As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
APPLICANTThe property owner or his authorized representative; the term includes "developer."
APPROVED PRESERVED TREEAny tree that is inside the limit of disturbance and is to be properly protected and not destroyed or injured during construction as required by this chapter and as approved by the Shade Tree Commission.
BOUNDARY TREEA tree on an adjacent property whose root protection zone intrudes across the property line of the property under consideration.
CALIPERA measure of nursery stock measured in diameter. For four-inch diameter stock or smaller, the measure is taken at six inches above the root ball. For stock above four inches, the measurement is taken at 12 inches above the root ball.
CANOPY TREELarge, shade trees with deciduous foliage (bare in winter) generally reaching at least 40 feet in height at maturity.
CLEAR CUTTINGThe indiscriminate and broad removal of trees, shrubs or undergrowth with the intention of preparing real property for nonagricultural development purposes. This definition shall not include the selective removal of nonnative tree and shrub species when the soil is left relatively undisturbed, the removal of dead or significantly diseased trees and those trees which pose an imminent danger to the public health, safety or welfare.
DBH (or dbh)Diameter at breast height; a measure of trunk diameter in inches, taken at 4 1/2 feet above the natural ground line. The measured section of the tree should be free of branches and representative of the typical age of the tree species. DBH measurement is applied to existing trees (compared to caliper used for nursery stock).
DRIPLINEThe boundary created by the outermost branches of a tree.
EVERGREEN TREEA woody plant capable of reaching a minimum mature height of 20 feet with foliage persistent for more than one full year, resulting in a year-round (evergreen) foliage screening capacity.
FLOWERING/ORNAMENTAL TREEA deciduous tree, single or multistem, with a minimum height of 15 feet. Single-stem variety must be a minimum of two-inch caliper. Multistem must have no less than three stems with a minimum caliper of 0.75 inch per stem.
HAZARD TREEA tree with uncorrectable defects severe enough to pose present danger to people or buildings under normal conditions, as determined by the Township Shade Tree Commission.
HEDGEROWA narrow linear vegetated area with a mix of woody trees and shrubs formed along farm fields and pastures. Hedgerows may be considered as a desirable visual characteristic of a rural landscape, warranting preservation during the subdivision or land development process.
HERITAGE TREEA tree located on public or private property:
A. Which is specifically identified and considered worthy of preservation by the Township because of the species, size, rarity or historical importance; or
Having a dbh greater than 40 inches or an age greater than 75 years.
INVASIVE SPECIESAny plant that appears in the most recent invasive plants list published by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).
LIMIT OF DISTURBANCEBoundary line to be shown on a plan delineating the area outside of which no activity of any sort relating to transplanting, demolition, grading, construction, drainage, storage or any other project activities is permitted.
LOTA designated parcel, tract or area of land established by a plot or otherwise as permitted by law to be used, developed or built upon as a unit and which is described and/or held in single and separate ownership.
NATIVE PLANTSA plant species indigenous to the Northeastern United States that occurs naturally in a particular region, state, ecosystem, and habitat without direct or indirect human actions.
PLUGSmall plant grown in a tray with its own separate cell of compost to minimize disturbance.
PROPERTY OWNERAny person, agent, operator, firm or corporation having a legal or equitable interest in the property; or recorded in the official records of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Montgomery or Falls Township as holding title to the property; or otherwise having control of the property, including the guardian of the estate of any such person, and the executor or administrator of the estate of such person if ordered to take possession of real property by a court.
REMOVED TREEAny tree that is destroyed, injured or otherwise not protected according to the provisions of this chapter.
REPLACEMENT TREEA tree required to be planted per this chapter to compensate for the removal or damage of existing trees on a site.
ROOT PROTECTION ZONEThe area within a tree's temporary protection fencing which is to be maintained throughout the entire period of any construction. The protective fencing shall be placed at a distance calculated at 1.25 feet (radius) per each one inch of (DBH) diameter breast height or to the outer edge of the dripline, whichever is greater.
SEEDED MEADOWArea that contains native and/or nonnative annual and perennial plants, including a mix of grasses and herbaceous flowering plants that match the growing conditions of the site.
SHADE TREEA woody plant or a portion thereof that has a minimum three-inch caliper, is 14 feet or more in height, has eight feet minimum spread with clear trunk to seven feet, and has full branching structure within an ultimate right-of-way in Falls Township.
SHRUBA woody plant, usually with multiple stems, each of which has a DBH of less than three inches with a minimum height of 24 inches.
TREEAny hard-wooded perennial plant, whether evergreen or deciduous, or a species which normally reaches a height of eight feet or more at maturity.
TREE SURVEY PLANPlan identifying the size, species and location of all existing trees having a diameter at breast height (DBH) of six inches or greater and denoting each tree to be saved, removed or planted with the location of the tree protection fences and the proposed schedule of replacement trees.