Sec. 24-88

Landscaping & trees

• Mature tree preservation required

  Existing mature trees shall be preserved except in impervious areas and impervious cover shall be limited to the extent permitted in the county's Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance.

• Specimen tree preservation required

  Existing mature and specimen trees shall be integrated into the overall plan of development and shall be preserved so as to promote the intent of this section.

• Tree protection conservation checklist required

  The applicant shall include a conservation checklist for review and approval by the engineering and resource protection director which shall ensure that the specified trees will be protected in accordance with these specifications.

• Tree protection developer responsibility

  The developer shall be responsible for ensuring these areas are protected in accordance with this section. Where changes from the existing natural grade level are necessary, permanent protective structures, such as tree walls or wells, shall be properly installed in accordance with the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook, as required by the engineering and resource protection director.

• Tree protection fence required

  Trees and groups of trees to be preserved shall be enclosed by a substantial, temporary fence or barrier as specified by the engineering and resource protection director. The location, type, and installation standards for protective tree fencing shall be clearly shown on the site plan. The fence or barrier shall be located and maintained outside the dripline before commencement of clearing or grading. The fencing or barrier shall remain throughout construction and any subsequent grading or excavation unless otherwise approved on a clearing and grading plan. In no case shall materials, debris, fill, vehicles or equipment be stored within this enclosure, nor shall the topsoil layer be disturbed except in accordance with tree protection standards approved as part of the conservation checklist.

• Tree protection group preservation preferred

  Groups of trees shall be preserved rather than single trees. Trees or groups of trees to be preserved shall be clearly marked in the field.

• Tree removal restriction

  Outside impervious areas, trees may be removed in accordance with sections 24-98(f)(2) and (3).