Search:

• LDM Home
• Ch. 60 - Introductory Provisions
• Ch. 61 - Lot and Site Development Approval Procedures
• Ch. 62 - Zoning District Regulations
• Ch. 63 - Lot Development Standards
• Ch. 64 - Site Design Policies
• Ch. 65 - Nonconformities
• Informational Supplement
  • Appendix A
  • Appendix B
  • Appendix C
  • Appendix D
  • Appendix E
  • Appendix F
  • Appendix G
  • Appendix H
  • Appendix I
• Annexation Process
• LUP Amendment Process

Appendix D - Plant Materials Guide

CHART G: Land Use Plan Amendment Process

Included in this appendix are lists of suggested shrub, tree and ground cover plantings for use in this climate. Plantings are required by the Rochester Zoning Ordinance and Land Development Manual in various situations for the purposes of screening, erosion control, beautification and as sound or light barriers.

Section One of the appendix provides some general information on planning for landscape development in and around a site. After that, Section Two addresses ground cover plantings, Section Three provides a guide to tree plantings, and Section Four provides a guide to shrub plantings. Further information on the use of this guide is available from the Rochester-Olmsted Planning Department, while technical assistance is available from the local office of the U. S. Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service.

Planting Trees and Shrubs for Urban Areas

Trees and shrubs add much to the enjoyment of outdoor living. Some of the special purposes for trees and shrubs include screens, sound barriers, erosion control, beautification, shade, and wildlife food and cover.

Develop a Planting Plan

Seek professional advice from a landscape architect or nursery man. Besides meeting objectives, a good plan should consider minimum maintenance and maximum safety. Comply with local ordinances. Site limitations must be considered such as topography, snow deposition, location of buildings, sidewalks, service strips, overhead and underground utility services, wires, sewage lines, water pipes and drainage systems. Shade trees southeast of area will provide morning shade. Southwest trees will provide afternoon shade.

Species Selection
The purpose, site soil and climatic adaptation must be considered in the selection of species.

For noise abatement, trees and shrubs can reduce noise level up to 50 percent. This type of planting should be 75 feet wide and located between noise source and protected area. However, any barrier should reduce noise level. Conifers, which are evergreen all year long, are the best species.

Select species for suitable zone of plant hardiness as shown in Tables 6 & 7. Tree selection and shrub and vine planting guides by soil conditions are included as an aid to planning.

Planting Stock
Purchase quality stock from local nurseries. Keep roots wet and tops dry. Dried out roots mean a dead plant. For urban landscape plantings, large or older stock is often preferred.

Site Preparation
Prepare site six months to a year before planting. Trees and shrubs are unable to compete with heavy sod or brush. Remove the sod by plowing strips three feet to four feet wide or use suitable herbicides applied in strips 40 inches wide. If land is sloping, plow and plant strips on the contour.

Spacing
As a general rule, trees and shrubs must have enough room for full crown development. Spacing within the row for screens, windbreaks, and hedgerows may be quite close for quick closure. Recommended spacings are:

1. Ornamental and shade trees - 20’ by 20’ to 50’ by 50’.
2. Ornamental shrubs - 5-10’ by 5-10’.
3. Windbreaks, screens, hedgerows and noise abatements plantings -
   1. Spacing within the row - trees - 6-10’ and shrubs 1-6’.
   2. Spacing between the rows should be adequate. If machine cultivated, spacing should be 3-5 feet wider than equipment. Minimum spacings recommended between rows:
      1. i)  Between small shrubs and tall shrubs or small tree rows - 10 feet minimum.
      2. ii)  Between slow growing shrubs or trees and large or fast growing deciduous trees - 16 to 20 feet minimum.
      3. iii)  Between like deciduous species or conifers - 8-12 feet minimum.

When to Plant
Bailed and burlapped stock - spring or fall seasons - April 1 to June 15, or September 1 until freeze up.

Bare rooted stock - spring planting - March, April and to the middle of May.

How to Plant
To plant balled and burlapped stock, pick up and handle by the burlapped ball. Do not lift by the branches. Keep burlapped ball moist until planted in a permanent position. Dig a hole at least one foot wider and six inches deeper than ball dimensions. Be careful not to break soil away from roots.

When planting bare-rooted stock, keep bare roots moist and protect from drying winds and sun at all times. Plant as soon as possible. Keep in cold storage (33^o - 40^o F) or heel in and water if not planted immediately. Transplant to permanent site as soon as possible. If necessary top prune, add loose mulch of hay or straw, and water.

Machine Planting


Tree planting machines are available in most counties. Contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District office regarding the use of tree planting machines.

Maintenance
After planting, add water weekly when precipitation is less than 1 1/2" per week. Control competing weedy vegetation at least every two years by cultivation or approved herbicides until the trees and shrubs are able to withstand competing vegetation. Where moisture is inadequate older plantings should be cultivated annually or when they show signs of stunted growth.

Damage from animals, insects and disease can be controlled by approved chemical or mechanical means.

Caution
Adhere to the provisions of local, county, state or federal laws and regulations concerning the use of any chemical.

Fertilizing Trees or Shrubs
If needed fertilizer applications will increase growth in young or middle-aged trees, and may revive or maintain sickly or older trees.

Method of Fertilization
Place fertilizer in feeding holes one inch to two inches in diameter and 12 to 15 inches in depth. The holes should be two to three feet apart in circles around root zone.

Top of ground applications will give a better tree response after grasses or other vegetative cover becomes dormant. Spread the fertilizer mainly under the outer edge of the tree canopy.

Tools for Fertilization


Special tools for making holes are available such as soil auger or "injector" types used with cartridge fertilizers and a garden hose. Consider household items such as a solid rod, pipe, hammer or sledge.

Fertilization Rates
Base on soil test or use a balanced fertilizer such as 10-8-6, 10-6-4, or 8-6-8 analysis applied at the rate of three pounds per inch of tree trunk diameter. Do not over fertilize. Apply water as needed.

Section Two: Guide to Ground Cover Plan

This section consists of four tables that identify suitable ground cover seeding mixtures, based on the characteristics of the soil present and the intended use of the seeded area.

Table One identifies the general characteristics of each type of groundcover, including preferable seeding dates, the types of soils they are best adapted to, and their use limitations.


MINNESOTA PLANT ADAPTATIONS AND LIMITATIONS FOR PLANTS USED FOR RECREATION OR NON-AGRICULTURAL USES

Table Two contains suggested mixtures of groundcover types and suggested seeding rates, based on type of use contemplated for the seeded area and the type of seeds present.

• SEEDING PERMANENT VEGETATION FOR WELL DRAINED, MEDIUM TEXTURED SOILS
• SEEDING PERMANENT VEGETATION FOR EXCESSIVELY DRAINED AND DROUTHY SOILS  
• SEEDING PERMANENT VEGETATION FOR SOMEWHAT POORLY DRAINED SOILS WITH ADEQUATE DRAINAGE  
• SEEDING PERMANENT VEGETATION FOR POORLY DRAINED SOILS WITHOUT ADEQUATE ARTIFICIAL DRAINAGE  

Table Three identifies, by number, types of seeding mixtures (which are then described in Table Four) that are suitable in various critical areas, such as grassed waterways, streambanks, or soils with high erosion potential, based on the drainage characteristics of the site.

Table Four describes the seeding mixtures for three critical areas identified in Table Three.  This table includes information on the type of seed to be used, the application rate, the optimum seeding periods and the preferred fertilization rates.

• Critical Seeding Mixtures

Section Three: Guide to Tree Plantings

This section provides a list of suggested tree species suitable for use based on soil types and the intended function of the tree.  Generally, trees used for canopy purposes shall be those where the first letter in parenthesis following the tree name is an M or L, while understory trees shall be those where an S is the first letter in parenthesis.

• Urban Tree Planting and Selection Guide

Section 4: Shrub Planting

Table Seven identifies various types of shrubs that are suitable for use within this region.  shrubs are grouped according to the type of soil they are most adaptable to, and various characteristics of each species are identified.

• Shrub Planting Guide