EA New Homes Measures Guide - Earth Advantage

2012 Earth Advantage Residential
Measures Resource Guide
8.3.4
Test Soil: Implement Recommendations
Accountability Form: Landscape
Energy
Materials
Water
0 0 1 0 1
Description: Soil test of site soil conditions is performed by soil testing lab and recommendations are implemented with soil amendments
to entire landscaped area. Samples should be taken from various areas in the yard -- front yard, side yard, back yard -- wherever plantings
will happen. When sending the sample to a soil testing laboratory, they should be notified that recommendations are for native plants, low
water use landscape, etc., so their recommendations are suitable.
Health
Land
Benefit: Soil tests will ensure that nutritional requirements of landscape plants are addressed. This will help plants to become established
quickly. Over the long term the plants will use less water and require less fertilizer to remain healthy.
Verification: Landscaper will provide an Accountability Form and copy of the laboratory results and work order implementing the
recommendations.
8.3.5
One Tree per 1000 sq. ft. of Developed Landscape Area
Energy
Health
Materials
Water
0 0 2 0 0
Description: Plant at least one tree for each 1,000 sq. ft. of total lot area. The number of trees planted or on site is determined by adding
up all of the area to be developed for landscaping and dividing it by 1000 to determine the number of trees to claim this measure.
Land
Benefit: Trees contribute significantly to the economic and ecological value of a site. In addition to their physical beauty, trees provide
wildlife habitat and they help manage the flow of stormwater. They clean the air, and they protect critical features such as stream buffers
or hillsides. In addition, properly trimmed and positioned trees protect the house from the cold winter winds and the hot summer sun,
reducing heating and cooling bills. Considering the effects on energy usage, erosion control, pollution, and wildlife habitat, a single mature
tree adds substantial annual and resale value. (Cooling Our Communities, A Guidebook on Tree Planting and Light-Colored Surfacing, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, 1992.)
Trees protect soil and the house. They provide the ability to create a microclimate around the house. They also help reduce evaporation
and reduce Heat Island Effect of the site. Young trees may use as much or more than the evaporation prevented.
Here are a few recommendations: 1) Create a planting area with large soil storage for long term water needs; 2) low-water species
selection; 3) Watering regime to establish large root zone in the first three years after planting the tree; 4) trees should be 1" caliper at one
foot from the ground and approximately 6' tall.
It is recommended that the landscaper identify where utility services are, or will be installed, and select and plant trees according to
industry practices.
Verification: EA Rater will count the number of newly planted trees and estimate the area of developed landscape in order to calculate the
1 tree per 1,000 sq. feet target.
Page 62 of 70