HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-04-03 Arborist ReportKris Danielson
To: FILE COPY
Subject: FW: Landscape Plan - Andersen Corp.
- -- -- Original Message---- -
From: K.D. Widin [mailto:kwidin a@mmmpcc.org]
Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2002 8:40 AM
To: kdanielson@cityofoakparkheights.com
Subject: Landscape Plan - Andersen Corp.
Kris -
I have reviewed the plan and have the following comments:
The cultivars of plant material they have chosen for the
courtyard have some problems which they should be aware of. These
problems will require more maintenance and, in a regular landscape
setting, I would strongly urge a developer to choose different
plants. If they understand the problems and the possible maintenance
issues involved, Andersen's will at least be ready to deal with the
issues.
1. "Spring Snow" flowering crabapple is listed as very susceptible to
the fungal disease apple scab. This disease requires 2 -4 (or more)
fungicidal sprays per season for the trees to hold their leaves.
There are other crabapple cultivars with good resistance to this
disease. One characteristic of "Spring Snow" is the absence of
fruit, and this may be an attribute they are more interested in for
this type of landscape.
2. "Oreenspire" linden has a problem with girdling roots. This
problem results in declining and dead trees 15 years or so after
planting. If trees are planted in the proper way, with the root crown
at the ground line, this should not be as much of an issue. This
cultivar has a narrower crown of leaves which would be a good thing
for this landscape.
3. l do not see a scale on the drawing and can't tell how big the
planting areas are. There should be adequate root space for the
trees to attain a healthy maturity. Small planting sites also
encourage girdling roots.
4. Switch grass is a fast - growing aggressive, sod - forming grass.
Will the purple coneflower be able to compete with it, or will they
end up with beds of only switch grass? There are certainly more
attractive, less aggressive grasses for landscape areas, such as
little bluestem and prairie dropseed. Why aren't there other
perennial flowers in the beds?
5. The plan contains no plant schedule listing the no., name, size
and type of planting stock for the landscape plants. This should be
included on the plan.