San Marcos Design Manual (March 16, 2021)

D

A PP E ND I X

Planting Guidelines

B. Recommended Parking Area Landscaping Standards

1. Soil depth should be in good condition and a minimum of three feet or greater at the end of construction.

2. Plant large trees in areas of large soil resources.

3. Cluster trees in areas of contiguous soil volume.

4. Design symmetrical soil areas if uniform trees are desired. Avoid designing formal rows or grid of trees where some Shade trees are in large beds and some are in restricted spaces. 5. Keep turf 3 to 5 feet from the trunks of newly planted trees until the tree is established. 6. Prevent soil compaction by design; plant trees in landscape beds, of bermed soil or use of landscaping plants to prevent foot traffic.

Good Example: Large soil volume, shade trees are clustered, soil is higher where the trees are placed to prevent people walking through and compacting the soil. The trees have more soil volume and are not competing with turf or getting damaged by mechanical equipment.

C. Increasing Effective Soil Volumes in Urban Areas

1. Separate soil volumes limit tree growth potential.

2. Connected soil volumes allow for shared root space

3. Connections under pavements and to adjacent Soil volumes provide the greatest rooting potential.

Poor Example: Shade tree is planted in a narrow strip smaller than a parking space. The small area is likely very compacted and has a thin layer of soil over fill material.

Good Example: Example of 6X6 raised bed planter provides space for root flare growth, electrical, seating, and allows trees to reach moderate size.

D:4

San Marcos Design Manual Amended: March 16, 2021