HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-02-18 Arborist Comments Julie Hultman
From: K.D.Widin <kdwidin @comcast.net>
Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2014 9:27 PM
To: Eric Johnson; Mark Vierling (E-mail);Andrew Kegley; Betty Caruso;Julie Hultman;Scott
Richards; Chris Long;Jennifer Pinski
Subject: Oak Park Heights Gateway- Landscape Plan Review
Follow Up Flag: Flag for follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
OPH Staff-
I have reviewed the landscape plan for the Oak Park Heights Gateway project,and have the following comments:
1. The landscape design is attractive and will complement the building and site well, especially the series of curved beds
on the east side of the parking lot.
2.The screening between this project and the residential properties to the south is good and the mix of species in the
screen will add interest to that aspect of the landscape.
3. Most plant material choices are acceptable, being hardy and relatively insect and disease free. I would, however,
recommend that at least half of the Austrian pine be replaced with red (Norway)pine and that the Colorado spruce be
replaced with "Black Hills"white spruce, due to fungal disease problems with Austrian pine and Colorado spruce which
can make them higher maintenance plants and also limit their usefulness and longevity in the landscape. Plant sizes are
good.
4.The planting detail for the shrubs is acceptable. The planting detail for the deciduous and coniferous trees should be
changed to read..."cut and remove burlap,twine and any wire from the top 1/3 of the root ball". Approved planting
detail should be adhered to and plantings will be inspected. If the approved planting detail has not be used,the
contractor will be required to re-plant any improperly planted material.
Please forward my comments to the development team for this project.
Contact me if you have any questions regarding this review or report.
Kathy Widin
Arborist
City of Oak Park Heights