Adopt best practices for urban tree planting/quality; require them in private developments and/or use them in at least one development project.
Best Practice of this action
Rating Guideline
 |
Adopt MN DNR Planting Guidelines; develop and adopt a young tree establishment plan incorporating regular watering and young tree structural pruning; require MN Stormwater Manual tree design guidelines for city projects; require ANSI Z60.1 for plant nursery or contractor purchased tree stock; report use of compost as a soil amendment or mulch made of an organic material to mitigate soil compaction. |
 |
Use guidelines in at least one city development project; use a gravel-bed tree nursery; assess the performance of tree trenches and tree boxes; adopt storm response plan and prevention best practices. |
 |
Incorporate adopted tree planting best practices, tree preservation, or heritage tree preservation in development ordinances; show with data that 'plant once' practices are decreasing the number of dying boulevard trees that must be replanted. |
Resources
- The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources provides guidance for planting trees and seedlings (PDFs and videos).
- On the GreenStep model ordinances page the Model Landscape Ordinance for a Municipal Zoning Code covers key best practices for private landscaping and construction projects. One design practice Eagan requires is that sites adding 10,000 sq. ft. or more of disturbed/graded/compacted soils must assure 5% organic matter remains, typically by adding compost so the soils allow water infiltration.
- The Minnesota Stormwater Manual has design guidelines for tree quality and planting (tree trenches and tree boxes) as well as methods for assessing their ecologic performance. Note on this page, under design guidelines for soil characteristics (under bioretention soil mixes) that MnDOT compost specification 3890 (p. 715) is recommended.
- American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) sets nursery stock standards that result in healthy tree stock to be planted in the landscape. This is a minimum standard that stock should meet.
- City Trees: Sustainability Guidelines & Best Practices (MN Tree Trust, Bonestroo: 2007) were specifically developed to work in conjunction with and build on the MN Green Communities Criteria and the accompanying Minnesota Overlay.
- Trees grown in a gravel-bed nursery cost less and have better root systems that are more likely to survive transplanting. Learn about Hennepin County's experience.
- Appropriately placed and maintained trees can help reduce damage to structures in storms by deflecting wind, and reduce damage to trees. Actions in the weeks and years following a strong storm can help bring damaged trees back to health. See Storm damage prevention and treatment best practices (University of Florida, 2020).
- Having a storm response plan in place for your community must include the clearing of emergency routes, understanding of roles and how you as a community may work with FEMA, and where large amounts of woody debris may be stored short-term to clear needed roadways. The Forest Service has a number of resources and webinars here.
Order Number
2
Action Type
Finite