§ 1202. Definitions.

The definitions of this section shall apply to all divisions of this article.

ANSI 300 standards: The generally accepted (consensus) industry standards for tree care practices, developed by the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) and written by a committee called the Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) A300. These standards are based on current research and sound practice for writing specifications to manage trees, shrubs, and other woody plants.

Caliper: The diameter of a tree (usually nursery stock) measured at a point six inches above the ground or top of root ball for up to and including four-inch caliper trees, and at a point 12 inches above the ground or top of root ball for larger sizes. For purposes of measuring tree density of existing trees, caliper is measured four feet above the ground.

Critical root zone: The minimum area beneath a tree that must be left undisturbed in order to preserve a sufficient root mass to give a tree a reasonable chance of survival. The critical root zone (CRZ) will typically be represented by a concentric circle centered on the tree's trunk with a radius equal in feet to one times the number of inches of the trunk diameter. Example: The CRZ radius of a 20-inch diameter tree is 20 feet.

Deciduous: A perennial plant with foliage that is cast off annually.

Diameter breast height (DBH): The diameter of a tree trunk measured at a height of four and one-half feet above the ground. If a tree splits into multiple trunks below four and one-half feet, the trunk is measured at its most narrow point beneath the split.

Drip line: A perimeter formed by the points farthest away from the trunk of a tree where precipitation falling from the branches of that tree lands on the ground.

Evergreen: A plant with foliage that is retained and remains green year-round.

Ground cover: A low growing plant, other than turf grass, which forms a continuous cover over the ground surface.

Hardwood tree: Any tree that is not coniferous (cone bearing). This definition is based on the colloquialism, and does not necessarily reflect any true qualities of the tree.

Landscape plan: A graphic and written document containing criteria, specifications and detailed plans to arrange and modify the effects of natural features. A landscape plan consists of a site plan showing the boundaries of the property and the location of proposed plant materials, in relation to surroundings and improvements, along with a planting schedule and any additional specifications required by the department of public development.

Landscaped open space: That portion of a given lot, not covered by buildings, parking, access and service areas, or detention ponds, that is designed to enhance privacy and the amenity of the development by providing open spaces and/or landscaping features, screening and buffering for the benefit of the occupants or those in neighboring areas, or a general appearance of openness. Landscaped open space may include, but need not be limited to, grass lawns, decorative planting, berms, walls and fences, pervious walkways, ornamental objects such as fountains, statues and other similar natural and man-made objects, wooded areas, and water courses, any or all of which are designed and arranged to produce an aesthetically pleasing effect within the development.

Landscaping: Shrubs, vines, turf, ground cover and other landscape materials which are utilized to enhance the aesthetic and functional qualities of a site.

Opaque: Impenetrable to view.

Overstory tree: Any deciduous or evergreen tree that has the potential to grow to a mature height of 40 feet or more.

Parking screen: A continuous hedge of evergreen shrubs attaining a height of at least three feet above grade.

Replacement tree: A tree planted on a site to meet minimum site density factor requirements of this UDC.

Screening: An opaque visual screen with a height of at least six feet.

Shrub: A self-supporting woody plant that normally reaches a height of less than 15 feet.

Structural buffer: A visual screen created through construction of a solid wooden fence, decorative masonry wall, earthen berm, or combination of fence or wall with an earthen berm, which may be supplemented with vegetation, so as to present an opaque visual separation when viewed from one side to the other throughout the year.

Tree: Any living, self-supporting woody perennial plant which normally obtains a trunk diameter of at least two inches and a height of at least ten feet, and typically has one main stem or trunk and many branches.

Tree protection area: An area designated for the purpose of saving natural trees, preserving the root system of natural trees and/or preserving natural buffers; tree protection areas include the critical root zones of all trees to be protected, as well as the above-ground portions of the trees.

Tree unit value: A unit of measure assigned to a particular tree based on the diameter breast height or caliper of the tree trunk. One tree unit is not necessarily equivalent to one tree.

Turf: Ground cover composed of one or more species of perennial grass that is grown as a permanent lawn.

Xeriscaping: Landscaping characterized by the use of vegetation that is drought-tolerant or low water use.

(Ord. No. 17-003 , § 1, 10-2-2017)