design elements - San Jacinto Texas Historic District

LA
03
Whether planting along roads, highways,
or parks, a successful strategy for planting
native and adaptive plants requires the
proper preparation of a planting bed with
appropriate soils that allow roots easy access
to oxygen, nutrients, water, and room to
spread and expand. Other recommendations
include:
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LA IN LI CI AM
Prepare, install, and maintain planting beds using appropriate
practices to maximize success of landscape plantings.
A minimum of 12” of amended topsoil
containing a mix of sand and organic
matt er can optimize plant growth. Check
soil nutrient and pH levels before adding
mineral or nutrient amendments.
84 │ BEST PRACTICES
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Provide trees with a clear, permeable
surface area. Where possible, an area equal
to the size of the expected tree canopy is
desired. In an urban context, ensure that
the clear tree planting area is a minimum
6’ wide by 6’ deep continuous trench of
planting soil.
Where rooting area is limited, such as
in parkways or planters, use strategies
such as connected planting beds, rooting
breakouts under parking, or walkways
suspended on root-permeable soils
(structural soil) to extend rooting space,
provide air and water to the tree, and
increase plant vigor.
Appropriately designed planting beds will enhance success of vegetation.
Properly constructed and maintained beds will result in fl ourishing
landscapes.
Planting beds can be as broad as the context allows and designed to
compliment the surrounding built environment.
IMAGE: CONSERVATION DESIGN FORUM IMAGE: CONSERVATION DESIGN FORUM
IMAGE: CONSERVATION DESIGN FORUM