City of Northfield - Procedures | Landscaping and Shade Trees

Landscaping and Shade Trees

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Shade and ornamental trees, shrubbery, and other plants to be used for landscaping shall be supplied and installed according to the specifications contained herein. All planting, clearing, selective thinning, topsoiling, seeding and other landscaping work shall conform to the applicable requirements of the Standard Specifications.

(1)

Shade trees shall be of a type and size and in locations approved by the municipal agency and shall be planted according to its specifications. All such trees must meet the minimum standards of the American Nursery and Landscape Association.

(2)

A list of approved and appropriate species of trees and ground covers may be obtained from the Cape Atlantic Conservation District.

(3)

As far as possible, each street block in a subdivision shall be confined to one variety or varieties that exhibit similar crown shapes at maturity and have similar growth rates. It is desirable that the other neighboring street blocks differ in the variety used.

(4)

Trees shall not be less than two-inch to two-and-one-half-inch caliper, measured 12 inches above the butt and not less than 12 feet high. They must be well branched, the branches to start not less than six feet from the crown of the root system.

(5)

When authorized by the municipal agency, ornamental trees may be planted instead of shade trees. They may be of a smaller size than shade varieties.

(a)

These trees shall be not less than 1 3/4 inch caliper, measured 12 inches above the butt, nor less than eight feet high.

(b)

They must be well branched, the branches to start not less than three feet from the crown of the root system.

(6)

All trees must be planted in the location approved by the municipal agency.

(a)

Large-growing shade trees shall be located not closer than five feet to the edge of the existing or future sidewalks on the property owner's side adjacent thereto, in a place which shall not interfere with utilities.

(b)

Trees are to be no less than 25 feet from intercepting curbs at street corners and not more than 30 feet apart.

(c)

Excavations for planting must be not less than 18 inches deep and not less than 30 inches in diameter. A seepage area shall be provided by loosening the soil to a depth of one foot below the excavation.

(d)

Planting soil shall be composed of one part peat, one part humus and one part of parent soil (all mixed thoroughly), to which shall be added and mixed in two pounds of bone meal or its equivalent.

(e)

Each tree shall be given a minimum of five gallons of water at the time of planting.

(f)

Staking and guying for trees subject to this chapter shall be white or red cedar, oak, or locust treated with an acceptable wood preservative, and must be five feet above ground and not less than two inches in diameter.

[1]

At least two stakes must be driven securely into the ground, one preferably on the northwest side of the tree trunk and at least one opposite.

[2]

Trees shall be guyed with wire padded with rubber hose or plastic.

(7)

Removal of all planting debris is required. The property must be left in a neat and orderly condition in accordance with good and accepted planting practices.

(8)

Notice must be given to the City Engineer three days prior to the start of planting in order that the Engineer may inspect the stock for variety, condition, size, and quality. All work shall be in accordance with specifications of the municipal agency and City Engineer.

(9)

The varieties or species of shrubbery and other plants selected for landscaping and screening shall be subject to the approval of the municipal agency. Evergreen plantings may be interspersed with or placed with appropriate deciduous plantings.

(10)

All plantings must be at least the maximum mature plant distance from the foundation, wall or fence, but not less than two feet therefrom.

(a)

One evergreen is required for each five feet of the foundation wall or fence, including side surfaces or projecting porches or steps.

(b)

Rear exposure may be exempted under circumstances as determined by the municipal agency.

(c)

Varieties will be selected and specified as appropriate to sun and wind exposures and will be suitable in mature size for the location to be planted.

(d)

Excavations for each plant shall comply with the Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, as amended.

(11)

Planting soil in the excavation shall comply with the Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, as amended. Fertilizer should be applied in an amount in conformance with said specifications.

(12)

There shall be no pieces or chunks of plaster, mortar, or other lime containing material, or loose lime around foundation plantings or other planting areas.

(13)

Each evergreen and deciduous shrub planted shall be mulched with clear hardwood chips or ground pine bark or other material approved by the municipal agency, four inches deep out to the branch tips, within two days after planting.

A developer shall not be permitted to excavate land or remove trees, shrubs, and other plantings from a proposed building site or tract of land to be subdivided, or other undeveloped land on which an application is pending before the municipal agency, until a landscaping plan has been approved by the municipal agency, except that 10% of the trees and plantings of any tract may be removed to facilitate preliminary engineering associated with an application by the developer to the Planning Board.

Applicants or developers of any tract of land or building site shall be required to post a performance bond to cover the cost of the landscaping.

(1)

The amount of the performance bond shall be set by the City Engineer with the advice of the municipal agency, and posted with the City Council.

(2)

It shall be posted before a certificate of occupancy is issued and shall be released only after expiration of a twelve-month period following certification by the City Engineer and municipal agency that the total landscaping plan has been completed.

(3)

A certificate of occupancy shall not be issued by the Building Inspector until all requirements of this chapter have been met.

Landscaped areas and sections, including trees, shrubbery, fences, and the grounds in and surrounding these sections, shall be properly maintained throughout the twelve-month period following certification, with recourse by the City to the performance bond in the event of default by the developer or owner. All plantings which fail to survive for a period of 12 months following certification shall be replaced by the developer at no cost or expense to the City or the municipal agency. Such replacement shall be made within 60 days following written demand for such replacement from the municipal agency, or within such extended periods as may be specified. If the developer refuses to do so, the City shall have recourse to the performance bond to remedy his default.

All trees, shrubbery, and other plants which fail to survive for a period of 12 months following certification shall be replaced by the builder at no cost or expense to the City or the municipal agency. Said replacement shall be made within 60 days following written demand for such replacement from the municipal agency, or within such extended periods as may be specified.

The municipal agency, after favorable recommendation by the City Engineer, and after examination and review, may waive, fully or partially, provisions of this section in heavily wooded areas, in areas unsuitable for plantings or because of other exceptional conditions, and/or may require supplementary plantings.

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City of Northfield, NJ

MapLink™ | Procedures | Landscaping and Shade Trees