April 18, 2006 CCP - Laserfiche WebLink

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To: Chuck Dillerud, Planner Planning Commission City Council City of Lake Elmo From: Kathy Widin Forestry Consultant kdwidin@comeast.net (651)777-5510 Ext.5507 Re: Discover Crossing, Planting Plan 4/11/06 I have reviewed the proposed planting plan (dated 3/24/06) which has been submitted for the Discover Crossing development, and have the following continents: 1. Design Concept There seems to be little in the way of design for this planting plan, possibly because the plan represents supplemental planting along the roadways in a development where there are already a number of existing trees. On such a site, informal, naturalistic plantings best complement the existing native woodland and planted evergreens and fruit trees. The plan is a bit confusing in that new trees are being placed in and among existing trees. The identification labeling of existing and proposed trees is often difficult to read. In a number of cases, the plan makes it look as if new trees are being planted in locations where there are already existing trees. Are the existing trees in these cases to be removed? Are existing trees being represented by smaller icons and then the larger circles represent their combined canopies? A plan legend which also contains identification of the icons for the different types of existing trees would be helpful. 2. Plant Species For the most part, species appear to be appropriate for the site. I have specific recommendations regarding some of the species or cultivars, however: a. `Patmore' green ash — the emerald ash borer is a serious insect pest in other Midwestern states. Minn. Dept. Agriculture anticipates its arrival in Minnesota in the next few years. I recommend limiting the number of ash in the plan to limit future damage to plantings. Substitute 1/3 to 1/2 of the proposed ash with a mix of other species such as hackberry, river birch, `Whitespire' birch, ironwood, disease -resistant elms, or bicolor oak.