Unless otherwise specified, all landscape materials shall comply with the following standards.
(A) Plant quality. Plant materials used in compliance with the provisions of this chapter shall be nursery grown, free of pests and diseases, hardy in central Michigan, in conformance with the standards of the American Association of Nurserymen, and shall have passed inspections required under state regulations.
(B) Non-living plant material. Plastic and other non-living plant materials shall not be considered acceptable to meet the landscaping requirements of this chapter.
(C) Plant material specifications. Use of native plant species to comply with landscaping requirements is encouraged so as to preserve the diversity and health of Michigan's unique natural heritage. Lists of native wildflowers, ferns, trees, shrubs and vines, and grasses, sedges and rushes are available at the Township Hall. The following specifications shall apply to all plant material proposed in accordance with the landscaping requirements of this chapter:
(1) Deciduous shade trees. Deciduous shade trees shall be a minimum of two and one-half inches in caliper measured 12 inches above grade with the first branch a minimum of four feet above grade when planted.
(2) Deciduous ornamental trees. Deciduous ornamental trees shall be a minimum of one and one-half inches in caliper measured six inches above grade with a minimum height of four feet above grade when planted.
(3) Evergreen trees. Evergreen trees shall be a minimum of five feet in height when planted. Furthermore, evergreen trees shall have a minimum spread of two and one-half feet, and the size of the burlapped root ball shall be at least ten times the caliper measured six inches above grade.
(4) Shrubs. Shrubs shall be a minimum of two feet in height when planted. Low growing shrubs shall have a minimum spread of 24 inches when planted.
(5) Hedges. Hedges shall be planted and maintained so as to form a continuous, unbroken, visual screen within two years after planting, barring unusual growing conditions, such as drought or disease. Hedges shall be a minimum of two feet in height when planted.
(6) Ground cover. Ground cover used in lieu of turf grasses in whole or in part shall be planted in such a manner as to present a finished appearance and reasonably complete coverage after one complete growing season.
(7) Grass. Grass area shall be planted using species normally grown as permanent lawns in central Michigan. Grass, sod and seed shall be clean and free of weeds, pests and diseases. Grass may be sodded, plugged, sprigged or seeded. When grass is to be established by a method other than complete sodding or seeding, nurse grass seed shall be sown for immediate effect and protection until complete coverage is otherwise achieved. Straw or other mulch shall be used to protect newly seeded areas.
(8) Mulch. Mulch used around trees, shrubs and vines shall be a minimum of three inches deep and installed in a manner as to present a finished appearance.
(9) Undesirable plant material. Use of plant materials that cause disruption to storm drainage or that are susceptible to pests or disease is not encouraged. The following plant materials exhibit such characteristics, and therefore their use is not encouraged in the township:
Summary of Plant Material Specifications [1] |
Minimum Caliper | Minimum Height | Minimum Spread | Minimum Length |
Deciduous trees | 2-1/2 in.[2] | 4 ft. first branch | -- | -- |
Ornamental trees | 1-1/2 in.[3] | 4 ft. first branch | -- | -- |
Evergreen trees | -- | 5 ft. | 2-1/2 ft. | -- |
Shrubs | -- | 2 ft. | 2 ft. | -- |
Hedges | -- | 2 ft. | -- | -- |
Notes to Table |
[1] See § 156.088 for detailed requirements. |
[2] Measured 12 inches above grade. |
[3] Measured 6 inches above grade. |
(Ord., § 5.04, passed - -)
