Livable Landscape Design-1

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L i v a b l e


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In fo rm ation B ulletin 211The tex t and draw ings w ere p repared hyJohn F . C o llin s, A SLA , pre s iden t of th en elta G roup , Ph i l ade l ph i a , and cha ir-m a n, D e pa rt m en t of Landscape Archi tec-ture a nd H ortic ultu re , T em p le U niv ers ity ,w ith th e ass istan ce o f Marv ln I . A d le m a n,ASLA , pro l e ssor of I an d s ca pe a rc h u ec -tu re , D ep artm en t o f H ortc ultu re an d O r-n am e n ta l H o rt ir ul tu re , C o rn e ll ll ni l' Cr si !y .

S e v e ra l d r awmg s u sed in th is n ubh ca t o nw e re p re vi ou sl y d e v e l o p e d h y th e au th orfllr the G roup for A merica 's S ou th fo rk inLong Island , N ew Y o rk , and th e c ity ofR e a d in g , P e n ns y lv a n ia .

Th i s p ub lic atio n is is su ed In f unhe r C o-opera tive E xtens ion w ork mand a t e d byac t s of C o ng re ss o f M ay l! an d Ju ne 30 .1914 . I t w as p roduced w ith th e coopers-tion uf th e U . S . D epartm ent o f A grk ul-t u r e , Corne ll C o o pe ra ti ve E \ te nsio n, N ewY ork S ta te C ollege of A gricu ltu re and L ifeSc ien ces, N ew Y ork S ta te C ollege o f H u-m an E colo gy, an d :'lew Y ork S ta te C olleg eo r V ete ri na ry M e dic in c, a t C orn ell U niv er-sity . C orn ell C oo pe ra tiv e E xte nsk in o ffe rsequa l program and em ploym ent oppo r-tu nitie s. L uc in da A . N ub le , D i r ec to r.

1988 Cernell UnivcrsltyAll righ1s reserved,

650/950 4/88 1.5~ SP 871284


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C O N T E N T SJ INTRODUCT ION 3'~ 4he L andscape and th e E nv ironm en t

L a n ds ca p e T r ad iti on s 5B en efits o f a W e ll-P la nn ed L an ds ca pe 6Locat ion 7S i z e 7n

AN EN VIR ONM EN TAL A PPRO AC H 9~ D esig n S tra te gie s to Pre ve nt E nv iro nm en ta l D am ag e 1 2N atu ra l F ac to rs to B e C onsid ered in D esign 14

TH E LA NDSCA PE D EVELO PM EN T~V PROCE S S 1 7S tage 1 : T he D esign Proce ss 20S ta ge 2 : S ite P re pa ra tio n 39S ta ge 3 : C on stru ctio n an d Pla ntin g 4 6T he L an dsc ap e D esig n V oc abu lary 50L e t N a tu re G u id e P la ntin g P ositio n 58S ta ge 4 : C o ntin uin g M a in te na nc e 60

j~ CONCLUS ION 63I . . . . . .


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~I- - ) U C T I O N,- , ~~~~ ~"_'u ') "'-l.! . . . ! . .-!. ~

The purpose of this publication is to assist the homeowner,t he landscape designer, and the landscape nurseryman/contractor in understanding and applying basic principlesof design to the home landscape.L ivab le Landscape Design is directed to those who may bechanging or redoing the landscape for an existing homeproperty as well as those who may be planning to build anew home. The process to be followed and the principlesto be considered are similar ill both cases.A useful and attractive home landscape is the result of

1 -- carefully planned, functional, and maintainable landscape 1-- I~ 1----I--design, not of exterior decoration or the employment oflandscape "gimmicks" or fads. The primary message ofthis publication is that practicality, economy, environmen- 1- -_ .tal concern, and visual amenity are compatible and neces- r--sary for succes ....ul landscape design.An understanding of environmental influences, designprinciples, and the basic design process wi II help thehomeowner create a functional, easy-to-build and main-tain, and, above all, more livable landscape.

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I N T R O D U C T I O N

eservi ng or reestablish inglected elements ofthe naturalandscape is relatively low inost, and such a landscape cancome largely self-maintain-g. Fallen leaves, for example,o not have to be raked hut in-tead can become layer .s oflch that restore organic mat-and nutrients to till' soil. Na-veor naturalized vegetation isItkelv III fi tin visuallyith the character of the naru-al landscape and can provideood and cover for beneficialk.llife.

T H E L A N D S C A P Ea n d t h e E n v i r o n m e n tImaginative, sensitive landscape design is compatible with and de-pendent on natural factors. In a time of increasing public alarmabout major environmental problems such as groundwater and ai rpollution, soil erosion, deforestation, and the destruction ofwildlitehab i t a t , many people are surprised to discover that commonly ac-cepted management techniques in the home landscape can con-Iribure to these problems.A landscape that is designed tobe dependent on frequent irri-gation misuses water, an in-creasingly limited resource, of-ten diverting it from moreimportant uses. When watersupplies become limited, an ir-rigation-dependent landscapemayhave tobe abandoned. De-pendence on the use of powerequipment for mowing, trim-ming. and other landscapematntenance functions may beunnecessarily wasteful o f en-ergy resources. A functionallivable landscape call be de-signed without overdepen-deuce on water, energy. or

chemical fertilizers.Landscape design. installa-tion, and maintenance areequal phases of a process inwhich everv decision and ac-tion affectsrhe environment.When we consider the cumula-live. overall impact on waterand air quality,wildlife habitat,and microclimate exerted byresidential landscapes, it be-comes clear that the actions oflandscape designer s, land-scape contractors, and home-owners are vitally important tothe quality of our future envi-ronment.


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L a n d s c a p eT R A D I T I O N SMany of the landscape traditions and management procedures thatare taken fo r granted in the United Slates a re o ut mo de d, wasteful ofenergy and monej, and can he harmful to the natural environmentas well as to puhl ic hea It hThe manicured lawn, for ex-ample, originated in England,where wet climate and heavysoi Is make II I rf grass almostself-maintaining. In the UnitedStates, the lawn has becomesymbolic of order, well-being,and respectability. Often, soiland climate conditions arc notsuitable for growing closely cutlawns. tinder adverse condi-tions the maintenance of IIIfgrass may require vast quanti-ties of water, fertilizer, lime-stone, herbicides. and pesti-cides. Tu r f grasses do, however,provide an excellent surface formany recreational and otheroutdoor activities, which mayjustify intensive management.

Many alternative ground-cover materials might he considered for areas where turf isnot appropriate. Where it ispossible, establishing an infre-quently mown "meadow" area,using wildtlowers, woody or

perennial grou nd-cover plants.or simply permitting the natu-ral forest mulch of leaf litter toremain in an area with manylarge trees can be more an rae-tive and less costly than estab-lishing and maintaining a lawn.

The pruning of shrubs intogeometric shapes and the useof exotic plants that arc con-.~]licll()lI.~ly out of characterwith those that can he seen inthe surrounding natural land-scape are other conventionsthat are usually best avoided.Foundation planting, themassing of shrubs around thebase of a house, is a practiceoriginally devised to mask u n -Sightly exposed foundations,Most contemporary homes.however, are likely to be moreattractive if the area where thehouse meets the ground is visi-ble than if they appear to be en-gulfed hy a "garden salad" ofvegetation.

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HIGH -MAIN fENANCELANDSCAPEThe pia IIIing or large areas oflawn, requiring mowing, leafremoval, watering, and the ap-plication o f fertilizers a n d pes-ticides as well as Ihe planti ng oftrees and sh rubs that requireeither constant pruning or wa-tering arc high-cost, high-maintenance approaches tolandscape design.

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B E N E F I T So f a W e l l - P l a n n e d L a n d s c a p e

T h e H o u s e h o l dA well-planned residentiallandscape directly benefits the

members of the household byproviding increased opportu-nities fo r enjoyable outdoor l i v -ing activities, greater privacy, acooler indoor and outdoor en-vironment in summer, reducedenergy consumption in winter,an abundance of fresh foodfrom vegetable gardens, vines,and fruit trees, and the prideand satisfaction of having devel-oped an attractive, useful, andenvironmentally compatiblesite. The physical exercise ofgardening and the joy of grow-

T h e N e ig h b o r h o o dBecause YOllr home is probablynot located in isolation, the im-

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T h e R e g i o nWhat you do on your land islikely to have a visual and envi-ronmental impact well beyondyour property lines. Depend-ing on the surfaces you use,

provements you make to yourlandscape can have (I ripple ef-feet. The improvement of oneproperly may inspire nearbyhomeowner.'; to follow suit,

ra ill rail will either penetrateinto the soil and replenishgroundwater or he carried off-site as runoff. By using as muchporous surfacing as possible,you can decrease runoff a n dthereby reduce the possihilityof downstream flooding, soilerosion, and siltation of pondsand lakes.The use of local or on-site

ing plants can offer great satis-faction and relaxation. Tangibleresults are produced in theform of seasonal color, food,fragrance, and v i sua l delight.If the level of maintenance isa major consideration duringthe design phase, substantialcost savings can he accruedOver many years, often morethan paying for the initial land-scape installation. Tn addition,a notably higher property valuenormally results from an im -pn >ved I .mdscape.

thus raising property values illan entire neighborhood.1 < lmost people, the sign of a

good neighborhood is a uni-fied and cared- for landscape.In temperate climates, for ex-ample, large trees form thebackbone of the landscape. Ifthe landscape is dominated hytrees that are native to the re-gion, a distinct and special 10-cal character will he achieved.

materials also preserves natu-ral resources. A design rhatdoes not require till or topsoilto he brought in or removal ofmaterial from the property pre-vents the damaging of otherlandscapes.Planung native trees, shrubs,and herbaceous p l an t s provldesfood and cover for local and mi-grating wildlife-species.


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Many of the examples referredto in this puhlication are basedon the experience of the au-thors, primarily in the north-eastern United States. The char-acteristics of each region,however, arc di ffercnt, andadaptation of this informationwill be required. Each distinctlocale-desert, mountains,prairie, seacoast, or hill coun-try-has its own specta IbeautyTo build a California garden inMaine, or to try to establish aNew England landscape char-acter in Florid a , will result innumerous design ami manage-ment problems.

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L O C A T I O NYour landscape design should consider the regional character of your area. The climate wi II in part de-termine the extent and intensity of your usc of outdo or space, as well as the d1( lice ot plaru materials rh.uare hardy in your area.The topography, or landform of the area, will determine the use and character of (he property to alarge degree, and soil characteristics will dictate the quality of drainage, the degree of moisture reten-tion, and the types of vegetation (hat realistically can be grown.The native or indigenous plants found in your area are likely to contribute the most ill lorming thespecial local character of your region.The direction of prevail ing summer and winter winds and solar orientation are also important in de-signing < t more livahle landscape.Wildlife is an important considcranon in landscape design for Illany reasons, including (he protec-

tion of plants and crops from pests. The provision offood, water, and cover for desired species shouldhe incorporated where wildlife is to he encouraged.

~ II 'I . _ - . - . ~ . -i . . . . .l : " A ~ . .L~_. ~._ Whether your property is a lOO-acre farm or a 14-foot-wide rowhouse in the heart of a city, the basic principles and design pro-cesses described in this publication will apply. An understanding ofyour household's Interests and needs, combined with a careful

study of the on-Site and adjacent envi n mment, can resu It in a designthat is functional and enjoyable.The size of an outdoor space is o ften not as important as how it isformed, what encloses it, and how the elements are arranged.On a large property, often the best solut ion i.~to create small, 1111man -scale spaces, with a strong sense of enclosure. On a very smal Iproperty, the answer may be the opposite-to focus on a distant off-site view or to maximize the apparent size of the properly Ihn}ughsuch design techniques as the use of very small-scale building m a oterials and delicate pia lit textures.

S I Z E

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1 II W()rking with the natural environment need not be a com- I- , plicated, scientific undertaking. With a simple understand- -- -I~ - + - -- ing of the landform, soils, plants, water, climate, and wild- .-life characteristics, the designer can confidently work ill --- -- -harmony with the natural factors on any site. IThe drawing on the following \YO pages illustrates a typi- _I cal temperate zone marsh and hillside. To simplify the"reading" of this landscape, it is separated iruo lour site

1I1 ~ types or subareas having similar landform, soil, plant, and - _, water characteristics. The wildlife, climate, and visualcharacter of each site type are mobile elements, subject toseason, climate, and sight lines. .

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FR ESH W AT ER M AR SH W ET SO IL S

A n environmentally sound de-sign will produce a low-main-tenance landscape that mesheswith the natural condu ions ofthe property. Rather than trying10 change your site to accom-modate the plan, let the site in-spire the placement of the lund-scape dements.

Lawns, for example, shouldoccupy only relatively flat,open, soft surfaces where peo-pic walk o r play. Grasses,meadow wildflowers, and for-est-floor ground covers require little care and are appro-priate for rough surfaces where

there will not he active use.Trees and shrubs that arefound growing naturally inyour area are already adaptedto local climate and soil condi-tions and are most likely tothrive with less care than exoticspecies. Use volunteer species

to provide temporary shadeand screening, removing themwhen marc desirable speciesare large enough.Study nearby woods andhedgerows to observe the lev-

els of vegetative growth--can-opy, understory, shrub. and her-

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L OW LA ND D EC ID UO U S

ceous layers. Such diversityd character can be reflectedyour design.Position plants 10 provide

solar access in win-, cooling shade in summer,ndbreaks, insulation, pri-y, and enclosure, To change

the landscape, use existing re-sources-relocate soil andbury rubble {O serve as fi II.Thispractice reduces off-site dam-age and hauling costs. If or-ganic matter is needed to im-prove poor soil, use compost,leaf mold, peat, or par t i a l l y de-

U PL AN D D EC ID UO US

composed wood chips insteadof impor ttng costly topsoil.Wherever possible, chooseplants that are adapted to soilconditions rather than trying toalter the chemical or physicalcharacter of the soil.Porous paving materials

such as brick" on sand ratherthan with mortar joints on con-crete allow water to penetrateto the root zone of plants andreduce runoff. Grading pavedand planted spaces to permitdrainage to areas where in Ii1 -tr arlon can take place will rutdown on erosion,

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A NO N M E N T A LA P P R O A C H

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T h e ExistingLandscapeI II the illustration, a succes-sional old field meets a hard-wood forest. A small drainageswale near the property linecarries rainfall runoff to themarsh he low.

TypicalEnvironmentalDamageMany of the problems typicallycaused by const ruction and sitedevelopment are the result ofinsensitivity to the site. Inade-quate protection of soil sur-faces causes erosion of hanksand subsequent silting ofswales and Streams. Soil com-paction and heavy equipmentinju re trees. Excessively steepslopes will result in continuedmaintenance problems, and im-proper compaction of the tillsoil causes the found.mon tosettle.

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D E S I G N S T R A T E G I E St o P r e v e n t E n v i r o n m e n t a l D a m a g eEnvironmental damage ix usually tlu: result of ignorance of the sensit ivi lies of thl: landscape.

O JStrearn/swale 3 Fores t edge

4 Old licldExisting woodland

L O JErosion ofswale banks 5 Trees damaged hy grading

equipment6 Severe compaction causedhy grading equipment

9 Erosion is a constam proh-l e rn2 Siltation of swale (pollutionof streams) 10 Potential for settlementwhen building 011 fill3 Loss of protective vegeta-tion 7 fill over roots cuts off oxy-gen and water

IIlrmecessary lawn requireshigh maintenance4 Creation of a lawn undertrees changes pH and mob-ture levels 8 Steep slope needs high-level maintenance


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Exlsnng swalc protected toprevent erosion

5 Hay bale barrier to controlsiltation

Leaf mu l c h added to main-tain moisture 6 Maximum slope of 2:1 toprevent erosionExposed trees wrapped toprevent sun damage 7 Native shrubs for soil stabil-ity and wildlife habitat

8 Tallgrass and wi ldflowers tocontrol runoffSnow fence to prevent COI11-paction and damage to ex-isting vegetation from con-struction equ ipment

Swalc protected from silra-[ion and erosion 4 Volunteer native shrubs arecncourageuOriginal vegetation re-mai ns 5 Shrubs have been planted

Large trees have adjusted tonew conditions6 Organic material retains

nut rienrs7 Grass and wildflowers pro-vide stabilization

9 Stripped topsoil and ltuerused as landscape f i l l

1 0 Native tree planted forshade and privacy

11 Swale sodded to increasepercolation

1 2 Foundation on u n d i s t 1Ir b e dearth

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8 'tree provides shade9 Swale ensures water perco-

lation10 Foundation remains stable

D es ign Te chniquesMany design and constructionprocedures can help to protect.restore, and add to the n a t urallandscape character, The envi-ronmental benefits of im-proved water quality, habitat,and visual amenity arematched by a greatly reducedneed for maintenance.

F iv e Y ears L a terThe environmental concern ex-pressed in t he design rnor e[han pays for itself in mainte-nance cost and visual quality.

The forest edge has been re-stored, the swale has been pro-tected, and 1 he residents havean increased sense of privacyand direct visual contact withnature.

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L a n d f o r mThe form of the land-or to-pography-largely determinesits potential usefulness. Exces-sive steepness or flatness Iim itsactivities and access and affectsthe maintenance level. Thesolar orientation of slopes isimportant to consider whenplanning an energy-efficientlandscape and building site.tandkxm determines whethera space will be open and expan-sive or private and cnclosed,

Elevation above sea level isimportant in determining tem-perature, views, and potentialflooding.The cross-sect ion diagramindicates varying slopes, ciassi-tied by percentage or verticaldrop in 100 feet. A '5 percentslope is considered the maxi-mum for lawn games or park-

S o i l s a n dG e o l o g y

IL e d g e B e d ro c k14

N A T U R A L F A C T O R St o B e C o n s i d e r e d i n D e s i g n~ d - : - - - '/", . ' " J s ". . . . . , ' I , ,_}.. ,.... {""iI n

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20 percent s lu pe 1 0 p e rc e nt s lo pe(Sleep) (moderate)

1 0 0 pe rcen t s l o p e(verysteep).B p e r c e n t s l ope( s t e ep )ing; 10percent is the maximumtC K most driveways or gardL"lls;20 percent is optimal for a split-level house: and 33 percent isthe maximum for normal lawnmatntenance. A 100 percent

slope (1:1 rat in) should he pro-tected and/or stabilized withvegetation.The minimum slope forlawn areas to assure gooddrainage is 2 percent or IIiinch

An understanding of the soilsand the underlying geology ofyOU r site is a factor in deterrn ill-ing the landscape character andthe best use of the land.

The quality and depth oftopsoil are of obvious irnpor-

ranee , Soil should be tested forpH (acid/alkaline range) andnutrient levels to determinewhat plants can be grown sue-cexsfu l l y and whether sot Iamendments are required. Soiltesting is often available

Subso i l Pea l Topsoil C l ay l en s

l pe rcen t ,Inp~(minimum)per foot pitch. A paved surfacewill drain with a minimum of 1percent or JIK inch per footpitch if carefully constructed.

through Cooperative Extensionill each state for a minimal fee.

The proportion of the majorcomponents of soil--clay, sand,silt, and organic matter-willdetermine the porosity, water-holdillg capacity, and generalphysical quality. Soils are clas-sified by texture as. for exam-ple, clayey silt loam or sandysilt loam.Soi I is formed by two pri-mary means: the decomposi-tion of rock (forming mineralsoil) and the decomposition ofplant tissue (forming organicsoil ).

Peat is formed by decompo-sition of aquatic reeds andmosses over a prolonged pe-riod, Humus is formed by theannual buildup of leaf litter onthe forest floor;'Iiipsoi I is a major n.uu ra I re-source that should be carefullyprotected.


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P l a n t s

The native plants on your site ornearby em tell you a great dealabout the soil , climate, andwildlife characterisucs of thearea.Rather than look at the indiovidual plant species, try to iden-

t ify the various plant associa-tions-the trees, shrubs, andherbaceous plants that grow to-gether as a unit, determined bysoil, water, and cl imanc rela-tionships.Keep in III ind also that ill re-

Streamsideassoc iar ion

W a t e rerstanding the natural wa-system of a site is of majororta nee ill creating a land-e design. M a i n t a in i n g ade-te moisture and drainage,enting soil erosion ands t l tar ion, and protecn ngnatural groundwater stor-zones called aquifers are

parts of water man-watershed is the area

in which water drains to agle water body or stream.watershed for any site canlocated on a U.S. Geological

vey map. The lmmcdi.ueershed boundaries can beml ned from an on-siteeyor by observation.The water table is the upper

O l d f ie ldassoriarion

Eco l o n e(edge)

H a r dw o o dfo re s t

limit of soil saturated bygroundwater and can usuallybe determined by making testpits. If a stream or river iswithin or close to the property,it is vital to know the levels offlooding.To prevent excess runoff,

consider the comparative levelsof porosity of di ffcrent 1 ;1 nd-scape surfaces. Runoff is high-est on pavement, followed byagriculrural fields, lawns,meadow, and forest. Almost norunoff occurs in forested areas,where both tree cover and leaf

gkrns where forests exist, theopen land is ct rnt inualty at-tempt ing to ret u rn to a forestcondition through the processcalled natural succession. B yidentifying the initial volunteersuccessional plants, the speciesthat form the next stage, andthe more permanent, longer-living "climax" species. tile de-signer can use this natural en-ergy to assist the design.Both v i s u a l l v and for w i ld l ifehabitat, the forest edge, or eco-tone, i s u s ua ll y the most v a l u a -hie. Flowering trees and shrubsthat are spindly and sparselyflowering in the understory aredense, profusely floweringmembers of the forest edgecommunity.The pia nts you protect or se-lect will be the most importantdesign elements in establishingthe overall character and moodof your site.

litter intercept precipitation, al-lowing gradual infiltration intothe soil. 1l.>prorcrt ihe water ta-ble and groundwater a q u ife r, asmuch poruus surface as pussi-ble should be included on asite, and fal r ly dense vegetationshould be maintained.

Aqu i f e r Wal ( ' r table IOUye a r floodplain1 5


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C l i m a t eWhether you art: makingchanges in an existing home orsin ng a new one, your 111


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[ ~='" " " " ~,n ~ lANDSCAPE ~~ 2 V E L O P M E N T I..-~ -~-~ -- - ._- . )

P R O C E S S . -~- I--The creation, use, and care of the landscape is a continu-ous, evolutionary process. Unlike the built environment,the landscape continues to grow, to mature, to die, and to igive new life. In this publication, landscape design will he Iapproached with this ever-changing process in mind.

-1- Design decisions will continue to be made long after thecompletion of construction and planting because pruning. I I------ ------ _ .. _-thinning, replanting, repair, and other maintenance will i------- be required. Many landscape designs fail because the et- ,I ifects of time and this ong: ling process are ignored. For ex-ample, rigorous trimming and pruning to keep plants thesame size year after year may G1USe [heir disfigurement ascompared to the more desirable maturing of plants into .- ---their natural form and structure.The development process is described in four stages: de-

-- -I- + - - - - - - sign, protection/salvage, installation, and maintenance. Al-t-- t---- though this publication stresses design, the other aspects ~must be considered as equally important to an environ-

mentally sound and livable landscape. II-I-i

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T H E L A N D S C A P ED E V E L O P M E N T

P R O C E S S

The first stage in the develop-men! of a landscape includessurvey, analysis, and design.If possrble, have a surveyorprepare a topographic surveyor rent the necessary surveyingequipment, so that the gradingand drainage design can bebased on accurate informat ion.

Field measurement andmapping should include a ll ex-isting natural a n d m a n -m a d eelements such as trees, shrubs,structures, and paving. In addi-tion to the location, size, andtype of plants and other fea-turcs, theircondition or qualityshould be noted.After completing [he prelim-inary design, stake out the de-sign on (he site to check the ex-act relationships betweenelements that are to be retainedor salvaged, The design Gin

T he D esign Process

. . . -. . .Ihell be adjuSled if nccessa rybefore construction begins.Determine the quality andquantity of topsoil, plants, pav-ing, and construction materialthat can be salvaged andreused.

A logical, step-by-step ap-proach, combining good streinformation with a clear list ofpriorities, can greatly improvethe usefulness of the design.

IS T A G E 2 I S i t e P r e p a r a t i o nThe reuse of existing site re-sources and restorative prun-ing and grad ing can he the key

to a successful landscape,The first step is to installprotective temporary fencing

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around areas to be left intact orto place bales of straw as siltbarriers where erosion or run-off m ay occur during construe-tion.Next, salvage trees andshrubs, soil, leaf litter, and con-struction materials and storethem properly. Plant materialsh ou k l be placed in a shady lo-cation with mulch covering [heroot ball.

Prune and t hiu existingtrees and shrubs, removingdead, diseased, or conflictingbranches.Dispose of excess soi I orrubble on-site if possible, usingthe material as till whereneeded.~


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he third major stage includesadtng , construction, andLandscape work shou ld bene only in npi imal weatherensure that the condition ofe soil, plants, and construe-materials, especially con"ete, are not permanently im-aired. Wet soil can heriously compacted by coo-ruction equ ipment, render-g it virtually impervious forars to come.Soil must he prepared prop-ly, especially for groundver and plant pits, Withoute right soil foundation, theesired results will be very dif-cult to achieve, even with ex-sive maintenance efforts.plant the largest trees firs t ,

C o n s t r u c t i o n a n d P l a n t i n g-~

then the next largest, and so rmdown the Hale, installingground-cover plants last.

Porc nt ia l environmentaldamage is highest during the

construction phase, so he onthe alert for erosion, sedimen-tation, or compaction prob-lems.

: .; ':

C o n t i n u in g M a in t e n a n c eM a tn te n a n c e is the key to thesuccess of the landscape deve l -opment process. A plan that re-

quires relatively low mainte-nance is much more likely toendure than one that requires

. ''is

excessive time or expense tomaintain. The more natural anarea is, the easier the mainte-nance will likely be.

Na t 1I ra l areas can he pre-served fairly easily by judiciousprun ing. Pruning is one opera-tion that is vital


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Consider your property as if itwere a room or a series ofrooms. Pian it just as carefullyas you would inter ior space,considering the elements aswalls, floor, ceiling, partitions,and furnishings.T h e F l o o rPaving, lawn, and ground coverare probably the pri mary"flooring" of your landscape.Level changes, slopes, steps,and ramps can be fit into exist-ing topography, adding rich-ness and interest to the space, Alevel change can provide thesame functional separation aswould ani nteriorwaILT h e W a l l sFences, walls, hedges, orplanted screens can form thewalls and partitions of yourlandscape, Their heights canhe varied to fit conditions: toopen a narrow vista, toscreen aneighbor's second floor win-dow,or to provide a windbreakfrom winter winds.T h e C e i l i n gTrees, trellises, arbors, and theever-chang+ng sky are thechoices for the landscape ceil-ing. The infinite variations ofdensity, shading, texture, andseasonal color that a trellisstructure can provide are oftennot fully used in contemporarydesign.F u r n i s h i n g sBenches, lawn furnishings,lights, sculpture, and otheroutdoor elements should be se-lected for comfort, ease ofmaintenance, and color. Formcompatibility among the ele-ments is also Important. Earthtones (browns, tans, ochre, andwarm grays) are restful colors.Red, orange, and yellowcan beused for accent.20

T H E D E S I G N P R O C E S SThe following ten sequential steps are outlined as a bask process in creating a detailed plan, ready for implementation forcreating a livahle landscape for an existing home.S te p 1Make a Survey,.S t ep 2Develop a Base Plante p 3Inventory the Sitete p 4Analyze the Sitete p 5Develop a Programte p 6Create a Functional Diagram,.S tep 7Develop a Concept Diagram,.S tep 8Sketch Alternative Planste p 9Create a Master landscape Plan. .S tep 1 0Implementation Drawings: The FinalDesign


22/67

M ake a S urvey

. , .J Jt" - .(p

Before developing a plan, study{he sire carefully, consideringthe following points.

Locate major trees to besaved and protected.

2 Select trees and shrubs suit-ab l e for tr a n sp la ru rn g a n dreuse.

3 Check topsoi I d ep t h . p ll , andnutrient levels,

4 Locate property corners andexisting structures.

S Note signi ficant topographyand drainage features, in-dud ing steepness of :;[opeand flow of water across ort hrough Ihe site.

" 2 1


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IS t e p 2 I

Tile design equ ipment you wi IIneed includes an architect'sand engineer's scale, a s h e e r oftransparent grid paper, a roll ofyellow tracing paper, soft andhard pencils. drafting tape, astraight edge, plastic mangles,and a soft eraser. All of theseitems can he found at an artsupply store.Using the transparent gridpaper, plot your properly line,house (including all doors andIi rs t floor wmdows ), steps.walls, fences, paving, trees,shrubs, and any visible lit i l i tyvalves, vents, inlets, and hoseconnection s. If you can locateunderground ut il lt ies, plotthem on the plan.

The scale of your plan de-pends on (he size of your prop-erty and how it will li t on adrawing. For small properties,a scale of 1 / 1 1 or III inch equals 1foot (on the arch itect's seale)works well, whereas for a largesite 1 inch equals 10 feet or 1inch equals 20 feet (on the en-Rineer's scale) m av be neces-sary to fit on a workable sizesheet.

2 2

Develop a Base Plano

o

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- ~ c " ' = ~ ~ ~ - - . - - - " " - .- - - - . . . . . .:T J,jif:/{\: : . . .

/',II. . . .


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Inventory the SiteTo understand the characteristics of YOLI r property; you need to study the ..bu ilding blocks" of the land.Knowledge about the sui I, landform, plants, and drainage cond it ions will faei l itate plann ing a 1 0 1 ndscapethat tits the site. It is also important to understand the "built;' or man-made elements, including build-ings, walls, fences, paving, steps, and underground utilities.Uslng an overlay of yellow paper on top of the plan uf the exist ing conditions, identify the positiveand negative features of your property. Consider views into 0 1 . < ; well as views from the site. Note the nat-ural features: soil condu ion, plants, drainage, wind directions, the noisy neighborhood dog, or the bro-ken-down fence. Cheek the views from within the house as well as the walking patterns and entrances.Identify areas where privacy is disturbed, that are always in shade, or that have the best sunlight.

Mark all these features on the overlay so they are visible when a new sheet of trans-parent tracing paper is applied on top uf it to work out a design.R E A S I N S II A D E O R S l I S :rn in g. a fte rn oo n, su mm er, w im cr ._ ___.____ . '-1------f-_.. -.-R E C T I O N O F W I N O :mm e r, w in te r

"._-D R A IN A G E

o f, s ur fa ce , s ub su rf ac e.. .~--~~...f 'F E R E N C E S I N E L E V A T I O N A N D G R A D E :o pe s. e m ba nk ra e m s, w a lls.-. ---.,-~.~- I-~ ._-1-tre es , s hru bs . la wn ,o u nd c o ve r, v in es , f lo w er s, v eg e ta bl es

d ep th , c on ditio n, p ll

o d. ba d. in to . a nd fro m p ro pe rtyO f E X IS T I N ( ; B l J lU l I : - l G S :

lu din g m in or a nd n ea rb y s i r u c t u re sS ES O F E X I S f I N G Y A R D :lu din g a dja ce nt y ard s

P A T H S ; peop l e , c ar s, p av in t(I V E R Y A N D P IC K -U P S E R V IC E S :o i I, c o al , t ra sh

a re a s, s tr u ct ur e s.. polcs. Imes,

p es , ab ov e a nd b elo w g ro un da re a, g ara ge , p av in g-- ..-..

I N G A N D B U lL O I: \ G R E G l i L A T lO N Se following examples showarate plans fur each majore factor. You need nut makeindividual sheets for eachample. The idea is to gatherrequired information andtermine the relative impor-e of each dement

- - -

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.' .~:2 ~ I' 2. .. .

Ii' G lIll; rl~_ .. )i," I

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1-----I\J_ ,r- t -,~

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o , ...a "\'I 1 1\d) z

2 3


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S o i lYour county Cooperative Ex-tension agent or Soil Conserva-tion Service Office can helpyou determine the type andcharacter of soils in vour areatest soil sa mples for fcnil itv andpll, and advise on posstbleproblems, remedies, and soil;1mend rnents.

/. '/,,

Note the species, size, condi-tion, and location of all majortrees and shrubs and indicatetheir approximate branchspread. Investigate the plants inthe neighhorhood that aregrowing well and/or are domi-nant. Make a list for future ref-erence .

P l a n t s[~"=h'..,~ ~ -,"'~" ",-" -,,,~;:---=........c.rep $O'_

,__----___:',---------'~

II

I:. .. .! ,:r,

24

landformThe topography will influencethe basic "form" and, in manycases, the usefu lness of variousareas, Use a Ilne level or a leveland string line to approximatechange ., in grade, using thefloor level of the house as thebenchmark. If available, a sur-veyor's level or transit is moreaccurate and will help in pro~viding a precise topographicsurvey.


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a te ramount of rainfall andw and how it is removedtheproperty or percolatesthe soil is of major impor-

During a rainfall, plot theof runoff concentrationfollow the water 10where itves the sire. Make note ofh and low points, puddles,ts, and watershed bounda-

, the lines that divide areasparate runoff di rection.

~.

1 1t

C l i m a t eThe prcvai li ng summer andwinter winds are often fromdifferent directions. This infor-mation can he used to increasethe year-round comfort byproper placement of screens,windbreaks, and openings.Your nearest weather stationcan provide information onprevailing seasonal wind direc-tion.

V i e w sPreservation and enhancementof good views and screening ofunsightly views are importantin the design. Check differentviewpoints from standing < J . ' iwell as sitting positions andfrom inside the house. Locatespecific points where privacy isinterrupted, such as from aneighbor's yard or windows.

2 S


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Step4

If all design work is done ontop of the composite analysis,the t e - n d en cy to overlook or for-get important existing sitechararteristics will he avoided.

2 6

Analyze the SiteThe most important part of site analysis is to determine the natural .md man-made factors that are reallyimportant to the design and their uncracnon with one another.The designer should noic Ill" I1Kl j


28/67

_ I

isa good idea fl)r nu-mbers ofhousehold to work on thisogram as ;1 group, listingusc ill order of priorityd agreeing on it in principlemaking the actual de-Make a simple diagr amowing the ideal positions ofthe program elements in re-ionshtp to one another. Re-te the elements to each othert not necessarily to the site.e xa m ple , a n outdoor diningeashould be near the kitchenor and the compost pile neare garden. The relattonsh ipwill serve asa helpful

t hroughout the design

Develop a ProgramThe particular needs and interests of the members of the household should determine the functions 10he accommodated on the site.The pn )gram shouki Iist desired sill' uses in order of importance. such assiltiIlg, entertaining, grow-Ing a vegetable garden, storage. or play.The size of each area or element can he determined, based onthe numher of people using it, the levelof interest, and the spaceavailable. Seethe space-planning guideOil page 29 for the sizes of many outdoor uses and facil itics.Write down the requirements of each element. For example. the vegetable garden need" good soil.relatively flat land. sun, and protection from wildlife. The outdoor dining space requires a hard, level

su rface, some shade,some sun, prox i11 1 iv to the kit chen, :ind privacy Ir:u I he adjacent ill:gh lx lr's view.IM PORTANCE

C H E C K L I S T REQU IR EMENTS High Med i um LowPrivacyRecrea t ionE ase o f m a i n te na nc e -_ . __ ... _. _L an dsc ap e h ob byF o o d p ro d u ctio nF u e l c on se r v at io nCo l o r ( p la n ts /f lowe r s)S unShadeW i n d p ro te ct io nS creen v ie wsSafe ty / secur i tyPark ingP et a re aQuie t /woodsyBarbecue /p icn ic

' - _ C l oth e s d ry in gI Repa ir s tr u c tu r es /w a l ls ----,"L - S itt in g a re aI H a bita t fo r b ird s

R ed uc e th ro ug h tra ffic---.----~-----.---.~.--- ._ - -Sha re open sp ace

S to ra g e (t oo ls /t oy s)C om p ost p ileP ottin g ta ble / s he d

i C o ld fr am e27


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S tep6----- --

U s e o f S p a c eThe open, e x p a n s iv e f ro n t law nis considered standard formany pr operries, and zoninglaws normally require a build-ing set hack. This space is u....-ally wasted, of no real visual orfunctional value to the resi-dents, a v ir tu al no-man's-land.llse of the front lawn area forrecreation, as a garden, or as anenclosed, private cou rtya rdcan considerably expand theliving space of the site.In 1 he back yard, outdoor ac-tivities are of len severely lim-ited because of poor relation-ships between house and yard.Differing levels, steep slopes,or lack of privacy can preventcomfortable outdoor dining,relaxation, recreation, or enter-taining. The USe of raiseddecks, fences, trellis work, orscreen planting can often dra-marically change the useful-ness of the back yard space, Insome cases, removal of fencesbetween properties, especiallyat the rear, can expand other-wise useless space into func-tional and visual assets for bothproperty owners.The side yards of a suburbanresidence are often wastedspace. unless densely plantedor fenced for privacy. Rarely ist h i s space used for outdoor liv-ing. Instead, it acts as a buffer,much as the front yard does,Without visual screening, how-ever, there is no buffer; dis-tance alone does not ensureprivacy. Children's play areas,gardens, work areas, and out-door patios can be placed in aside yard if respect is shown forthe neighbor's view and pri-vacy.28

Create a Functional DiagramIn planning for outdoor acrivities and traffic patterns, related functions should be planned as a unit-tor example, driveway, entrance path, and entry court (the arrival sequence); or vegetable garden, com-post pile, wood pile, and trash storage area (working functions). The entrance sequence should be awelcoming, visua lly open, attractive area, whereas thework and storage areas should be removed fromgeneral view and day-to-day outdoor living.

. ( 1o,. ()_ I n d o o r -l'r~'~'~~~~~~'~ 0 td,_ " ci~- .B' U o o r.... - - __;"lldl~6~- - 1 : ' , R e l a t i o n s h i p s. ,~~~,,,"- Jr:~ ~ ~ '\::"" . . The interrelauunxhlps of in-_"" _ _ - ~~~ ~~. ; door and outdoor space are too, I~ __ 3. ' ~ ~ _ ~ ~ " . often ignored. The surround-, .I ;-- o N , JI b t ing landscape should be pcr-'jV~tr f1, w l L . . I. " a 'I'" cetved as valuable living space. ! ~ rd~ < . 1 1 1 : . . . . > ~ : ' and an extension of the house,t!.:,t) f'(aM ~ I . : Points of access, doors, win-I Y .- ..J dows, grade conditions. steps,". ~ J" '. and the interior layout should'., . IS:'.:. a~". 1 7 f t be carefully plotted on [he inl-~ '~ :~ '~ [ ' . ' ~ & , ' . tial base plan 10 facilitate a (0-, ' i1 . . , f - ~ " ~ A' hesive indoor-outdoor land-. ~ . , - . - -; . I ! f f 1 t . U A Ay.w. m .~~~'!!: ~ ~ .n ' . . scape design., .. J ~ -~ " " " - n ' - Try to relate outdoor f u n c -'-", ,.~"~,---..",ions as closely as nossible to". ~ Ii".:""" T~ J '" ' . ' ; -, I') '.


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A N T B ED 1 two - s i d ed Jim um w id th o f tw o-s id ed bed th atn h e e as ily m a in ta in ed .

A N T B ED lone-sided jim um h ed w id th w he re ac ce s s is

0 1 1 1 ) ' o ne s id e,

~~r- ~~r::::::- . . .

UB S C R EE N [ l ineal]n im um w id th req uired ln r s in gle ro wla r~ (' s hru bs o r e ve rg re en h ed ge .

CO L UMN A R SHRUBS[ l inea l I

r ro w. IIp ri~ hl sh ru bs n ee d th is m u chIII p ro vu l a sc reen,

FL OW E R BOR D ERi l l l l l l llm w id th b ed . E a s i ly m a in ta ine d .

S p a c e - P l a n n i n g G u id eThe following drawings show reference dimensions tor use in space planning.t:)~~)cfy

~- S'-d' - 4V INES [ gr a pe , c lem a ti s, i v y ]M a x im u m s pa cin g f o r v in e s p l an t edal l ln~ fe nc es o r wal l s .

]~-. . . . . . 0-~~-..:: H ' 1 . "HEDGE I s ing le f o w l

S ll il ah l( ' f or n o rm a l h e dg e i ns ta ll at io n .(S lo pe s id es b ac k fo r h glu .)

Drn TDOLI .000 O JDOD l i j00. goo~

COLD FRAMET his p la n a ssum es H " X SH X 1 6" ru n -c re te b lo ck w alls w ith a .i' x 6 ' s ta n -d ard g reen ho use sa sh co ve r .

DDI~8'-0' ~C OM POS T E N CL OS UR E[mason ry ]T w o c om p art me nt s (c on cr et e b locksS l ac k e d l u () st :l y ), one rrnptied e ac h y ea r,p r o v id e c o n ti n uo u s h u m u s ,

8:"0"....--...:.---41'rt ---- -----;, : , 1 I'O ! 1 r-r--h, I- . . g I LLJ_J IJ L JTA BL E FOR TW O

8:'0"1-==-. ---~:q :p :0 II ..- I' j l II I~ JTA BLE FOR FOURt----....'~'... ----tt-,r--------i1 I

: I'0 I I., I I9 IIII~L . . . l

TA BLE FO R S IX0(- 12'~o'! ~"'fr----------,

0010:I I1, I I1 1 IL ...1TA BL E FO R E IG HT

T RA SH srO R AG E[double I~ .."-~~---t..,r-------,

IIIIIJ l t

I~~ :

~ I I ~ . :~)!,.L JC OMP A CT A UT O

.'~

,

2 9


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Step7 1

formThe designed landscape formsshould relate to the architec-tural forms and properly lines.Avoid wasted xpace resultingfrom irregular shapes.First, work out the form ofthe various use spaces andwalkways in a rough fashion.Then, on an overlay, give moredefinitive shape, using eithergeometric or curvilinear formsto express the materials youcontemplate using.Form needs to be thought ofin three dimensions, keepingill mind eye-level views whenpbcing elements. The featuresused to define the edges ofeach area or enclose the spaceshould he considered carefully.

T e x t u r eLandscape materials offer aninfinite variety of textures,which can he used to reinforcethe intent of the design. Fine-grained, mr ricate , texturedplants such as ferns add greatrichness and detail. In smallspaces, these plants can give afeeling of greater space. In gen-eral, coarse, large-scale ele-ments-plants, paving, and ver-tical surfaces=-work better ingenerously scaled spaces, andthe treatment of a very smallspace is best handled withmore delicate, fine-text IIredmaterials. The use of fine tex-tures in the background andlarger textures in the fore-ground increases the sense ofdistance. Generally, plant comb inations work better withlarger textures seen against abackground of riner textures.30

Develop a Concept DiagramUsing the program, begin to test different locations for the desired improvements. Use a soft pencil,sketching very roughly on the overlay. )'(IU arc tr~'illg to create a functional concept diagram, not a realplan, so be flexible.Develop two or three concept diagrams that have promise (it may take several tries). Be sure to in-clude the walking pattern between or through the various use areas. Discuss these concepts with thef am i l y and decide which is the most satisfactory. Test this once more in a sketchy plan drawn to scale.

_ -S c a l eLet the scale of elements ex-press open or intimate spaces.A small place seems larger ifthe elements are tine-grained:and vice versa. Scale is ex-tremely important in plant se-lection and location. Consider-ation of growth rate and maturesize is vital.

C o l o r. . . . . . . . .

Color can have a marked effecton the character and mood ofan ou t door space. N :IIU r a lwood. brick, stone, and plantcolors normally go well (0gether, Painted surfaces shouldeither blend in or serve as ac-cents. Generally, green shouldnot be used outdoors because,with (he exception of some ol-ive greens, this color tends tobe incornpat ihle with thegreens of nature. Browns, red-browns. a n d other e a r t h tonesarc more complementary tonatural greens.Cool colors such a s hluesand grays express a quiet at-mosphere and suggest dis-tance. Warm cokxs=-reds, yel-lows, and oranges-are moreactive or festive and suggestcloseness.Natural loca Imaterials thatstand li p under harsh weatherconditions are usually (he rnosvisually compartble and main-tenance-free over the long runfor paving, fencing, and site fur-nishings.

l


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A illustrates a rectilinearproach with righl angles andrd edges separ:lti ng lawn,ving, and plant beds. Thege of the wooded area isggered so that the diagonale of the woods is in a formmpathetic to the house andoperty. The outdoor spacespear almost as separateoom .s" for each function.The grading should comple-

the plan forms, so thathor tzont.rl and vertical

es are of a s im i l n r character.Sketch A should bendled with nearly flat planes,ith crisp breaks in .~rade or

Sketch Alternative PlansSelect lite most desi rable concept diagrum and test various design conligu rat i(illS, circulation patterns,and planting volumes.The two sketch plans express the concept with different landscape forms.

A '

IF"'---.--.H_


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Step 9Develop the concept plan inmore detail to be sure everv-thing fits. Don't worry aboutwhat specific shrub or tree youwill use. Place plant forms toachieve the "wails," "ceiling,"screens, windbreaks, and shad-ing desired. Decide whereplants are needed to serve spe-cific purposes, not asmere dec-oration. Keep the plan simple.At a later stage more refine-ment and detail can be in-cluded. Draw the car,tables andchairs, barbecue, paving, gar-den areas, and lawn in enoughdetail to show what t h ey aremade of and how they relate toone another. Shadow~can helpclarify the relative vertical sizeof landscape elements and canbe used to make a plan moreunderstandable or readable. Ifthere are changes illgrade,steps, or structures, study anddraw elevation and sectionviews at a larger scale.Develop an overall compati-ble materials and furnishings"vocabulary" for usc in Iinaliz-ing the design. In addition toselecting each separate ele-ment, it is important to studythe war they look and work to-gether.

3 2

C reate a M aster L andscape P lan


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nce the OWLIII placement ofe areas, circulation patterns,d major planting is deter-ined, a detailed plan shoulddeveloped. An informal or

plan is easier 10 adjusta formal one. One rocktcrop, water line, or electric

nduit that was not evidentring the design phase canstroy the symmetry ofa verymal layout. A good land-ape designer usually makesjustments during construc-n and planting, so a highlytailed plan is not always nec-sary for most residentialIndicate the critical dimen-ons, suggested materials, and

information, Separateans for layout, grading, andanting are often used to de-ribe the work more dearly,pecially if the work will bene by separate contractors ore design is complex. lf lt is adesign, one plan will

The degree of detai I o f work-g drawings may vary fromple .sketches if you arc irn-the project your-lf, to a fully documented set

drawings if the work is to bet out for competitive bid, inhich case the working draw-gs are part of a contract andust he clear and comprehen-e. Details of atypical builtements should be prepared.

C U R B D E T A I L

The FinalDesign_. -

-'. '--" '_ -.~---- - - - - -- _ _ _

.~------ " .. ..... f\\ . . . .,

I "~~.r - - --- -.--!

.//.//.Ia

. . . .

L a y o u t P l a n r elationships are indicated.References to detalls, specialnotes, and limits of responsi-bility should also be shownwhen applicable.The layout , grading, aridplanting information can quite

often he combined on onedrawing if the design and con-struction process is simple.These are shown as separateplans for clarity and as an ex-ample of drawings for biddll1gb y various contractors.

This is the drawing used to es-tablish all horizontal dimen-sions of proposed const ructionand planting. All the plan fea-tures, their materials, and plan

33


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G r a d in g P l a nThe grading plan indicates thevertical dimensions, expressedin "spot elevations." The formof the finished surface is shownin contours. This plan exampleuses a one-foot contour i n t e r -val. Existing contours arc nor-mally indicated asdotted lint's;proposed grading is shown assolid Iines.The spot elevations are nor-rnallv in feet and decimals of afoo!.When it is necessarv to hevery accurate, hundredths of afoot are used. Although usuallyrelated to mean sea level, thespot elevations CIII he relatedto the floor level of the house,which can he estuhltshe d as100.00 asshown 0111 his plan.

I f underground ur il irv workis to be included. it is usually'best to show it on ihe gradingplan, to assure coordination,

U ND ER DR AIN D ETA ILt-~~- F'ACf:; OF WAL-L

3 4

o--~/

~l(I!>-r.: 1)oI/..-6-r-:-::!I'\

o

II


36/67

l a n t i n g P l a ne example planting diagramicates the location and ap-ximate desired spread ofts when established.The quantity and key lettersr example, l-RM means oneododendron maximum) arewn on the top o f the line,the size (for example, 4- " I r C ; j I i ! Q u t . J ~Ttl'1itF ~" .

o

o

13- Bpc10 - r2 : ..,

35


37/67

r--~-------:, i w77:/~7ff;?] II i i?pij/// % 1 i.i I 1 ;::-1& & ) ~

11~ " ' " ' ~~L i : - " = ' ' ' - = '- . - . - JS t a n d a r d S u b -d iv is i o n C o n t r o l sThe rigid geometry of mostsubdivisions has resulted inthe monotonous, rigid, and en-vironmenrally harmful dcvel-npmem of much of suburbanAmerica.

The norma I front setback,hased on an arbitrar y dimen-sion, usually places the housefar b a c k on lhe property, f o r e -illg additional clearing and re-ducing the usable rear yardarea.

36

S I T E P L A N N I N Gf o r a N e w H o m eAllhough this publication deals primarily with landscape development on an cxi~ting residential prop-erly, the process and principles apply to the development I lf : ln envtronmenrally sound plan for a newhome as well.Compare the aesthetic appeal of tile standard approach to Siting a home with a p l an t hal meshes wuhthe environment.

S t a n d a r d S i t e P l a nSun, wind, views.tlramagc, pri-vacy, and existing vegetationare ignored in this site planThe landscape designer's taskis remedial, and high costs arcthe result.Foundation planting and theexpansive, carpetlike lawn aredeeply ingrained in (h e Ameri-can tradir ion. Such a plan couldrequire the needless dearingof native trees :1 tld shru bs ,

E n v i r o r u n e n t a lP l a nIn locales where environmen-tal concerns have been incor-porated into subdivision regu-lations, more flexible designsare possible.The house, driveway, lawn,and garden can be positionedto take full advantage of solarorientation, topography, vege-tati( In, wind protection. and vis-ual appeal. :\ lOOf(x)t-diametercircle i . ' \ indicated for Siting thehouse. The line through the c i r -cle, which indicates the longaxis of the house, shows thebest orientation for solar, wind,and view constderarlons.

After road grading and lotcorner stakeout have beencompleted, an on-stte surveycan be made to locate majortrees, minor drainage swales,topography, and views. A nor-mal survey excludes this infor-Illation.

C o n c e p t D i a g r a mThe diagram indicates the rela-tionships of functional areas tothe house and site. The majorbenefits are good solar oru.n-tat ion for indoor and outdoorareas, plant buffers for noise,wind, and privacy, a l a w n sizedfor the intended activities, aprotected and observable chil-dren's play area, an outdoorliving and dining terrace, use ofthe carport to provide screen-ing from the road, a short drive-way paved with porous mate-rial, anda vegetable garden andcompost pile near the househilt out of view.


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Deve l opmen t P l a ne plan details the interior layout and site improvements. Placing sol it!walls 10 the nort hwest and glasss facing SOUl heast will save 011 ileming COSIS. Storage functions are on the northern side to provide

o

:.,~.'.

e design concept encom-sses the following landscapeA. Buffer of pine [0deflectnd and create a visual screen

adjacem properly.B. Cleared edge of existingnd of trees reinforced withciduous and evergreen

shrubs (0screen view andnoise from road.C . Large deciduous tree toshade living and dining roomsin summer and allow sun topenetrate in winter.

D. Existing forest edge re-tained, reinforced by decidu-ous shrubs, transplanted ever-

green shrubs, and small trees.E. Fruit trees


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S t a g i n gBudget and time constraints of-ten prevent the completion ofthe proposed improvements allat once. If the plan is d ea r , t i lework can be staged over manyyears.In the first stage, completeprojects that wi ll most irnme-

diately contribute to I i v a h i l i t y .The major . framework" treesshould be planted early, even inareas where other landscapeimprovements are ye a r . ' i away.

S c h e d u l i n gWhether a project i:; complex orsimple, proper planning is es-sential. Uypassing seeminglytrivial steps m ay have disas-trous results. Using the bestmaterials and tools and seekingexpert advice are of utmost im-portance to a good finishedproduct. Time spent research-ing in these areas is a wise investment.The chart indicates (he se-quence of const r uct ion for aresidential landscape.

o

2 . .I I ~ ~

I. D esig n and CO S I es t imates2 . S u b co n tr ac to r s3. Pe rm i t s4 . O rd er m a te ria lsS . S a l v ag e / pr o te c t io n6 . D e m o li ti on7. S 1 a k " I I l HK . E x ca va t iu n / g ra d in g9. rtility ins ta l la t ion1 0. C u nc re te ru ulin g~II. W all1 2. B ric k p av in gI_t Carpel l t ry14 . P l an t be d ~Ililp repara t iont S . L a w n s u i I wel J a r a l i on1 6. Plau u I l ) ! . t rees1 7 . P la n ti n l ( s h ru b s a n d h ro u nt ! cove rIK S od d in g


40/67

you need to hire subcontrac-rs such as electricians,or masonry special-ts. ask [hem for written esti-

ates based on your drawings.is advisable to obtain bidsom more than one subcon-One benefit of starting

ith a thorough and well-con-ived overall plan is that youn get reallsric competitiveices from qualified experts.r complicated jobs, ask thebcontractor for shop draw-gs or ;1 1 least rough sketchesith accurate dimensionsken in the field to clarify the

of [he work. The subcon-ctor shou Id state dearly whatII be done. what will not bene, and how much it willst. Be sure the work is guar-

at least for a year. Somebs are not large enough toke compel it ivc bids worth-hile. The installatton of a hoseb, a small area of paving, or angle outdoor Iiglu wou kl bestnegotiated with one reputa-contractor.

S I T E P R E P A R A T I O NPreconstruction tasks include planning a work schedule coordinated with seasonal consrr.unts, earlvordering of items that may take a long time. to come, and confirming delivery dates for plants and hui ld-ing materials. Before any work begins, permits should be obtained, agreements with suhcontractorsconcluded, and costs estimated.Reuse of ex isting soil. plants. rocks, and building materials can enhance the design character ami re-duce costs. It may even be possible to transplant or collect plants from your site for l.uer use or fromother nearby sites about to be developed,Recycled bricks, paving Slone, and even concrete paving can add a feeling of age. New materials takea long time to acquire the lichens, algae, and wearhertng already present on salvaged materials. ln many

locales, used bricks are more valuable than new ones.As a general rule, select plant and building materials that can be handled within your equipment,

lime, and manpower capabilities.Leaf litter or natural mulch lrorn the areas where new grading or construction activities wi] l occurcan be salvaged for composting and later mulching.Ifyou are not capable of doing all or some ofthe preparation work, hire a skilled, qualified specialist

I Transplaut selected trees andshrubs. 3 Wrap, prune, and feed trees!hat are to remain. 4 Fence natural areas for pro-tection.2 Mulch remaining plant mate-rials. S Strip and stockpile topsoilfor reuse.

Permi t s struction. Be sure that vou understand applicable regu!a-tions dealing with swimmingpool enclosures, properly IiIlLfences, and setbacks.Warer, sewer, electrical, andplumbing work also normallyrequires permits. The contrac-tor b responsible for obtainingthe permit for these jobs.

Street tree planting (or re-moval) requires a permit in

many locales. It is wise to allowsufficient lead time in obtain-ing permits because dealingwith the bureaucratic processcan he time-consuming andmay cause problems i f you arecounting on planting at theproper season

If possible, obtain a permitfor the entire plan so as to avoidrepealing what often is a frus-trating process.

Most municipalities requirethe owner to obtain a buildingpermit, for which a fee ischarged. The purpose of bu i l d -ing and zoning codes is [0safe-guard the health and well-being of you and your neigh-bors. The buildmg of fencing,pools, paving, decks, and wallsis usually interpreted as con-

39


41/67

T r e e s in C u t A r e a sWhen the soil level in the vicin-ityofa tree is lowered. the m a -jor considerations for preserv-ing trees are the retention of anadequate root system and wa-ter supply.

If some tree roots must I>ecur, prune selected branches tohelp compensate for the rootloss.

Compaction and damage toMI rface roots should he pre-vented by fencing where feas t -hie, erecting dry stone retain-ing walls to prevent additionalcut for footings, and tunnelingunder major roots for utilitylines.Irrigation during construc-tion and maintaining a thickmulch can often help substan-t l:d lv

T r e e s i n F i l l A r e a sThe primary considerations in-volved in saving mature treeswhen nearby soil levels mustbe raised are the protection ofthe root system ami maintain-ing adequate water and oxygenlevels in the root zone.

Compaction, cuning roots,and soil saturation are the ma-jor problems encountered innil situations because the tillsoi I blocks t he norma I \'1ate rand oxygen penetration.

Perforated pipe and gravelprovide oxygen, the dry wallretains the embankment with-out cutting roots, and the fenc-ing prevents compaction fromheavy equipment during con-struction.4 0

L a n d s c a p e P r o t e c t i o n

Existing gr;tdt2 Dry stone reta ining wall3 Roots cut cleanly with shears4 Pruning done to ba l a n c e root

loss

5 Tunnel dug under rn a j orroots when trenching

8 Exist ing grade retained atdrlpliue

6 Trenches backfilled with top-soil7 Temporary fence at dripline

Exist ing grade 4 Standpipe to surface for oxy- 7 Topsoi l layer for grass orgen supply ground cover5 Dry stone, battered wall tree 8 Temporary fencing at or be-well yond dripllne6 Gravel blanket to provide 9 Existing grade retained at oroxygen and water supply beyond dripline

2 P av in g grade adjusted tominimize cut

3 Perforated pipe in graveltrench for oxygen su pply


42/67

e c t i n g T r e e s fr om Con s tr uc tio n - R e la t e d D a m a g eSulut ion

ing a nd c urb ingcavating to make curb andng to meet existing gradesr trees may damage roots.root zone can be protectedusing a t h i n , porous pavings section, adjusting the fin-d elevations to avoid exca-on, and placing a precast or

curb Oil the surface.

l P r o t e c t i o n

raulicully spraying a seed,fert iltz e r, and mulchrry on graded slopes in oneation is comparatively in-ensive and good for largeteep areas.

P r o b l em So l u t i on

WalkwaysThe t i l l required to meet thedesired elevation for the wa l k -way at the left side otrhe draw-ing will cut off water and oxy-gen in the root zone. The rootscan be protected by huilding aportion of the walkway as awood boardwalk. Open jointsbetween the boards allow rainto reach the ground.

N ET IIN G O R BLA NK ETPlacing netting or a blanketover seeded slopes reduceserosion. r 1Inoff, evaporation,and seed loss. Jute netting,fiberglass matting, excelsiorblanket, glassroot, and burlapare all commercially available.

Prub lem So lU1i on

WallsExcavation for the footing of areinforced concrete wallcauses extensive root damage.A dry stone (or railroad tie) re-taining wall can eliminate theneed for a footing because thejoints are open, permitting wa-ter movement and Ilcxihiluy. A"batter" or leaning back of thewall face is necessary, as ismor-taring the top stone.

'-S IL T T R A PSTemporary s i lr traps to filtersoi Iparticles from storm waterrunoff, required in most areasduring construction. can beeaslly built withstraw bales orgeofabrics supported by s t a ke s ,

P r o h k -m Solut ion

D uri ng cons truc tionDuring construction a greatdeal of damage can be done hystoring impervious materialsunder trees. Compaction fromthe movement of heavy equip-ment can be a serious problem.Fencing the area wit hin thedripline can prevent theseproblems.

" : "-): ' : . .~' :' !"

' ..I I

GRAV EL WE IRA temporary mini-dam placedacross a drainage swale orditch will also filter sedimentfrom storm water runoff andreduce velocity and downhillsoil erosion.

41


43/67

T RE E SA I.V AG E SE QU EN CE

.'"--....:....:~~...:.. ~ .. ~ .;...,..__--"Pru ning and tying upln prcpar.u ion for salvage, theplant should he pruned to COIll-pensate for the loss of roots.Pruning should preserve then a t u r a l character of the plant.Tie up branches with twine toprevent breakage and to pro-vide space for digging.

TR EE SA LV AG E M ETH OD S

H a n dHand digging by a skilled nursery worker hest accommo-dates plant characteristics, size,root depth. and soil conditions.Clean cutting roots and reten-tion of a solid root ball are ad-vantages of hand work. Forlarge trees, it is best to com-bine hand digging with use of atrencber or backhoe.4 2

L a n d s c a p e S a l v a g eThe pri mary conrvrnx III salvagi ng nat ivc plant are the sclccuon of the propel" ,~izl'and species, propel"transplanting procedures and storage techniques (heeling ill), and guud maintenance.Select plants t h a t arc not too large and 1 1 l : 1 t have fibrous or shallow roots, store in ~lcool, shaded area,transplant quickly du ring the pia 1 1 1 's dormant periods, anl I protect roots from drying by using leaf Iiller,soil, or organic mulches. .

M I '

..... _ . . . . . ~:......------.: . . . . . . . .Digging and burlappingDigging should Ill' donc care-fully (0preven t excess rootdamage, and tilt' root ballshould he secured in hurlap.The tree trunk should be pad-ded with bur lap to preventtearing the h a rk . L if t the treeonly hy the root ball

When moving many trees, atree spade may he more eco-nomical than hand digging.Trees being moved short dis-tances mar be placed direct-Iy in a hole without heingwrapped in hur lap. In claysoils ~1tree spade causes com-paction.

Heeling-inJ f the site is not prepared forplanting immedi.uely heel inthe tree, covering the root hallwith soil. leaf litter, or peatIllOSS, and keep the root hallmoist. lied in the tree in aswind-free and shady ~ locationas possible to harden off (hep l an t .

"U" bladeA "U" blade Jigger is the fastestbut roughest method of treesalvage. Back CUlt ing the roothall is r-ecommended to pre-vent tearing tile rout system.For relatively small trees (un-der 3 inch caliber) this 111 :1 -chine works economicallvwhen dealing with large num-hers.

PlantingAfter hardenirs; uff or whcn thesite is readv, plant the tree,hackfill with prepared soil, wa-ter after the plant is completelyinstalled, and mulch promptly.

'. . , : . '. : :: . : "'~ < : ': - ,. ~ ': ~ ~ ~ : :' ;. " , ' , :' '1"Sugar-scoop" loader"Sugar-scoop" loaders ran beused to move trees if the roothall ix cut with a trencher or hvhand. This method is usual lv ~hit slower than (he other me-chanical methods. bUI it doesnot require specialized equip-rncnt,


44/67

S TO C K S AL V AG Empletely pruning a "1L'ggy'nt (such as mounta i11 laurel)transplanting the rootstockresult in a dense, vigorousnt in a few years. 'Ioral prun-is also a good way to regen-te a weak or straggly standmany shrub species to pro- R oots to ck colle ct ionte a dense srrecn.

P L AN T S A LV A (;Ee collection or t r an s p l . u u ingeasrlv handled, small treesshr;lbs is an ohviou ....way ofining native plants. Carefuling, handling, and plantingcedures are necessary.rly spring i.


45/67

E x i s t i n gC o n d i t i o n sThis hack vurd has problems!Till.' original developer left animproperly formed embank-mcnt and failed to provideproper drainage. The cellar isalways damp, and when rainfallis heavv, it is flooded, lie alsoleft a p{le of rubble. Because ofthese condnrons, the site can-not be maintained and is vir-tually useless.

R e s t o r e dLandscapeEx ix t iIlg materials, includingthe rubble as fill, have beenused to transform this area intoa usable space.

Hy excavating dean soil andadd ing amendments such as...and, peat, or compost depend-ing on soi I characteristics,space was made for disposal ofthe inorganic nibble. This rub-ble was also used to reshapethe embankment. providing amore gradual and maintainableslope.This job did nor require theuse of heavy equipment. H:IIKIlabor can often he better thantractors and bulldozers because it avoids the problems ofvehicular access, travel time,and the soil companion that re-sult from the usc of heavy ma-chinery.44

G r a d i n g

[j]Origi nal grade line

2 Eroding cut slope3 Pile of rubble4 Water settles in a low spot

') Previous J J ! I6 Settlement at house wall7 Water illcellar

-: - ~'~ :.:..:--

. -~-.' - ..' -'.-'-". !. . ',.:.

_IRepaired slopeand added shrubs

3 Rubble buried 5 Paved terrace built (fill com-pacted under paving)4 Proper drainage created byregrading 6 DrycellarRubble used


46/67

o n d i t io n silu ,.,1a Iion shows IIIany

blems typical to an unman-d landscape. The entirece is v i rtual lv filled withnts so that lilt' back yard isto L1SC. Overcrowding,petition, lack of sun [ight,ker growth. and root dam-

are the primary problems.The health, size, and relativeirtance to Ihe landscape ofh plant should be assessed

make decisions to prune,head up, or remove thoseare causing problems.

e area is now a usable out-room, wuh adequate sun-ht and open space for playhealthy plant growth.The rhododendron near thece was cut back almost toground 10 encourage vigor-growth. The apple tree hasn pruned 10 provide ade-sunlight, and the sucker

owt h was removed frumnches and around tile basethe I ce. There is nowugh light for ground covergrass to thrive.To provide open play space,roses were removed. Thetree has been headed up or

to permit access to itsa n d to le t in sunlight.

The spindly competing treeIhe COil iler have been re-

ved and recycled as f ir e-od, one of the benefit ... of ad annual pllln ing and thin-program.

Prun ing

II]"Leggy" rh!xlodendron

2 Bare earth because of exces-sive shade

3 Apple tree with top andground Slicker growth

5 Broken branches, suckergrowth6 Overcrowded treeRoses inappropriately lo-

cated 7 Con ifer too dose to house

I ' : : . : , .. .:.~. '.~'.:'. ; '_", .'. . . . . . : . : :. : .".'. ', .R eh ah i Iira t ed rhododendron 4 Open lawn

S Pruned oak 8 Conifer removed7 Tree retained

2 Ground cover3 Pruned apple tree 6 Tree removed 9 Firewood from trees thatwere removed

4 5


47/67

C O N S T R U C T I O N A N DP L A N T I N GWith careful planning, the con-struction process can he com-pletedwirh aminimum of diffi-culty. Construction, however,can result in environmentaldamage, especially erosion, ....i1-rarion, and soil compaction.Measures to protect soil, water,and plants should be taken be-fore construction begins.Consult the accompanyingchart to schedule work in thisst:lge.

Ii, :s: .1l . : .I",-prl l (l"(t inn( ) , t l t'mnU1 i l lD". ~~k~'lUl~. f.\{~:IIHIII.:!!-r.tdi'l~Q. liii~' ins.l:ltld~i~)11I l l , CU lK " : l l r l' O ( i n r .=~Ir~II . ! f 5 rl lk p i l, m t. :jJ Coirpt 'l Ii l1I - ~ P l ll n t fl t ." d : . u jl pn:p;lr,li"'11, .. , l ;l .\ I, n S


48/67

cross-section and the hackplan designed to improveclude many of the commonents of a restdenual land-

construction project.he existing property is vir-ly useless because the rela-ly steep slope precludeseational activity or outdoorhe landscape plan providesa wood deck contiguous tokitchen, a densely plantede down to a play lawn, andgetable garden.Landscape design requiresablllty to visualize not onlyat the completed construc-will look like but also however-changing landscapel appear 2, S, 10,or 20 yearse future.Good sketch plans, sections,

spective sketches, or mod-are the tools w e use to helpin this visualization.

S i t e b e f o r e C o n s t r u c t i o n

I ~:TCHG-t--J.~- -'~P l a n t o B eI m p l e m e n t e d

47


49/67

S t a k e o u t , G r a d in g , a n d C o n s t r u c t i o n_ j

F i e ld S t a k e o u tField layout and staking can hecritical. Where possible, useoffset stakes that can remain inplace during all phases of tilework. This will save agood dcalof time and ensure accuracy. Ifa transit is not available, make agiant triangle, using a 3.4.) ra-tio, for laying out right angles.Set grade stakes to indicate cutand fill depths. Use a long 2" x4" with a 4' level to find gradesfor proper drainage of smallareas. (Mtn imu m pitches =II.."1ft. for paving, I/~"/ft. forlawns.)

E x c a v a t i o n a n dG r a d i n gThe two most important issuesto keep in mind during excava-tion and grading deal with top-soil and compaction. The strip-ping and proper stockpiling oftopsoil, or the subsoil that canbe made into "topsoil" by add-ing amendments, are impor-tant.Avoiding soil compaction inareas to be planted and achiev-ing a high degree o f compactionin areas where paving, steps, or

48

walls are to be built are also ofmajor importance. Excessive orinsufficient compaction, de-pending on the situation, is oneof today's most prevalent con-struction problems. plants willnot grow on soil where air andmoisture cannot freely enter,and paving and other construc-tion wi IIalways crack and dete-riorate when settlement oc-curs. Avoid working with sui Iwhen it is very wet or frozen.Ileavy, wet soil can he virtuallydestroyed by compaction, andfrozen soi I wi II not compactproperly in areas where com-pact ion is needed.

IC tree roots must be cutduring trenching or grading,cut them cleanly with shears ora saw to facilitate healing.St rucmres a n dP a v i n gInclude proper footings, ex-pansion joint.,;, and weep holesto avoid common constructionproblems. All masonry wa lis(concrete block, stone, or brickwith mortar joints) require afooting that extends below themaximum depth of frost pene-tration in your area. Your Co-

.""i.

operative Extension agent orbuilding inspector can adviseyou on the proper depth. Thefooting, normallv concrete,must be placed on an undis-t u r h e d soil hase , and youshould not build walls that reston tilled ground.Remember that all outdoormateria Is contract and expandwith changes in temperature.Provide expansion joints every20 or 2'5 feet for both walls andpaving. This means that eachsection of wall or pavi ng shouldbe a totally separate piece ofconstruction, isolated hy a Hex-ihle joint filler for the full depthof the mason ry or concrete r n a -terial.The movement of suhsur-face water is one of the strong-est forces in nature. Unlessways are provided for water tomove through a retaining wall,the buildup of water pressurebehind the wall will eventuallypush the wall over. The provi-sion of 2-inch diameter weepholes, every 4 feet or closer, isrecommended for most retain-ing walls.

A good reason to use a dryretaining wall, or a wall builtwithout mortar joints, as shownin the drawings, i.o;that foot-

ings, expansion joints, andweep holes are not needed be-cause the wall is open-jointedand able to flex with movementcaused by frost and tempera-til rc change,

Much literature is availahleabout the types of paving andthe variety of avai lable textures,patterns, and color variations. Ifrunoff, drainage, and soil-wateravailabiltry to plants are of Con-cern, porous paving that per-mits water penetration is supe-rior to impervious types. Evenwhen installing porous pavingsuch as brick, stone, or precastconcrete on a sand bed, it is a d-visable to set forms to theproper line and grade to pro-vide continuous guidance foreach course of the work. A rub-her mallet is best for securelyplaci ng small stones or bricks.Porous asphaltic paving canhe used for driveways, parkingareas, and walks. Eliminationof sand from the asphal tic mixleaves "pore spaces," whichgive it the porous quality. A6 -or 8-inch-deep base of crushedstone or gravel provides a res-ervoir for the water that pene-trares the paving.


50/67

he most basic and most u n -ortarn component of a suc-ssful planting program i.~roper soil preparation. Evenith intensive maintenance,e best of plants will do poorlyithout the right growing me-ium. Both landscape contrac-rs and do-it-yourselfers areost likely to CUtcorners in theeas of soil preparation andgging plant pits of the properPlanting soil for most treesd shrubs should have goodater-holdmg capacity (addeat, compost, or humus) andod drainage qualities (sand).ery sandy soils will benefitom the addition of organicMost trees and sh rubs preferslig htly acid sol I; ericaceousoad- leafed evergreen shrubsd ground covers require a

more acid pH. Lawns do bestwith a nearly neutral pH (6.2-6.8), which C;In he achieved hyadding ground limestone ilhesoil is acid.

Your Cooperative Extensionagent can recommend locallyavailable soil amendments.The best way to prepareplant heds for small shrubs andground covers is to add the re-quired conditioning amend-ments and fertilizer, then digthe entire area a full shoveldepth, as you would a vegetablegarden, mixing all the ingredi-ents well. 1() avoid compaction,do not work in wet soils. Somelandscape contractors plantground cover after mulclung toavoid having to mulch betweeneach individual plant.Remember during allphases of the planting opera-tkm-s-digging, handling, heel-ing in, and planting-that you

are dealing with living orga-nisms that must be protectedfrom br e ak ing, drying out ,wind, sunburn, and overwatcr-ing. If p l an t s must remain u n -planted for more than a fewdays before planting, placethem in a shaded locat iun ,cover the roots with soil,leaves, or peat, and keep theroot ball and the br anchesmoist.Plant the largest trees first,followed by the next largest,and so on down to vines andground-cover plants so it willbe easier to make final adjust-ments in position.

Wait to put water in the plan!pits until after the plant is fullyplanted. A 2inchhigh ring ofsoil around the outer perime-ter of the plant pit is necessaryas a watering saucer, Mulch to adepth of about 2-3 inches(much deeper than this can

limit water and air penetr a-tion ). In areas prone to earlyfrosts ill fall or subject to ro-dent problems, keep the mulchat least 2 inches away from thestems of shrubs.Mulch newly seeded lawnareas with straw or hydro-mulch (a water-borne, fibrouspaper product) to prevent ero-sion and provide shade for thenew grass.Use commercial sod forlawns only if you intend to pro-vide the maintenance that willbe necessary to keep it in goodcondition. Sod must be usedwhen fresh, kept cool afterplacement by pertodic watersprinkling( even after deep wa-tering in hot weather), and pro-tected from foot traff c for atleast a mont h

4 9


51/67

BRICKU s ua l p atte rn s a re (1 ) r un nin g b on d. (2 )header , ell h ern ng bo n, an d (4) baske t-w eave . A . B rick 011 concre t e slab w ithmor t a r II . I lr ic k o n g ra v el b a se w ith sa ndo r s an d cem en t h ed and jo in ts . S w e ep dr jsand o r m ix in tu jo in ls.

P o r o u s S u r f a c e s

BR IC K O N SA NDBrick 011s and i s e x c el le n t pa l ' in l( fo r p a-l i o~ . wa l ks , an d l ig hl tr af fi c a re as . Edgesn ee d co ma in me nt. lise ,I rubbe r m alle i tofirm br i ck s . Till ' m a te ri al s a re r ('l at il 'e lyexpensive, a nd c ar efu l workmansh ip isr equired .

s o

T H E L A N D S C A P ED E S I G N V O C A B U L A R Y

CO NCR E T ES om e o f th e m any tex tu re s po ss ib le w ithconcrete a rc {l ) 1I0a l l in is h, (2 ) b ru on tf inish. (_ j ) p recas t , an d (o i ) e xp o se d ' ag -grega te fin is h. A . P ro vid e -i-tn ch -th lc ke xp an sio njo in ts e ve ry 20 [ ee l a nd a g a ins twa lk

R EIN FO R CE D T U RFP re ca st u nits w ith ln te rm ittru t openinl {Sp er nu t g ra ss g ro wlh. This su rfa ce is goodf or l ig h t t ra ff ic a r eas .

S TONES ton e paving ca n be S~ I i n v a ri ou s ways:(I) rectangular, (2) rut r ec tangula r .(3 ) grani le blo ck , o r (4 ) ran dom f i l led .A . Sto l le Ull c o n c r e t e base with mor t a r[oint s . R . S ton e on s and w i th g ra s s j oi nt s.

CO NCR E T EI N T E R L O C K I N G B R I C KO N SA NDC o nc r et e i n te r lo c k ing or ick li n sand isexce llen t fl l I' h e av y v e hi cu la r t r a f f i c loads ,II is r e la l ive ly inexpensive a nd e asv 10 lay,an d the c olo r c an be v a ri ed a s r eq u ir e d.

. " ' , " ~ " : " .~ ~ . - ; 1 1 .~ : : : . " I : ~ : .: . . . _ I _ . . ~ ; , _ II :P O RO U SO the r c ho ice s fo r p a red areas a re (J)w a te r- w or n p e bh le s, (2 ) woo d c h i p s , (3)saud , a nd (4 ) w o o d de ck ing . Advantageso f t he se m ate ria ls a re the i I' lo w CO S I an dporous sur face .

P OR O US A SP HA lTr\lthon!;h st i l l ill th e e x pe r im e n ta l s ta g e,th I~ mater ia l h as h ig h p ote ntia l fo r la rgesur face areas . It is hastcally th e s am e m aote ria l a s b la ck to p w ith ou : sa nd ,


52/67

r a d e C h a n g e s

O UN D C OV ER -reasonable maintenance,ground covers on slopeseper than 2:1 (2 feet hori-tally to 1 foot vert ically).ass can be easily maintainedslopes of 3:1or less. Locate ainage swale at the bottom ofslope where required.

P P ED P lA N T INGD S A ND WAU.Susing multiple small walls

d level changes, you canhieve inexpensive construc-a n d a n easy transition frome level to another. Haisednt beds are also easy to take

o f.

' : " . : " .. " . . . . .. . : ; ' ; : . . : _R IP -R A P

D R UST IC BA NKp-rap is steeply sloping stoneving. Rock garden plants andes can be planted in theA I: I slope b maximum.eating a rock garden effect,

ing big boulders and plants,stabilize the slope. Burystones more than halfway toe stability.

A" ' - I ~ ' j = r r ~' " " " 1 _ r ~ - : " r-_..._2 ~- r ' . : 7 : - - " ' . . ',. '~ ~-~.. . " ._ . : _ . . '__SfA I R S A N D lA N DIN G SBreak up long runs of stepswith landings. A 3-foot verticalclimb in a single run is a rec-ommended maximum. Do notjoin the adjacent paving to thesteps. Compact the soil beneaththe paving and steps and plan'footings ill 1Indisturbed soi I.

~.~~, .- _ , ~r i : . ; : , : 7 ' ~ ~ .: : ~ ': : . ~ ~ . ' , ' , : . : ' : : : lRAMPThi~ 1 ' :1111 [1 is the official maxi-mum handicapped access, Iinch of rise for every 12 inchesof horrzorual distance (or fi.3percent grade). A landing every30 lineal feet is required.

::.cr.-~~? ' 7 " : . . . ~ . . . . . . . . ". .~ ..~--,-~ .. ~.:....____::~RAMP SfA I R SRamp stairs are a comfortableand gradual way of makinggrade changes. Railroad ties orconcrete curbs work well.

61 ~~:: :~:0 1. .:.: 1 ." .: ... ; - ." . . : ..: / ' . : - . . . : _ . . . " . : . : - ._ < : . " . . . . . . . . I~:~~..SfEPPING STONESWhen an irregular sloping con-dition and low traffic permit,stepping stones can be used foran informal, flexible climb.

C u r b s a n d

C O NC R ET E C U RBC onc re te cu rb is su itab le pnm arilv fo rv e h ic u la r t ra f fi c .

T IM BE R C UR BTrea t ed t imber , w ith s te e l r e i n fo r c i n gpins t 'Very S fcc t. m ak es guod. rust lec u rb s o r w h cc ls to p s.

BR IC K C U RBBr i ck r u r b i n g w orks w ell fo r pede s t r i a nan d b i c y c l e con t ro l h ut n ot fu r c ars .

ST ON E C UR BS to ne c urb in g c an he ve ry goud and m oredu rab le than con c re te fo r m in o r traf ficareas ,

C O N C R ET E E D GIN G(I ln c re te e d gi ng isg oo d fo r p la nt p ro te c-tio n a nd m i n o r traffic cuu t ro l .

W OOD EDGE2" X 4 " tre a ted w ood cd g in l{ can h eused to se ra ra te m ater ia ls . S take ev ery 4feet .

BR IC K E D GE

STONE EDGEG ra n he b lo c k ur bleestone m ak es go odp la nt b ed e dg in g,

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r a d e C h a n g e s

O UND CO VER -W N SL OP Er reasonable maintenance,ground cover . .;on slopeseper than 2:1 (2 feet hori-tally to 1 foot vert ical l y ) .ass can be easily maintainedslopes of 3:1 or less. Locate a

swale at the bottom ofslope where required.

P PE D P lA N TIN GD S AND W A L L Susing multiple small wallsd level changes, you canhieve inexpensive construc-n and (Ineasy transltton frome level to another. Raisednt beds are also easy to takere of.

E R IP -R APD RU ST IC BANKp-rap is steeply sloping stoneving. Rock garden plants andes can be planted in the

A 1 : 1 slope is maximum.eating a rock garden effect,ing big boulders and plants,

stabilize the slope. Burystones more than halfway (0e stability.

ST A IR S AND LAND ING SBreak up long runs of stepswith landings. A 3-foot verticalclimb in a single run is a rec-ommended maximum. Do notjoin the adjacent paving to thesteps. Compact the soil beneaththe paving and steps and plan'footings ill 1I ndisturbed soil

RAMPThh r a m p i.~he official r na x i-mum handicapped access, Iinch of rise for every 12 inchesof horizontal distance (or 8.3percent grade). A landing every30 llneal feet is required.

R AM P S TAIR SR a m p stairs are a comfortableand gradual way of m a kt n ggrade changes. Railroad ties orconcrete curbs work well.

STE PP IN G ST ON ESWhen an irregular sloping coo-clition and low t raffic permit,stepping stones can be used foran informal, flexible climb.

C u r b s a n d

CO NCRETE CURBConc r e t e Cli rb is su ltab lc p r im ar ily fo rv e h ic u la r t ra ff ic ,

T IM BER CURBTrea t ed t imber , w ith s te e l re inforc in gp tn s lovery S l ee t , m a ke s g llo tl . r u s t l ecu rb s o r wheelstops,

BR IC K C UR BB rick cu rb in g w orks w ell fo r ped es trianand bicy cle co ntro l bu t no t fu r c a rs .

STO NE CURBS to ne cu rb ing can he v ery g oo d and m oredu rab le than C On cre te fo r m in or traf ficareas .

C ON CR ETE ED GIN Gfu ne re tl' e dg in g is g oo d fo r p la nt p ro te c-lio n a nd m in or tra ff ic c on tr ol.

WOOD EDGE

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Livable Landscape Design-1