Charlottesville’s Tree Packet Prepared: January 18th, 2007 Updated October 2016 “The best friend on earth of man is the tree. When we use the tree respectfully and economically, we have one of the greatest resources of the earth.” —Frank Lloyd Wright Included Items: I. General Tree Planting Tips II. Master Tree List Large Deciduous Trees (60’ - 80’) Medium Deciduous Trees (40’ - 60’) Small Deciduous Trees (20’ - 40’) Ornamental Trees (20’ - 40’) Small Ornamental Trees ( 10’ - 20’) Broadleaved Evergreens and Ornamental Conifers (20’ - 70’) Broadleaved Evergreen/Semi-Evergreen Shrubs (3’ - 15’) Deciduous Shrubs (3’ - 30’) Trees recommended for use under utility lines Trees not recommended for planting **Disclaimer** The following list is not to be considered as comprehensive. The trees listed are merely suggestions to the types and species of trees that the City of Charlottesville would endorse. Due to the constant evolution of the industry, new species and varietals may be introduced to the recommended list while others are removed. Nature is not static; therefore neither is this list, changes will have to be made continually to reflect this evolving aspect. This packet is to serve as a guide, nothing more, and nothing less. * This document can be found at www.charlottesville.org in the Neighborhood Develop- ment Services Department under other Permits and Forms titled Master Tree List TREE PLANTING TIPS Trees in urban settings such as Charlottesville can survive, if provided an adequate environment. One of the ways in which, we can keep our trees healthy and alive is to provide them enough soil and room to grow. Often times in dense cities, trees are not provided sufficient space to spread their roots, ultimately leading to the death of the tree. In an effort to minimize these common pitfalls, we have provided some simple tips below. OPTIMAL PLANTING TIME The ideal time to plant trees and shrubs is during the dormant season—in the fall after leaf drop or early spring before budbreak. “RIGHT TREE, RIGHT PLACE” Planting tall-growing trees under and near power lines eventually requires pruning maintenance for safe clearance from wires. Pruning may result in the tree having an unnatural appearance. Periodic pruning can also lead to a shortened life span for the tree. Trees that must be pruned away from power lines are under greater stress and are more susceptible to insects and disease. Small, immature trees planted today can become problem trees in the future SOIL VOLUME: “ROOM to GROW” It is recommended that you follow the chart to the right for soil volume calculations. First, know the type of soil that you are dealing with. Soil samples are needed, which can be adminis- tered locally, or through private entities. Using less soil than recommended prevents the tree from reaching its full height and would result in the decline of the tree’s health. Also, leav- ing enough room for the crown spread by following the soil volume chart ensures that the tree will have enough room to grow without disturbing a nearby sidewalk, street, or structure. A tree’s health is directly contingent upon the amount of soil it is provided and the amount of room that is given to grow. (James Urban; “Bringing Order to the Technical Dysfunction Within the Urban Forest.” Reprinted from the Journal of Arboriculture 18 (2): March 1992) DDITIONAL UGGESTIONS A S • Planting evergreen trees on the west or north side of the house, approximately 50 feet (15 meters) or more from the house can serve as windbreaks. • Planting deciduous trees (those that drop their leaves in the fall) on the south and/or west side of the house act as a cooling feature in the summer • It is recommended that one buy from a nursery that is a certified supplier. Preferably from the Virginia association of Nurseries or VNLA (www.vnla.org) and ANLA (American Nursery and Landscape Association; www.anla.org) • For a tutorial on how to buy high quality trees visit www.treesaregood.com. Know your Soils! Hardiness Zone for Charlottesville (7) References: * Dicke, Stephen G. “Preserving Trees in Construction Sites.” Mississippi State University Extension Service. www.msucares.com 2004. * Dirr, Michael. Manuel of Woody Landscape Plants (Third Edition) * National Arbor Day Foundation * Nelson, Brent. County of Albemarle’s Tree List. * Tim Hughes, City of Charlottesville Arborist. * Urban, James. “Growing the Urban Forest.” City of Toronto, Tree Symposium: Healthy Trees for a Beautiful City. * www.anla.org [american Nursery and Landscape as soc.] * http://www.ext.vt.edu/ [Va. Co-op extension; Va. Tech] * www.treesaregood.com * www.vnla.org [Va. nursery and lanscape assoc.] WHERE to PLANT TALL TREES (TALL ZONE) WHERE to PLANT LOW-CANOPY TREES/ SHRUBS (LOW ZONE) Trees that grow as tall as 60 feet (20 meters) are rec- This zone extends 15 feet (4.5 ommended for use in the area marked as the tall zone. meters) on either side of the wires. Plant large trees at least 35 feet (11 meters) away Trees with a mature height of less from the house for proper root development and to than 20 feet (6 meters) may be minimize damage to the house or building. These planted anywhere within this zone, large-growing trees are also recommended for streets including street tree plantings under without overhead restrictions. (Please refer to Zoning utility lines. Such trees are also Ordinance for specifics.) recommended when the growing It is advised that, street planting sites must also have space is limited. These trees are ap- wide planting areas or medians [greater than 8 feet propriate as well for narrow plant- (3 meters)] that allow for a large root system, trunk ing areas [less than 4 feet (1 meter) diameter, and root flare. Please refer to Zoning Ordi- wide]; planting squares or circles nance for specifics. surrounded by concrete; large, Large trees are also recommended for parks, mead- raised planting containers; or other ows, or other open areas where their large size, both locations where underground space above and below ground, will not be restricted, cause for roots will not support tall- or damage, or become a liability. medium-zone trees. WHERE to PLANT MEDIUM SIZED TREES (MEDIUM ZONE) Trees that grow up to 40 feet (12 meters) tall can be used to decorate or frame your house or provide a park-like setting. Medium-sized trees are also recommended for planting anywhere the available above and below ground growing space will al- low them to reach a mature height of 30 to 40 feet (10 to 12 meters). Appropriate soil spaces are wide planting areas or medians [4 to 8 feet (1 to 3 me- ters) wide], large planting squares [8 feet (3 meters) square or greater], and other open areas of similar size or larger. (Please refer to Zoning Ordinance for specifics.) Proper Tree Maintenance Root Systems Pruning Benefits Pruning trees removes unnecessary growth without the lifelong problems that topping creates. Typical pruning should only consist of dead, broken, or diseased branches. Topping a tree is considered by many arborists, the worst thing that you could do for the health of a tree. The act of topping makes the tree more susceptible to in- • Tree root systems can spread 2 – 3 times wider than the height of sects and diesease and it reduces its food-making capibilities. the tree. Roots will grow where moisture and oxygen are available. As a result, most of the tree’s fine absorbing roots are in the top 12 • For most deciduous (broadleaf) trees, don’t prune up from the inches of the soil. Water should be applied within the dripline of the bottom any more than ⅓ of the tree’s total height. tree (the Critical Root Zone in the box above). Large Limbs: A: Because roots need oxygen, they don’t normally A: Make a partial cut from beneath. grow in the compacted oxygen-poor soil under B: Make a second cut from above several inches out and allow paved streets. the limb to fall. B: The framework of major roots usually lies less than 8 to 12 C: Complete the job with a final cut just outside the branch inches below the surface. collar. C: Roots often grow outward to a diameter one to two times the height of the trees. Small Branches: Make a sharp clean cut, just beyond a lateral bud or other branch. WATER Water deeply and slowly. Ideally you want to saturate the first inch of soil every 7-10 days. It’s Deep Crotching: “1/4 and 1/3 Rule”: important to water slowly, so the water is able to • Never remove more than ¼ of a tree’s crown in a completely infiltrate down to the tree’s root system. season. Watering for short periods of time will only encourage • Where possible, try to encourage side branches shallow root development, which can actually lead to that form angles that are ⅓ of vertical (10:00 more severe drought damage. Apply water so it moist- or 2:00 positions). ens the critical root zone to a depth of 12 inches. • For most species, the tree should have a single trunk; check to be sure. • Ideally, main side branches should be at least ⅓ smaller than the diameter of the trunk. • If removal of a main branch is necessary, cut it back to where it is attached to another large branch or the trunk. Do not truncate or leave a stub. Proper Tree Planting Charlottesville's Master Tree List City regulation requires 2" minimum caliper Total 10/2016 Botanical Name Common Name Min. Caliper Height of Growth Height in Ratio of Total Width Urban or Height Planting over 10 10 Years X Width to in 10 years Area of Canopy Tolerance (Min.