GREEN LAW STANDARDS

The following tables have been developed for organizational reasons as a result of our nation wide study of landscape laws.

The tables list tree standards and design components that we have noticed in several local laws. The following lists should not be considered all inclusive nor representative of what is common across America but only evidence that local communities are enacting these provisions for the purposes that we have listed. The listed purpose is from our analysis of the individual law rather than specifically stated in the law itself.

Researchers should note that no single law that we have found contains all of these provisions or even the majority of them. In fact, most communities enact only a portion of these standards and components. Those marked with * have been discovered to be widely enacted.

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T R E E S T A N D A R D S

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Type                                                         Purpose
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Inventory & Evaluation                             Recognition of site resources

Street Trees *                                           Improve public streetscape

Park Trees                                                Trees in parks and in public spaces

Design Standards                                       Standards for design with trees

Aboricultural Specifications                        Standards of practice for arborists

Tree Preservation                                       Preserve trees on site

Tree Protection *                                        Protect trees during construction

Protected Trees                                          Certain sizes and species are protected

Canopy Coverage                                       Cool parking lots, reduce glare, maintain air quality

Root Protection Zones *                              Protection of root zone area for air, water & nutrients

Minimum Planting Area                                Minimum required root zone area

Landmark Trees                                           Preserve historic, unique and ancient trees

Protect Sensitive Habitat                               Preserve wetlands, slopes, soils, wildlife

Planting Standards *                                     Promote proper planting and transplanting

Maintenance Standards *                              Maintenance to ensure urban forest quality

Pruning Standards *                                      Regulate arboricultral practices

Topping or Hatracking *                               Severe Pruning Prohibited

Removal Standards *                                    Restrict tree removal, permits

Tree Credits                                                 Incentives for saving tree cover

Recommended Species *                              Desired species, native and exotic

Prohibited Species *                                     Species not wanted in the community

Storm resistant                                              Species that can withstand wind and ice

Species Diversity                                           Suggested combination of plant material

Disposal and Re-use                                      Restrict loss of nutrient bio-mass

Tree Planting Plans                                         Plans Required for plantings on public lands

Public Access *                                              Streets, utilities, access to private trees

Inspection *                                                    Inspection of tree work on public property

Penalties *                                                      Disincentives

Administrative Procedures *                            Organized administration of the law ________________________________________________________

Table 1 . Tree Standards..................................................Louisiana State University

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D E S I G N C O M P O N E N T S

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Type                                                                 Purpose

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Base Site Inventory                                         Analyze site and organize design

Habitat Preservation Zone                               Site resource preservation

Building Site *                                                 Area to be covered by a structure

Street Tree Planting Area *                              Streetscape improvements

Street Yards *                                                 Open space planting

Waterfront Yard                                              Water edge landscape improvements

Stream Bank Buffers                                         Streamside and water protection

Vehicular Use Area *                                        Parking lot design

Interior Landscape Area *                                 Interior to parking lots

Parking Screens *                                              Screen on site parking

Bufferyards *                                                     Screening and separation

Open Space Requirement *                                General open space planting

Street Wall Planting Area                                     Blend buildings to site

Loading Docks/Trash/ Storage *                          Screening

Sign Monument Area                                           Placement of signs

Sight Triangles *                                                  View clearance & obstruction

Utility Connection Cores                                      Utility connections & servitudes

Hydro Zones                                                        Irrigation area layout

Retention/Detention Basins                                    Storm water management features

ADA Standards                                                    Access and safety requirements

 

 

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Table 2 . Landscape Code Design Components.........................Louisiana State University