When it comes to land clearing projects, it's important to understand the objectives and take the time to assess the planting site. The International Society of Arboriculture's Plant Evaluation Guide can be used to determine the value of trees in developments. It's also important to familiarize yourself with the site plan, including the location of downspouts, busy trails and walkways, water mitigation areas, and any potential hard terrain. When it comes to native plants, there are many species that offer a variety of sizes, colors, and shapes for landscaping under preserved trees.
Developing a plan for removing existing vegetation is essential in the process of installing native plantations. Qualified arborists can assess the value of damaged or dead trees using the International Society of Arboriculture's Plant Evaluation Guide. In some municipalities, tree preservation ordinances dictate the type and size of trees that must be inventoried. It's important to designate sites that are far removed from preservation or tree-planting areas for cleaning equipment and removing debris.
Historic, emblematic and individual ornamental trees are good options for conservation, as are native trees in groves and wooded plots. When transplanting larger trees, it often takes several years for them to regenerate enough roots to continue growing at a normal rate. Accurate information about the size and location of trees allows developers, engineers, and landscape architects to compare the location of the trees with the location of buildings, cuts, fillings, retaining walls, roads, public services, heavy equipment routes, and other proposed construction activities. When preparing a site for native planting, it's important to consider its land use history. This can help mitigate heavy weed pressures and reduce maintenance requirements.
If there hasn't been adequate rainfall (less than 1 inch) for a week, soak the soil around each newly planted shrub and tree and pause over the roots for at least 10 to 20 seconds.
