[Ord. 208, 9/25/2012]
1.
Planting.
A.
General
Requirements.
(1)
The standards of design of this Section should be used to judge the
adequacy of subdivision or land development proposals. Where, in the
opinion of the Township Engineer, the literal application of these
standards in certain cases would cause undue hardship or be plainly
unreasonable, the Township Engineer may recommend to the Board of
Supervisors such reasonable exceptions as will not be contrary to
the public interest. The Board of Supervisors may modify or adjust
the standards to permit reasonable utilization of property while securing
substantial conformance with the objectives of the regulations.
(2)
The standards included in these regulations are minimum design requirements.
The Board of Supervisors reserve the right, in any case, to request
that the requirements listed herein exceed these standards if conditions
so warrant.
(3)
It is required that all landscape plans be prepared by a landscape
architect registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and familiar
with this landscape section in order to promote the proper use and
arrangement of plant materials. These plans shall be reviewed by appropriate
Township staff members and consultants and approved by the Township
Board of Supervisors.
(4)
All plant material shall meet the standards of the American Standard
for Nursery Stock by the American Nursery and Landscape Association
(2004) or most recent edition, and any heights, spreads and/or caliper
sizes for trees and shrubs indicated in this Section.
(5)
All plant material shall be installed in accordance with the standards outlined in Subsection 2 of this section. Appropriate details must be included on the plans.
(6)
Guaranty. All plant material shall be guaranteed for 18 months from
the day of final approval of the landscape installation by the Township
landscape architect or Township Engineer. Any plant material 25% or
more of which is dead shall be considered dead. A tree shall be considered
dead when the main leader has died or 25% of the crown is dead. Any
dead plant material shall be replaced and installed according to the
approved planting practices.
(7)
The applicant/developer shall contact the Township in writing to
request a final inspection for acceptance at the end of the guaranty
period. These inspections will be preformed when plant materials are
in full leaf only (May 1 through November 15).
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All guaranty escrow funds will be released upon acceptance at
the end of the guaranty period. The guaranty will be extended until
30 days after receipt of the request letter following May 1. Should
the end of the guaranty period occur after November 15, the guaranty
period shall be extended to May 15.
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(8)
Sizes, Species and Quality Standards. Street trees shall be a minimum of three inches in caliper and shall be a species suggested in Subsection 1C(3)(a), street trees. All main branches shall be pruned to a clearance height of seven feet above the ground. Street trees shall have a single, straight trunk and central leader and shall be free of disease and mechanical damage. A note shall be added to the landscape plans stating this information.
(9)
A landscape plan is required for all major subdivisions as well as
multifamily, commercial and industrial developments.
(10)
Street trees and other required plant material shall not be planted
until the finished grading of the subdivision or land development
has been completed.
B.
Grassed
or Grass/Ground Cover Combinations. All such areas specified on proposed
or approved plans shall be prepared, installed and maintained in accordance
with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Form 408 Specifications,
as amended.
C.
Street
Trees.
(1)
When Required. Street trees shall be required for any subdivision
or land development where suitable street trees do not exist as part
of the design and construction of:
(a)
New streets.
(b)
New sidewalks or pedestrian ways.
(c)
Existing streets, sidewalks, pedestrian ways, highways, bicycle trails
or pathways that abut or lie within the subdivision or land development.
(d)
Access and/or private driveways to residential developments serving
four or more dwelling units.
(2)
Location.
(a)
Alternate Spacing. Street trees shall not be planted opposite each
other, but shall alternate.
(b)
At intersections, trees shall be located no closer than 50 feet to
the intersection of the curb.
(c)
Street trees shall be spaced to permit the healthy growth of each
tree, but in no instance shall they be closer than 40 feet on center
nor further than 50 feet on center for each side of the street.
(d)
Street trees shall be planted no closer than one foot outside the ultimate street right-of-way and no farther than 10 feet from the ultimate right-of-way. Street trees shall be planted no closer than three feet to any public sidewalk. Street trees with shallow roots or those which grow very large as indicated in Subsection 1C(3)(a) shall be planted no closer than six feet to any public sidewalk.
(e)
Where trees exist along a roadway, the existing deciduous trees over
four inches in caliper within 10 feet of the ultimate right-of-way
may be utilized to meet the street tree requirement. (The caliper
of existing trees is measured at a height of four feet above ground
level.) Where such existing street trees are over 75 feet apart, new
street trees shall be planted between those existing street trees
at no greater than 50 feet on center and no less than 25 feet from
any existing tree.
(f)
Street trees are not to be planted beneath utility lines. If utility
lines are present, the street tree row is to be moved to a distance
not less than 15 feet nor more than 25 feet away from the line of
the poles. Where this is not possible due to space limitations or
other reasons, the species of street tree is to be changed to a lower
growing variety or species.
(3)
The following is the recommended list of street trees for use in
Smithfield Township. However, the Board of Supervisors may permit
other planting types if they are hardy to the area, not subject to
blight or disease and of the same general character and growth habit
as those listed below. The size standards indicated are the minimum
acceptable sizes at the time of installation.
(a)
Street trees: minimum three-inch caliper,* 14 feet to 18 feet high,
eight feet minimum spread, clear trunk to seven feet zero inches above
the ground and full branching structure.
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Acer rubrum - Red Maple**
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Acer saccharum - Sugar Maple**
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Fraxinus americana - White Ash
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Fraxinus pennsylvanica lanceolata - Green Ash
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Gingko biloba - Gingko (Male varieties only)
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Gleditsia triacanthos var. ‘inermis’ - Thornless
Honeylocust**
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Liquidambar styraciflua Sweetgum, including var. ‘Rotundiloba’
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Platanus acerifolia - London Planetree
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Platanus occidentalis - American Planetree**
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Quercus alba - White Oak
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Quercus bicolor - Swamp White Oak
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Quercus borealis - Northern Red Oak
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Quercus falcata - Southern Red Oak
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Quercus hemisphaerica - Laurel Oak
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Quercus imbricaria - Shingle Oak
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Quercus lyrata - Overcup Oak
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Quercus macrocarpa - Burr Oak
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Quercus phellos - Willow Oak
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Quercus prinus - Chestnut Oak
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Quercus rubra - Red Oak
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Quercus velutina - Black Oak
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Quercus stellata - Post Oak
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Tilia americana - American Linden
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* NOTE: Trees of four inch caliper and less shall be measured
at six inches above ground level as defined in the American Standard
for Nursery Stock by the American Nursery and Landscape Association
(2004) or most recent edition. Nursery-grown trees of greater than
four-inch caliper shall be measured at 12 inches above the ground
level.
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** NOTE: Shallow rooting or large growing tree - To be located
a minimum of six feet from any public sidewalk.
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D.
Parking
Area Plantings.
(1)
Parking area landscaping islands and landscaped areas on residential,
commercial and industrial properties shall be landscaped with evergreen
and deciduous trees, shrubs, ground cover and mulch, as ground cover,
shall be used in place of grass wherever possible with a mulch of
a type which will aid in controlling erosion and noxious weeds and
will generally preserve and enhance the quality and character of the
proposed landscape planting. In all parking area planting, emphasis
shall be placed on simplicity of design and adequacy to meet specific
aesthetic, physical or safety needs as required by the Township.
(2)
Where no existing trees are retained in parking areas islands; one
tree shall be planted for each 20 feet of island length and five shrubs
for every 40 feet in length.
E.
Screening
and Buffer Areas.
(1)
Buffer Requirements. Required screening and buffer areas shall consist
of at least 80% evergreen material and 20% deciduous trees and shrubs
for accent and color, and must, through layout and content, provide
design solutions which solve all visual and noise problems from recreational,
industrial, commercial or motor vehicle uses whether on the same lot
or not.
(2)
When a nonresidential parking area is located within 100 feet of
a public street or is adjacent to a residential use, the perimeter
of the parking area that is adjacent to the public street and residential
lot shall be softened by a continuous low hedge around the outside
perimeter. Required buffer shrubs may not be used to meet this requirement.
(3)
Berms, Fences or Walls. In addition to required tree and shrub buffers,
earthen berms, fences or masonry walls may be acceptable or desirable
when it is determined not possible to achieve desired buffering with
plant material specified above.
(4)
Spacing, Density and Material. Spacing, density and material selections
shall be based on intensity or degree of the problem in the area of
required screening or buffer planting.
(5)
Landscape Architect. It is recommended that a landscape architect
be employed to insure proper use and arrangements of plant material
to achieve the required screening and buffer while maintaining an
aesthetic appearance.
F.
Open
Space and Stormwater Management Areas.
(1)
Open Space Areas.
(a)
All areas proposed for recreational use, whether active or passive,
shall be planted to effectively naturalize the area to become an integral
and harmonious element in the natural landscape.
(2)
Stormwater Management Areas.
(a)
Stormwater management areas shall be landscaped in general conformity
with the PA DEP Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual December
2006 as amended, in addition to any other plantings required by this
Chapter.
(b)
All stormwater management facilities shall be graded and planted
to effectively naturalize area(s) so as to become an integral and
harmonious part of the landscape.
(c)
Top Soil. A minimum of six inches of top soil material shall be placed
on all areas affected by basin construction (bottom of basin, side
slopes, top of berm, etc.). The material must meet the requirements
of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Form 408 Specifications,
as amended.
(d)
Fencing.
1)
A fence must be provided around all detention or retention basins.
2)
Fencing shall be four foot-high split rail fencing (three rail) with
vinyl (PVC) coated wire mesh on the outside of the rails or other
impassible barrier as approved by the Township Supervisors.
3)
The fencing requirement shall be waived only with the expressed consent
of the Township Supervisors.
(e)
Perimeter Plantings.
1)
There shall be a minimum of one shade tree and three shrubs proposed
for every 30 linear feet of stormwater management facility perimeter.
2)
The perimeter shall be measured at the outside edge of the top of
the berm.
3)
No shrub or tree plantings shall be placed on the top of the berm
or within the spillway or the path of the spillway.
4)
The required perimeter plantings shall be located in the vicinity
of the facility and shall be laid out in a manner which integrates
the stormwater management areas into the overall landscape design
and any adjacent natural areas.
(f)
Slopes.
1)
Slopes associated with stormwater management facilities shall be
planted with an appropriate seed mix or perennial mix, in accordance
with the type of facility proposed.
2)
On slopes of less than 15%, a naturalized mixture of meadow grasses
and wildflowers is recommended.
3)
On slopes of 15% or greater, a naturalized herbaceous ground cover
is recommended. If ground covers are to be seeded, a nurse crop such
as annual rye shall be planted to provide cover while the permanent
plants become established.
(g)
Floors.
1)
Floors dry most of the year shall
be landscaped in accordance with the type of facility proposed, in
one or a combination of the following:
2)
Floors, portions of a floor, shelves
or channels which are wet most of the year shall be landscaped in
accordance with the type of facility proposed, in one or a combination
of the following:
(h)
Drainage Swales. Drainage swales shall be seeded in PennDOT Formula
“D” modified seed or other naturalized seed mix.
(i)
Rain Gardens. Rain gardens shall be landscaped in accordance with
the PA DEP Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual, in addition
to any other plantings required by this Chapter.
2.
Planting
Standards and Guidelines.
A.
Minimum
Sizing Standards. The following are minimum sizes for plant material:
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TYPE
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SIZE
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Street Trees
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3 inches caliper: at 6 inches above grade
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Deciduous Trees
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2-2 1/2 inches caliper: at 6 inches above grade
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Ornamental Trees
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6–8 feet height
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Evergreen Trees
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5–6 feet height
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Deciduous Shrubs
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18–24 inches height
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Evergreen Shrubs.
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18–24 inches height
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Evergreen Shrubs, Screens and Buffers
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2-1/2–3 feet height
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B.
Plant
material shall be shown on the plans in accordance with the following
standards:
(1)
Name of Plants. Shall agree with the nomenclature of “Standard
Plant Names” as adopted by the American Joint Committee on Horticulture
Nomenclature; size and grading standards shall conform to those specified
by the American Nursery and Landscape Association in the latest edition
of the “American Standard for Nursery Stock.”
(2)
Quality. All plants shall be typical of their species or variety;
they shall have normal, well-developed branches and vigorous fibrous
root systems and shall be free of insect and disease problems. All
plants shall be nursery-grown unless otherwise stated; they shall
have been grown under the same climate conditions as the subject site
for at least two years prior to date of planting. All plants which
are found unsuitable in growth or condition or which are not true
to name shall be removed and replaced with acceptable plants.
(3)
Measurements. Plants shall be measured as they stand in their natural
position. Trees of four-inch caliper and less shall be measured at
six inches above ground level as defined in the American Standard
for Nursery Stock by the American Nursery and Landscape Association
(2004) or most recent edition. Nursery-grown trees of greater than
four-inch caliper shall be measured 12 inches above the ground level.
Stock furnished shall be a fair average of the minimum sizes specified
or of the range given in the most recent edition of the “American
Standard for Nursery Stock.” The height of existing trees shall
be measured at a height of four feet above ground level.
(4)
Preparation of Plants. All precautions customary in good trade practice
shall be taken in preparing plants for moving all balled and burlapped
plants shall be dug to meet or exceed the most recent edition of the
“American Standard for Nursery Stock.”
(5)
Soil Excavations. The excavation must be not less than 12 inches
wider or any deeper than necessary to accommodate the ball of the
tree.
(6)
Planting. Trees shall be planted at the same depth as they were in
the nursery. Planting soil shall be composed of one part peat moss
and three parts topsoil thoroughly mixed. Each tree shall be watered
thoroughly at time of plantings.
(7)
Pruning. Trees shall be pruned after planting or by the nurseryman
at the time of digging, to balance top growth with roots and to preserve
their natural character and shape. Pruning shall be restricted in
general to the secondary branches and soft and sucker growth.
(8)
Mulching. All trees shall be mulched two inches–three inches
in depth within three days of planting with shredded hardwood mulch.
‘Volcano Mulching’ shall not be permitted.
(9)
Staking and Guying.
(a)
Trees shall be staked with at least two hardwood stakes the same
day as planting. Stakes shall be a minimum of eight feet in height
and not less than two inches in smallest diameter. Stakes are to be
driven into the ground to a depth of 12 inches below the bottom of
the excavation. This should be done before setting the tree or, if
after setting in such a manner as not to injure the roots.
(b)
Trees shall be guyed to the stakes at a height of about five feet
using no. 10 gauge galvanized steel wire in a piece of rubber hose.
The wire shall be fastened to the stake in a manner that the wire
will not slip nor come in contact with the tree trunk. Guys broken
(but not deliberately broken through vandalism) within a year of planting
shall be replaced.
(10)
Removal of All Planting Debris. Removal of all debris is required.
The property must be left in a neat and orderly condition in accordance
with good and accepted planting practices.
(11)
Guarantee.
(a)
All trees shall be guaranteed for 18 months from the day of final
approval of the landscape installation by the Township landscape architect,
Township Shade Tree Commission, or Township Engineer. The trees are
to be alive and in a satisfactory growing condition as determined
by one of the previously mentioned parties.
(b)
Replacement shall be made according to these same specifications
and during the normal planting period.
(12)
Tree Wrap. Due to the tendency of tree wrap to harbor parasites and
other insects that can be detrimental to the health of trees, tree
wrap shall not be specified to be used in any landscape plan.
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[Ord. 208, 9/25/2012]
1.
Where
existing vegetation exists which can meet the objectives of the buffer
requirements, it shall be preserved and may be used to meet the buffer
and planting requirements. Quantities, size, species and locations
of existing materials must be shown on plans and verified by the Township
Engineer.
2.
In areas
of necessary disturbance, existing quality vegetation may be relocated
for use in other areas. Procedures for tree removal and areas of relocation
shall be shown on the plan and material for relocation noted in the
field by tagging trees for review and inspection by the Township.
[Ord. 208, 9/25/2012]
1.
Tree protection areas shall be delineated to implement the standards contained in the Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27] and this Chapter regarding preservation of trees and woodlands.
2.
Tree
protection areas shall be shown on the landscape plan submitted by
the applicant/developer.
3.
Tree
Protection Area. An area that is radial to the trunk of a tree. The
tree protection area shall be 15 feet from the trunk of the tree to
be retained, or the distance from the trunk to the dripline (the line
marking the outer edge of the branches of the tree), whichever is
greater. Where there is a group of trees or woodlands, the tree protection
area shall be the aggregate of the protection areas for the individual
trees.
4.
Trees
six inches or more in diameter (measured at a height four feet above
grade) shall not be removed unless they are located within the proposed
cartway or sidewalk portion of a street right-of-way or within 15
feet of the foundation area of a new structure or parking area. Areas
in which trees are retained shall remain an original grade level and
undisturbed wherever possible.
5.
Protection
from Mechanical Injury. Prior to construction the tree protection
area shall be delineated by the following methods:
A.
The
tree protection area that is delineated on the site prior to construction
shall conform to the approved development plans.
B.
All
trees scheduled to remain shall be marked; where groups of trees exist,
only the trees on the edge need to be marked.
C.
A forty-eight-inch
high snow fence or other suitable fence, mounted on steel posts located
eight feet on center, shall be placed along the boundary of the tree
protection area.
D.
Trees
being removed shall not be felled, pushed or pulled into a tree protection
area or into trees that are to be retained.
E.
Grade
changes and excavations shall not encroach upon the tree protection
area.
F.
No toxic
materials shall be stored within 100 feet of a tree protection area,
including petroleum based and/or derived products.
G.
The
area within the tree protection area shall not be built upon nor shall
any materials be stored there either temporarily or permanently. Vehicles
and equipment shall not be parked in the tree protection area.
H.
When
tree stumps are located within 10 feet of the tree protection area,
the stumps shall be removed by means of a stump grinder to minimize
the effect on surrounding root systems.
I.
Tree
roots which must be severed shall be cut by a backhoe or similar equipment
aligned radially to the tree. This method reduces the lateral movement
of the roots during excavation, which if done by other methods could
damage the intertwined roots of adjacent trees.
J.
Within
four hours of any severance of roots, all tree roots that have been
exposed and/or damaged shall be trimmed cleanly and covered temporarily
with moist peat moss, burlap or other biodegradable material to keep
them from drying out until permanent cover can be installed.
K.
Sediment,
retention and detention basins shall not be located within the tree
protection area.
L.
Trees
shall not be used for roping cables, signs or fencing. Nails and spikes
shall not be driven into trees.
6.
Protection
from Grade Change.
A.
When
the original grade cannot be retained at the tree protection area
line, a tree protection wall shall be constructed outside the tree
protection area.
B.
To ensure
the survival of trees, the following methods shall be used:
(1)
The top of the tree protection wall shall be four inches above the
finished grade level.
(2)
The tree protection wall shall be constructed of large stones, brick,
building tile, concrete blocks or treated wood beams not less than
six inches by six inches. A means for drainage through the wall shall
be provided so water will not accumulate on either side of the wall.
Weep holes shall be required within any wall.
(3)
Any severed roots as a result of excavation shall be trimmed so that
their edges are smooth and are cut back to a lateral root if exposed.
7.
Trees
Damaged During Construction.
A.
Tree
trunks and exposed roots damaged during construction shall be protected
from further damage. Damaged branches shall be pruned according to
National Arborist Association standards. All cuts shall be made sufficiently
close to the trunk or parent limb but without cutting into the branch
collar or leaving a protruding stub. All necessary pruning cuts must
be made to prevent bark from being torn from the tree and to facilitate
rapid healing.
B.
All
trees which have been disturbed or have experienced damage to their
roots or branches shall be fertilized. Trees shall be fertilized in
early fall or mid-spring. Fertilizer grade shall have approximately
three parts nitrogen to one part phosphorus and potassium (three to
one to one ratio). Fertilizer shall be broadcast over the soil surface
in an area twice the size of the tree protection area at a rate of
one pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
8.
Protection
from Excavations. When there is no alternative but to locate an electrical
or other small utility line within a tree protection area, the Township
shall determine the most desirable location for the line, and the
following guidelines shall be used:
9.
Tree
replacement.
A.
No tree
shown to remain on an approved subdivision or land development plan
shall be removed without prior Township approval unless it is the
cause of immediate danger to life or property.
B.
No tree
shown to remain on an approved subdivision or land development plan
other than that which is the cause of immediate danger to life or
property shall be removed without Township approval based upon a determination
that any of the following considerations exist:
C.
In the event that a tree over three inches caliper which is shown on an approved plan to remain and which must be removed in accordance with Subsection 8A or B above, such tree shall be replaced with a tree 2 1/2 to three inches in caliper of the same species or as approved by the Township at a rate of one new tree for every tree removed. The replacement tree will be subject to replacement if it dies within one year of planting.
10.
Clean
Up. All tree protection fences and barriers shall be removed upon
completion of the project construction.
