D-1. Protecting existing trees.

Section 35-316 provides for the retention and protection of large trees when land is developed. In order to better ensure the survival of existing trees, the developer shall heed the following:

(a)

Protect trees with fencing and armoring during the entire construction period. The fence should enclose an area encompassed within the entire drip zone of the tree.

(b)

Avoid excavations beneath the crown of the tree as required section 35-316 (b).

(c)

Avoid compaction of the soil around existing trees due to heavy equipment. Do not pile dirt or other materials within the drip zone of the tree.

(d)

Keep fires or other sources of extreme heat well clear of existing trees.

(e)

Repair damaged roots and branches immediately. Exposed root should be covered with topsoil. Severed limbs and roots should be painted. Whenever roots are destroyed, a proportional amount of branches must be pruned so the tree doesn't transpire more water than it takes in. Injured trees must be thoroughly watered during the ensuing growing year.

(f)

All existing trees which will be surrounded by paving shall be pruned to prevent dehydration.

(g)

As stipulated in section 35-316 (b), no paving or other impermeable ground cover shall be placed within the drip zone of trees to be retained.

(Ord. No. 928, 1-20-87; Ord. No. 2021.06.02 , 6-9-21)

D-2. Standards for street and parking lot trees.

Trees planted in compliance with the requirements of sections 35-315 and 35-317 should have most or all of the following qualities. The trees recommended in section D-7 represent the best combinations of these characteristics.

(a)

Hardiness:

(1)

Resistance to extreme temperatures.

(2)

Drought resistance.

(3)

Resistance to storm damage.

(4)

Resistance to air pollution.

(5)

Ability to survive physical damage from human activity.

(b)

Life cycle:

(1)

Moderate to rapid rate of growth.

(2)

Long life.

(c)

Foliage and branching:

(1)

Tendency to branch high above the ground.

(2)

Wide spreading habit.

(3)

Relatively dense foliage for maximum shading.

(d)

Maintenance:

(1)

Resistance to pests.

(2)

Resistance to plant diseases.

(3)

Little of no pruning requirements.

(4)

No significant litter problems.

(Ord. No. 928, 1-20-87; Ord. No. 2021.06.02 , 6-9-21)

D-3. Formula for calculating 20 percent shading of paved vehicle accommodation areas.

Following is an elementary formula for determining the number of shade trees required in and around paved parking lots in order to presumptively satisfy the shading requirements of section 35-317.

*Existing trees retained in compliance with section 35-316 will be credited according to their actual crown radius. Shaded area may be calculated as follows:

3.14 × (crown radius) ² = shaded area

Trees planted within the vehicle accommodation area are credited with shading 707 square feet. (Based on a crown radius of 15 feet.) New or existing trees on the perimeter of the parking lot are credited for having only half a crown over the vehicle accommodation area (e.g., new perimeter trees will be credited for shading 354 square feet). Generally, all trees planted in compliance with the screening requirements of article XIX, part I and the street tree requirements of section 35-315 will be considered perimeter trees. When smaller trees such as Dogwoods are planted, the credited shading area will be adjusted downward to 314 square feet for interior trees and 157 square feet for perimeter trees. (Based on a crown radius of 10 feet.

(Ord. No. 928, 1-20-87; Ord. No. 2021.06.02 , 6-9-21)

D-4. Typical parking lot planting islands.

(Ord. No. 928, 1-20-87; Ord. No. 2021.06.02 , 6-9-21)

D-5. Planting trees.

The trees recommended in section D-7 have minimal maintenance requirements. However, all trees must receive a certain degree of care, especially during and immediately after planting. In order to protect an investment in new trees, the developer and his or her agent must follow these guidelines when planting:

(a)

Trees selected for planting shall be approved by the Land Use Administrator prior to planting and shall have a minimum caliber of two inches and a minimum height of eight feet at the time of planting.

(b)

The best times for planting are early spring and early fall. Trees planted in the summer run the risk of dehydration.

(c)

Plant all trees at least three-and-a-half feet from the end head-in parking spaces in order to prevent damage from car overhangs.

(d)

Dig the tree pit at least one foot wider than the root ball and at least six inches deeper than the ball's vertical dimension.

(e)

Especially in areas where construction activity has compacted the soil, the bottom of the pit should be scarified or loosened with a pick ax or shovel.

(f)

After the pit is dug, observe sub-surface drainage conditions. Most soils in the Lumberton area are poorly drained. Where poor drainage exists, the tree pit should be dug at least an additional 12 inches and the bottom should be filled with coarse gravel.

(g)

Backfill should include a proper mix of soil, peat moss and nutrients. All roots must be completely covered. Backfill should be thoroughly watered as it is placed around the roots.

(h)

Immediately after it is planted, the tree should be supported with stakes and guide wires to firmly hold it in place as its root system begins to develop. Staked trees will become stronger more quickly. Remove stakes and ties after one year.

(i)

Spread at least two inches of mulch over the entire excavation in order to retain moisture and keep down weeds. An additional two inch saucer of mulch should be provided to form a basin around the trunk of the tree. This saucer helps catch and retain moisture.

(j)

The lower trunks of new trees should be wrapped with burlap or paper to prevent evaporation and sun scald. The wrapping should remain on the tree for at least a year.

(k)

Conscientious post-planting care, especially watering, pruning and fertilizing, is a must for street and parking lot trees. Branches of new trees may be reduced as much as a third to prevent excessive evaporation.

(Ord. No. 928, 1-20-87; Ord. No. 2021.06.02 , 6-9-21)

D-6. Planting shrubs.

Shrubs planted for screening purposes should be given a proper culture and sufficient room in which to grow. Many of the guidelines for tree planting listed in section D-5 also apply to shrubs. However, because requirements vary considerably between shrub types, this appendix does not attempt to generalize the needs of all shrubs. For detailed planting information of individual species, refer to: Landscape Plants of the Southeast by R. Gordon Halfacre and Anne R. Shawcroft.

(Ord. No. 928, 1-20-87; Ord. No. 2021.06.02 , 6-9-21)

D-7. List of recommended trees and shrubs.

The following lists indicate plantings which will meet the screening and shading requirements of article XIX of the Land Use Ordinance. The lists are by no means comprehensive and are intended merely to suggest the types of flora which would be appropriate for screening and shading purposes. Plants were selected for inclusion on these lists according to four principal criteria: general suitability for the coastal plain section of North Carolina, ease of maintenance, tolerance of city conditions, and availability from the area nurseries.

When selecting new plantings for a particular site, a developer should consider the types of plants which are thriving on or near that site. Accordingly, native North Carolina species should often be favored. However, if an introduced species has proven highly effective for screening or shading in this area, it too may be a proper selection. All species and their proposed locations are subject to the approval of the land use administrator. Sites shall be inspected by the city staff during excavation and planting.

(a)

Trees for evergreen screening:

(1)

Deodar Cedar

(2)

Southern Magnolia

(3)

Loblolly Pine

(4)

Longleaf Pine

(5)

Russian Olive

(6)

Red Cedar

(7)

Japanese Black Pine

(b)

Shrubs for evergreen screening:

(1)

Hedge Bamboo

(2)

Thorny Elaengus

(3)

Burford Holly

(4)

Laurel or Sweet Bay

(5)

Yaupon Holly

(6)

Nellie R. Stevens Holly

(7)

Cleyera Japonica

(8)

Japanese Privet

(9)

Fortune Tea Olive

(10)

Red Photinia

(11)

Lauretinus Viburnum

(12)

American Holly

(13)

Savannah Holly

(14)

Wax Myrtle

(15)

Leyland Cypress

(c)

Large-maturing trees for shading and street trees:

(1)

Deciduous:

a.

Ash, Green.

b.

Ash, White

c.

Bald, Cypress

d.

Birch, River

e.

Elm, Lacebark

f.

Hackberry

g.

Maple, Red

h.

Maple, Sugar

i.

Oak, Laurel

j.

Oak, Northern Red

k.

Oak, Shumard

l.

Oak, Southern Red

m.

Oak, White

n.

Oak, Willow

o.

Pagoda Tree, Japanese

p.

Planetree, Linden

q.

Tulip, Poplar

r.

Zelkova, Japanese

(2)

Evergreen:

a.

Cedar, Deodar 1)

b.

Hemlock, Canadian

c.

Magnolia, Southern

d.

Oak, Live

e.

Pine, Austrian 1)

f.

Pine, Loblolly 1)

g.

Pine, Virginia 1)

h.

Spruce, Norway 1)

(d)

Small maturing trees for shading 2):

(1)

Flowering:

a.

Cherry, Kwanzon

b.

Cherry, Yohino

c.

Crabapple

d.

Crepemyrtle

e.

Dogwood, Flowering

f.

Dogwood, Kousa

g.

Hawthorne

h.

Hawthorne, Washington

i.

Magnolia, Saucer

j.

Pear, Aristocrat

k.

Pear, Capital

l.

Pear, Redspire

m.

Plum, Purpleleaf

n.

Redbud, Eastern

(2)

Non-flowering:

a.

Cherry Laurel, Carolina

b.

Holly, Foster #2

c.

Holly, Savannah

d.

Hornbeam, American

e.

Hornbeam, European

f.

Maple, Hedge

g.

Maple, Japanese

h.

Myrtle, Wax

i.

Photinia, Frazier's

1.

May be retained and credited toward meeting requirements, but will not be credited if planted.

2.

May be used for street rrees if, at the discretion of the land use administrator, small trees are needed to accommodate particular utility, topographic, or micro-climate conditions.

(e)

Dwarf shrubbery utilized in vehicle display/service areas:

(1)

VDSA:

a.

Abelia, Glossy

b.

Barberry, Wintergreen

c.

Boxwood, Harland

d.

Boxwood, Japanese

e.

Contoneaster, Rockspray

f.

Cypress, Dwarf Hinoki

g.

Firethorn, Scarlet

h.

Hawthorn, India

i.

Holly, Convexa Japanese

j.

Holly, Dwarf Horned

k.

Holly, Heller Japanese

l.

Holly, Kingsville Japanese

m.

Holly, Littleleaf Japanese

n.

Holly, Roundleaf Japanese

o.

Holly, Stokes Japanese

p.

Juniper, Pfitzer

q.

Ligustrum, Curlyleaf

r.

Nandina

s.

Yaupon, Dwarf

(Ord. No. 928, 1-20-87; Ord. No. 2021.06.02 , 6-9-21)

D-8. Planting and staking criteria.

(Ord. No. 928, 1-20-87; Ord. No. 2021.06.02 , 6-9-21)