Design Elements — Street Trees
Street trees greatly enhance the attractiveness and appeal of a residential development, contribute to community character, provide shade and a pedestrian scale, and provide environmental benefits. Street tree plantings can be comprised of existing non-invasive healthy trees, new plantings, or a combination of both.
Ordinance Considerations
Requirements for street trees should be included in the subdivision and land development ordinance and should apply to all types of subdivisions. Requiring the right types of trees and appropriate spacing between trees during the plan review stage is important to avoid fixing costly mistakes at a later date. The use of native species should be encouraged, if not required, and multiple tree species should be required to enhance biodiversity, provide resiliency against disease, and to add seasonal interest. If street trees are proposed in locations adjacent to on-street parking, on-street parking stalls should be located in such a way that open car doors will not hit the street trees.
Sample Ordinance Language
- Street trees shall be planted along both sides of proposed streets where there are no existing shade trees and along the adjacent side of existing streets.
- Street trees shall be located between the edge of the cartway and the right-of-way but shall be located so as not to interfere with the installation and maintenance of sidewalks and utilities.
- At intersections, trees shall be located no closer than thirty (30) feet from the intersection of street right-of-way lines. Clear sight distances required by Section shall be maintained.
- Street trees shall be planted at intervals of not more than forty (40) feet and shall not be planted opposite each other, but shall alternate. Existing trees located between the cartway and right-of-way with a minimum caliper of two and one-half (2.5) inches may be included in this calculation if approved by the municipality. Existing trees to be preserved shall be protected during the construction phase in accordance with Section (Tree Protection Standards).
- Trees to be installed shall be a minimum two and one- half (2.5) inches caliper.
- Trees shall be resistant to salt and de-icing compounds, not subject to disease or blight, able to withstand concentrated heat from large paved surfaces, and have deep root systems to prevent cracked pavements and sidewalks. Proposed street trees may be chosen from the deciduous tree list in Appendix . Trees of the same general character and growth habit may be permitted if approved by the municipality. The use of the native species denoted in Appendix is strongly encouraged.
- Trees shall conform with the American Standard for Nursery Stock (ANSIZ60-2014 or the most current version)
Example Street Tree List
West Whiteland Township's Recommended Plant Species list includes several varieties of trees well-suited to the cultural requirements of street trees like salt tolerance and tolerance of compacted soils.
