for retention and shall receive special attention; trees in perimeter setback areas under 15” DBH may be assessed for retention. Planned and required open spaces should incorporate existing trees to the extent feasible during site planning and plan review. Significant and heritage trees shall be retained when possible, excepting for the following circumstances: When a Tree Risk Assessment is completed and the tree(s) risk rating scores in a high-risk category based on the project arborist recommendation/assessment. The project arborist shall utilize ISA tree risk assessment forms for determining risk score and category. Trees assessed at a more moderate risk category may be included if the project arborist determines that retaining and monitoring the tree is not feasible and failure could occur, causing damage to life, negatively impacting high occupancy targets or unnecessarily damaging project improvements. The project arborist must demonstrate the likelihood of failure, consequences of the failure and likelihood of impacting targets near the tree(s) assessed justify the removal of the tree(s). When, in the opinion of a certified arborist, the tree(s) pose a threat or hazard to structures, sidewalks, streets, driveways, sewer, water or other utility lines, and no reasonable alternatives exist to re-locate such improvements, or where existing tree(s) are damaging infrastructure, sidewalks/paving or utilities. When no reasonable alternative exists to sitting the project without removing or seriously compromising the long-term health of the tree. Staff shall use flexibility during site plan review to enable the protection of such trees. When the preservation of the tree(s) will significantly block solar access All vegetation management criteria presented in PMC Title 21 and specifically Chapter 21.06 (Environmentally Critical Areas Management) shall be ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 20 of 51 followed. Maintaining trees and vegetation cover is critical for reducing potential erosion, soil and slope stability, habitat, and community aesthetics. Trees shall not be removed that will compromise soil stability, increase erosion potential, impact habitat functions or for establishing new scenic views that did not previously exist. With these constraints in mind, there are several alternatives to tree removal for solar access or view shed protection. The first option shall be to use one of several trimming practices including: windowing, interlimbing and skirting-up. These are explained in greater detail in Appendix 20.6. Only as a last resort, with staff approval of a certified arborist and/or qualified professional biologist, geotechnical engineer, etc.) report, shall a minimum of clearly identified trees be removed to preserve view corridors or for establishing solar access. Mitigation for any trees removed for solar access or view protection shall be 2:1. When all appropriate measures are taken to safeguard the tree and its root system, but the tree(s) will not likely survive the impacts of construction, due to condition, age, disease potential, alteration of water regime, significant grade changes, changes in drainage patterns, significantly increased exposure, or its location within a preexisting natural grouping. 10.2 Existing Vegetation A. Credit for retention: Where existing healthy plant material exists on a site prior to its development, property owners/developers shall retain the existing landscaping and native vegetation to the greatest extent possible. The Director may give credit toward required landscaping for incorporating existing plant material into the project design if it meets the intent of this document. B. Buffers: If the proposed project is required to provide natural vegetative buffers for mitigation or environmentally critical areas that will be located on or adjacent to the project site, the Director may permit the use of existing vegetation to satisfy a portion or all of the required landscaping or buffer planting requirements. The Director may require additional landscaping or enhancement to satisfy the standards and intent of this policy, PMC Title 20 or Title 21. 11.0 MAINTENANCE STANDARDS: 11.1 General Maintenance All projects with approved landscape plans shall maintain such landscape in a green and growing condition. Any plant material diseased, deformed, stolen, significantly injured or dead shall be replaced at the earliest appropriate time. Landscaped areas shall be kept free of weeds, inappropriate plant material, rubbish and trash. All approved landscapes will be assessed for compliance with the approved final landscape plan and these standards at time of application for final Certificate of Occupancy. The installed landscape shall be reviewed one full growing season after issuance of final Certificate of Occupancy and periodically thereafter. Any plant material or ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 21 of 51 maintenance deficiencies shall be identified for correction and the property owner or landscape warranty provider shall be notified as a courtesy. Lack of notification does not release the property owner or warranty provider of maintenance and/or replacement responsibility. 11.2 Buffers and Open Space All areas preserved as natural plant communities or common areas including buffers, enhanced buffers, storm water retention and detention facilities and designated open space area shall be annually cleared by the property owner(s) or neighborhood associations of invasive and inappropriate plant material, noxious vegetation and all trash and other debris. All such areas shall be managed with staff approval in order to maintain and enhance their intended function and purpose. No plant material shall be cut, topped, severely pruned or removed from these areas without proper notification, approval and permits. 11.3 Cultivated Areas The owner of land subject to this document shall be responsible for the maintenance of said landscaping in good condition so as to present a healthy, neat and orderly landscape area. A. New Installations: The amount of maintenance required by newly planted vegetation is more intensive than that for established plantings. The establishment period is generally two full growing seasons after planting. Trees will need a thorough watering at least once a week during the first growing season and watering thereafter until fully established. Shrubs and ground covers will need more frequent watering due to the smaller root system. Additional watering may be required based on soil, solar exposure, environmental and seasonal climatic conditions. Fertilizing and pruning should be an annual occurrence, or as needed. The applicant shall demonstrate how establishment period supplemental watering, as well as long-term watering schedule, will be implemented on the final landscape plan. B. Established Vegetation: All landscaping and screening areas shall be maintained in healthy, growing condition. Broken, dead, stolen, topped or dying trees, shrubs or other plants shall be replaced in a timely manner with similar type and size material consistent with the approved landscape plan. Planting areas shall be routinely maintained and be kept free of trash and weeds. If a tree, or trees, required by PMC 20.58 or this document are topped they shall be replaced at the property owner’s expense. C. Pruning: All pruning should be accomplished equivalent to the most recent issue of “Standards of Pruning for Certified Arborists” as developed by the International Society of Arboriculture or its industry accepted equivalent (ANSI A300). Trees and shrubs shall be pruned only as necessary to promote correct branch architecture, as preventative maintenance, provide needed clearance, maintain tree health, minimize failure risk, or improve/maintain a scenic view. All pruning should have an objective before being undertaken. Unless special approval is provided overhead utility line clearance where reduction cuts are not feasible), trees shall be allowed to attain their normal size and shall not be severely pruned or “topped” in order to be maintained at a reduced height or crown shape. 11.4 Street Tree Obstruction Clearance The overreaching branches of trees adjacent to rights-of way shall have a maintained minimum clearance above the finished grade of public streets of fourteen (14’) feet and a ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 22 of 51 minimum seven feet of clearance above finished grade of the sidewalk abutting the planting area. Every owner of any tree or shrub overhanging any street right-of-way shall prune the branches to provide safe use of the street and sidewalk and provide unobstructed views through street intersection sight triangles (see Appendix 20.7). Unless otherwise provided, obstruction clearance pruning for street trees located in the public right-of-way shall be the responsibility of the abutting property owner, with proper permitting. 11.5 Street Tree and Vegetation Maintenance A. Responsible parties - The City of Puyallup shall maintain all trees paid for and/or planted by the City of Puyallup directly. The City shall maintain a list and supporting map(s) showing the location of these trees. Maintenance of street trees which were not planted by the City of Puyallup which are located in the public right-of-way, a street tree easement or on private property (when the tree was planted on private property to meet the requirements of 11.28.030) shall be the responsibility of the abutting property owner to water, prune and otherwise maintain and/or remove, with proper permitting as outlined herein. Any street tree (in any location) may only be removed under the following scenarios: “Street Tree Removal Criteria” The tree has been determined to be a hazard tree, as determined by a certified arborist with city approval, posing an immediate public safety hazard (that cannot be corrected or mitigated unless the tree is removed); OR, The tree is in such a condition of poor health, or the tree is dead, such that removal is justified; OR, It cannot be successfully retained, due to public or private construction or other development conflicts, whereby impacts cannot be mitigated or avoided and the tree is unlikely to survive construction impacts; OR, The tree is damaging infrastructure improvements, such as sidewalks, walkways, paving or utilities or other improvements in ways that warrant removal of the tree(s). Considerations such as cutting, grinding or selective removal of tree roots, modifications to infrastructure to retain the tree(s) involved and/or the application of other methods in repairing or replacing infrastructure that would allow retention of the tree shall be considered. If a certified arborist for the City of Puyallup determines a privately maintained street tree in the city right-of-way is a hazard to the public right of way and risk associated with the tree cannot be mitigated unless the tree is removed, pruned or otherwise maintained, the city shall notify the property owner of the need to remove and/or maintain the tree at the property owner’s expense. If the property owner fails to act within a defined timeframe – as determined by a certified arborist for the City of Puyallup based on the condition of the tree and the overall risk to public safety – the city shall remove, prune or otherwise maintain the tree. The billing for that work may be provided to the abutting property owner. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 23 of 51 B. Replanting of removed street trees – If a street tree is approved for removal, the planter strip in the direct proximity of the removal shall be evaluated for replacement of a new street tree. If the planter strip is 4’ or wider, a street tree may be required to be replanted; if the tree(s) removed were part of an approved landscape plan under PMC 20.58 (landscaping) and/or Street Trees (PMC 11.28), street tree(s) shall be replanted. All new street trees shall conform to the “Street Tree Installation Standards Table” in section 12.4 of this document. C. Permitting Requirements – The City’s Development Services Director, or designee, shall review and approve all street tree maintenance, pruning, removal and planting requests in accordance with city standards. Pruning and removal – A right-of-way street tree permit shall be obtained to: i. Prune branches larger than 2” in diameter or to remove more than 10 percent of the branches in any tree during a one-year period (pruning of branches smaller than 2” in diameter that does not exceed 10 percent removal of tree’s branches are exempt, unless they are within 15’ of energized overhead power lines, in which case a permit is required). All pruning cuts shall be undertaken to either establish good branch patterns/architecture or provide clearance over roadways, sidewalks and near buildings. Pruning for other purposes must be explicitly stated and approved. Unless special approval is provided overhead utility line clearance where reduction cuts are not feasible), trees shall be allowed to attain their normal size and shall not be severely pruned or “topped” in order to be maintained at a reduced height or crown shape. All street tree pruning shall conform to all accepted arboricultural standards (ANSI A300) and shall be performed and/or supervised by a certified arborist; tree topping is strictly prohibited. ii. Remove a street tree over 6” in diameter (as measured at 4.5’ above grade, or DBH – trees smaller than 6” in diameter are exempt from permits but may only be removed based on the above established “Street Tree Removal Criteria”). iii. Remove any street tree within 15’ of an energized overhead power line. iv. Root prune or trench near any street tree where roots over 1” in diameter will be effected. Planting – A street tree planting permit shall be required to plant a new street tree in the right-of-way. The permit shall be free of charge. All applicants proposing to plant new street trees shall call 811 to locate all underground utilities in the proximity of the work area. Stump grinding - All street trees that are removed shall be completely removed and ground level (‘stump grinding’) at grade such that no tripping hazard is present upon completion of the work. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 24 of 51 Other standards – All areas of work shall be cleared of all limbs, twigs, stumps, logs, leaves, etc. at the time of completing approved or exempt tree pruning, removal, maintenance or planting work. Tree companies operating in the public right-of-way should preferably be accredited by the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA); all companies working in the city right-of-way shall adhere to the safety standards of ANSI Z133.1. 12.0 STREET TREE SELECTION AND INSTALLATION STANDARDS: 12.1 Work Notification When any substantial pruning or removal of any tree in excess of 6” DBH or any tree within 15’ of an energized power line within City right-of-way is proposed, a Public Works Right- of-Way Construction Permit must first be obtained from the Public Works Department except as provided for in the PMC. All trees within 15’ of energized power lines (located on private or public property) requires notification and coordination with the local utility provider (Puget Sound Energy) regarding the work being completed; no tree company or individual may prune or remove any portion of any tree within 15’ (or distance as established by other applicable law or standard) of an energized power line. Nothing in this manual shall be construed to exempt any person, firm or corporation from the requirement of obtaining any additional permits or insurance as required by law. 12.2 Tree Installation Census For new tree plantings in any street right-of-way or established street tree easement, a street tree installation census must be completed. If the street tree installation is part of an approved site plan development, the census shall be completed during the final plan approval process. No fee shall be charged for this census, and it may be obtained from the Development Services Permit Center. 12.3 Street Tree Material and Planting Standards A. Street trees shall be provided as part of the development process as defined in the PMC 11.28 (see Appendix 20.1). Street trees are defined as trees with a mature height greater than 15 feet located within public rights-of-way or established easement along an existing or proposed street. B. Selection of street tree species and planting location shall conform to PMC Chapter 11.28, this document and be coordinated with the Development Services Planning Division and Parks Maintenance Division. C. Street trees shall be located in the public right-of-way or assigned easement and adhere to the design intent and objectives, spacing, location and requirements stated herein. The Planning Director and/or designee(s) shall review and approve any proposed species/cultivar substitution/deviation from the approved street tree species list below. D. Street trees shall meet all general plant material requirement with the exception of size which shall be as described below at time of installation: ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 25 of 51 Medium to Large street trees (40’ or greater at maturity) shall be a minimum of 1 inch in caliper measured 4” inches above ground at time of installation; Street tree with a mature height less than 25 feet shall be a minimum of 6 feet tall and branched at time of installation. Trees with broken or inappropriately pruned tops, poor branching, injured trunks, or branch damage that cannot be corrected by minor pruning are not suitable as street trees will be rejected. Street trees proposed in sight distance areas are required to be larger cultivated nursery stock, with tall branching up the trunk from the nursery, or with branching pruned at the time of installation to limit conflicts and provide a clear zone below the tree canopy for the expected driver’s eye height per MUTCD standards. 12.4 Street Tree Location and Spacing The following standards have been established to reduce potential conflicts between trees and streets, sidewalks, all underground and above ground utilities, pedestrian and vehicular safety, while pursuing the goals set by the Comprehensive Plan of attractive urban spaces with tree lined streets and neighborhoods. These standards, as established below are based on the potential mature size and horticultural needs of the tree in relation to generalized site conditions. Specific sites will dictate the preferred tree and spacing, consult with city staff or for more information. The preference for street tree location is in areas where suitable soil volumes exist to grow large, functional street trees. In no event shall a new street tree be planted in the right-of- way tree lawn if the width of such tree lawn area is narrower than New development shall dedicate suitable right-of-way for street trees if none exist. If existing area exists to plant street trees but the location underground utilities or inadequate planting space would prevent street trees from being placed in the right-of-way, the street trees may be placed on private property with a street tree easement, if required. Street trees on private property may serve a dual use as both street trees and as landscaping required by section 13.0 of this document. Root barriers, in accordance with city standards, are required for all street trees in planter strips less than 8’ in width; a minimum of 8’ of linear protection along the edge of the sidewalk adjacent to the street tree shall be provided, using a minimum 24” deep root barrier panels. See city standards #01.02.07 and #01.02.03 for further details. The anticipated size of the tree will dictate the planting location; street tree design shall focus primarily upon planting trees in locations that will protect other right-of-way infrastructure while providing large, functional canopy area, where appropriate. All tree selection shall follow the concept of ‘right-tree, right-place’; the largest tree should be used for the rooting and overhead space available to improve overall canopy coverage throughout the city. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 26 of 51 Street Tree Installation Standards Table – City of Puyallup Criteria Class I (Overhead Utility Street Trees) Class II (Narrow Trees) Class III (Medium Trees) Class V (Large Trees) Minimum planter strip width 4’ 4’ 5’ 6’ On-center spacing standards 20 - 25 ft 20 - 25 ft 25 - 35 ft 30 - 40 ft Plant under overhead utility lines? Yes No No No Planting distance from buildings 7.5’ 7.5’ 10’ 10’ Distance from utility and street light poles 10’ 10’ 10’ 10’ Distance from fire hydrants 5’ 5’ 5’ 5’ Distance from driveway (measured from the outer edge of driveway paving) 7.5’ 7.5’ 7.5’ 7.5’ Distance from stop light signal poles 15’ 15’ 20’ 25’ Distance from underground water, sanitary sewer or storm sewer lines 10’ 10’ 10’ 10’ Distance from underground gas, power or other conduit 3’ 3’ 3’ 5’ Minimum distance from intersection (as measured from the face of curb line corner at intersection) 30 ft 30 ft 30 ft 30 ft Minimum distances from street signs (excluding parking signs) 30’ from leading side, 10’ from trailing side 30’ from leading side, 10’ from trailing side 30’ from leading side, 10’ from trailing side 30’ from leading side, 10’ from trailing side ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 27 of 51 12.5 Tree Selection The selection of tree species for a particular location should consider the horticultural, aesthetic and urban design requirements in equal measure. A. Street tree selection shall come from the approved listings in sections 12.7 - 12.10, unless otherwise approved by the Parks Maintenance Division and/or Planning Director/designee(s). 12.6 Street Tree Mix A mixture of street tree species generally shall be provided throughout site-specific developments to provide visual interest and to ensure that a mixture of tree species are used throughout the city, as follows: A. For projects involving one to three trees, one species may be used. B. For projects involving four to eight trees, at least two different species and/or cultivars of trees shall be included. Trees in this category can be of the same genus but shall be of differing cultivars. C. For projects involving nine to fifteen (15) trees, at least three different trees (all differing genus) shall be used. D. For projects involving sixteen (16) or more street trees, at least four different trees (all differing genus) shall be used. Where a 10’ planter strip or larger exists or is being provided, a minimum of 25 percent of these trees shall be evergreen conifer. To prevent uniform disease susceptibility and eventual uniform senescence, no single species or cultivar shall make up more than 10 percent of the total City street tree population; no more than 20 percent of the total City street tree population shall be composed of one genus and no more than 30 percent of any one family. The Director may limit or adjust the required species mix on a given site, project, or area of the city if the proposed species presently or with the addition of the proposed trees would constitute over 15 percent of the total city-wide street ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 28 of 51 tree species mix. A periodic inventory of street trees shall be maintained by the Development Services Department. Species may also be limited or adjusted due to horticultural constraints including disease or potential pest problems. 12.7 Class I - Overhead Utility Street Trees These trees are shorter and may be spaced as close as 18 feet but more commonly will be spaced 20 to 25 feet apart. The minimum planting tree lawn width for each of these trees is Care should be taken to select trees with an upright form for any planter strip less than root barriers are always required for trees in planter strips less than 8’ in width. Each tree selected in this category is appropriate for planting under overhead utility lines. Common name (Botanical) Size (H X W) Under overhead wires? Minimum planter strip width Comments Amur Maple (Acer ginnala) 20’ X 20’ Yes 4’ Multi-stem tree in some cases. ‘Flame’, ‘Ruby Slippers’ accepted Amur Maackia (Maackia amurensis) 25’ X 20’ Yes 4’ Upright vase shaped Baby Blue Eyes Spruce (Picea pungens 'Baby Blueeyes') 30’ X 15’ Yes 4’ EVERGREEN – Dwarf of Colorado blue spruce Carriere Hawthorn (Crataegus × lavallei 'Carrierei') 20’ X 15’ Yes 4’ Small orange fruit can attract wildlife Cascara (Rhamnus purshiana) 30’ x 15’ Yes 4’ Native – Great PNW native plant pick Crape (Lagerstroemia indica) 15’ x 15’ Yes 4’ Many cultivars available, make sure available in tree form – very showy flowers Dwarf golden hemlock (Tsuga canadensis 'Everitt's Golden' 15’ x 6’ Yes 5’ EVERGREEN - Striking foliage, avoid full sun exposure Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) 25’ X 25’ Yes 4’ Spreading, rounded crown shape; other Cercis cultivars allowed Flowering Crabapple (Malus Sp.) Varies Yes (generally) 4’ Usually a rounded growth habit, check species/cultivar Goldenchain tree (Laburnum x Watereri 'Vossii') 25’ x 20’ Yes 4’ Vase shaped, upright. Long, pendulous golden flower chains Goldenraintree (Koelreuteria paniculata) 30’ X 25’ Yes 4’ Columnar variety – ‘Fastigiata’ – also accepted for tight locations ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 29 of 51 Incense Cedar ‘Maupin Glow’ (Calocedrus decurrens ‘Maupin Glow’) 15’ x 10’ Yes 5’ EVERGREEN – PNW Native – dwarf cultivar of incense cedar, drought tolerant Ivory Silk Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata ‘Ivory Silk’) 20’ X 15’ Yes 4’ Showy flowering tree form lilac Japanese Snowbell (Styrax Japonicus) 25’ X 25’ Yes 4’ Showy flowers, prefers partial shade Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa) 25’ X 25’ Yes 4’ Showy flowers in spring Mountian Hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana) 30’ X 15’ Yes 6’ EVERGREEN- PNW native, smaller stature at lower elevations, pyramidal Paperbark maple (Acer griseum) 25’ X 20’ Yes 4’ Interesting cinnamon colored peeling bark Paul’s Scarlet Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) 22’ x 20’ Yes 4’ Scarlet red flowers Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica ‘Vanessa’) 28’ X 15’ Yes 4’ Upright form, drought tolerant - ‘Persian Spire’ also acceptable Serviceberry (Amelanchier grandiflora) 20’ X 15’ Yes 3.5’ Cultivars ‘Princess Diana’ and ‘Autumn Brillance’ approved Shore Pine (Pinus contorta) 30’ X 25’ Yes 5’ EVERGREEN – Native conifer, responds well to directional pruning Skyward bald cypress (Taxodium distichum 'Skyward') 20’ X 10’ Yes 4’ Deciduous conifer – dwarf bald cypress, narrow species Slender Hinoki False Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Gracilis') 15’ X 10’ Yes 4’ EVERGREEN -Pendulous branches and growth, very small at maturity Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata) 20’ X 15’ Yes 4’ Spreading, multi-branched, almost shrub-like; Note: other Magnolia permitted as small tree if under 30’ at maturity Summer Sprite Linden (Tilia cordata ‘Halka’) 20’ X 15’ Yes 4’ Semi-dwarf form of Littleleaf Linden Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn crus-galli) 25’ X 25’ Yes 4’ Thornless cultivar Trident Maple (Acer buergerianum) 20’ x 20’ Yes 4’ Rounded shape, should be used in wider strips to avoid clearance conflicts Vanderwolf Limber Pine (Pinus flexilis 'Vanderwolf's Pyramid') 30’ X 15’ Yes 5’ EVERGREEN – Beautiful pine, pyramidal ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 30 of 51 Vine Maple (Acer circinatum) 15’ x 10’ Yes 4’ PNW native, good for very narrow spaces. ‘Pacific Purple’ and ‘Pacific Fire’ accepted Wichita blue juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) 15’ x 6’ Yes 5’ EVERGREEN – Small, tight form tree, silver blue foliage Zelkova – ‘City Sprite’, ‘Wireless’ (Zelkova serrate ‘City Sprite’, ‘Schmidtlow’ 25’ X 20’ (City sprite) 25’ X 35’ (Wireless) Yes 5’ Wireless zelkova should only be used in wide settings, both tough, upright trees 12.8 Class II - Narrow Street Trees These trees may be used for narrow areas, but they still require adequate root area. The spacing will vary with the intent but may be as close as 15 feet, but 20 to 25 foot spacing will be more common. There are some tall trees included in this list, so check to make sure the site can handle the specific species or cultivar. Common name (Botanical) Size (H X W) Under overhead wires? Minimum planter strip width Comments American Linden (Tilia americana ‘Boulevard’, ’Continental Appeal’) 50’ X 25’ NO 5’ Very hardy, large leaf area Arizona Cypress ‘Blue Ice’ (Cupressus glabra 'Blue Ice') 30’ X 12’ NO 8’ EVERGREEN - Beautiful silver-blue foliage. Upright habit. Drought resistant. Bald Cypress ‘Shawnee Brave’ (Taxodium distichum 'Shawnee Brave') 60’ X 10’ NO 8’ Tolerates wet soil (swamp native), deciduous conifer. Needs plentiful rooting space Beech ‘Purple Dawyck’ (Fagus sylvatica 'Dawyckii Purple') 50’ X 15’ NO 5’ Good alternative to thundercloud plum Columnar blue atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Fastigiata') 50’ x 15’ NO 8’ EVERGREEN – Striking blue columnar form, true cedar tree Columnar blue spruce (Picea pungens 'Fastigiata') 35’ x 10’ NO 8’ EVERGREEN - Very narrow, upright form Columnar Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera ‘Fastigiatum’) 50’ X 20’ NO 6’ Interesting leaf shape, can have annual aphid problems Deodar cedar ‘Karl Fuchs’ (Cedrus deodara 'Karl Fuchs') 30’ x 10’ NO 8’ EVERGREEN -Columnar form Emerald Arrow Bosnian Pine (Pinus leucodermis 'Emerald Arrow') 30’ X 10’ NO 8’ EVERGREEN –Compact, upright form of Bosnian Pine ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 31 of 51 Fastigiate White Pine (Pinus strobus ‘Fastigiata’) 30’ x 10’ NO 8’ EVERGREEN Gingko 'Fastigiata' (Ginkgo biloba ‘'Fastigiata') 50’ X 15’ NO 6’ Brilliant yellow fall color, distinctive leaf shape, also try ‘Princeton Sentry’ Green Pilar Pin Oak (Quercus palustris 'Pringreen' or 'Green Pillar') 45’ X 15’ NO 5’ Very columnar cultivar of Pin Oak Honeylocust ‘Streetkeeper’ (Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Draves’ 45’ X 20’ NO 6’ Columnar form Incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) 40’ X 15’ NO 8’ EVERGREEN – Narrow, columnar evergreen, should be used often, drought tolerant Mushashino Zelkova (Zelkova serrata ‘Musashino’) 45’ X 15’ NO 5’ Very narrow, upright form Pyramidal European Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’’) 35’ X 25’ NO 5’ Tough urban tree, good near hard surfaces. Also try ‘Emerald Avenue’ (40’ x 28’) and ‘Frans Fontaine’ (35’ x 15’) Red Fox Katsura japonicum 'Rotfuchs' 35’ X 15’ NO 5’ Columnar habit, purple foliage Upright English Oak (Qurecus robur ‘Fastigiata’) 50’ X 25’ NO 6’ Narrow, upright form Weeping Alaskan Yellow Cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’) 45’ X 15’ NO 8’ EVERGREEN -Beautiful accent tree, should be used in alternating plantings not as a standalone row; Weeping Serbian Spruce (Picea omorika 'Pendula') 30’ x 10’ NO 8’ EVERGREEN – One of the most attractive conifers accepted 12.9 Class III - Medium Street Trees These trees are of medium size, 30 - 50 feet and should be used with some thought to early structural pruning to develop an attractive and safe branching pattern. The tree lawn should be at least 5 feet and preferably 6 feet wide. The spacing of the trees should be 30 to 40 feet apart. Common name (Botanical) Size (H X W) Under overhead wires? Minimum planter strip width Comments American Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) 45’ X 25’ NO 5’ Hop-like flowers ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 32 of 51 Autumn gold Gingko (Gingko biloba ‘Autumn Gold’) 45’ X 35’ NO 5’ Brilliant fall yellow color Baumann horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum 'Baumannii') 40’ X 40’ NO 8’ Seedless variety, showy flowers; examine other seedless varieties Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) 35’ x 20’ NO 5’ Chunky bark, adaptable to wet, clay-ish soils; all cultivars acceptable Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens 'Glauca') 40’ x 25’ NO 10’ EVERGREEN – drought tolerant species Crimson King maple (Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’) 40’ x 35’ NO 5.5’ Attractive purple foliage – may not be used as a standalone street tree species Elm hydrids – ‘ Emer ‘Morton stalwart’, ‘Emerald Sunshine’. ‘Frontier’, ‘Homestead’, ‘New Horizon’, ‘Patriot’, ‘Pioneer’ ‘Prospector’, ‘Triumph’ Varies – generally 40’ x 30’ NO 6.5’ Use of all Ulmus hybrids here acceptable, all have resistance to Dutch Elm Disease and phloem necrosis. Mature heights and widths vary Hardy rubber tree (Eucommia ulmoides) 45’ x 45’ NO 6’ Dark, lustrous green foliage, drought tolerant Hedge maple (Acer campestre 'Evelyn') 35’ X 35’ NO 5’ Cultivar: Evelyn’ has a strong upright form – this cultivar only authorized for use Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) 50’ X 15’ NO 8’ EVERGREEN Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) 45’ X 35’ NO 5’ Many cultivars available Katsura tree japonicum) 45’ X 45’ NO 5’ Beautiful leaf shape, attractive form Lacebark elm (Ulmus parvifolia) – all cultivars 40-50’ X 35’ NO 5’ Resistant to Dutch Elm Disease; ‘Allee Elm’ preferred, all cultivars and hybrids of Ulmus parvifolia acceptable Linden/Basswood (Tilia Americana, Tilia hybrids) Varies NO 6’ All cultivars, hybrids of Tilia promoted; good sub for ash trees, tolerant to urban conditions Cork Tree (Phellodendron amurense 'Macho') 40’ X 40’ NO 5’ Fruitless variety, handsome chunky bark; cultivars ‘His Majesty’ and ‘Longenecker’ also ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 33 of 51 Mayabei Maple (Acer miyabei) 40’ x 40’ NO 6’ Underused maple tree, yellow fall color Norway Maple (Acer platanoides ‘Emerald Queen’) 50’ X 40’ NO 6’ Fast growing maple Oriental spruce (Picea orientalis) 50’ X 25’ NO 10’ EVERGREEN – Fine needles, golden cultivars have great gold color Persian Parrotia (Parrotia persica) 30’ x 20’ NO 5’ Drought tolerant tree, should be used more often Pistache tree (Pistacia chinensis) 30’ x 30’ NO 5’ Great orange-red fall color River Birch (Betula nigra) 40’ x 35’ NO 5’ Exfoliating bark – year-round interest Serbian Spruce (Picea omorika) 50’ X 20’ NO 10’ EVERGREEN – Nice, narrow evergreen tree Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboretum) 30’ X 15’ NO 5’ Brilliant fall red color, good sub for red maple Turkish filbert (Corylus columnar) 40’ X 25’ NO 5’ Tight, formal crown, strong leader. Should not be used near sidewalks due to nut production Yellowwood (cladrastis kentukea) 35’ x 35’ NO 5’ Long clusters of white flowers Zelkova ‘Village Green’ (Zelkova serrata ‘Village Green’) 40’ X 40’ NO 6’ Vase shaped, tight branch angles; good elm substitute; also try ‘Green Vase’, ‘Halka’ 12.10 Class IV - Large Street Trees These large trees should only be used in large planting areas. Due to their large canopy and or extensive root system the tree lawn should be at a minimum of 6.5’ feet and preferably 8- 10 feet wide. Large street trees shall be used on all major and minor arterials where no overhead utilities exist, and the minimum tree lawn width is present to support adequate rooting volume; street trees from other lists may also be intermixed as well. There should be a minimum spacing of 30 to 40 feet between trees. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 34 of 51 Common name (Botanical) Size (H X W) Under overhead wires? Minimum planter strip width Comments American Elm (Ulmus americana – ‘Valley Forge’, ‘Princeton’, ‘New Harmony’, ‘Jefferson’) Varies – 70’ X 65’ common NO 8.5’+ NOTE: only Dutch Elm Disease resistant cultivars allowed; stately, arching branches, a classic American street tree Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) 60’ X 40’ NO 10’ EVERGREEN – Stately tree, very broad over time Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra) 50’ x 25’ NO .10’ Evergreen Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) 70’ X 25’ NO 8.5’ Deciduous conifer, tolerates wet conditions well Blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica) 50’ X 30’ NO 6’ Interesting club-shaped leaf Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) 55’ X 45’ NO 6’ Broad, irregular growth Deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara) 70’ X 40’ NO 10’ EVERGREEN – Excellent evergreen, pendulous branches and form English oak (Quercus robur) 60’ X 40’ NO 5’ Sturdy tree European beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Riversii’, ‘Roseomarginata, 'Asplenifolia' 60’ X 45’ NO 6’ Beautiful, long-lived trees, ‘Riversii’ – purple leaf, tricolor should be used often and for contrast Grand fir (Abies grandis) 65’ X 20’ NO 10’ EVERGREEN- PNW native, prefers dry sites Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) 50’ X 35’ NO 6.5’ Tolerant to urban conditions Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus – ‘Espresso’) 60’ X 35’ NO 6.5’ Large, bi-pinnately leaves Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) 60’ X 40’ NO 6’ Only oak native to NW; should be used only in well-draining, rocky soils Pin oak (Quercus palustris) 55’ X 40’ NO 6’ Branches have a distinctive droop overtime Planetree/Sycamore (Platanus x acerifolia – ‘Bloodgood’, ‘Exclamation’, ‘Columbia’ or ‘Yarwood’) 50’ X 40’ NO 8’ Strong, large tree with maple-like leaves. Tolerates urban conditions. Should be used in large planter strips in excess of 6.5’ Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) 100’+ X 35’ NO 10’ EVERGREEN – PNW native to eastern side of state, colorful bark, very drought tolerant ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 35 of 51 Red Oak (Quercus rubra) 60’ X 45’ NO 6’ Good street tree Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea) 60’ X 45’ NO 6’ Large tree, leaf similar to red oak Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum – ‘Bonfire’, ‘Commemoration’, ‘Legacy’) 55’ X 40’ NO 6’ Great fall color with all Sugar maples, should be used alongside contrasting evergreens Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) 60’ X 45’ NO 6’ All cultivars of Quercus bicolor promoted Sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) 50’ X 30’ NO 6.5’ Purple leaf cultivar ‘atropurpureum’ accepted for use Texas red oak (Quercus buckleyi) 40’ x 40’ NO 6’ Great drought tolerant tree, should be used more often Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) 60’ X 35’ NO 6.5’+ Fast growing, yellow fall color Western white pine (Pinus monticola) 100’+ X 35’ 10’ EVERGREEN – lighter color needles 12.11 Class V Prohibited Trees These trees shall not be used for street tree plantings due to overuse, aggressive root system, weak branching habit, disease or pest susceptibility or other problems that are compounded when planted near the street and sidewalk. Many of these trees are useful in other planting situations. A. Ash (Fraxinus spp.) – Fraxinus and all cultivars shall not be used due to the spreading risk of emerald ash borer (EAB), which kills all Fraxinus trees. No EAB resistant cultivars are known. B. Big Leaf Maple (Acer – Useful in many other native areas throughout the city C. Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) – Invasive plant species in the PNW. D. Flowering Pear (Pyrus calleryana) – Similar to Acer rubrum, flowering pear trees are prohibited currently due to overuse and due to susceptibility to storm damage and short life span. E. Populus spp. – prohibition includes all trees in the Populus genus, including poplars, cottonwoods, aspens, etc. F. Red Alder (Alnus rubra) - Useful in many other native areas throughout the city. G. Red Maple (Acer rubrum, Acer x freemanii) – Acer rubrum and all cultivars of this species are currently not allowed due to vast over-use throughout the city. This exclusion includes Acer x freemanii and all cultivars of the freemanii hybrid as well. H. Salix spp. – (willows) I. Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) – This maple species is prone to extensive decay and branch breakages as well as a shallow, aggressive root system. J. Sweetgum (Liquidamber Sp.) – Sweetgum has been traditionally overused, does not stand up well generally to storms/wind and commonly lift and break sidewalks. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 36 of 51 K. ‘Thundercloud’ Plum (Prunus cerasifera ‘Thundercloud’) – This specific cultivar is prohibited due to vast overuse as well as susceptibility to storm damage and pruning induced water sprout production, even when conducting routine light pruning. L. Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) 13.0 LANDSCAPE BUFFERS: The following identifies several landscape types and the general application in relation to the land use category of the project site and the abutting zone(s). Each landscape type is described in section 14. This shall be used to determine the landscaping requirements as set forth in PMC and this document. The requirements here shall be used in determining landscaping along the frontage of a site street side, front yard landscaping), as well as interior parking lot, parking perimeter, interior perimeter and zone transition landscaping, where required. 13.1 Required Landscape Types for Perimeter Lot Lines (all zones where PMC 20.58.005 applies (All zone districts except RS districts) The following requirements shall be used: A. Type I landscaping when ML, MP and MR zones abuts any other zone district. Type I is also specified under PMC 20.26.500. B. Type II landscaping, all front and street side yard(s) landscaping areas, unless a Type I landscaping treatment is otherwise specified or conditioned. C. Type II landscaping along interior property lines where two differing zone districts abut each other, unless otherwise specified by PMC. All sites shall contain a 6’ perimeter landscape buffer. D. Type III landscaping along interior property lines where common zoning boundaries abut each other. All sites shall contain a 6’ interior lot line perimeter landscape buffer, unless a larger landscape buffer is specified by PMC. For the purposes of applying type III interior landscaping outlined in this section, the following groupings of zones shall be considered common zoning designations: CG, CL, CB, OP, MED, FAIR ML, MP, MR RM-10, RM-20, RM-CORE, MX E. Type IV landscaping shall apply to all paved areas where PMC 20.58.005 applies. In no event shall any perimeter landscaping count toward type IV landscaping requirements. 14.0 LANDSCAPE TYPES - PERIMETER BUFFERS: The following are descriptions of the landscape types that are identified by Table 1. The land use category of the project site and its abutting zone(s) establishes the minimum buffer as illustrated in Table 1. There may be other site and use specific landscape and buffer options available as outlined in the PMC. Each landscape type is a general outline designed to achieve the stated functional and aesthetic purposes and may have site specific variations. The described buffer shall be provided by each project within the lot line set-back or easement area. All buffers abutting rights-of-way that ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 37 of 51 include a fence or wall shall have the vegetation on the ‘street side’ of the fence or wall and if applicable, maintain the required clear sight triangle as described in appendix 20.7. The landscaping treatments shown below are intended to achieve large canopy, functional trees in all situations where large trees are appropriate. The largest tree shall be used for the planting space available. Landscaping treatments are intended to provide a varied visual aesthetic with trees, shrubs and ground covers (excluding turf grass) as the dominant visual theme. 14.1 Type I: Visual Barrier Purpose: Type I landscaping is intended to provide a very dense visual barrier to separate and reduce potential conflicts between adjoining uses and zones. The required screen may consist of plant material, masonry or wood walls compatible with the site, appropriate fencing or in combination as described below. Plant selection and spacing shall be appropriate for the site, species type and consistent with best management practices and the intent of this chapter. The 100 percent site obscuring zone shall be from ground level to a minimum of six feet above the lot line and/or adjoining grade whichever will best provide the required visual barrier from off-site vantage points. The site obscuring zone may be expanded by the Director based on the need for additional screening or to provide additional physical separation. Descriptions: Type Ia Type Ia is intended to be used in scenarios where more than 15 feet of landscaping yard width is present, particularly if used pursuant to PMC 20.26.500 as a zone transition landscaping area. Two staggered rows of evergreen trees (of differing species) with evergreen and deciduous shrubs arranged to provide 100 percent visual separation from ground level up to six feet within three years from time of installation. Native conifers shall be used. Appropriate shrub masses and living ground cover (excluding turf grass) shall provide 75 percent ground area coverage within three years. A six-foot-high masonry wall or wood opaque fence shall be established and maintained along the common property line at either edge of the landscape buffer. Type 1d also may be used in lieu of this standard for specific land uses and situations where additional screening is warranted, as determined by the Director. Bio-swales or rain gardens may be placed within these landscaping areas as long as they are designed to meet the intent of this section. Type Ib An alternative to a Type Ia, the Type Ib is intended to provide additional flexibility in design, while still achieving the screening separation intended by a Type I screen. Type Ib may be used if designed to achieve this overall intent. A combination of evergreen and not more than 25 percent deciduous trees at least 45 feet tall at maturity spaced appropriately along with shrubs and a 100 percent sight-obscuring fence or wall to provide a visual barrier from the ground to six feet. The placement and/or material of the fence or wall should not detract from the intent of this chapter. Appropriate shrub masses and living ground cover (excluding turf grass) shall provide 75 percent ground area coverage within three years. In addition to uniform spacing, when it will better satisfy the intent of this chapter and/or the Comprehensive Plan, trees may ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 38 of 51 be grouped, spaced irregularly or clustered provided that the tree masses are balanced with shrub groupings. Bio-swales or rain gardens may be placed within these landscaping areas as long as they are designed to meet the intent of this section. Type Ic Type Ic should be used only in scenarios where adequate width is not present to establish a full Type I buffer less than 15 feet of width). A continuous evergreen hedge arborvitae, Leyland cypress, etc.) that will provide 100 percent screening from ground level to 6 feet within three years of installation and one row or more of deciduous trees (at least 45 feet tall at maturity) planted at suitable intervals for the species to form a continuous canopy. Appropriate shrub masses and living ground cover (excluding turf grass) shall provide 75 percent ground area coverage within three years. Bio-swales or rain gardens may be placed within these landscaping areas as long as they are designed to meet the intent of this section. Type Id Type 1d shall be implemented with a berm and retaining wall system in specific situations where providing additional visual separation and screening of land uses (such as light to heavy industrial uses, commercial land uses abutting or adjacent to residential, conditionally permitted uses, etc.). All plant materials shall follow Type 1a standards or PMC 20.26.500. Slopes with a width to height ratio up to a maximum of three to one not to exceed shall be used. The placement and material of the earthen berm and any associated retaining mechanism shall not detract from the intent of this chapter. Bio-swales or rain gardens may be placed within these landscaping areas as long as they are designed to meet the intent of this section. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 39 of 51 14.2 Type II: Purpose: Type II landscaping is intended to be primarily used along the frontage of development sites subject to PMC 20.58 and the VMS; this landscaping treatment is meant to be used to provide high quality landscaping along site frontages to complement development and street scape character. The type II treatment also is intended to provide function, often to screen abutting parking areas. The type IIa treatment will provide a visual separator and medium to large trees will define the overhead plane (where overhead utilities aren’t present) between similar use areas or other areas needing separation but not substantial visual or physical separation; type IIb shall be used in areas where more substantial screening is designed due to the nature of the on-site use. Street trees may substitute for trees required under all type II landscape treatments in the event that no suitable planter strip exists within the abutting right- of-way area; when a suitable right-of-way planter strip exists, street trees shall be placed in the right-of-way. Descriptions: Type IIa The type IIa treatment standard is intended to apply most often to non-residential commercial and mixed-use development. A single row of medium to large trees (or small trees if overhead utilities are present) suitably spaced in association with a 50/50 mix of evergreen and deciduous shrubs to provide the minimum 75 percent visual separation up to a height of 4.5 feet above the local grade within three years. Trees shall be planted at intervals of no greater than 30 feet. Appropriate shrub masses and living ground cover shall provide 75 percent ground area coverage within three years. Shrubs shall be placed at 5–7-foot center intervals throughout the planting area, with ground cover plantings placed at 18-36” on-center intervals. Shrubs shall be alternated, modulated and designed to provide a visual variation in height, depth, contrasting colors and textures. No turf grass shall be planted within the required landscape yard (typically 10-12’ for front and street side yard areas, see PMC 20.58.005 Bio-swales or rain gardens may be placed within these landscaping areas as long as they are designed to meet the intent of this section. Type IIb The type IIb landscaping treatment shall be used in ML, MP and MR zone districts, or where industrial uses, conditional uses or uses utilizing outdoor storage of materials are proposed. The type IIb treatment will provide more substantial screening when compared with type IIa. One row of medium to large trees, with at least 50 percent being evergreen, and a continuous installation of evergreen shrubs planted at 5’ minimum on-center intervals. Trees shall generally be planted at intervals of no greater than 30 feet. Spacing may adjusted to better suit the selected species and installation size while still achieving the intended result of a canopy over the visual separator. Bio-swales or rain gardens may be placed within these landscaping areas as long as they are designed to meet the intent of this section. In addition to uniform spacing, when it will better satisfy the intent of this chapter and/or the Comprehensive Plan, trees may be grouped, spaced irregularly or clustered provided that the tree masses are balanced with shrub groupings. The evergreen shrubs shall be at least five-gallon ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 40 of 51 nursery stock at the time of planting and have the capability to achieve a height of six feet or more above the planting grade within three years. Evergreen shrubs may be intermixed with deciduous to provide visual interest and variety. Appropriate shrub masses and living ground cover shall provide 75 percent ground area coverage up to a height of five feet within three years. An appropriate fence or wall that provides at least 75 percent uniform sight obscuring from the ground to six foot may be substituted for the continuous evergreen plantings, where determined to be appropriate. No turf grass shall be included within a Type IIb buffer area. Type IIc Under the type IIc standard, a type IIa or IIb may be installed on an earthen berm or use an existing or developed change of elevation to provide up to 50 percent of the required screen height. Height of shrubs and/or fencing may be proportionately reduced while still maintaining the required screening height and visual density. Slopes with a width to height ratio up to a maximum of three to one (3:1) may be used if soil stability and erosion have been properly addressed. The placement and material of the earthen berm and any associated retaining mechanism shall not detract from the intent of this chapter. Bio-swales or rain gardens may be placed within these landscaping areas as long as they are designed to meet the intent of this section. Type IId Type IId is intended to apply to auto dealership/outdoor vehicle display establishments only. A single row of deciduous trees at no more than 50’ on center shall be planted in the landscape yard along the front and street side yards for auto dealerships, unless street trees exist along the frontage of the site (between curb and sidewalk), in which case no trees are required. If trees are required, they may be irregularly grouped or clustered as to provide openings for vehicle displays toward abutting street right-of-way; the total quantity of trees required (based on total site frontage length and required 50’ on-center spacing) shall not be reduced if the clustering option is used. The required landscaping yards along the front and street side yard shall consist of clustered groupings of low growing shrubs and ground covers that provide 50 percent ground coverage within 5 years of planting. Turf grass may be used in association with clusters of shrubs/ground covers. Vehicles shall not be displayed within the landscape yard along the front or street side yard. Bio-swales or rain gardens may be placed within these landscaping areas as long as they are designed to meet the intent of this section. 14.3 Type III: Purpose: Type III landscape provides a 75 percent visual buffer at three feet above the adjoining grade and a continuous overhead vegetation canopy to soften the appearance between compatible uses and building elevations. The type III treatment shall not be used along the frontage of any site subject to the requirements of this document and the PMC and is intended primarily on the interior of sites with compatible/common zoning designations and/or uses. All type III landscape designs shall represent the use of NW native trees, shrubs and ground cover plant species that provide a native, wildflower-rich landscape area that utilizes native plant ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 41 of 51 species that bloom in successive timeframes throughout the growing season. This is intended to promote local biological diversity and provide pockets of landscape area to benefit pollinator species. Selections from the following shrub species, in addition to other acceptable native plants the meet the criteria of providing blooming plants throughout the growing season, may be utilized to meet the type III requirements: • Early season (April/May): o Osoberry (Oemlaria cerasiformis) o Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) o Evergreen Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) o Red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) • Early/Mid-season (May/June): o Ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus) o Twinberry (Lonicera involucrate) o Red Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum) o Snowberry albus) • Mid-season (June/July): o Nootka rose (Rosa nutkana) o Mockorange (Philadelphus lewisii) o Rugosa rose (Rosa rugose) • Late-season (August+): o Douglas spirea (Spiraea douglassi) o Oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor Descriptions: Type IIIa A minimum of one row of trees, consisting generally of native deciduous trees but may include up to 50 percent native evergreen conifer trees that will create a grouped cluster of canopy coverage. Appropriate native flowering shrubs (see list above) shall provide 75 percent visual buffering from the ground to six feet above abutting area grade. One shrub shall be provided at 7.5’ minimum on center spacing intervals – species shall be alternated and successive species of blooming native shrubs for early, mid/early, mid and late season shall be used. Additional shrubs and live NW native ground cover species shall cover at least 75 percent of planting area within three years. At least one tree shall be provided for each 40 lineal feet. Tree spacing may be adjusted to better suit the selected species and installation size while still achieving the intended result of clustered canopy grouping over the lower planting in a timely manner. Bio-swales or rain gardens may be placed within these landscaping areas as long as they are designed to meet the intent of this section. Type IIIb Installation of landscape type IIIa on an earthen berm, existing or developed elevation change or site appropriate planter. NW native shrub, ground cover and tree species selection and design criteria, as described above in the ‘IIIa’ standard, shall be utilized. The available planting width shall be a minimum of six feet. The top elevation of the built structure or ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 42 of 51 earthwork shall not be more than three feet above the finished parking area grade. Soil slope within the planting area shall not to exceed a width to height ratio of Appropriate shrubs and living ground cover shall cover at least 75 percent of the ground area within three years. Bio-swales or rain gardens may be placed within these landscaping areas as long as they are designed to meet the intent of this section. 14.4 Type IV: Parking Lot Landscaping Purpose: Type IV landscapes will be used to provide visual relief and shading while maintaining clear sight lines for vehicular movement within surface parking areas. Perimeter landscaping shall not be included in calculation to satisfy the required interior landscaping as required in PMC 20.58 (Appendix 20.2). Description: Type IV Type IV - Interior parking lot - The design of the Type IV landscaping treatment shall reflect the need to spread vegetation throughout a development site's paved areas to provide shading critical to reducing the heat island effect created by paved surfaces, reduce stormwater runoff, reduce glare from reflective surfaces, improve air quality, provide visual breaks to large, paved areas and improve general appearance of off-street parking areas and development sites. The design of landscaping internal to parking lots shall reflect the use of landscaping strips and islands; no perimeter landscaping shall be counted toward the Type IV requirement. A landscaping 'island' is defined two ways: perimeter islands and internal islands. 1. A perimeter landscaping island is defined as an area which extends/protrudes out perpendicularly from a perimeter landscape buffer into a paved area. 2. An internal landscape island is defined as a landscaping area completely internal to a parking lot stand-alone landscaping area not abutting a perimeter landscape area). Given the harsh growing environment of a parking lot, the design shall reflect the use of continuous, connected landscaping areas, adequate soil depths and volume and the use of trees, shrubs and ground covers which are adapted to site conditions. See appendix 20.15 for an example site plan for the type IV design standards (below). Type IV Design Standards A. No more than eight parking spaces shall be placed consecutively without a landscaping island. All perimeter landscape islands shall be a minimum of 12’ wide with a minimum depth of each landscape island to match the abutting stall depth. Each perimeter island shall include a minimum of one tree selected from the Class III or Class IV Street tree list shown in section 12.9 or 12.10. All internal landscape islands shall be a minimum of 15’ in width with a minimum depth of each landscape island to match the abutting stall depth. Each internal island shall include a minimum of two trees selected from the Class III or Class IV street tree list shown in section 12.9 ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 43 of 51 or 12.10.; fifty percent (50%) of trees in internal islands shall be Class III or Class IV evergreen conifers. ‘Head-to-head’ parking stalls and internal landscape islands shall be separated by a ‘connector landscaping strip’ a minimum of 6' in width (see image). The 6’ connector strip shall include a tree every 20’, selected from the Class II (narrow) street tree list (see section 12.8). All ‘head-to-head’ parking stalls internal to a parking lot shall have internal island ‘end caps’ to separate the parking stalls from abutting drive aisles. These ‘end cap’ islands shall follow the requirements for internal islands (size, dimensions, required landscaping, etc.). Option to reduce landscape island dimensions: i. Type IV landscape islands may be reduced in width if an equal dimension of the reduced landscaping island is replaced with under pavement soil cells. In no event shall a landscape island be reduced to less than eight feet in width. ii. Structural plant soils – often called “CU-structural soil”, or equivalent - may be provided in lieu of structural soil cells so long as the volume of structural plant soils provided is 1.5X the soil volume that would otherwise be provided in structural soil cells as required by this option to reduce design option. The project landscape architect shall provide a cross section detail of installation of all structural plant soils, including geotechnical interface with adjacent under pavement soils. B. All parking lot island planter area dimensional requirements are exclusive of extruded curbing bordering the planting area. For example, a perimeter landscape island required at 12’ in width relates to the required open soil planter area – exterior curbing would add additional dimensions to the island. C. Landscaping islands apply to all striped parking and storage areas, including heavy truck trailer parking. For large, paved areas which trigger parking lot landscaping under PMC 20.58.005, but may not contain vehicle striping for vehicle parking, staff will use reasonable discretion and flexibility in site designing to allow larger consolidated/ grouped islands to spread out evenly through the paved areas, ensuring landscaping meets the intent of the type IV design standards and meets the minimum landscape requirements in PMC 20.58.005. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 44 of 51 D. Underground utilities shall not be designed to cross below any perimeter or internal island in a manner which would prohibit or off-set the required tree planting(s); crossings of underground utility lines through connector landscaping strips shall be minimized to angled or perpendicular crossings and shall not follow the path of the landscaping strip. Such utility crossings shall also be offset as to avoid displacing required trees. E. Internal parking lot lighting poles and fixtures shall be located to minimize future conflicts with parking lot trees – parking lot lights shall be placed 10’ from any parking lot tree required under the type IV standard. F. Other aboveground civil utilities fire department connections, hydrants, etc.) shall only be placed into parking lot islands when required for life-safety purposes. Case planner shall consult with Fire Code Official and Building Division prior to allowing hydrants in locations which would otherwise eliminate trees from parking lot landscape islands. G. No parking space shall be placed further than 50 feet from a tree. H. All parking spaces facing each other ‘head-to-head’) shall be designed with a wheel stop to prevent damage to trees and vegetation within the 6’ connector strip. The overhang area shall be landscaped with appropriate ground covers. All trees shall be planted a minimum of 2.5’ from inside edge of all wheel stops or parking curbs. I. All landscaping strips and islands internal to the site’s paved areas/parking lots shall be designed and installed using a minimum of 1.5’ (18”) of topsoil depth; Subsoils below the topsoil layer shall be scarified at least 6 inches with some incorporation of the upper material to avoid stratified layers. J. All internal landscape islands and connector strips shall include a double row (horizontally) of structural soil cells – often called “Silva Cells”, or equivalent - along the perimeter of all internal islands in parking stall areas only (under the pavement directly abutting the outer edge of the landscape island) to provide additional soil volume for tree growth. The landscape architect shall provide manufacturer’s installation details for internal parking lot landscaping soil installation, including required structural soil cells, on the final landscape plan set. See section 8.2 for soil quality standards. K. All landscaping islands and connector strips shall be designed using either evergreen and deciduous shrub masses spacing at tight on-center intervals (designed to provide 90 percent coverage in 3 years) that will prevent foot traffic and associated soil compaction into these landscaping areas. L. An 18” striped buffer area between the edge of the parking stall and any internal or perimeter landscaping island curbing shall be provided to allow for adequate door swing area. All parking stalls abutting landscape islands shall be the standard stall width dimensions (see PMC 20.55.035). M. Designed walk-thru pathways (minimum of 2 walk-through paths, 5’ in width between each internal island through the connector landscaping strips shall be integrated into landscaping design to allow for designated access points for foot traffic. These walk-thru pathways are intended to be designed as a surface walkway through the landscaping area. Shrub species selection shall reflect the use of plant materials that will create a barrier to foot traffic as to channel pedestrians through designated walk-through zones. If the walk-thru pathways are designed to create a break in the continuous landscape connector strip, the pavement under the ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 45 of 51 walk-thru zone shall connect the landscape strip via the use of structural soil cells, as to achieve to the intent of continuous, connected landscaping throughout the parking lot. N. Irrigation shall be provided in all landscape islands. 14.5 Special Landscaping Designs (SLD) SLD-01 - Landscaping in front of blank walls, industrial development (Implementing standards - PMC 20.26.400 code requirement) - Minimum 12' wide of landscaping strip along the entire length of all walls associated with development subject to PMC 20.26.400. Species shall be an alternating mixture of evergreen and deciduous trees, chosen from the class II, III or IV street tree list. Ground cover and shrub mix shall be designed to provide depth, variation in height of vegetation at maturity, variety and contrast in color and texture and shall be so designed as to provide 100 percent coverage over the planting area within 5 years. All trees and vegetation shall be chosen based on the building elevation the landscaping abuts; ex: the north side of a warehouse with blank wall treatment shall be designed with trees, shrubs and ground covers which are adapted grow in shaded conditions, while a south facing elevation shall use vegetation adapted to full sun conditions. SLD-02 – Landscaping in storm water control facilities (Implementing standards - PMC 20.58.005 code requirement). Landscaping of storm water ponds and other storm water control or treatment facilities rain gardens, bio-swales, bio-filtration cells, etc.) shall be designed to use native and/or climate adaptable plant materials to provide 100% ground coverage and 75% visual coverage within five years of installation. In order to reduce maintenance requirements, the use of turf lawn is prohibited in these areas, unless part of a water treatment structure bio-swale) where grass is required by the project engineer for water quality treatment purposes. Ground covers shall be spaced at 18” intervals and shrubs at 3-5’ intervals, or as specified by the project landscape architect, to meet the 100% ground coverage and 75% visual coverage requirement within five years. Groupings or clusters of native evergreen and native deciduous trees shall be integrated into the overall design. NW native shrubs and ground cover plant species that provide a native, wildflower-rich landscape area that utilizes native plant species that bloom in successive timeframes throughout the growing season shall be used in all storm pond areas. This is intended to promote local biological diversity and provide pockets of landscape area to benefit pollinator species. Selections from the following shrub species, in addition to other acceptable native plants the meet the criteria of providing blooming plants throughout the growing season, may be utilized to meet the SLD-02 requirements: • Early season (April/May): o Osoberry (Oemlaria cerasiformis) o Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) o Evergreen Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) o Red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) • Early/Mid-season (May/June): o Ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus) o Twinberry (Lonicera involucrate) ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 46 of 51 o Red Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum) o Snowberry albus) • Mid-season (June/July): o Nootka rose (Rosa nutkana) o Mockorange (Philadelphus lewisii) o Rugosa rose (Rosa rugose) • Late-season (August+): o Douglas spirea (Spiraea douglassi) o Oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor 15.0 GENERAL REVISION: 15.1 Administrative Exceptions or Modifications The policies set forth in this document are not intended to be arbitrary or to inhibit creative solutions. Projects may justify approval of alternative methods for compliance with the standards. Conditions may arise where normal compliance is impractical or impossible, or when maximum achievement of the City’s objectives can only be obtained through alternative compliance. The Director shall have the authority to approve landscape plans or any proposed alternate site-specific plans, and may modify these standards to meet site-specific conditions as detailed in PMC Chapters 11, 20 and 21. Additionally, landscape requirements may be modified by the Director when existing conditions on or adjacent to the project site, such as significant topographic differences, existing native vegetation, existing significant individual, groups or stands of vegetation, existing structures or utilities would render application of these requirements ineffective. The Director may allow deviations also, when necessary, because of special circumstances relating to the size, shape, topography, unusual natural features, location or surroundings of the subject property A. Exceptions, modifications and deviations from the standards in the VMS may be approved through an Alternative Methods Request application. B. Requests for alternate compliance shall be accompanied by sufficient explanation and justification, written and/or graphic, to allow appropriate evaluation and decision. C. Revisions to a submitted or approved plan may also be required if the Director determines that the landscaping has or will likely fail to perform as intended and will not achieve the goals and intent of this document, the Comprehensive Plan or the PMC. 15.2 Overlay Districts Within Special Overlay Districts that have been established as described in section 5.3, landscaping requirements may be modified provided a landscaping plan consistent with the intent of this document and the applicable adopted area overlay document, is approved by the Director. 15.3 Conflicts If the provisions of this document conflict with other ordinances or regulations, the more stringent limitation or requirement shall govern or prevail to the extent of the conflict. In the event that, because of lot configuration, adjacent land use, or special circumstances, more ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 47 of 51 landscaping is required to meet the intent of this document, the Comprehensive Plan or the PMC, such landscaping shall be installed. 16.0 COMPLETION OF INSTALLATION - SURETY: All landscape installation shall be completed in accordance with the approved final landscape plan as part of the requirement of issuance of the Final Certificate of Occupancy with the following exception: 16.1 Surety for Delayed Landscape Installation In the event that weather, seasonal factors or other significant extenuating conditions do not allow for the installation of the approved landscaping prior to issuance of a Final Certificate of Occupancy, the property owner shall provide the Director with documented assurance that the landscaping will be completed within six months of issuance of the Final Certificate of Occupancy. For the purpose of this policy, “documented assurance” means: an assignment of funds or other means of surety acceptable to the Director equal to one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of the estimated material and installation costs. Such surety shall be accompanied by a letter which stipulates the owner will complete installation of all development landscape requirements no later than six months after the issuance of the Final Certificate of Occupancy or owner shall forfeit documented assurance for the purpose of completing the landscape installation. Upon satisfactory installation of the landscape within the six-month period, the Director shall release the surety except with the conditions described in section 16.2. 16.2 Large Project Surety or Warranty If the landscape has been installed and is accepted by staff as part of the Final Certificate of Occupancy and the project is classified as being ‘large’ in size per the current City of Puyallup Fee Schedule or identified as having a potentially high risk for plant loss or is of significant community importance, the owner shall provide the City with a surety for the landscaping as follows: 100 percent of the cost of material and installation for the project landscape in an assignment of funds or alternately, provide a written warranty guaranteeing maintenance and plant replacement for one full growing season after installation to be provided by a landscape firm licensed to do business in the City of Puyallup. 17.0 MAINTENANCE SURETY AND ENFORCEMENT: After the completion of one full growing season following installation of an approved landscape plan, the project site will be reviewed for conformity with the approved final landscape plan. If during the project’s landscape review there is significant discrepancies from the approved plan found, such discrepancies shall be noted and placed in the project file. Notification of any required plant replacement or landscape rehabilitation will be sent to the property owner. All projects shall replace plant material and perform rehabilitation work in a timely manner to conform with the final landscape plan. Additional landscape reviews shall take place as needed. No action by staff, including satisfactory surety or warranty release, relieves the property owner from the duties and responsibilities of the required on-going maintenance and/or additional plant replacement for the life of the project. 17.1 Release of Surety with Plan Conformity ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 48 of 51 All projects required by section 16.2 to supply surety for landscaping and all non- conforming projects as described in section 17.2 will be reviewed after one full growing season from time of last material installation. If the landscape is found to be in accord with the approved landscape or rehabilitation plan and all materials are in satisfactory conditions, the property owner may submit a request in writing to the Community Development Department that the landscape surety be released or the warranty dissolved. 17.2 Surety Held on Non-Conforming Landscapes All projects supplying landscape surety as required by section 16.2 will be reviewed after one full growing season from the time of installation. If during the review there are significant discrepancies from the approved plan found, such discrepancies shall be noted and placed in the project file. Notification of the landscape rehabilitation requirements will be sent to the property owner and/or warranty provider. It is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure the identified discrepancies are corrected. All projects notified of non-conforming landscapes will be review again for plan conformity during the next regular review period. If the landscaping does not satisfy the approved plan by the end of the second full growing season from time of installation and if no other arrangements have been made by the owner and such arrangements approved by the Director, staff shall apply the surety or enforce the warranty to provide for the total cost of satisfying the approved plan. If the total cost is greater than the amount of the surety, or the warranty is found to be unenforceable, the property owner shall be liable for all costs incurred to achieve plan conformity. Surety for all non-conforming landscapes shall be held until such time as the project is deemed to be in conformance. At such time the project is in conformance as described in section 17.1, the owner may submit a request to the Community Development Department for the release of any remaining surety and/or the warranty dissolved. 18.0 EFFECTIVE DATE: The policies, procedures and standards set forth in this document shall be in full force and effective immediately upon being signed by the Development Services Director and City Manager and shall remain in effect until amended or repealed. 19.0 DEFINITIONS: All words not specifically defined in this section shall have the meaning commonly or logically associated therewith. The following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meaning given herein. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, and words in the singular number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely suggestive. Adjacent means any lot or property contiguous with or within 500’ of a proposed development site. Alley is a public or private way permanently reserved as a secondary means of accessing a property. American Association of Nurserymen is the national association of nursery workers responsible for setting national standards for plant material. American Standard for Nursery Stock are national standards for plant material and practices set by the American Association of Nurserymen referred to as ANSI Z60, 1-1990 or its adopted successor. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 49 of 51 Arboriculture pertains to the growing and maintenance of trees for functional and aesthetic purposes, such as specimen trees, street trees and shade trees. Caliper is the diameter of any tree trunk measured at a specified height, usually 6 inches above natural grade or the up-slope side of the tree if less than 4 inches in caliper and 12 inches above grade if tree caliper is greater than 4 inches. Certified arborist means a professional with academic and field experience that has been certified by a recognized national arboricultural organization such as the International Society of Arboriculture. City refers to the municipal government of Puyallup Washington. Critical Root Zone is the circular area measured from the center of the tree having a radius that is 1 foot for each inch of stem diameter of the tree measured at four and one-half (4.5) feet above the natural grade or the circular area equal to the greatest extent of the tree foliage or drip line, whichever is greater. (10) Diameter Breast Height (DBH) is the tree's diameter measured four and one-half feet above the natural grade. (11) Director shall mean the Director of the Development Services Department or that person's designee which is empowered in certain situations to have the authority of decision. (12) Established Tree is any tree that has been established and growing in one location for two full growing seasons. (13) Full Growing Season is the time from spring to fall, during which consecutive frost-free days occur. (14) International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is the society dedicated to the health and welfare of trees through research, education and practice. (15) Local Electric Utility Puget Sound Energy. (16) Minor Pruning consists of trimming or cutting out of water sprouts, suckers, twigs, or branches less than two inches in diameter, or which constitutes less than ten percent of the tree's foliage bearing area. Removal of similar amounts of broken or dead wood is included within this definition (17) Planting Strip is the area between the curb and the adjacent sidewalk or the curb and the outer edge of the street right-of-way or a designated easement in which street trees may be planted. (18) Person is any public or private individual, group, company, firm, corporation, partnership association, society or other combination of human beings whether natural or legal. (19) Street Tree shall mean any tree which is located on property within the right-of- way or in an easement established for that purpose in the City of Puyallup. (20) Substantial Pruning consists of trimming or cutting out of branches two inches in diameter or greater; root pruning; or trimming or cutting out of branches or limbs constituting greater than 10 percent of the tree's foliage bearing area. (21) Topping The indiscriminate cutting of tree branches to stubs or to lateral branches that are not large enough to assume the terminal role. Other names for topping include “heading,” “tipping,” “hat-racking,” and “rounding over.” Strategic reduction pruning cuts where a lateral bud or branch is selected to assume terminal growth shall not be considered topping; reduction cuts are common near overhead utility lines. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 50 of 51 (22) Tree is any self-supporting woody perennial plant which normally attains an overall height of at least fifteen (15) feet at maturity. It may have one main stem or trunk, or multiple stems or trunks. (23) Urban Forest consists of the trees planted within the street rights-of-way within the City of Puyallup. For the purpose of the regulations and standards specified in this document, the urban forest shall include vegetation installed by the City of Puyallup public lands and rights-of-way controlled by the City of Puyallup unless specifically noted otherwise. (24) Vegetation includes trees, shrubs, grasses, vines or other plant material on or encroaching upon City rights-of-way or other areas identified or controlled by this document. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 51 of 51 20.0 APPENDIX: 20.1 PUYALLUP MUNICIPAL CODE 11.28 20.2 PUYALLUP MUNICIPAL CODE 20.58 20.3 NATIVE LANDSCAPE PLAN EXAMPLES 20.4 PLANTING AND ROOT BARRIER DETAIL 20.5 STANDARD TREE PROTECTION DETAIL 20.6 VIEW CORRIDOR TREE TRIMMING EXAMPLES 20.7 SIGHT TRIANGLE DIAGRAM 20.8 TREE REMOVAL, PRUNING AND PLANTING APPLICATIONS 20.9 DOE BMP T5.13 20.10 TREE PROTECTION STANDARDS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES 20.11 ANSI A300, Z60.1 STANDARDS (AVAILABLE ELECTRONICALLY AT CITY) 20.12 ANSI Z133.1 SAFETY STANDARDS 20.13 LANDSCAPING PLAN EXAMPLE 20.14 WHY TOPPING HURTS TREES 20.15 TYPE IV DESIGN STANDARDS – SAMPLE SITE PLAN ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- SAL EH EH EH EH EH EH EH EH EH EH EH RE RE Lawn maintained with natural yard care BHR TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG BHR BHR BHR PD SP SP DF VM BC VM OS FC FC BS BS IO IO IO EH EH BC SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL TOG SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL EH EH VM VM VM VM RE RE Douglas-fir Shore pine Bitter cherry Pacific dogwood Oceanspray Vine maple Red elderberry Tall Oregon grape Evergreen huckleberry Salal Bald hip rose Sword fern Fringecup Beach strawberry Inside out flower RE VM VM OS TOG SAL IO BS FC EH BC BC SP SP DF DF BHR PD PD SYMBOL PLANT 6 Feet 4 2 0 Department of Natural Resources and Parks Water and Land Resources Division PLANTING PLAN: Dry, Part Shady Conditions Produced by: DNRP GIS, Visual Communications and Web Unit File: 0604_DryPartShade.ai lpre ---PAGE BREAK--- BH FSS OS OS VL VL VL VL LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG VM VM BHR BHR BHR BHR BHR BHR VL VL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL BHR BHR BHR WH C T T T BH BH BH BH FSS IP IP VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM P a t h w a y C C H o u s e P a t i o OS C Western hemlock Cascara Oceanspray Vine maple Indian plum Sword fern Salal Bald hip rose Low Oregon grape Vanilla leaf False solomon’s seal Wood sorrel Bleeding heart Trillium VM VM SAL FSS FSS BH BH VL WS WS WS T LOG BHR IP IP WH WH SYMBOL PLANT 6 Feet 4 2 0 Department of Natural Resources and Parks Water and Land Resources Division PLANTING PLAN: Dry, Shady Conditions Produced by: DNRP GIS, Visual Communications and Web Unit File: lpre ---PAGE BREAK--- TH OS OS OS OS OS OS OS OS TOG TOG TOG SER BC TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC DF SP BS BS BS BS NO NO NO NO NO NO SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB MO MO MO MO MO MO K SER SER TH BC TOG 6 Feet 4 2 0 Department of Natural Resources and Parks Water and Land Resources Division Produced by: DNRP GIS, Visual Communications and Web Unit File: 0604__DrySun.ai lpre PLANTING PLAN: Dry, Sunny Conditions SYMBOL PLANT DF SP DF OS MO TOG TH BS K Douglas-fir Shore pine Bitter cherry Serviceberry Oceanspray Red flowering currant Mock orange Tall Oregon grape Snowberry Kinnikinnik Beach strawberry Thrift Nodding onion SER NO NO SP BC BC SB RFC RFC ---PAGE BREAK--- ROD ROD OS EH EH EH EH EH SAL SAL SAL SAL TOG TOG TOG TOG PD PD VM VM VM VM VM VM VM PD GF WRC ROD ROD ROD SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL WC IO IO WC WC Lawn maintained with natural yard care IP C C SAL TOG PD EH ROD PD PD GF IP IP IO WC Western redcedar Grand fir Pacific dogwood Vine maple Indian plum Oceanspray Red osier dogwood Tall Oregon grape Evergreen huckleberry Salal Sword fern Maidenhair fern Deer fern Inside out flower Western columbine GF WRC WRC VM VM OS SYMBOL PLANT 6 Feet 4 2 0 Department of Natural Resources and Parks Water and Land Resources Division PLANTING PLAN: Moist, Part Shady Conditions Produced by: DNRP GIS, Visual Communications and Web Unit File: 0604_MoistPartShade.ai lpre ---PAGE BREAK--- LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG ROD ROD ROD ROD ROD ROD WG EH EH EH EH EH T VL VL VL PB EH EH C WRC VM VM VM VM WH Snag LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG EH EH LOG LOG PB WG T ROD ROD ROD ROD EH EH EH EH EH EH 6 Feet 4 2 0 Department of Natural Resources and Parks Water and Land Resources Division Produced by: DNRP GIS, Visual Communications and Web Unit File: 0604__MoistShade.ai lpre PLANTING PLAN: Moist, Shady Conditions SYMBOL PLANT Western redcedar Western hemlock Cascara Vine maple Red osier dogwood Evergreen huckleberry Sword fern Low Oregon grape Deer fern Wild ginger Western trillium Vanilla leaf Piggy back plant EH ROD LOG T VL WH WRC C VM PB WG WG P a t h w a y WH WRC C VM ---PAGE BREAK--- TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB RFC RFC RFC RFC C SER SER SER SER SER SER BS BS BS BS BS BS BS NO NO NO NO NO NO SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB RFC RFC SER SER SER SER SER CAM CAM NO CAM CAM CAM WC WC SER SIT PWM GR GR GR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR SP SP SP TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG RFC RFC P a t h w a y WC C H o u s e SYMBOL PLANT TOG BS NO NO WC WC SER Sitka spruce Cascara Pacific wax Serviceberry Red flowering currant Tall Oregon grape Spirea densiflora Goat’s beard Snowberry Nootka rose Goldenrod Beach strawberry Camas Nodding onion Western columbine SIT SIT NR SB CAM PWM C GR SP GB RFC RFC SYMBOL PLANT 6 Feet 4 2 0 Department of Natural Resources and Parks Water and Land Resources Division PLANTING PLAN: Moist, Sunny Conditions Produced by: DNRP GIS, Visual Communications and Web Unit File: 0604_MoistSun.ai lpre ---PAGE BREAK--- SER SER SER SER SER SER HYM HYM HYM HYM SP SP SP BLM RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC SER SER SER SER SER TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TB TB TB TB TB TB TBB TBB TBB TBB TBB TBB TBB TBB SER OS OS OS SB K K K K OS OS SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB TSB TSB TSB TSB TSB TSB TSB M K K TH TH TH TH TH Y Y Y Y BS BS BS K T o p o f s l o p e T o p o f s l o p e TOG TOG BS SYMBOL PLANT 6 Feet 4 2 0 PLANTING PLAN: Slope with Dry, Sunny Conditions Produced by: DNRP GIS, Visual Communications and Web Unit File: lpre Department of Natural Resources and Parks Water and Land Resources Division TOG Tall Oregon grape Thimbleberry Hybrid manzanita Trailing blackberry Trailing snowberry TBB TSB TB SER Serviceberry BS Beach strawberry TH Thrift Y Yarrow K Kinnikinnik Shore pine Big leaf maple Madrone M SP SP SP BLM BLM BLM V I E W OS Oceanspray Red flowering currant HYM RFC RFC RFC ---PAGE BREAK--- SR SR SR SR SR SR SR SR SR SR SR ROD ROD ROD ROD ROD PWM PN SW SW RA SIT SIT WRC WRC HB HB HB HB HB HB HB HB SS SALM SS S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S SS SW SW PWM L a k e P a t h PLANTING PLAN: Wet, Partly Shady Conditions ROD ROD SR 6 Feet 4 2 0 Western redcedar Sitka spruce Pacific wax Red alder Sitka willow Pacific ninebark Red osier dogwood Highbush cranberry Salmonberry Swamp rose Lady fern Maidenhair fern Slough sedge Deer fern Small fruited bulrush Swamp lantern WRC WRC SW SW PN PN SIT SIT SS HB S RA RA Produced by: DNRP GIS, Visual Communications and Web Unit File: 0604_WetPartShade.ai lpre SL SL SL SL SL SL SL SL SYMBOL PLANT 6 Feet 4 2 0 Department of Natural Resources and Parks Water and Land Resources Division PLANTING PLAN: Wet, Part Shady Conditions Produced by: DNRP GIS, Visual Communications and Web Unit File: 0604__WetPartShade.ai lpre PWM ---PAGE BREAK--- ROD BB SL SL SL SL SL SL SL SL SL SL SL SL SL FLV C C VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM PWM PWM DC DC DC ROD ROD ROD ROD ROD ROD SL FLV SS SS SS SS SL SL S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S ROD ROD ROD WRC WRC BB VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM ROD WRC C SL SL ROD Western redcedar Cascara Pacific wax Red osier dogwood Vine maple Salmonberry Swamp lantern Lady fern Maidenhair fern Devil’s club False lily of the valley Slough sedge Bunchberry SL S FLV SS BB PWM PWM C DC L a k e P a t h w a y WRC WRC C VM VM SYMBOL PLANT 6 Feet 4 2 0 Department of Natural Resources and Parks Water and Land Resources Division PLANTING PLAN: Wet, Shady Conditions Produced by: DNRP GIS, Visual Communications and Web Unit File: 0604_WetShade.ai lpre ---PAGE BREAK--- ROD SR SR HB HB HB HB HB PW SP PW OA ROD ROD ROD ROD BR BR BR BR BR BR BR BR BR BR BR GEG GEG GEG PN GEG SP SP PC PC CAM CAM CAM CAM SR SR SR SR SR SR SR SR SR SR SR GB GB GB GB SR SR W W W W SR SR HB HB SS SS SS Shore pine Oregon ash Pacific willow Pacific crabapple Pacific ninebark Red osier dogwood Highbush cranberry Swamp rose Goat’s beard Hard stemmed bulrush Small fruited bulrush Lady fern Bog rosemary Slough sedge Wapato Golden eyed grass Camas ROD ROD BR GB GEG SS CAM OA OA PW PW PN PC PC W SR SP SP W PN Lawn maintained with natural yard care L a k e P a t h HB SYMBOL PLANT 6 Feet 4 2 0 Department of Natural Resources and Parks Water and Land Resources Division PLANTING PLAN: Wet, Sunny Conditions Produced by: DNRP GIS, Visual Communications and Web Unit File: 0604_WetSun.ai lpre ---PAGE BREAK--- SAL EH EH EH EH EH EH EH EH EH EH EH RE RE Lawn maintained with natural yard care BHR TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG BHR BHR BHR PD SP SP DF VM BC VM OS FC FC BS BS IO IO IO EH EH BC SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL TOG SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL EH EH VM VM VM VM RE RE Douglas-fir Shore pine Bitter cherry Pacific dogwood Oceanspray Vine maple Red elderberry Tall Oregon grape Evergreen huckleberry Salal Bald hip rose Sword fern Fringecup Beach strawberry Inside out flower RE VM VM OS TOG SAL IO BS FC EH BC BC SP SP DF DF BHR PD PD SYMBOL PLANT 6 Feet 4 2 0 Department of Natural Resources and Parks Water and Land Resources Division PLANTING PLAN: Dry, Part Shady Conditions Produced by: DNRP GIS, Visual Communications and Web Unit File: 0604_DryPartShade.ai lpre ---PAGE BREAK--- BH FSS OS OS VL VL VL VL LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG VM VM BHR BHR BHR BHR BHR BHR VL VL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL BHR BHR BHR WH C T T T BH BH BH BH FSS IP IP VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM P a t h w a y C C H o u s e P a t i o OS C Western hemlock Cascara Oceanspray Vine maple Indian plum Sword fern Salal Bald hip rose Low Oregon grape Vanilla leaf False solomon’s seal Wood sorrel Bleeding heart Trillium VM VM SAL FSS FSS BH BH VL WS WS WS T LOG BHR IP IP WH WH SYMBOL PLANT 6 Feet 4 2 0 Department of Natural Resources and Parks Water and Land Resources Division PLANTING PLAN: Dry, Shady Conditions Produced by: DNRP GIS, Visual Communications and Web Unit File: lpre ---PAGE BREAK--- TH OS OS OS OS OS OS OS OS TOG TOG TOG SER BC TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC DF SP BS BS BS BS NO NO NO NO NO NO SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB MO MO MO MO MO MO K SER SER TH BC TOG 6 Feet 4 2 0 Department of Natural Resources and Parks Water and Land Resources Division Produced by: DNRP GIS, Visual Communications and Web Unit File: 0604__DrySun.ai lpre PLANTING PLAN: Dry, Sunny Conditions SYMBOL PLANT DF SP DF OS MO TOG TH BS K Douglas-fir Shore pine Bitter cherry Serviceberry Oceanspray Red flowering currant Mock orange Tall Oregon grape Snowberry Kinnikinnik Beach strawberry Thrift Nodding onion SER NO NO SP BC BC SB RFC RFC ---PAGE BREAK--- ROD ROD OS EH EH EH EH EH SAL SAL SAL SAL TOG TOG TOG TOG PD PD VM VM VM VM VM VM VM PD GF WRC ROD ROD ROD SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL WC IO IO WC WC Lawn maintained with natural yard care IP C C SAL TOG PD EH ROD PD PD GF IP IP IO WC Western redcedar Grand fir Pacific dogwood Vine maple Indian plum Oceanspray Red osier dogwood Tall Oregon grape Evergreen huckleberry Salal Sword fern Maidenhair fern Deer fern Inside out flower Western columbine GF WRC WRC VM VM OS SYMBOL PLANT 6 Feet 4 2 0 Department of Natural Resources and Parks Water and Land Resources Division PLANTING PLAN: Moist, Part Shady Conditions Produced by: DNRP GIS, Visual Communications and Web Unit File: 0604_MoistPartShade.ai lpre ---PAGE BREAK--- LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG ROD ROD ROD ROD ROD ROD WG EH EH EH EH EH T VL VL VL PB EH EH C WRC VM VM VM VM WH Snag LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG LOG EH EH LOG LOG PB WG T ROD ROD ROD ROD EH EH EH EH EH EH 6 Feet 4 2 0 Department of Natural Resources and Parks Water and Land Resources Division Produced by: DNRP GIS, Visual Communications and Web Unit File: 0604__MoistShade.ai lpre PLANTING PLAN: Moist, Shady Conditions SYMBOL PLANT Western redcedar Western hemlock Cascara Vine maple Red osier dogwood Evergreen huckleberry Sword fern Low Oregon grape Deer fern Wild ginger Western trillium Vanilla leaf Piggy back plant EH ROD LOG T VL WH WRC C VM PB WG WG P a t h w a y WH WRC C VM ---PAGE BREAK--- TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB RFC RFC RFC RFC C SER SER SER SER SER SER BS BS BS BS BS BS BS NO NO NO NO NO NO SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB RFC RFC SER SER SER SER SER CAM CAM NO CAM CAM CAM WC WC SER SIT PWM GR GR GR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR SP SP SP TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG RFC RFC P a t h w a y WC C H o u s e SYMBOL PLANT TOG BS NO NO WC WC SER Sitka spruce Cascara Pacific wax Serviceberry Red flowering currant Tall Oregon grape Spirea densiflora Goat’s beard Snowberry Nootka rose Goldenrod Beach strawberry Camas Nodding onion Western columbine SIT SIT NR SB CAM PWM C GR SP GB RFC RFC SYMBOL PLANT 6 Feet 4 2 0 Department of Natural Resources and Parks Water and Land Resources Division PLANTING PLAN: Moist, Sunny Conditions Produced by: DNRP GIS, Visual Communications and Web Unit File: 0604_MoistSun.ai lpre ---PAGE BREAK--- SER SER SER SER SER SER HYM HYM HYM HYM SP SP SP BLM RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC RFC SER SER SER SER SER TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TOG TB TB TB TB TB TB TBB TBB TBB TBB TBB TBB TBB TBB SER OS OS OS SB K K K K OS OS SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB TSB TSB TSB TSB TSB TSB TSB M K K TH TH TH TH TH Y Y Y Y BS BS BS K T o p o f s l o p e T o p o f s l o p e TOG TOG BS SYMBOL PLANT 6 Feet 4 2 0 PLANTING PLAN: Slope with Dry, Sunny Conditions Produced by: DNRP GIS, Visual Communications and Web Unit File: lpre Department of Natural Resources and Parks Water and Land Resources Division TOG Tall Oregon grape Thimbleberry Hybrid manzanita Trailing blackberry Trailing snowberry TBB TSB TB SER Serviceberry BS Beach strawberry TH Thrift Y Yarrow K Kinnikinnik Shore pine Big leaf maple Madrone M SP SP SP BLM BLM BLM V I E W OS Oceanspray Red flowering currant HYM RFC RFC RFC ---PAGE BREAK--- SR SR SR SR SR SR SR SR SR SR SR ROD ROD ROD ROD ROD PWM PN SW SW RA SIT SIT WRC WRC HB HB HB HB HB HB HB HB SS SALM SS S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S SS SW SW PWM L a k e P a t h PLANTING PLAN: Wet, Partly Shady Conditions ROD ROD SR 6 Feet 4 2 0 Western redcedar Sitka spruce Pacific wax Red alder Sitka willow Pacific ninebark Red osier dogwood Highbush cranberry Salmonberry Swamp rose Lady fern Maidenhair fern Slough sedge Deer fern Small fruited bulrush Swamp lantern WRC WRC SW SW PN PN SIT SIT SS HB S RA RA Produced by: DNRP GIS, Visual Communications and Web Unit File: 0604_WetPartShade.ai lpre SL SL SL SL SL SL SL SL SYMBOL PLANT 6 Feet 4 2 0 Department of Natural Resources and Parks Water and Land Resources Division PLANTING PLAN: Wet, Part Shady Conditions Produced by: DNRP GIS, Visual Communications and Web Unit File: 0604__WetPartShade.ai lpre PWM ---PAGE BREAK--- ROD BB SL SL SL SL SL SL SL SL SL SL SL SL SL FLV C C VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM PWM PWM DC DC DC ROD ROD ROD ROD ROD ROD SL FLV SS SS SS SS SL SL S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S ROD ROD ROD WRC WRC BB VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM ROD WRC C SL SL ROD Western redcedar Cascara Pacific wax Red osier dogwood Vine maple Salmonberry Swamp lantern Lady fern Maidenhair fern Devil’s club False lily of the valley Slough sedge Bunchberry SL S FLV SS BB PWM PWM C DC L a k e P a t h w a y WRC WRC C VM VM SYMBOL PLANT 6 Feet 4 2 0 Department of Natural Resources and Parks Water and Land Resources Division PLANTING PLAN: Wet, Shady Conditions Produced by: DNRP GIS, Visual Communications and Web Unit File: 0604_WetShade.ai lpre ---PAGE BREAK--- ROD SR SR HB HB HB HB HB PW SP PW OA ROD ROD ROD ROD BR BR BR BR BR BR BR BR BR BR BR GEG GEG GEG PN GEG SP SP PC PC CAM CAM CAM CAM SR SR SR SR SR SR SR SR SR SR SR GB GB GB GB SR SR W W W W SR SR HB HB SS SS SS Shore pine Oregon ash Pacific willow Pacific crabapple Pacific ninebark Red osier dogwood Highbush cranberry Swamp rose Goat’s beard Hard stemmed bulrush Small fruited bulrush Lady fern Bog rosemary Slough sedge Wapato Golden eyed grass Camas ROD ROD BR GB GEG SS CAM OA OA PW PW PN PC PC W SR SP SP W PN Lawn maintained with natural yard care L a k e P a t h HB SYMBOL PLANT 6 Feet 4 2 0 Department of Natural Resources and Parks Water and Land Resources Division PLANTING PLAN: Wet, Sunny Conditions Produced by: DNRP GIS, Visual Communications and Web Unit File: 0604_WetSun.ai lpre ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- 1 Application Information Applicant Information: Name Street Address City State Zip Phone E-mail Location of Tree Work: (if different than the applicant’s info) Name Street Address City State Zip Phone E-mail This permit application is required if you would like remove a significant tree or any tree in critical areas that reside on private property. Significant trees are all large, healthy and growing coniferous trees greater than fifteen (15) inches DBH (diameter breast height at 4.5’ above ground). Critical areas are wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat areas, critical aquifer recharge areas, geologically hazardous areas, and all buffer areas that are associated with these natural sensitive features. When preparing this application, please print or type the reply to each question. If you have any questions, please contact the Development Services Center at (253) 864- 4165. Application Fee: Free Office Use Only: Submittal Date: Case No: GIS: Inventory: CITY OF PUYALLUP Planning Division 333 South Meridian Puyallup, WA 98371 Phone: (253) 864-4165. Email: [EMAIL REDACTED] Checklist: All significant trees shall be examined by a certified arborist - with a certification in Tree Risk Assessment (TRAQ) - prior to application for removal. Please include the Tree Risk Assessment report when submitting your permit request. For all trees in critical areas, a report from a certified arborist that documents the condition and hazard of the trees and provides a replanting schedule for the replacement trees is required. In critical areas, the landowner shall replace any trees that are felled with new trees at a ratio of two replacement native trees for each one tree felled, within one year in accordance with an approved restoration plan. Application to Remove a Tree Tree Work Information: Do you own the home at the location of tree work? Yes No Which tree service do you plan on hiring to do the requested work? Company Name Contact Name (Certified Arborist) Arborist Cert. # Phone E-mail Have you contracted with this company yet? Yes No Expected starting date of tree work: Expected ending date of tree work: 1 (one) CD of complete submittal package ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 Tree Removal: Is the proposed tree(s) to be removed in a critical area (i.e. is the tree located in a wetland or wetland buffer, steep slope/erosion hazard area, habitat area or stream buffer)? Yes No I do not know Indicate the type and quantity of trees that need to be removed. Tree Type/Species DBH Height Quantity Tree Replacement: Will you be replacing a tree to be removed? If so, please describe the species, quantity, location, spacing and when the replant will take place for each tree type. Tree Type/Species Quantity Location Spacing Date Describe the work requested and anything else we should know about this tree(s). Please be as specific as possible. Please be sure to provide the justification for this tree removal proposal. If needed, you may use illustrations in the space below or attached to this permit. CERTIFICATION: I hereby state that I am the applicant listed above, and certify that all information contained above and in exhibits attached hereto is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief and is submitted for consideration by the City of Puyallup, pursuant to the provision of the Puyallup Municipal Code. Signature of Applicant Date Signature of Owner Date (If different than the Applicant) ---PAGE BREAK--- Right of Way Application A Right of Way permit is required for any work to be performed within the City of Puyallup public right of way. This may include utility connections, street patching, driveway approach, curb and gutter, sidewalk installation/replacement, etc. Right of Way Application – June 2023 Page 1 of 3 NOTE: Per Puyallup Municipal Code 17.42.035. Applications shall expire by limitation if no permit or approval is issued within 180 days after the city determines that the application is complete, unless the city determines that a project proponent has pursued issuance of a permit or approval in good faith. Development Services 333 S. Meridian Puyallup, WA 98371 Phone: [PHONE REDACTED] www.cityofpuyallup.org Application Fees • Right of Way Application Fee: $80 • Public Works Utility Review Fee: $110 • Right of Way Inspection: $180 • Open Cut Charge: $70 • Traffic Control Permit Fee: $50 • Traffic Control Plan Review Fee: $40 • Tree Removal Authorization: $50 Effective Per 4/1/23 City of Puyallup Fee Schedule Submittal Instructions Create an account at or Sign into the CityView Portal Select “Apply for an Engineering Permit” From the Choose Application Type drop down list, select “Right of Way Permit”. Fill out all sections of the online form and upload all required documents. Note: Failure to upload all the required documents for Step 7 Upload Files may delay the processing of your application. Project Information Site Address: Parcel Number: Scope of Work: Proposed total length of time for Traffic Control Plan to be in effect: hours Applicant Information Name: Mailing Address: City: State: Zip Code: Phone: E-mail to Receive Markup Letter: 1 2 3 ---PAGE BREAK--- Right of Way Application Right of Way Application – June 2023 Page 2 of 3 NOTE: Per Puyallup Municipal Code 17.42.035. Applications shall expire by limitation if no permit or approval is issued within 180 days after the city determines that the application is complete, unless the city determines that a project proponent has pursued issuance of a permit or approval in good faith. Development Services 333 S. Meridian Puyallup, WA 98371 Phone: [PHONE REDACTED] www.cityofpuyallup.org Contractor Information Name: Mailing Address: City: State: Zip Code: Phone: E-mail: WA State License # : City Business License # :  Use the check boxes below to ensure the following documents are submitted as applicable at the time of application ☐ 1. Completed and Signed Right of Way Application ☐ 2. Site Plan ☐ 3. Traffic Control Plan (Additional information can be found here: TCP’s) ☐ 4. Street Tree Planting Plan and Arborist Report  Use the check boxes below to ensure the contractor has the following information for work in the right of way ☐ 1. City of Puyallup Business License. [PMC 5.04] ☐ 2. Applicable Bond (on City of Puyallup form) at 150% of the estimated work in the ROW and Power of Attorney attached [PMC 11.05] ☐ 3. Certificate of Insurance evidencing commercial general liability insurance with minimum limits no less than $2,000,000 each occurrence, $2,000,000 general aggregate and a $2,000,000 products-completed operations aggregate limit and automobile liability insurance with a minimum combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage of $1,000,000 per accident;. The City of Puyallup shall be named as an additional insured under the applicant’s General Liability Insurance policy using ISA additional Insured – State or Political Subdivision – Permits CG 20 12 or a substitute endorsement providing equivalent coverage. [PMC 11.04] ☐ 4. Active Washington State Contractor’s License. [Chapter 18.27 RCW] Submittal Checklist License and Bonding Requirements ---PAGE BREAK--- Right of Way Application Right of Way Application – June 2023 Page 3 of 3 NOTE: Per Puyallup Municipal Code 17.42.035. Applications shall expire by limitation if no permit or approval is issued within 180 days after the city determines that the application is complete, unless the city determines that a project proponent has pursued issuance of a permit or approval in good faith. Development Services 333 S. Meridian Puyallup, WA 98371 Phone: [PHONE REDACTED] www.cityofpuyallup.org Street Tree Removal/ Replanting/ Planting Design and Submittal Requirements  If you are applying for a right-of-way permit to remove/replant a street tree, then these additional items are required (disregard if you are applying for a right-of-way permit for another purpose other than street tree removal/replanting): Street Tree Removal Requirements An overhead site plan drawing, sketch or photo (such as Google earth or other online service) showing location of existing street tree(s) and proposed street trees (if required to replant). Arborist report for unhealthy, hazardous trees, or evidence (photos) that the trees to be removed are dead. Dead trees do not require an arborist to assess them for application to remove. Street trees may also be removed if damaging utilities or infrastructure. Plan for staging and use of the right of way to conduct removal by contractor. Traffic and/or pedestrian control plan may be required. Plan for stump grinding and clean-up of right of way after tree removal is finished. Plan to replant street trees. All street trees which are removed from planter strips which are wider than 4’ may be required to be replanted. The plan to replant required street trees must include the following: ☐ 6. Site plan showing location of proposed replanted street trees and location of utilities (both underground and overhead; call 811 for utility locate). All street trees must be located 10’ from water and sewer lines. Replaced street trees must have root barriers installed in accordance with the Vegetation Management Standards (VMS) Manual to protect sidewalks. Requirements for root barriers can be found on Pg. 12 of VMS. Show location of root barriers on site plan. City standard detail for root barriers (detail #01.02.03) can be accessed online here ☐ 7. If the planter strip area (between curb and sidewalk) is less than 4’ wide, street trees are not permitted to be replanted. Provide the Width of Planter Strip ☐ 8. List all tree species to be planted, refer to Puyallup Vegetation Management Standards manual Pg. 27-35 for approved species list for street trees. Manual can be access online here. Proposed Street Tree species to be planted: Street Tree Planting Requirements  If your application is to plant new street trees, provide a design and submittal items meeting steps 6-8 above under the Street Tree Removal Requirements list. Note: City may adjust the location of your proposed street tree plantings to avoid conflicts with traffic sight distance and other standards. Certification I certify that I have read this application and declare under penalty of perjury that the information contained herein is correct and complete. Signature of Applicant: Date: SIGN ---PAGE BREAK--- Guidelines and Resources For Implementing Soil Quality and Depth BMP T5.13 in WDOE Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington 2009 Edition Summary Soil quality is directly related to stormwater detention capacity, and so to the health of streams and aquatic resources in the Pacific Northwest. Soil quality also determines landscape success: plant survival, growth, disease resistance, and maintenance needs. This publication provides guidance for landscape designers, builders, planners, and inspectors to implement soil quality “Best Management Practices” (or BMPs), in order to protect and restore soil functions. The guide describes techniques for construction site soil handling, reducing soil compaction, and amending site soils with compost to meet BMP T5.13 “Post Construction Soil Quality and Depth” in the WA Dept. of Ecology’s Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington. This guide also includes field inspection techniques, WA suppliers of compost and soil testing laboratories, and specification language in APWA and CSI formats. ---PAGE BREAK--- Building Soil: Guidelines and Resources for Implementing Soil Quality and Depth BMP T5.13 in WDOE Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington 1st edition 2003 2nd edition 2005 2nd edition, 2007 printing (web links updated – no other changes) 2nd edition, 2009 printing (web links, and compost suppliers and laboratories lists updated – no other changes) This publication is provided to help professionals in the land development and landscape industries understand and implement the new Washington State Department of Ecology “Best Management Practice” (BMP) for soil quality, designed to improve stormwater retention and water quality. The specifications, procedures and forms contained in this publication were developed by a team of landscape professionals, municipal inspectors, soil scientists and public agency staff. They are provided as examples of the tools needed to implement the State’s soil quality BMP. This manual, specifications, and resources are available online at www.SoilsforSalmon.org and (new in 2008) along with factsheets for builders at www.BuildingSoil.org ---PAGE BREAK--- 1 CONTENTS SECTION ONE The Role of Soil Quality in Stormwater Management SECTION TWO BMP T5.13 “Post Construction Soil Quality and Depth” from the DOE Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington SECTION THREE Summary of Steps for Implementing BMP T5.13 SECTION FOUR Amendment Options SECTION FIVE Developing a Soil Management Plan Model “Soil Management Plan” form (for permit applications) SECTION SIX Field Guide to Verifying Soil Quality and Depth Model “Field Inspection” form SECTION SEVEN Resources Calculating Custom Amendment Rates: Formula & Spreadsheet Permitted Composting Facilities in Washington Soil and Compost Analytical Labs Serving the Northwest Additional Resources on Compost Quality and Use, and the Role of Soil Quality in Stormwater Management Model Soil Amendment Specifications: APWA and CSI Formats CREDITS DEVELOPMENT AND FIRST EDITION FUNDING: Snohomish County Public Works Department PROJECT MANAGER: Sego Jackson, Snohomish County Public Works Department MANUAL LEAD AUTHOR: Howard Stenn, Stenn Design, Vashon, WA TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE – AMENDMENT CALCULATIONS: Dr. Craig Cogger, Washington State University-Puyallup TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE – SPECIFICATIONS: Jeff Girven, The Berger Partnership, Seattle, WA TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & EDITING – SECOND EDITION: David McDonald, Seattle Public Utilities FIRST EDITION GRAPHIC DESIGN: Partners in Design, Seattle, WA ILLUSTRATIONS/PHOTOS: Courtesy of King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, and Seattle Public Utilities SECOND EDITION GRAPHIC DESIGN AND FUNDING: Seattle Public Utilities ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 SECTION ONE THE ROLE OF SOIL QUALITY IN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT The Benefits of Healthy Soil Healthy soil provides important stormwater management functions including efficient water infiltration and storage, adsorption of excess nutrients, filtration of sediments, biological decomposition of pollutants, and moderation of peak stream flows and temperatures. In addition, healthy soils support vigorous plant growth that intercepts rainfall, returning much of it to the sky through evaporation and transpiration. Rapid urbanization of forest and farmland in the Puget Sound basin has severely degraded soil capacity to absorb, filter and store rainwater; and support vigorous plant growth. Common development practices include removal of topsoil during grading and clearing, compaction of remaining soil, and planting into unimproved soil or shallow depths of poor quality imported topsoil. These conditions typically produce unhealthy plants that require excessive fertilizers and pesticides, further contaminating runoff. Stormwater management functions of healthy soils: • Provides high rates of water infiltration and retention • Minimizes surface water runoff and erosion • Traps sediments, heavy metals and excess nutrients; and biodegrades chemical contaminants • Encourages vigorous protective vegetative cover • Supports beneficial soil life that fight pests and disease, and supply plant nutrients — reducing need for fertilizers and pesticides that may contaminate waterways. Native Soil During development, soil functions are often impaired by topsoil loss and compaction: • Decreases surface water infiltration and storage • Increases surface water runoff, including contamination from roadways and yards. • Increases erosion and flooding. • Reduces beneficial soil life • Impairs plant growth, pest and disease resistance • Increases landscape needs for irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides, which further increases surface water pollution. Disturbed Soil ---PAGE BREAK--- Healthy Soil and Stormwater Management – SECTION ONE 3 Where the Rain Goes – The Regional Impact of Urbanization on Stormwater Flows These changes, plus the listing of some Puget Sound salmon runs as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act, has stimulated examination of alternative practices to preserve and restore the soil’s stormwater and water quality functions. Low Impact Development (LID) practices that improve on-site management of storm water runoff include: • Minimizing impervious surfaces, • Preserving native soil and vegetation, and • Establishing minimum soil quality and depth standards in landscaped areas. Illustrations for this section were created by the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks Amending soils with compost or other organic materials can restore soil functions: • Restores soil water infiltration and storage capacities • Decreases surface water runoff and erosion • Traps sediments, heavy metals and excess nutrients; and biodegrades chemical contaminants • Rebuilds the beneficial soil life that fights pests and disease, and supplies plants with nutrients and water • Improves plant health, with reduced need for additional water, fertilizers and pesticides • Aids deep plant root growth and vigorous vegetative cover. ---PAGE BREAK--- 4 SECTION TWO BMP T5.13 “POST CONSTRUCTION SOIL QUALITY AND DEPTH” IN THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT MANUAL FOR WESTERN WASHINGTON Excerpted from the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington, Vol. V: Runoff Treatment BMPs, Chapter 5, pages 5-13 to 5-15 (or pages 100 to 102 in the online PDF file) as revised May 2005. ”BMP” means “Best Management Practice”, a term used for techniques that are recommended or (in this case) required. The Manual can be found online at www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/manual.html Purpose and Definition Naturally occurring (undisturbed) soil and vegetation provide important stormwater functions including: water infiltration; nutrient, sediment, and pollutant adsorption; sediment and pollutant biofiltration; water interflow storage and transmission; and pollutant decomposition. These functions are largely lost when development strips away native soil and vegetation and replaces it with minimal topsoil and sod. Not only are these important stormwater functions lost, but such landscapes themselves become pollution- generating pervious surfaces due to increased use of pesticides, fertilizers and other landscaping and household/industrial chemicals, the concentration of pet wastes, and pollutants that accompany roadside litter. Establishing soil quality and depth regains greater stormwater functions in the post development landscape, provides increased treatment of pollutants and sediments that result from development and habitation, and minimizes the need for some landscaping chemicals, thus reducing pollution through prevention. Applications and Limitations Establishing a minimum soil quality and depth is not the same as preservation of naturally occurring soil and vegetation. However, establishing a minimum soil quality and depth will provide improved onsite management of stormwater flow and water quality. Soil organic matter can be attained through numerous materials such as compost, composted woody material, biosolids, and forest product residuals. It is important that the materials used to meet the soil quality and depth BMP be appropriate and beneficial to the plant cover to be established. Likewise, it is important that imported topsoils improve soil conditions and do not have an excessive percent of clay fines. Design Guidelines Soil retention. The duff layer and native topsoil should be retained in an undisturbed state to the maximum extent practicable. In any areas requiring grading remove and stockpile the duff layer and topsoil on site in a designated, controlled area, not adjacent to public resources and critical areas, to be reapplied to other portions of the site where feasible. Soil quality. All areas subject to clearing and grading that have not been covered by impervious surface, incorporated into a drainage facility or engineered as structural fill or slope shall, at project completion, demonstrate the following: 1) A topsoil layer with a minimum organic matter content of ten percent dry weight in planting beds, and 5% organic matter content in turf areas, and a pH from 6.0 to 8.0 or matching the pH of the original undisturbed soil. The topsoil layer shall have a minimum depth of eight inches except where tree roots limit the depth of incorporation of amendments needed to meet the criteria. Subsoils below the topsoil layer should be scarified at least 4 inches with some incorporation of the upper material to avoid stratified layers, where feasible. 2) Planting beds must be mulched with 2 inches of organic material. 3) Quality of compost and other materials used to meet the organic content requirements: a) The organic content for “pre-approved” amendment rates can be met only using compost that meets the definition of “composted materials” in WAC 173-350 section 220. This code is available at the Dept. of Ecology’s website: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/organics/soil.html The compost must also have an organic matter content of 35% to 65%, and a carbon to nitrogen ratio below 25:1. The carbon to nitrogen ratio may be as high as 35:1 for plantings composed entirely of plants native to the Puget Sound Lowlands region. b) Calculated amendment rates may be met through use of composted materials as defined above; or other organic materials amended to meet the carbon to nitrogen ratio requirements, and meeting the contaminant standards of Grade A Compost. The resulting soil should be conducive to the type of vegetation to be established. ---PAGE BREAK--- BMP T5.13 “Post Construction Soil Quality and Depth” – SECTION TWO 5 Implementation Options. The soil quality design guidelines listed above can be met by using one of the methods listed below: 1) Leave undisturbed native vegetation and soil, and protect from compaction during construction. 2) Amend existing site topsoil or subsoil either at default “pre-approved” rates, or at custom calculated rates based on specifiers tests of the soil and amendment. 3) Stockpile existing topsoil during grading, and replace it prior to planting. Stockpiled topsoil must also be amended if needed to meet the organic matter or depth requirements, either at a default “pre-approved” rate or at a custom calculated rate. 4) Import topsoil mix of sufficient organic content and depth to meet the requirements. More than one method may be used on different portions of the same site. Soil that already meets the depth and organic matter quality standards, and is not compacted, does not need to be amended. Planning/Permitting/Inspection/Verification Guidelines & Procedures Local governments are encouraged to adopt guidelines and procedures similar to those recommended in Guidelines and Resources For Implementing Soil Quality and Depth BMP T5.13 in WDOE Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington. [This document.] which is available at http://www.soilsforsalmon.org. Maintenance • Soil quality and depth should be established toward the end of construction and once established, should be protected from compaction, such as from large machinery use, and from erosion. • Soil should be planted and mulched after installation. • Plant debris or its equivalent should be left on the soil surface to replenish organic matter. • It should be possible to reduce use of irrigation, fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. These activities should be adjusted where possible, rather than continuing to implement formerly established practices. Flow Reduction Credits Flow reduction credits can be taken in runoff modeling when BMP T5.13 is used as part of a dispersion design under the conditions described in: BMP T5.10 Downspout Diversion BMP T5.11 Concentrated Flow Dispersion BMP T5.12 Sheet Flow Dispersion Chapter III, Appendix III-C, Section 7.5: Reverse Slope Sidewalks Chapter III, Appendix III-C, Section 7.2.4: Road projects Related BMP’s in the same volume (Vol. V, Ch. 5) of the Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington available online at www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/manual.html • BMP T5.20 Preserving Natural Vegetation (pages 5-16 to 5-17 in paper Manual, or pages 103-104 in online PDF version) • BMP T5.21 Better Site Design (pages 5-18 to 5-21 in paper Manual, or pages 105-108 in online PDF version) • See also Chapters 7 and 9 in on Infiltration and Biofiltration/Bioretention BMPs (Vol. V page 7-1 or 116 in PDF, and page 9-1 or 144 in PDF) • and see Volume III, Appendix C “Low Impact Design and Flow Modeling Guidance” (Vol. III, pages C-1 to C- 22 in paper manual, or pages 158-159 in online PDF) ---PAGE BREAK--- 6 SECTION THREE SUMMARY OF STEPS FOR IMPLEMENTING BMP T5.13 PROPOSED SPECIFICATION FOR PERMITTING AND INSPECTION TO IMPLEMENT BMP T5.13 “POST-CONSTRUCTION SOIL QUALITY AND DEPTH” The following approach to implementation of BMP T5.13 (BMP = Best Management Practice) in the Department of Ecology’s Stormwater Manual has been developed with expert input and review. It is proposed as a practical methodology to implement the State’s BMP guidelines. Proposed Soil Specifications These specifications are designed to achieve an 8 inch depth of soil with 10% “Soil Organic Matter” (SOM) content in planting beds, and 5% organic content in turf areas. Detailed amendment rates and procedures are described in Section 4 “Amendment Options,” and in the specifications included in Section 7 “Resources”. Developers may select from the following four options to meet the requirements: Option 1. Leave undisturbed native vegetation and soil, and protect from compaction during construction. Option 2. Amend existing site topsoil or subsoil either at “pre- approved” default rates, or at custom calculated rates based on tests of the soil and amendment. Option 3. Stockpile existing topsoil during grading, and replace it prior to planting. Stockpiled topsoil must also be amended if needed to meet the organic matter or depth requirements, either at a “pre-approved” default rate or at a custom calculated rate. Option 4. Import topsoil mix of sufficient organic content and depth to meet the requirements. Methods and Amendment Quality More than one treatment may be used on different areas of the same site. Soil that already meets the depth and organic matter quality standards, and is not compacted, does not need to be amended. • Compacted subsoils must be scarified at least 4 inches below the 8 inch deep amended layer (for a finished uncompacted depth of 12 inches). • Planting beds must be mulched with 2 inches of organic material. • Compost and other materials used to meet organic content must meet these standards: ¾ The organic content for “pre-approved” amendment rates can be met only using compost that meets the definition for “composted materials” in WAC 173-350, section 220, available online at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/compost/ ƒ The compost must also have an organic matter content of 35% to 65%, and a carbon to nitrogen ratio below 25:1. ƒ The carbon to nitrogen ratio may be as high as 35:1 for plantings composed entirely of plants native to the Puget Sound Lowlands region. ¾ Calculated amendment rates may be met through use of composted materials as defined above; or other organic materials amended to meet the carbon to nitrogen ratio requirements, and meeting the contaminant standards for “composted materials” in WAC 173-350-section 220. See Section 4 “Amendment Options,” and Section 7 “Resources” for more on calculated amendment rates. ---PAGE BREAK--- Summary of Steps for Implementing BMPT5.13 – SECTION THREE 7 Planning and Permitting A site specific Soil Management Plan (SMP – see Section Five “Guide to Developing a Soil Management Plan”) must be approved as part of the clearing and grading or construction permit application. The Soil Management Plan (SMP) includes: • A scale-drawing (11” X 17” or larger) identifying area where native soil and vegetation will be retained undisturbed, and which soil treatments will applied in landscape areas. • A completed SMP form identifying treatments and products to be used to meet the soil depth and organic content requirements for each area. • Computations of compost or topsoil volumes to be imported (and/or site soil to be stockpiled) to meet “pre-approved” amendment rates; or calculations by a qualified professional to meet organic content requirements if using custom calculated rates. Qualified professionals include certified Agronomists, Soil Scientists or Crop Advisors; and licenced Landscape Architects, Civil Engineers or Geologists. • Copies of laboratory analyses for compost and topsoil products to be used, documenting organic matter contents and carbon to nitrogen ratios. Inspection and Verification Procedures (See also Section Six “Field Guide to Verifying Soil Quality and Depth in New Landscapes.”) Inspection and verification should be performed by appropriate jurisdiction inspectors. Some verification may be made by supervising Landscape Architects or Civil Engineers, who submit signed certification that the approved SMP had been implemented. The following is an outline of a preferred inspection schedule and tasks: Depending on local resources and procedures, the inspection tasks may be consolidated into fewer visits. 1) Pre-Grading Inspection • Verify delineation and fencing off of native soils and vegetation to be left undisturbed, per the SMP. • Review the SMP with the general contractor to ensure that topsoil stockpiling and other specified measures are incorporated into the work plan. 2) Grading Progress Inspection • Verify that proper erosion control methods are being implemented. • Verify that excavation and stockpiling of native soils follows the SMP. • Verify that subgrades are consistent with the SMP. 3) Post-Construction Inspection Preferably prior to planting, so that omissions can easily be corrected: • Verify that compost, mulch, topsoil and amendment delivery tickets match volumes, types and sources approved in the SMP. If materials other than those approved in the SMP were delivered, submissions by the supplier should verify that they are equivalent to approved products. • Check soil for compaction, scarification and amendment incorporation by digging at least one 12 inch deep test hole per acre for turf and at least one per acre for planting beds. Test holes must be excavated using only a garden spade driven solely by inspector’s weight. • Test 10 locations per landscaped acre (10 locations minimum) for compaction, using a simple “rod penetrometer” (a 4 foot long 3/8th inch diameter stainless steel rod, with and a 30 degree bevel cut into the side at that goes in 1/8 inch at the tip). Rod must penetrate to 12” depth driven solely by inspector’s weight (see illustration in Section • Verify placement of two inches of organic mulch material on all planting beds. Secondary Verification For Failing Sites If inspector believes the installation does not meet the approved permit conditions, additional testing may be ordered to determine whether remediation steps are required prior to final occupancy and payment. An independent consultant (Certified Soil Scientist, Crop Advisor or Agronomist; or Licensed Landscape Architect, Civil Engineer or Geologist) should conduct the following additional sampling and analysis: • Organic matter content should be verified by an independent soil testing service, using the Loss On Ignition method. • If necessary, the percentage of fine particles (less than #200 mesh) should be confirmed by a certified Soil Laboratory using a wet sieve test. • At present, an analytical method for verifying scarification has not been identified. Verification may be a matter of professional opinion. ---PAGE BREAK--- 8 SECTION FOUR AMENDMENT OPTIONS Select the soil preparation options that best suit each area of the project site. Either choose a pre-approved default amendment rate, or have a qualified professional calculate a custom rate based on soil and amendment tests described in Section 5, using the calculation method described in Section 7 “Resources”). OPTION 1: Leave native vegetation and soil undisturbed, and protect from compaction during construction. Identify areas of the site that will not be stripped, logged, graded or driven on, and fence off those areas to prevent impacts during construction. If neither soils nor vegetation are disturbed, these areas do not require amendment. OPTION 2: Amend existing site topsoil or subsoil either at default “pre-approved” rates, or at custom calculated rates based on specifier's tests of the soil and amendment. Scarification. Scarify or till subgrade to 8 inches depth (or to depth needed to achieve a total depth of 12 inches of uncompacted soil after calculated amount of amendment is added). Entire surface should be disturbed by scarification. Do not scarify within drip line of existing trees to be retained. Amend soil to meet required organic content. A. Planting Beds 1. PRE-APPROVED RATE: Place 3 inches of composted material and rototill into 5 inches of soil (a total amended depth of about 9.5 inches, for a settled depth of 8 inches). 2. CALCULATED RATE: Place calculated amount of composted material or approved organic material and rototill into depth of soil needed to achieve 8 inches of settled soil at 10% organic content. Rake beds to smooth and remove surface rocks larger than 2 inches diameter. Mulch planting beds with 2 inches of organic mulch. B. Turf Areas 1. PRE-APPROVED RATE: Place 1.75 inches of composted material and rototill into 6.25 inches of soil (a total amended depth of about 9.5 inches, for a settled depth of 8 inches). 2. CALCULATED RATE: Place calculated amount of composted material or approved organic material and rototill into depth of soil needed to achieve 8 inches of settled soil at 5% organic content. Water or roll to compact to 85% of maximum dry density. Rake to level, and remove surface woody debris and rocks larger than 1 inch diameter. ---PAGE BREAK--- Amendment Options – SECTION FOUR 9 OPTION 3: Stockpile existing topsoil during grading. Replace it before planting. Stockpiled topsoil must also be amended if needed to meet the organic matter or depth requirements, either at a pre-approved default rate or at a custom calculated rate. Scarification. If placed topsoil plus compost or other organic material will amount to less than 12 inches: Scarify or till subgrade to depth needed to achieve 12 inches of loosened soil after topsoil and amendment are placed. Entire surface should be disturbed by scarification. Do not scarify within drip line of existing trees to be retained. Stockpile and cover soil with weed barrier material that sheds moisture yet allows air transmission, in approved location, prior to grading. Replace stockpiled topsoil prior to planting. Amend if needed to meet required organic content. A. Planting Beds 1. PRE-APPROVED RATE: Place 3 inches of composted material and rototill into 5 inches of replaced soil (a total amended depth of about 9.5 inches, for a settled depth of 8 inches). 2. CALCULATED RATE: Place calculated amount of composted material or approved organic material and rototill into depth of replaced soil needed to achieve 8 inches of settled soil at 10% organic content. Rake beds to smooth and remove surface rocks larger than 2 inches diameter. Mulch planting beds with 2 inches of organic mulch or stockpiled duff. B. Turf Areas 1. PRE-APPROVED RATE: Place 1.75 inches of composted material and rototill into 6.25 inches of replaced soil (a total amended depth of about 9.5 inches, for a settled depth of 8 inches). 2. CALCULATED RATE: Place calculated amount of composted material or approved organic material and rototill into depth of replaced soil needed to achieve 8 inches of settled soil at 5% organic content. Water or roll to compact soil to 85% of maximum dry density. Rake to level, and remove surface rocks larger than 1 inch diameter. OPTION 4: Import topsoil mix of sufficient organic content and depth to meet the requirements. Scarification. Scarify or till subgrade in two directions to 6 inches depth. Entire surface should be disturbed by scarification. Do not scarify within drip line of existing trees to be retained. A. Planting Beds Use imported topsoil mix containing 10% organic matter (typically around 40% compost). Soil portion must be sand or sandy loam as defined by the USDA. Place 3 inches of imported topsoil mix on surface and till into 2 inches of soil. Place 3 inches of imported topsoil mix on surface and till into 2 inches of soil. Place second lift of 3 inches topsoil mix on surface. Rake beds to smooth, and remove surface rocks over 2 inches diameter. Mulch planting beds with 2 inches of organic mulch. B. Turf Areas Use imported topsoil mix containing 5% organic matter (typically around 25% compost). Soil portion must be sand or sandy loam as defined by the USDA. Place 3 inches of imported topsoil mix on surface and till into 2 inches of soil. Place second lift of 3 inches topsoil mix on surface. Water or roll to compact soil to 85% of maximum. Rake to level, and remove surface rocks larger than 1 inch diameter. ---PAGE BREAK--- 10 SECTION FIVE GUIDE TO DEVELOPING A SOIL MANAGEMENT PLAN This section outlines steps for professional specifiers to prepare a Soil Management Plan (SMP) to meet the provisions of BMP T5.13 in the Department of Ecology’s Stormwater Manual for Western Washington. The main steps to creating the SMP are: Step 1: Review Site Landscape Plans and Grading Plans. Examine all areas that will not be covered by structures, impervious surfaces, or stormwater detention / infiltration structures, to assess how grading will impact soil conditions and determine areas where different soil treatments may be applied. Those allowed soil treatment options are: Option 1: Areas where native soil and/or vegetation will be retained in place; Option 2: Areas where topsoil or subsoil will be amended in place; Option 3: Areas where topsoil will be stripped and stockpiled prior to grading for reapplication, and; Option 4: Areas where imported topsoil will be applied. Step 2: Visit Site to Determine Soil Conditions Working with plans, check the soil in each area to identify information outlined in the chart below. Identify compaction of subgrade in each area by digging down to a level that will be 12” below finished grade. Use a shovel or “rod penetrometer” driven solely by the your weight, as described in Section 3, and illustrated in Section 6 “Field Guide to Verifying Soil Quality and Depth.” Areas Assess Conditions Include Information on SMP Native vegetation / undisturbed soil to be preserved 9 Established native plants. 9 Undisturbed topsoil and duff layer. 9 Identify those areas to be left undisturbed and fenced during construction. Topsoil not requiring grading, but cleared of native vegetation 9 Depth of compacted layers less than 12 inches deep. 9 Presence of organic matter that may make amendment unnecessary, or allow calculation of reduced amendment rate. 9 If planning to use calculated amendment rate, sample and test soil as described in Step 4. 9 Will scarification be needed? What depth of scarification is required to allow compost incorporation and achieve 12 inches uncompacted depth? 9 Will area be amended with compost or topsoil at “pre- approved” rate, or custom calculated rate? 9 Can areas be protected from compaction during construction? Areas to be cut during grading 9 Quantity of topsoil that can pbe stockpiled and reapplied. 9 Depth of any compacted layer less than 12 inches below ultimate finished grade. 9 Presence of organic matter in subgrade or topsoil that may make amendment unnecessary, or allow calculation of reduced amendment rate. 9 If planning to use calculated amendment rate, sample and test soil as described in Step 4. 9 Will scarification be needed? What depth of scarification is required to allow compost incorporation and achieve 12 inches uncompacted depth? 9 Will topsoil be stockpiled during grading and reapplied? Will it require supplemental topsoil or compost to achieve 8 inches depth at specified organic content? 9 Will area be amended with compost or topsoil at “pre- approved” rate, or at custom calculated rate? Areas to be filled during grading 9 Estimate what subgrade conditions will be when fill is in place. 9 Depth of any compacted layer less than 12 inches below ultimate finished grade. 9 Presence of organic matter in fill soil that may make amendment unnecessary, or allow calculation of reduced amendment rate. 9 If planning to use calculated amendment rate, sample and test soil as described in Step 4. 9 What depth of scarification is required to allow compost incorporation and achieve 12 inches uncompacted depth? 9 Will area be amended with compost or topsoil at “pre- approved” rate, or custom calculated rate? ---PAGE BREAK--- Developing a Soil Management Plan – SECTION FIVE 11 Step 3: Select Amendment Options. The most convenient and economic method for achieving the Soil Quality and Depth guidelines depends on: site soil conditions, grading, and resulting subgrade compaction; the practicality of stockpiling topsoil during grading; and site access issues. “Pre-Approved” or custom calculated rates? Use of “Pre-Approved” amendment rates may simplify planning, however custom calculated rates can save substantial effort and expense—easily repaying the expense of testing and calculations. (See testing required for custom rates at right and on next page, and calculation method in Section 7 “Resources”.) Often pasture or woodland soils have adequate organic matter if existing organic layers are preserved. Also, compost products will frequently provide the desired soil organic matter content at lower applications than the Pre- Approved rates (which are based on “average” conditions). Identifying Options on the Site Plan and SMP form • Identify the areas where each amendment option will be applied by outlining each area on the site plan with a dark, thick-line pen. • Assign each area an identifying number or letter B, on the plan, and on the Soil Management Plan form. Step 4: Identify Compost, Topsoils and Other Organic Materials for Amendment and Mulch. Amendments for Pre-Approved rates must be compost meeting the definition for “Composted Materials” in WAC 173-350, section 220, (available online at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/compost/ ) or topsoil manufactured from these composts plus clean sand or sandy loam soil. Products must be identified on the Soil Management Plan form, and recent product test results must be provided showing that they meet the additional requirements in this Guide for organic matter content and carbon to nitrogen ratio (see specification in Section For Custom Calculated amendment rates (see right, next page, and formula in Section 7 “Resources”), organic matter may be provided by: • Compost (as defined above), or • Other by organic materials with a carbon to nitrogen ratio under 25:1 (35:1 for native plantings), meeting the same contaminant standards as “Composted Materials” in WAC 173-350, section 220. These products must be identified on the Soil Management Plan form, and recent test results provided showing that they meet these requirements. Step 5: Calculate Amendment, Topsoil and Mulch Volumes on SMP form • For Pre-Approved amendment rates, figure the square footage of each area and complete the simple calculation to convert inches of amendment into cubic yards. • To compute custom calculated amendment rates, use soil and amendment test results and the Model Amendment Rate Calculator Spreadsheet and/or the Equation for Calculating Compost Application Rates (both are in Section 7 “Resources”) to achieve the target Soil Organic Matter content (10% SOM for landscape beds, or 5% SOM for turf areas). Sampling and Testing for Custom Calculated Amendment Rates Soil and amendments submitted for testing should be a composite of samples taken from several spots on a site or in a pile of amendment. Soil: Gather samples from soil that will be the subgrade after all grading operations are completed, before placement of imported topsoil or amendments. • Take samples from 10-12 spots in each area. Imagine a line dividing the area in half then divide each half into five near equal sized widths. Take samples near the middle of each subsection. • At each sampling spot dig a spades-width hole at least 8 inches deep, then shave a 1 inch slice from the side of the hole to use in the composite sample. • Thoroughly mix the 10-12 samples from each turf or planting area together in a clean plastic bucket or bowl. Place 2 cups of the mix into a sealable plastic bag for testing (some tests may require more soil, ask laboratories). • Label the bag with the site information, area of sample; plus your name, address and phone number. Amendment: Producers of composts and manufactured topsoils can usually provide test results for their products. If tests are Site Assessment Supplies • Copy of site grading plan • Sturdy shovel • Tape measure If using custom calculated amendment rates requiring soil tests: • Clean bucket or stainless steel bowl for mixing soil samples • Sealable bags for soil samples, and indelible ink pen to label ---PAGE BREAK--- Developing a Soil Management Plan – SECTION FIVE 12 nonexistent or incomplete, conduct necessary tests on each proposed amendment. • Take samples from 10-12 spots in pile of material. Imagine a line dividing the pile in half then gather samples from five spots equally spaced along the length of each side of the pile. • At each sampling spot, dig a spades-width hole at least 8 inches deep. Use a clean cup or trowel to collect a cup of amendment from the bottom of each hole. • Thoroughly mix the 10-12 samples from each pile together in a clean plastic bucket or bowl. Place 2 cups of the mix into a sealable plastic bag for testing (some tests may require more compost, ask laboratories). • Label the bag with the product and supplier information; plus your name, address and phone number. Tests to Conduct for Custom Calculated Amendment Rates: Soil Compost Amendment - Bulk Density - Bulk Density - Percent Organic Matter (by “loss on ignition” method) - Percent Organic Matter (by “loss on ignition” method) - Moisture Content as is - Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio (C:N) - Heavy Metals Analysis (per WAC 173-350, section 220) ---PAGE BREAK--- Developing a Soil Management Plan – SECTION FIVE 13 ---PAGE BREAK--- 14 SECTION SIX FIELD GUIDE TO VERIFYING SOIL QUALITY AND DEPTH IN NEW LANDSCAPES This guide is provided to help professional inspectors verify implementation of soil improvements to fulfill BMP T5.13 “Post Construction Soil Quality and Depth” in the Washington Department of Ecology’s Stormwater Management Manual Western Washington. The main conditions to be confirmed are: 1. Provision of eight inches of topsoil containing 10% organic matter in planting beds, or 5% in turf areas. 2. Scarification of compacted subsoil four inches below the topsoil layer (for a total uncompacted depth of 12 inches). 3. Placement of two inches of mulch on all planting beds. The following steps may be completed at multiple visits as a project progresses or in one final project approval inspection, depending on local practices: STEP 1: Compare site conditions with approved Soil Management Plan (SMP). The SMP approved with the site permit describes soil treatments approved for each area. Make sure site conditions match these details in the SMP: • Site location and permit holder. • Turf and planting areas match approved drawings. • Areas to remain as undisturbed native soil and vegetation have been fenced off during construction to prevent soil compaction or damage to plants. STEP 2: Inspect delivery tickets for compost, topsoil and mulches. Permitee must provide original delivery tickets for all soil and mulch products. Compare delivery tickets with the SMP to match the following information: • Delivery location. • Total quantities for each soil product and mulch. • Product descriptions and sources. If materials other than those listed in the SMP were delivered, laboratory test results must be provided to confirm that they are equivalent to approved products. STEP 3: Verify depth of amended soil and scarification. Use a shovel to dig at least one test hole per acre for turf and one per acre for planting beds to verify eight inch topsoil depth (below mulch layer), incorporation of amendments, and four inches of uncompacted subsoil. Eight Inch Depth of Amended Soil. The top eight inches of soil should be easy to dig using a garden spade driven solely by your weight. The soil should be darker than the unamended soil below, and particles of added organic Site Inspection Supplies • A copy of the approved Soil Management Plan (SMP) for the site, with site drawing. • A sturdy shovel • Tape measure or 12” ruler • 3/8 inch diameter 3-4 foot stainless steel “rod penetrometer” with a 1/8” bevel cut into the tip at 30 degrees from the side, and a 90 degree bend at top to form a handle (see illustration, next page). • Field Verification Form to record results Test holes should be about one foot deep (after first scraping away any mulch) and about one foot square. ---PAGE BREAK--- Verifying Soil Quality and Depth – SECTION SIX 15 matter are likely to be visible. Clay soil that been saturated and then dried may require jumping on the shovel step to penetrate, but the soil should yield easily when moist. Soil that requires vigorous chipping with the shovel to penetrate probably does not meet the specification. Four Inch Depth of Scarified Subsoil. The next four-inch depth of soil should be loose enough to penetrate with the shovel. It may be rocky, and the loosened depth may vary due to the pattern of scarifying equipment – but some sections of subsoil in a one foot square hole should be loose four inches deep into the subsoil (that is, to a total 12 inch depth from the soil surface). STEP 4: Check soil depth in several spots. Use a simple “rod penetrometer” (illustration below) to confirm that the soil is uncompacted twelve inches deep at ten locations per acre – with a minimum of ten on smaller sites. To locate test spots, imagine a line dividing the site (or each acre) in half then divide each half into five nearly equal sections. Conduct tests near the middle of each section. Additional test locations are encouraged. The rod penetrometer should enter the soil twelve inches deep, driven solely by the inspector’s weight. Irregular scarification or rocks in the lower layer may require probing a few spots at each location to reach the full depth. STEP 5: Check mulch depth. Use a shovel to scrape away and reveal surface mulch thickness. A two inch layer of organic material (mulch) such as composted sawdust, wood chips, or ground bark should be distinguished from the underlying soil on all planting beds. FINAL STEP: Record results on “Field Verification Form” or similar document (see sample form on next page). What should be attached to the Soil Management Plan? • Scale drawings showing layout of turf and planting beds, and identifying where soil treatments described in the SMP will be applied. • Copies of compost and topsoil test results demonstrating that products contain adequate organic matter, and meet carbon to nitrogen ratio and stability standards. • Where custom calculated amendment rates are used, include laboratory analyses of the soil and organic matter sources plus calculations by a qualified professional showing that the organic matter requirement will be achieved. What If A Site Does Not Meet the Soil Management Plan Requirements? If inspection indicates that an installation does not fulfill the approved SMP, the permit holder or their agent should be notified of what steps are needed to comply. When results are unclear or disputed, an independent consultant should conduct sampling for analytical testing of organic matter as described in the project specifications. Qualified consultants include: Certified Soil Scientists, Crop Advisors or Agronomists; or Licensed Landscape Architects, Civil Engineers or Geologists. A rod penetrometer is a 4 foot long, 3/8 inch or 10 mm diameter stainless steel rod with a 90 degree bend 5 inches form the top to make a handle, and a 30 degree bevel cut 1/8 inch or 3 mm into the side of the tip. ---PAGE BREAK--- Verifying Soil Quality and Depth – SECTION SIX 16 ---PAGE BREAK--- 17 SECTION SEVEN RESOURCES - Calculating Custom Amendment Rates: Formula & Spreadsheet - Permitted Composting Facilities in Washington that Sell Bulk Compost - Soil and Compost Analytical Labs Serving the Northwest - Additional Resources on Compost Quality & Use, and the Role of Soil Quality in Stormwater Management - Model Soil Amendment Specifications, in APWA and CSI Formats, located in back of this Guide, and available as MS WORD files for cut-and-paste at www.SoilsforSalmon.org See more resources online at: www.SoilsforSalmon.org – background science, low impact development and design resources www.BuildingSoil.org – soil BMP information for builders – factsheets, erosion control, marketing benefits ---PAGE BREAK--- Resources – SECTION SEVEN 18 CALCULATING CUSTOM AMENDMENT RATES TO ACHIEVE A TARGET SOIL ORGANIC MATTER CONTENT Where soils already have some organic content, it is often cost-effective to calculate the amount of compost amendment needed to achieve the target 10% soil organic matter for landscape beds or 5% for turf areas, rather than using the pre-approved rates (see Section Five). Custom amendment rates can be calculated using either the Equation below, or the Model Spreadsheet on facing page (also available as an Excel spreadsheet online at www.SoilsforSalmon.org EQUATION FOR CALCULATING COMPOST APPLICATION RATES: Use this equation to calculate compost application rates to achieve a target final soil organic matter content (FOM, which should be 10% for landscape beds or 5% for turf areas) for a soil with a given bulk density (SBD) and initial soil organic matter (SOM). The spreadsheet example on the next page illustrates how the equation is applied on typical soils using common composted materials. Where: CR = Compost application rate (inches) calculated to achieve the target final organic matter (FOM) D = Depth of finished incorporation (inches) SBD = Soil bulk density (lb/cubic yard dry weight)* SOM % = Initial soil organic matter(%)*** FOM% = Final target soil organic matter(%)*** CBD = Compost bulk density (lb/cubic yard dry weight)** COM% = Compost organic matter Assumption: This equation calculates compost rate using an additive approach. For example, a 3-inch compost rate incorporated to an 8-inch depth will be a final mix containing 3/8 compost and 5/8 soil by volume. * SBD To convert Soil Bulk Density in g/cm3 units to lb/cubic yard, multiply by 1697. CBD To convert Compost Bulk Density from lb/cubic yard “as is” to lb/cubic yard dry weight, multiply by solids content. OM All Organic Matter measurements are based on the commonly used “loss-on-combustion” method. CR = D x SBD x (SOM% – FOM%) SBD x (SOM% – FOM%) – CBD x (COM% – FOM%) ---PAGE BREAK--- Resources – SECTION SEVEN 19 MODEL AMENDMENT RATE CALCULATOR SPREADSHEET WITH EXAMPLES Example from an Excel spreadsheet that uses the equation on previous page. This Excel file can be downloaded at www.SoilsforSalmon.org This set of examples shows amendment rates in a typical sandy soil using a compost with a bulk density of 660 lb/cubic yard, compared with rates for a typical clay soil using compost with a BD of 550 lb/cubic yard. It demonstrates that soils with a higher initial organic matter (SOM) require less compost amendment to achieve a desired target final organic matter (FOM – which is set at 10%, appropriate for landscape beds, in these examples). SBD SOM% FOM% CBD COM% D CR Soil bulk density (lb/cubic yard dry weight) Soil organic matter (percent) Final organic matter (percent) Compost bulk density (lb/cubic yard dry weight) Compost organic matter (percent) Depth of incorpor- ation (inches) Calculated compost application rate (inches) Sandy Soil 2206 1% 10% 660 60% 8 inches 3.0 inches 2206 2% 10% 660 60% 8 inches 2.8 inches 2206 3% 10% 660 60% 8 inches 2.6 inches 2206 4% 10% 660 60% 8 inches 2.3 inches 2206 5% 10% 660 60% 8 inches 2.0 inches 2206 6% 10% 660 60% 8 inches 1.7 inches 2206 7% 10% 660 60% 8 inches 1.3 inches Soil bulk density = 1.3 g/cm3 or 2206 lb/cu yd 2206 8% 10% 660 60% 8 inches 0.9 inches Clay Soil 1697 1% 10% 550 50% 8 inches 3.3 inches 1697 2% 10% 550 50% 8 inches 3.1 inches 1697 3% 10% 550 50% 8 inches 2.8 inches 1697 4% 10% 550 50% 8 inches 2.5 nches 1697 5% 10% 550 50% 8 inches 2.2 inches 1697 6% 10% 550 50% 8 inches 1.9 inches 1697 7% 10% 550 50% 8 inches 1.5 inches Soil bulk density = 1.0 g/cm3 or 1697 lb/cu yd 1697 8% 10% 550 50% 8 inches 1.1 inches ---PAGE BREAK--- Resources – SECTION SEVEN 20 PERMITTED COMPOSTING FACILITIES IN WASHINGTON THAT SELL BULK COMPOST Compost from many of these facilities is sold and mixed into topsoil products through numerous retail outlets – check with topsoil and nursery vendors too. Please note that some of these facilities are not open to the general public. Information provided by WA Department of Ecology, current April 2008. An updated, current list of Permitted Composting Facilities throughout Washington, is available at the DOE website http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/compost/ County Facility / Company City Phone Chelan Chelan County Compost Facility Dryden (509) 548-5592 Clallam City of Port Angeles Municipal Landfill Facility Port Angeles (360) 417-4874 Clark H & H Wood Recyclers Vancouver (360) 892-2805 West Van Material Recovery Center Vancouver (360) 737-1727 Columbia Columbia Compost Dayton (509) 386-4748 Cowlitz Cowlitz County Landfill Longview (360) 577-3125 Grant Quincy Compost Quincy (509) 787-3523 Royal Organic Products Royal City (509) 554-3885 Island Mailliard's Landing Nursery Oak Harbor (360) 679 8554 Jefferson Port Townsend Biosolids Compost Facility Port Townsend (360) 385-7908 King Cedar Grove Composting Co. Maple Valley Seattle 1-[PHONE REDACTED] or (425) 432-2395 GroCo/ Steerco/ Sawdust Supply Kent (206) 622-5141 Lincoln Lincoln County Transfer Station Davenport (509) 725-7041 Mason North Mason Fiber Co. Belfair (360) 275-0228 ---PAGE BREAK--- County Facility / Company City Phone Pierce Pierce County Recycling, Composting & Disposal Puyallup (253) 847-7555 Purdy Compost Facility Gig Harbor (253) 857-2075 Sequalitchew Creek Earthworks Fort Lewis (253) 966-3275 Skagit Cascade Compost (Sunland Bark/Topsoil) Mount Vernon (360) 293-7188 Composting Facility Burlington (360) 767-6376 Hi Q Compost Facility Sedro Woolley (360) 856-4770 Skagit Soils Inc Mount Vernon (360) 424-0199 Snohomish Bailand Farms Yardwaste (Bailey) Compost Snohomish (360) 568-8826 Cedar Grove Composting Co. Everett (425) 212-2515 Misich Farms/Riverside Topsoils Snohomish (360) 568-8125 Pacific Topsoils - Maltby Woodinville 1-[PHONE REDACTED] or (425) 337-2700 Thurston Silver Springs Organics Composting LLC Tenino (360) 446-0197 Walla Walla Boise Wallula Composting Wallula (509) 545-3318 Sudbury Landfill Compost Facility Walla Walla [PHONE REDACTED] WSP Correctional Industries Compost Facility Walla Walla [PHONE REDACTED] Whatcom Green Earth Technology (Compost) Lynden (360) 354-4936 Yakima Natural Selection Farms Sunnyside (509) 837-3501 ---PAGE BREAK--- Soil and Compost Analytical Laboratories Serving the Northwest Resources – SECTION SEVEN 22 Includes Washington and Idaho ---PAGE BREAK--- Soil and Compost Analytical Laboratories Serving the Northwest Resources – SECTION SEVEN 23 ---PAGE BREAK--- Soil and Compost Analytical Laboratories Serving the Northwest Resources – SECTION SEVEN 24 ---PAGE BREAK--- Soil and Compost Analytical Laboratories Serving the Northwest Resources – SECTION SEVEN 25 ---PAGE BREAK--- Resources – SECTION SEVEN 26 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ON COMPOST QUALITY & USE, AND THE ROLE OF SOIL QUALITY IN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT Background Science University of Washington Center for Water and Watershed Studies http://water.washington.edu/ At their Publications index http://water.washington.edu/Outreach/Publications/articles.html download: • Proceedings of 1998 Salmon in the City conference – reports on a number of studies by University of WA and other scientists, includes source references for stormwater & water quality data presented in this Guide • The Relationship Between Soil and Water: How Soil Amendments and Compost Can Aid in Salmon Recovery, a 1999 report by King and Snohomish Counties, City of Seattle, Washington Dept. of Ecology, and Washington State University • Guidelines for Landscaping with Compost-Amended Soils, a 1998 report prepared for the City of Redmond which details trials, stormwater benefits, and 3-7 paybacks on compost amendment based on landscape water savings This site also includes research on the effects of urbanization, stream restoration techniques, permeable paving , etc. Soil Biology and Soil Functions: Why Soil Life Matters, and How it Works US Dept. of Agriculture, NRCS Soil Quality Institute http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/ Download the excellent Soil Biology Primer at http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/concepts/soil_biology/biology.html and other soil quality and erosion prevention resources, or order print copies from 1-800-THE SOIL Washington State University’s Soil Management research site Of particular interest are the sections on Compost, Current Research, and Soils and Soil Testing Soil Restoration, Compost Quality and Compost Use Washington Organic Recycling Council www.compostwashington.org and Soils for Salmon www.SoilsforSalmon.org Background and up to date information on Soils for Salmon initiative, this Building Soil guide online including calculations spreadsheet, and useful links on compost use and soil restoration. A new (2008) partner site, www.BuildingSoil.org carries this Building Soil guide too, along with factsheets on construction sequencing, erosion control, and customer information. Washington State Department of Ecology’s Solid Waste/Compost Program http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/compost/ includes links to Washington State’s Compost Facility Standards – WAC 173-350 section 220 – referred to in this Guide, as well as a current list of Permitted Composting Facilities, and other useful compost resources U.S. Composting Council http://compostingcouncil.org/ The most authoritative source for information on compost specifications. Particularly useful to landscape professionals is the recently updated Field Guide to Compost Use. USCC’s “Seal of Testing Assurance” (STA) program is the state-of-the-art for verifying compost quality and specifications for a variety of uses. See http://tmecc.org/tmecc/ and follow the “STA” link for complete information. Penn State Turfgrass Extension http://turfgrassmanagement.psu.edu/pdf/uc123.pdf Download Dr. Peter practical guide, Using Composts to Improve Turfgrass Performance Ecologically Sound Lawn Care for the Pacific Northwest Seattle Public Utilities www.seattle.gov/util/stellent/groups/public/@spu/@csb/documents/webcontent/ecological_200312021255394.pdf – see sections on soil preparation for turf, and compost use in turf topdressing. ---PAGE BREAK--- Stormwater Management with Soil and Low Impact Development BMPs Washington State Department of Ecology Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington, (2001, revised 2005) used by local jurisdictions for stormwater design, contains soil improvement as a Best Management Practice (Volume V, Chapter 5, BMP T5.13) at www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/manual.html, and see the Soils for Salmon website below for the online version of this Guide to implementing that BMP. Puget Sound Partnership’s website http://www.psparchives.com/our_work/stormwater/stormwater_resources.htm contains a wide array of useful Low Impact Development, stormwater, and site planning tools, incorporating soil BMPs, including: Low Impact Development Technical Manual and Natural Approaches to Stormwater Management or see the Low Impact Development Technical Manual and the Rain Garden Handbook at Washington State University’s Low Impact Development site at http://www.pierce.wsu.edu/Water_Quality/LID/index.htm Master Builders Association’s “Built Green” sustainable building program, developed with King and Snohomish Counties, includes soil strategies for home building. www.builtgreen.net Stormwater Design Seminars, for design professionals at http://depts.washington.edu/urbhort/html/education/stormwater.htm Soil and Compost Use Specifications and Design Guidelines WA Dept. of Transportation soil bio-engineering page http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/eesc/design/roadside/sb.htm and WsDOT’s compost specifications at Seattle Public Utilities, SEA Street project soil specifications and other Natural Drainage design information at and best landscape practices (including soil) information at http://www.seattle.gov/util/services/yard/ Puget Sound Action Team, Low Impact Development Technical Manual (see above) Texas DOT specs http://www.txdot.gov/ (search under “compost” and “landscape”) Iowa State University research & Iowa DNR specs www.eng.iastate.edu/compost/ and www.iowadnr.com/waste/pubs/files/compostbrochure.pdf and see Specifications in APWA and CSI format at end of this Guide Compost Berms and Blankets for Erosion Control Compost Berm, Blanket and Sock specifications, approved BMPs for erosion control, on US EPA NPDES menu (look down this page) For an introduction, see the “Erosion Control with Compost” factsheet on www.buildingsoil.org Search the internet for “compost berms” and “compost blankets” for current information. Good online articles include: • BioCycle Journal www.biocycle.net/ Search the index for various articles, especially “Compost Filter Berms and Blankets Take on the Silt Fence” by Rod Tyler, Biocycle: Vol. 42; No. 1, January 2001 • “Compost Utilization for Erosion Control” from University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/B1200.htm • “Erosion Control and Environmental Uses for Compost” by Rod Tyler et al http://www.p2pays.org/ref/11/10295.pdf • Various articles in Erosion Control Journal (search under “compost”) http://www.erosioncontrol.com/ • “Restoring Soil Health To Urbanized Lands” Oregon DEQ, esp. pp14-19 on compost berm and blanket trials, and p. 26 for specifications http://www.deq.state.or.us/lq/pubs/docs/sw/compost/RestoringSoilHealth.pdf For More Information Contact: Washington Organic Recycling Council [EMAIL REDACTED] www.compostwashington.org/ and see more resources at www.soilsforsalmon.org and www.buildingsoil.org ---PAGE BREAK--- 28 Notes ---PAGE BREAK--- 29 Model Soil Amendment Specification to implement Soil Quality and Depth BMP T5.13 APWA FORMAT available as an MS Word file at www.SoilsforSalmon.org ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- Notes ---PAGE BREAK--- 37 Model Soil Amendment Specification to implement Soil Quality and Depth BMP T5.13 CSI FORMAT available as an MS Word file at www.SoilsforSalmon.org ---PAGE BREAK--- 38 ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- 44 Notes Learn more at www.SoilsforSalmon.org or www.BuildingSoil.org ---PAGE BREAK--- Tree Protection Standards in Construction Sites “To exist as a nation, to prosper as a state, and to live as a people, we must have trees.” - President Theodore Roosevelt ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 Contents Why Should I Follow This Guide? 3 Trees and Roots 4 Tolerance to Damage 5 Construction Damage 9 Fences 11 Which Trees to Save? 12 Four Steps to Tree Protection 13 1. Mapping and Prescription 13 How Close Can Trees Get to Structures? 13 What If a Tree is Too Close? 15 Trenching 16 Grade Changes 17 2. Preconditioning 18 3. Supervision 20 4. After-Care 20 Need Help? 21 References 21 Checklist 22 Please take this guide with you to the construction site. ---PAGE BREAK--- 3 Table 1. Approximate loss in property value caused by injury to a tree. Actual loss may be higher or lower based on a plant appraisal and what can be determined in court. Stem Diameter1 (in.) Loss in Property Value2 Sicken Tree Kill Tree 5 131 350 10 525 1400 15 1181 3150 20 2100 5600 25 3281 8750 1 Diameter of tree stem measured at 4.5 feet above ground 2 Appraisal of loss using the trunk formula method (Gooding et al 2000) Assumptions: tree is a desirable species in good condi- tion, properly located in the front yard of a well landscaped $100,000 residential home. Why Should I Follow This Guide? This guide gives your trees the best chance of survival both during and after construction. You are following advice from professional arborists combined with published standards and practices (Coder 1996, 2000, Elmendorf et al 2005, Johnson 2001, and Matheny and Clark 1998). Use these standards to show a reasonable effort on your part to protect trees from damage. We cannot guarantee 100% success, but if standards are followed and a tree dies, then it is not your fault. If you ignore these standards and a tree is injured, then you could be held liable for thousands of dollars in damage (Table Tree damage may also lead to structural failure, ranging from the dropping of dead limbs to the entire tree falling over. This structural failure has the potential to injure people and property, which could also be your responsibility. ---PAGE BREAK--- 4 Figure 2. Tree roots most important for survival are the structural root plate (red area) and the critical root area (green area). Figure 1. A tree looks like a wine glass on a dinner plate. Trees and Roots Tree roots are not like carrots. Roots spread out over a large area and are concentrated at the soil surface. A tree actually looks like a wine glass setting on a dinner plate (Figure A wine glass represents leaves and branches, tree stem, and the structural root plate. A large dinner plate represents the transport and feeder roots that spread out farther than the branches. Roots hairs are so small and prolific they essentially are one with the soil. So any little activity that compacts or moves soil can kill roots. Fortunately not all roots are created equal. Tree roots closest to the stem are more essential than others for survival (Figure ---PAGE BREAK--- 5 To estimate the size of the structural root plate and the critical root area, we used a common tree measurement, Stem Diameter at 4.5 feet above the ground. Stem diameter can be measured directly with calipers or a diameter tape. Or you may measure stem circumference and divide by pi (3.14) to calculate diameter. The most essential roots form the Structural Root Plate (Figure 2 red area). These large strong roots extend up to 11 feet from the stem in larger trees (Table Damaging these roots in any way is usually fatal and may leave a tree unable to hold itself up. This could spell disaster. Second in importance is the Critical Root Area located under the reach of the branches (Figure 2 green area). This area contains about 85% of the root mass. Any damage to the transport and feeder root system in this area will likely reduce tree health and survival. The size of the critical root area is estimated again using stem diameter (Table The area is defined as a circle with a radius that is 1.25 feet for every inch in stem diameter. Thus, the distance from the tree stem you would like to stay away from a tree is called the critical root radius. Tolerance to Damage To ensure tree survival the entire critical root area should be protected from construction damage (Figure This is especially true for trees classified as Susceptible to damage. These are trees in poor health, very old, or a susceptible species (Table Any kind of root damage reduces the survival of susceptible trees significantly. The survival rate drops below 50/50 once 25% of the critical roots are injured (Figure ---PAGE BREAK--- 6 Table 2. Critical root radius and critical root area increases with tree size (Coder 1996). Tree Stem Diameter (in.) Structural Root Plate Radius (ft.) Critical Root Ra- dius (ft.) Critical Root Area (ft.2) 2 2 2.5 20 4 3 5 79 6 4 7.5 177 8 5 10 314 10 6 12.5 491 12 7 15 707 14 7 17.5 962 16 8 20 1256 18 8 22.5 1590 20 9 25 1963 22 9 27.5 2375 24 10 30 2826 26 10 32.5 3317 28 10 35 3847 30 10 37.5 4416 32 10 40 5024 34 10 42.5 5672 36 10 45 6359 38 11 47.5 7085 40 11 50 7850 ---PAGE BREAK--- 7 Trees classified as Resistant to construction damage are healthy, young to middle aged, and of a resistant species (Table Resistant trees generally are able to tolerate some root damage, at least until it approaches 1/3 of the critical root area (Figure Trees Moderate in their tolerance to injury include those in fair health, past middle aged to old, or a moderate species (Table These trees fall between resistant and susceptible in their survival of critical root damage. Roots outside of the critical root area are the least important for tree health (Figure A tree can lose all these roots with minimal problems. But to compensate for this root loss, extraordinary care must be given to roots within the critical root area. Figure 3. Tree survival depends on the amount of critical root area protected and the tolerance of a tree to damage. (Coder 1996). % of Critical Root Area Protected % Tree Survival Resistant Susceptible ---PAGE BREAK--- 8 Table 3. Ranking of common tree species in tolerance to construction damage. Survival rates are high for resistant species and low for susceptible species with the same level of damage (Matheny & Clark 1998). Species Resistance to Construction Damage Resistant Moderate Susceptible Ash - Green Ash - White Basswood Bald Cypress Dogwood - Flowering Beech Birch - River Hickory - Pignut, Shagbark, Mockernut Chinkapin - Allegheny Elm - most species Hophornbeam - Eastern Maple - Silver Gum - Black, Tupelo Hornbeam - American Sourwood Hickory - Water, Pecan Magnolia - most species Sugarberry (Hackberry) Holly - American, Dahoon, Gallberry, Yaupon Maple - Florida Walnut - Black Maple - Red, Boxelder Pine - Shortleaf Yellow - Poplar White Oaks - White, Swamp Chestnut, Overcup, Bur Sweetgum Red Oaks - Water, Willow, Shumard, Nuttall, Northern Pin Sycamore - American Pines - Loblolly, Longleaf, Slash Willow ---PAGE BREAK--- 9 Figure 4. Construction damage to roots begins a mortality spiral that can kill healthy trees in 1 to 10 years. (Matheny & Clark 1998). Construction Damage Most people are not aware that tree roots are on the soil surface and very vulnerable to injury. That is why damage to the root system is the number one killer of trees. Unfortunately, any activity under a tree is a potential root killer, including the storage of equipment or supplies as well as minor vehicle and foot traffic. Injury to roots within the critical root area is capable of slowly killing Healthy trees (Figure The process of tree death following injury is termed a “mortality spiral”. The further a tree falls down the mortality spiral the harder it is to get back up to Healthy. So, if restorative treatments are to be effective they need to be applied immediately after damage occurs. Do not wait until the tree is Stressed or Declining. ---PAGE BREAK--- 10 Stressed Construction damage weakens a tree and sets it up to be injured by another stress that normally would not cause damage. Thus, drought and insect/ disease attacks can be deadly when combined with construction. As stressors accumulate, a tree becomes weaker and weaker. The tree does not usually show any signs of a problem, except maybe the foliage appearing a little sparse and off color. The severity and longevity of these stressors determines if tree health can be restored. Declining Upper growing points in the tree cannot be supported and die. Signs of decline include very low leaf density and leaves may appear yellow and small. Many dead branches and twigs are in the top portion of tree. Wood borers and bark beetles may attack. Once a tree reaches this stage, they are considered beyond help. Death A tree usually dies from a fatal combination of structural failure, health degradation, and pest infestation. Pine trees will typically die within a year following severe root damage. Generally, hardwoods are slower to die. After a fatal blow, hardwoods may live for another 2-10 years. ---PAGE BREAK--- 11 Fences To prevent root damage, construction activity needs to be diverted away. One of the best tree protectors is a fence placed around the critical root area (Figure 5a). Fences should be erected before construction begins and kept intact until final inspection. This temporary fence should be at least three feet high, clearly visible and supported by steel T-bar or similar stakes. Warning signs as shown in Figure 5a should be prominently displayed. Assign someone the job of monitoring the fences. To further prevent fence removal and injury to critical roots add a penalty clause in contracts. See Table 1 for reasonable penalties. Protecting groups of trees instead of individuals is recommended when possible. To protect a group of trees, determine the critical root radius for each individual tree. Place a protective fence outside the critical root area of all trees in the group (Figure 5b). Figure 5a. Placing a protective fence around the critical root area assures tree survival. Figure 5b. Overhead view of a tree protection zone (gray fence) for a group of trees. Dots represent tree stems and light circles are each tree’s critical root area. ---PAGE BREAK--- 12 Which Trees to Save? Trees classified as resistant to construction damage should be a high priority for saving. These healthy, young to middle-aged trees of a resistant species (Table 3) have the highest likelihood of survival. Avoid trying to save trees classified as susceptible to damage. These trees are unhealthy, old, of a susceptible species or may have a serious to fatal defect (Figure Problems make susceptible trees less valuable and much more difficult to keep alive and healthy. Figure 6. Avoid trying to save trees with serious to fatal defects. 1- dead top and/ or dieback in the larger top branches, 2- narrow branch angles and/or co-dominant stems, 3- history of damage from lightning, insects, and/ or equipment, 4- lean and/ or soil heaving, and 5- cracks, cavities, rotten wood, fungal conks, termites, carpenter ants, and cankers. (Elmendorf et al 2005). The size of trees should be compared to ownership goals and finances. Large trees may be desired and extremely valuable to a property but they are also very difficult and expensive to save. Construction activity may have to be adjusted considerably to protect a large tree’s root system. The owner must have the willingness to pay for construction adjustments before a big tree can be saved. Owners with moderate budgets may have to concentrate on saving smaller trees. These are much easier and cheaper to protect and save. Some species of trees are a better long-term investment. Live oaks for example tend to grow into ---PAGE BREAK--- 13 Four Steps to Protecting Trees 1. Mapping and Prescription Planning is needed up front to keep trees and construction activities separated from each other. Begin with an initial walk-through to identify which trees to save. Mapping these trees before development of the construction plan is very important (Figure Compromises and adjustments made up front to protect trees are easier, cheaper and more effective at saving trees. Incorporate the exact location of each tree’s stem and its critical root area into the construction plan. Determine where construction conflicts will occur. Predict the extent of damage each tree’s critical root area will receive. Prescribe how to adjust construction activities to protect tree roots and improve survival. large extremely valuable trees. Strong wood in their branches, stem, and roots resists breakage during storms. Live oaks also have a long life span and display few pest problems. Species of trees that display these kinds of characteristics are more desirable for saving than others. Figure 7. Mapping trees before construction can help determine which trees to save. Trees to be saved are numbered and tagged. Trees to be removed are marked with an x. ---PAGE BREAK--- 14 How close can trees get to structures? The ideal distance between a tree stem and structures is the critical root radius plus at least 10 feet (Table This distance allows a protective fence around the entire critical root area and leaves enough room for normal construction activity. Whenever a tree is closer than ideal to a structure, the protective fence may have to be moved closer to the tree, which exposes some of the critical root area to construction activity. An additional Root Buffer is needed to protect the exposed critical root area outside the fence. To create a root buffer, begin by covering the exposed critical root area with wood chips to a minimum 6-inch depth. Overlay this with quarry gravel to stabilize a working surface and place ¾ inch plywood or mats on top. The root buffer should be maintained throughout the construction process. Damage-resistant trees can be located within 20 feet of buildings and 10 feet of sidewalks. A combination of fencing and a root buffer will be needed to protect the roots (Table Structures must be kept outside the critical root radius of damage-susceptible trees (Table Use a stem wrap to protect scaffold branches or the stem itself whenever they are exposed to construction injury. Wrap exposed tree parts with 2 inches of plastic orange fencing as padding and then securely bind 2x4s on the outside. During installation avoid damaging any bark or branches. ---PAGE BREAK--- 15 What if a tree is too close? Generally when a tree is closer to a structure than the minimum distance above your options are to remove the tree or move the structure. But in some situations you may consider alternative construction techniques. This includes ramping a walking surface over roots on a lifted slab. Or you could substitute driveway concrete with interlocking pavers or flexible paving, elevate porches on posts and brick or create flagstone walkways on sand. Seek out professional advice from an arborist on how to install these alternatives and still protect critical tree roots. Table 4. Minimum distances between structures and trees and required tree protection. Type of structure Tolerance of tree to damage1 Minimum distance Tree protection required All All CRR2 + 10 ft Fence3 All Susceptible CRR2 Fence3 + Root Buffer4 Buildings Resistant Lessor of 20 ft or CRR2 Fence3 + Root Buffer4 + Stem wrap5 Sidewalk or Driveway Resistant 10 ft. Fence3 + Root Buffer4 + Stem wrap5 + Adjust con- struction 1Trees tolerance to construction damage classified using health, age, and species (see page 8 and Table 3) 2CRR=Critical root radius (see page 6 and Table 2) 3Fence protecting CRR (see page 11) 4Buffer protecting roots outside fence (see page 14) 5Stem wrap to prevent a direct hit to stem ---PAGE BREAK--- 16 Trenching Trenching is any linear excavation for utility lines, foundations, roads, sidewalks and irrigation. Foremost, protect the structural root plate from trenching. This plate can extend up to 11 feet from a tree stem (Table Protecting the critical root area is also very important. Its size is also predicted using the stem diameter measurement (Table No trenching machinery should ever be allowed in the critical root area. Utility lines may be placed under the roots by digging a tunnel using a soil auger (Figure Tunneling within the critical root area at a minimum depth of 2 feet will avoid most roots. Tunnel at least one foot deeper if utility is located directly under the stem. Another option is to dig a trench that leaves the roots intact. This can be done with a pneumatic air excavator. Another option is careful hand digging below the roots from the side for short distances. Avoid trenching on hot, dry, or windy days. Protect exposed roots by immediately wrapping with wet burlap and keep moist. Do not leave the trench open for very long (1 hour is best), quickly replace the soil and soak with water to pack. If a root is severely damaged it heals quicker if a clean cut is made above the damage. Cut with a reciprocating saw or small pruning saw. Figure 8. Utility lines may be placed near trees without root injury by tunneling underground. An alternative is trenching with a pneumatic air excavator or careful hand digging. Tunneling Trenching ---PAGE BREAK--- 17 Grade Changes Ideally all grade changes (raising or lowering the level of the soil) should occur outside the critical root area (Figure Large cuts and fills may require retaining walls to keep the original grade around a tree. Try to avoid any grade change that will drastically alter the water table or how water drains around trees. Add drains where the critical root area now collects water and provide extra watering to areas that are now excessively dry. Also do not allow machinery on the critical root area when changing grade, this will compact the soil. Fill can damage root systems primarily by cutting off the oxygen and water supply. Within the critical root area the maximum depth of fill that will be allowed depends on the texture of the fill material. Up to 8 inches of sand may be added without much damage to the roots. With the help of an arborist, you may be successful with fill mixtures up to 4 feet deep. But no fill should ever be allowed to touch the tree stem. That means either slowly taper down the fill or build a wall around the stem to protect it. Figure 9. Retaining walls can keep original soil grade within the critical root area and allow deep cuts and/or fills to achieve the grade changes needed for construction. Fill Cut Critical Root Area/ Original Soil Grade ---PAGE BREAK--- 18 2. Preconditioning Remove competition from weeds, vines, and grasses by clipping, not pulling. Spraying with is also effective. Correctly prune and remove all branches that will likely conflict with construction activities. This prevents ripped or broken branches (Johnson 2001). Before construction begins, improve the soil conditions within the protected critical root area. The goal is to “bait” new roots into the protected Figure 10. Aeration of soil to relieve compaction in critical root area. Cuts in the critical root area can easily damage roots. Therefore we do not recommend lowering the grade in this area. A retaining wall outside the critical root area will allow cutting a lower grade for construction needs (Figure ---PAGE BREAK--- 19 area and away from unprotected soil. If the soil is already compacted then aerate on a regular basis, not just one time (Figure 10). Aeration applications can be made twice a year for two years, then once a year thereafter. Apply a low nitrogen, slow release fertilizer to stimulate root growth not more foliage (use a soil test to determine the amounts of N-P-K The most important soil treatment is mulching the protection zone to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. Aged pine, cypress, and hardwood chips (wood and bark) are good mulches to add organic matter to the soil and hold water. Avoid placing mulch against the tree stem. If you plan to remove the mulch, place a weed free barrier fabric down before mulching to make removal much easier. Watering is very effective in maintaining tree vigor. Use soaker hoses or another technique to apply one inch of water weekly on the critical root area during droughts. When trees are damaged and more frequent watering is needed, use a tensionmeter to determine when soil moisture is less than adequate. Do not use a timer to schedule watering, this usually provides too much water. An early application of paclobutrazol to the soil before construction begins also has been effective at encouraging trees to produce new roots and maintain health during construction. Evaluate the herbicides and soil sterilants that will be used near trees. Read the labels to make sure their application will not harm trees. ---PAGE BREAK--- 20 3. Supervision Meet with all contractors. Express your desire to save trees and review the penalty clause for tree damage. Tell them your expectations, everyone is to leave intact the protective fencing and soil buffers. Assign someone the job of monitoring the fences daily. If any damage occurs immediately repair or mediate the injury. 4. After-Care One of the most common soil disturbances during construction is soil compaction. Several treatments are available to ameliorate compaction and increase aeration. 1. Maintain and refresh the mulch layer of 4 to 6 inches annually. 2. Use a high pressure air spade or injector to create holes and fractures in the soil to provide air space (Figure 10). This should be done at least twice a year for several years. 3. Dig trenches one to two feet deep oriented like spokes of a wagon wheel around a tree. Pneumatic air excavators do this well. Replace the soil with a porous material. 4. Apply vertical mulching by drilling 2–3 inch diameter holes 12 inches deep using a power auger. Start beyond the tree’s structural root plate and drill on 18 x 18 inch and up to 24 x 24 inch grid within the critical root zone. If large woody roots are encountered, avoid root damage by moving the drill hole. Backfill the holes with compost, mulch, or other organic material. To receive full benefits from a treatment apply immediately following damage. Do not let compaction move a tree down the mortality spiral before treating. These treatments can be effective individually and in combination with the tree growth regulator paclobutrazol. ---PAGE BREAK--- 21 Need Help? Expertise in tree care can be provided by arborists certified by the International Society of Arboriculture. A list of local certified arborists can be queried by zip code or city at www.isa-arbor. com. You may also contact the local office of the Mississippi Forestry Commission (www.mfc.state. ms.us) or Mississippi State University Extension Service (msucares.com), both have certified arborists on staff. References Coder, K.D. 2000. Soil compaction & trees: causes, & effects. FOR00-003 University of Georgia School of Forest Resources, Athens, GA. www. 37 p. Coder, K.D. 1996. Construction damage assessments. Trees and Sites. FOR96-039a University of Georgia School of Forest Resources, Athens, GA. www. 23 p. Elmendorf, H. Gerhold, and L. Kuhns. 2005. A guide to Preserving Trees in Development Projects. Pub UH122. Penn State University of School Forest Resources, University Park, PA. pubs.cas.psu.edu 27 p. Gooding, R.F. et al. 2000. Guide for Plant Appraisal. 9th edition. ISBN: 1-881956-25-3 International Society of Arboriculture, Champaign, IL. www.isa-arbor.com 143 p. Johnson, G. 2001. How to protect trees from construction damage. Grounds Maintenance 36(11): 28-31. Matheny, N and J.R. Clark. 1998. Trees and Development. A technical guide to preservation of trees during land development. ISBN: 1-881956-20-2 International Society of Arboriculture, Champaign, IL. www.isa-arbor.com 183 p. ---PAGE BREAK--- 22 Checklist 1. Mapping and Prescription Determine what the client desires and the relative importance of preserving trees. Inventory the construction site and prepare a map that identifies the soil, trees, vegetation, and other resources. Determine which trees are healthy, structurally sound, and located away from construction. Include in the Construction Plan: A map showing where protection fences are to be located and areas off limits to construction activity. List what alterations in construction are needed to protect important trees. 2. Preconditioning Build access roads and staging areas for construction workers. Ideally these should be part of the final site design. Confirm that soil sterilants to be used are safe for trees. Review with utility personnel the location of lines, trenching, and tunneling activities required. Cut and remove (do not pull) unwanted trees and vegetation in protected areas. Fertilize and mulch the protected root zone of trees to be saved. Install protective fences, drainage, and irrigation (if needed). Determine where to hold topsoil and where construction spoil will be piled. 3. Supervision Meet with the general contractor and agree on construction limits, sites for material storage, parking areas for workers, and location of trailer and portable toilets. ---PAGE BREAK--- 23 Agree on material disposal, especially cement, paint, and plastic. Agree on water management. This includes erosion, storm-water run-off, and cleaning cement trucks. On the first day make sure someone is charged with protecting fences from encroachment. Install utility lines first, second driveways, walks, and parking, and third buildings. Check all last minute changes against the plan to ensure tree protection. Inspect the site twice a day. Provide extra water, fertilizer, and insect and disease control to protected trees. Prune/repair injured trees. Reestablish favorable soil conditions following any disturbance. Maintain mulch. 4. After-Care Remove temporary fences and irrigation systems. Rehabilitate compacted and eroded areas. Provide extra water, fertilizer, and insect and disease control to trees protected. Maintain mulch. Copyright International Society of Arboriculture. Used with permission. Reference to commercial products or trade names within information provided by Mississippi State University does not constitute an endorsement by Mississippi State University and does not imply discrimination against other similar products. ---PAGE BREAK--- Copyright 2008 by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved. This publication may be copied and distributed without alteration for nonprofit educational purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University Extension Service. By Stephen G. Dicke, Extension Forestry Professor, Mississippi State University Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center, Raymond, MS and Britt Hubbard, Urban Forester, Mississippi Forestry Commission, Hattiesburg, MS. Funded by a Hurricane Supplemental 2006 grant by the Mississippi Forestry Commission. This is publication #FO468 of the Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Mississippi State University. Discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran’s status is a violation of federal and state law and MSU policy and will not be tolerated. Discrimation based upon sexual orientation or group affiliation is a violation of MSU policy and will not be tolerated. College of Forest Resources Mississippi State University Forest and Wildlife Research Center This institution is an equal opportunity provider. ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- . Topping is cutting branches back to stubs or lateral branches not large enough to sustain the remaining branch. Leaving a stub maintains an open pathway to decay. Why Topping Hurts Trees Learn why topping is not an acceptable pruning technique and discover recommended alternatives. Topping is perhaps the most harmful tree pruning practice known. Yet, despite more than 25 years of literature and seminars explaining its harmful effects, topping remains a common practice. What is Topping? Topping is the indiscriminate cutting of tree branches to stubs or to lateral branches that are not large enough to assume the terminal role. Other names for topping include “heading,” “tipping,” “hat-racking,” and “rounding over.” Topping is often used to reduce the size of a tree. A homeowner may feel that a tree has become too large for his or her property, or that tall trees may pose an unacceptable risk. Topping, however, is not a viable method of height reduction and certainly does not reduce future risk. In fact, topping will increase risk in the long term. Topping Stresses Trees Topping can remove 50 to 100 percent of a tree’s leaf-bearing crown. Leaves are the food factories of a tree. Removing them can tem- porarily starve a tree and trigger various survival mechanisms. Dormant buds are activated, forcing the rapid growth of multiple shoots below each cut. The tree needs to put out a new crop of leaves as soon as possible. If a tree does not have the stored energy reserves to do so, it will be seriously weakened and may die. A stressed tree with large, open pruning wounds is more vulnerable to insect and disease infestations. The tree may lack sufficient energy to chemically defend the wounds against invasion, and some insects are actually attracted to the chemical signals trees release. Topping Leads to Decay Correct pruning cuts are made just beyond the branch collar at the point of attachment. The tree is biologically equipped to close such a wound, provided the tree is healthy enough and the wound is not too large. Cuts made along a limb between lateral branches create stubs with wounds that the tree may not be able to close. The exposed wood tissues begin to decay. Normally, a tree will “wall off,” or compartmentalize, the decaying tissues, but few trees can defend the multiple severe wounds caused by topping. The decay organisms are given a free path to move down through the branches. Topping Can Lead to Sunburn Branches within a tree’s crown produce thousands of leaves to absorb sunlight. When the leaves are removed, the remaining branches and trunk are suddenly exposed to high levels of light and heat. The result may be sunburn of the tissues beneath the bark, which can lead to cankers, bark splitting, and death of some branches. Topping Can Lead to Unacceptable Risk The survival mechanism that causes a tree to produce multiple shoots below each topping cut comes at great expense to the tree. These shoots develop from buds near the surface of the old branches. Unlike normal branches that develop in a socket of overlapping wood tissues, these new shoots are anchored only in the outermost layers of the parent branches and are weakly attached. The new shoots grow quickly, as much as 20 feet (6 m)in one year in some species. Unfortunately, the shoots are prone to breaking, especially during windy or icy conditions. While the original goal was to reduce risk by reducing height, risk of limb failure has now increased. New shoots develop profusely below a topping cut. ---PAGE BREAK--- 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 E-mail inquiries: [EMAIL REDACTED] ©2011 (1998, 2004) International Society of Arboriculture. Developed by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), a non-profit organization supporting tree care research around the world and dedicated to the care and preservation of shade and ornamental trees. For further information, contact: ISA, P.O. Box 3129, Champaign, IL 61826-3129, USA. E-mail inquiries: [EMAIL REDACTED] www.isa-arbor.com • www.treesaregood.org Topping Makes Trees Ugly The natural branching structure of a tree is a biological wonder. Trees form a variety of shapes and growth habits, all with the same goal of presenting their leaves to the sun. Topping removes the ends of the branches, often leaving ugly stubs. Topping destroys the natural form of a tree. Without leaves (for up to six months of the year in temperate climates), a topped tree appears disfigured and mutilated. With leaves, it is a dense ball of foliage, lacking its simple grace. A tree that has been topped can never fully regain its natural form. Topping Is Expensive The cost of topping a tree is not limited to only the job cost. Some hidden costs of topping include: • Increased maintenance costs. If the tree survives, it will likely require corrective pruning within a few years crown reduction or storm damage repair). If the tree dies, it will have to be removed. • Reduced property value. Healthy, well-maintained trees can add 10 to 20 percent to the value of a property. Disfigured, topped trees are considered an impending expense. • Increased liability potential. Topped trees may pose an unacceptable level of risk. Because topping is considered an unacceptable pruning practice, any damage caused by branch failure of a topped tree may lead to a finding of negligence in a court of law. Alternatives to Topping Sometimes a tree must be reduced in height or spread, such as for providing utility line clearance. There are recommended techniques for doing so. Small branches should be removed back to their point of origin. If a larger limb must be shortened, it should be pruned back to a lateral branch that is large enough (at least one-third the diameter of the limb being removed) to assume the terminal role. This method of branch reduction helps to preserve the natural form of the tree. However, if large cuts are involved, the tree may not be able to close over and compartmentalize the wounds. Sometimes the best solution is to remove the tree and replace it with a species that is more appropriate for the site. Proper branch reduction preserves natural form. ---PAGE BREAK--- Same length as abutting parking stalls Double Stack Structural Soil Cells (Typical)* (Typical)* * Exact required width of perimeter landscaping will vary by PMC zoning requirements (Typically 6ft- 35ft) Internal Landscape Island 15' wide 12' wide Same length as abutting parking stalls Perimeter Landscape Island Fire Hydrant Water Line - Positioned outside of Landscape beds Updated 8/2023 ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Puyallup Development Services – Planning Division 333 S Meridian, Puyallup, WA 98371 (253) 864-4165 Fax (253) 840-6678 1 STREET TREE INSTALLATION (RIGHT-OF-WAY) PROCEDURES FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION  IMPLEMENTATION OF CITY STANDARDS 01.02.08A, 01.02.07 and 01.02.03 For street trees in the right of way planter strip (area between curb and sidewalk), the following standards shall apply in relation to soil depth, soil amendments and installation of new street trees and root barriers. For new construction: In areas where a new planter strip and street tree shall be established or reconstructed due to a street construction project, the planter strip area shall be excavated to a depth of 24” and backfilled following the standard above to achieve a top soil mix with 40 percent compost by volume. Failure to follow the following standards for installation may result in rejection of the work by the Public Works Engineering field inspector and/or Planning Department. The contractor or installer shall:  Review the city standard planting detail – All contractors/installers are required to following city standard #01.02.07 (street tree planting) and #01.02.03 (root barrier installation) – see attached. The contractor/installer shall review the planting standard detail prior to installation to understand the city’s requirements. Failure to follow the standard may result in rejection of the work by the field inspector and/or Planning Department.  Schedule a field pre-construction meeting - The contractor/installer shall contact the site inspector and Planning Department 48 hours in advance of the installation of street tree(s) for a field pre-construction meeting on-site to review the approved plan set and city standard details. If street trees are to be installed over a longer timeline (such as a residential plat where trees may be installed over a multi-month period of time), the contractor/installer shall hold one consolidated pre-con to review plans and receive authorization. All street trees shall be inspected after planting by the Planning Department.  Excavate all construction materials - Excavate all construction materials, remnant soil, concrete, gravel, pit run, construction debris, etc. from the planter strip area to a depth of 24” prior to planting. Discard this material as the placement of new compost amended top soil is required. ---PAGE BREAK--- 2  Prepare the planting strip - After excavating all materials from the planter strip, scarify and rip the sub-base with the teeth of a backhoe bucket (or other mechanical means or hand tools) to a depth of 6” with multiple passes, 90 degrees to each other. Prior to planting the tree, re-compact the tree base where the street tree will be planted to avoid setting of the root ball. At this stage, if the tree is to be planted when the planter strip is backfilled with amended top soil, the contractor/installer needs to measure the depth of the root ball to determine when to place the tree in the pit during the backfilling process. If the root ball or root mass (in the case of bare root trees) is less than 24”, the street tree shall be planted in a manner in which the root flare is level with or at least 1” above grade at the time of finished planting. This may require the root ball be placed on a compacted sub-base of the compost amended top soil as backfilling is occurring,  Install root barrier panels - At this stage the contractor/installer shall place 24” Deep Root barrier panels (product code – ‘UB-24’) along the edge of the sidewalk and curb line for a total of eight feet of lineal protection along either side of the planting area (each panel is 2’ wide, four total panels required on each side). The panels shall be installed perpendicular to the edge of paved surface in accordance with the manufacturer’s standards for a ‘linear’ application; the root barrier panels shall not be installed in the planting pit as a ‘surround’ application, unless specified on the final landscape plans. The top of the root barrier panel shall be installed such that ½” of the root barrier is above the finished grade. The contractor shall monitor excavation of the planting pit for possible undermining of aggregate beneath the abutting roadway/sidewalk; if undermining occurs, the contractor shall stop and contact the Engineering Inspector immediately.  Compost amended top soils required – Top soil source shall be reviewed and approved during the pre-construction meeting; all top soil shall be a top quality sandy-loam mix, or equivalent as approved by the Planning Department. The top soil shall be amended on site during installation with compost to achieve a 40 percent by volume top soil mix in the right-of-way planter strip. Imported top soil may be used by the contractor if data ‘cut sheets’ are available from the supplier certifying compost amendment equaling 40 percent by volume using one of the approved compost sources below. Compost shall only be sourced from: o Cascade Compost (also known as PREP/LRI) (available through Pierce County Recycling, Composting & Disposal, 10308 Sales Road, Tacoma, Washington 98499, or retail/wholesale landscape material suppliers) o TAGRO Compost Mix (available through City of Tacoma, 2201 E. Portland Avenue, Gate 6, Tacoma, WA, 98421, or retail/wholesale landscape material suppliers) ---PAGE BREAK--- 3 o Cedar Grove Compost (available through Cedar Grove Compost, 17825 Cedar Grove Road S.E., Maple Valley, 98038, or retail/wholesale landscape material suppliers)  Install and amend top soils – At this stage, top soil shall be placed with compost tilled in to achieve 40% compost by volume. To avoid stratified layers, first lay down seven inches of approved top soil (sandy-loam) in the prepared/scarified planting strip area and mechanically till in three inches of approved compost; follow this procedure again until a total 24” top soil depth is installed. Finished grade of top soil should be 1/2” below the edge of sidewalk to allow the root barrier panel to be properly installed above finished grade.  Install tree stakes and finish mulch - Placement of four inches of wood chip mulch (lay down 6” of wood chips at time of installation to allow settling down to water basin rings, tree staking and temporary irrigation bags (‘Gator Bags’, or equivalent) shall follow city standard #01.02.07. ---PAGE BREAK--- Street Tree Installation Standards Table – City of Puyallup Criteria Class I (Overhead Utility Street Trees) Class II (Narrow Trees) Class III (Medium Trees) Class V (Large Trees) Minimum planter strip width 3.5’* - 4’ *limited species may be planted in 3.5’ strips 4’ 5’ 6’ On-center spacing standards 20 - 25 ft 20 - 25 ft 25 - 35 ft 30 - 40 ft Plant under overhead utility lines? Yes No No No Planting distance from buildings 7.5’ 7.5’ 10’ 10’ Distance from utility poles 10’ 10’ 10’ 10’ Distance from fire hydrants 5’ 5’ 5’ 5’ Distance from driveway (measured from the outer edge of driveway paving) 7.5’ 7.5’ 7.5’ 7.5’ Distance from stop light signal poles 15’ 15’ 20’ 25’ Distance from underground water, sanitary sewer or storm sewer lines 7.5’ 7.5’ 7.5’ 7.5’ Distance from underground gas, power or other conduit 3’ 3’ 3’ 5’ Minimum distance from intersection (as measured from the face of curbline corner at intersection)(See photo below 30 ft 30 ft 30 ft 30 ft Minimum distances from street signs (excluding parking signs) 30’ from leading side, 10’ from trailing side 30’ from leading side, 10’ from trailing side 30’ from leading side, 10’ from trailing side 30’ from leading side, 10’ from trailing side ---PAGE BREAK---