1. What is the preferred way to communicate the existing conditions information?
   The existing conditions plan information may be combined with the Tree & Vegetation Survey Plan OR provided as a separate plan.
2. I am preparing a Grading Plan application where only one new tree is needed to satisfy the crown coverage requirements. Does the proposed landscape plan still need to be prepared by a licensed Landscape Architect?
   Yes.
3. Which professional is responsible for preparation and certification of the Invasive Species Removal Management Plan?
   An Arborist professionally certified by the International Society of Arboriculture, or professionally registered with the American Society for Consulting Arborists, OR a Certified Ecologist must prepare the Invasive Species Removal and Management Plan.
4. If the scope of work includes only a portion of a site and not the entire site, does the tree inventory have to include trees located within the entire site and 15-feet from the property line?
   In cases where the scope includes only a portion of the property: 1) For the purpose of determining the location of tree protection fencing, the tree inventory should account for all existing trees located inside, or within 15-feet, of the Limits of Disturbance (LOD). 2) For purposes of calculating crown coverage, the tree inventory should account for all existing trees to remain and to be removed on the site.
5. Does the extent of the critical root zone for individual trees and/or groups of trees need to be shown for trees that are to be removed?
   No.
6. Does the existing grade elevation at the base of the tree trunk and at the edge of the critical root zone of the tree need to be surveyed?
   The existing grade elevation at the base of the trunk and at the edge of the critical root zone may be interpolated for existing trees to be saved (information is not necessary for existing trees to be removed).
7. The standard reads, "Survey information is to include individual plants or groups of listed invasive species as listed within Chapter 6." What if there are no existing invasive species on-site?
   If no existing invasive species are identified, provide a statement on the Tree and Vegetation Survey sheet that indicates no invasive species exist on the site at the time the survey was completed (list the date; Month Day, 20XX).
8. The standard reads, "Where it is impractical to provide a protection zone at the limits of the CRZ and the project arborist determines that the tree is likely to survive construction activity and disturbance, the tree protection zone shall be no less than 8 feet from the vegetation to be protected." Does this 8 foot standard apply to street trees to be saved?
   Tree protection fencing for street trees to be saved should be maximized to the extent practical without precluding use of the adjacent sidewalk and/or street. At a minimum, tree protection fencing shall be provided at the limits of the existing tree well for street trees to be saved.
9. What is the procedure for notifying the neighboring property owner when the neighboring property is owned of the City?
   When development proposes disturbance within the CRZ of existing vegetation that is owned by the City, the P&Z plan reviewer will notify the City Arborist. Additional coordination, including discussion, site visits, and/or requests for additional information, between the applicant, the P&Z plan reviewer and the City Arborist may be necessary prior to approval of the plans
10. Is the canopy coverage for existing trees based on the City-assigned crown coverage allowance for the tree, or calculated per the surveyed crown coverage area?
    The surveyed crown cover area should be used for the purposes of calculating the crown coverage of existing trees.
11. Can the crown cover of existing, invasive trees count toward the project's crown cover requirement?
    No. Invasive species should be removed.
12. The standard reads, "Trees and shrubs used solely within stormwater BMP facilities are not required to meet the diversity standards of Chapter 3. However, BMP plant material should strive to meet the standards to the maximum extent practical." Does this exclusion apply to plants proposed in an RPA?
    No. Plant material proposed within an RPA must meet the diversity standards of Chapter 3.
13. The standard reads, "One street tree is required for every thirty (30) feet of lot frontage along the public right of way…" Is this standard cumulative of the total lot frontage, or per frontage?
    One street tree is required for every cumulative 30 feet of lot frontage. However, street trees shall be spaced a minimum of every twenty-five (25) linear feet and a maximum of every thirty (30) linear feet (specified on-center, O.C.).
14. Do the at-grade soil volume and depth standards apply to BMP tree wells?
    Refer to the City's Green Street BMP Design Guidelines for minimum soil volume and depth requirements of BMP tree wells.
15. My project was submitted/approved by City Council prior to adoption of the 2019 Landscape Guidelines and is currently in Final Site Plan review. Can I apply the new 2019 crown cover and soil volume/depth standards for trees on structure?
    Yes, only if the project complies with the entirety of the 2019 Landscape Guidelines. Applicants may not mix and match standards from the 2007 Landscape Guidelines and the 2019 Landscape Guidelines on one project.
16. Is a soil sample test report that documents the existing soil pH really required at Completeness?
    Since trees, shrubs, ground covers and perennials are specified at the Completeness stage, the intent of the soil sample test is to verify that the plants specified are appropriate for the existing soil pH. For projects where the soil is imported and in special circumstances, such as highly urban sites where a soil sample is inaccessible, staff will include a recommended condition of approval in the DSP/DSUP that requires submission of a soil sample test documenting the pH prior to the request for a Certificate of Occupancy.

17. Natural Restoration and Natural Area Preservation
    Please note that the Landscape Guidelines are intended to be utilized primarily in cultivated landscapes. In cases of the restoration of natural areas, native systems, or similar efforts particularly by or on the part of the City, please refer to the latest planting guidelines from the Natural Resources Division of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA) of the City of Alexandria.

The following links represent the minimum external reference standards for landscape plan submissions to the City of Alexandria:

• American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
• American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
• American Standard for Nursery Stock by AmericanHort (previously American Nursery and Landscape Association)
• Landscape Contractors Association of MD, DC, and VA
• National Park Service Preservation Brief 36 – Cultural Landscapes
• Virginia Stormwater BMP Clearinghouse
• Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP) Regulations

The linked landscape details include the minimum requirements for plant construction details on development plans. The details required for an individual project may vary depending on the type of project and site conditions:

• Deciduous Tree Planting
• Evergreen Tree Planting
• Multi-stem Tree Planting
• Tree Planting on Slope
• Street Tree Planting Well 
• Tree Planting Strip
• Continuous Soil Panel
• Street Tree Well with Granite Block
• Shrub Planting
• Shrub Planting on Slope
• Groundcover & Perennial Planting
• Groundcover & Perennial Planting on Slope
• Determining Critical Root Zone
• Tree Protection Fence
• Root Pruning 

The following notes shall be provided on landscape plan submissions for all projects that require approval by the City as outlined in chapter 3 of the City's 2019 Landscape Guidelines:

1. The property owner and/or applicant, specifier, contractor and installer of plant material are responsible for understanding and adhering to the standards set forth in the most recent version of the city of Alexandria Landscape Guidelines and applicable conditions of approval. All questions regarding application of, or adherence to, the standards and/or conditions of approval shall be directed to the city prior to commencement of demolition, construction, or any land disturbing activity.
2. The City-approved city-approved landscape plan submission, including plant schedule, notes and details shall be the document used for installation purposes and all procedures set forth in the landscape guidelines must be followed.  
3. The contractor contractor shall not interfere with any tree protection measures or impact any existing vegetation identified to be preserved per the approved tree and vegetation protection plan. 
4. Any changes, alterations or modifications to the site conditions that affect vegetation protection zones will require an amendment to the approved tree and vegetation protection plan and/or details. 
5. Installation of plant material may only occur during the planting seasons identified in the landscape guidelines.
6. In lieu of more strenuous specifications, all landscape related work shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the current and most up-to-date edition (at time of construction) of Landscape Specification Guidelines as produced by the Landscape Contractors Association of Maryland, District of Columbia and Virginia; Gaithersburg, Maryland. 
7. Substitutions to the approved plant material shall not occur until written approval is provided by the City..
8. Maintenance for this project shall be performed by the owner, applicant, successor(s) and/or assign(s) in perpetuity and in compliance with City of Alexandria Landscape Guidelines and as conditioned by project approval, as applicable.

In addition to the notes provided above, the following notes shall be provided on landscape plan submissions for all DSP/DSUP projects: 

1. The approved method(s) of protection must be in place for all vegetation to be preserved on-site and adjacent to the project site pursuant to the approved tree and vegetation protection plan and details prior to commencement of demolition, construction, or any land disturbance. The applicant shall notify the Planning & Zoning (P&Z) project manager once the tree protection methods are in place. No demolition, construction, or land disturbance may occur until an inspection is performed by the City and written confirmation is provided by the City which verifies correct installation of the tree protection measures.
2. The applicant must contact the P&Z project manager prior to commencement of landscape installation/planting operation to schedule a pre-installation meeting. The meeting should be held between the applicant's general contractor, landscape contractor, landscape architect, the P&Z project manager and the City Arborist (as applicable) to review the scope of installation procedures and processes during and after installation. 
3. The following information shall be provided to the P&Z project manager at least five (5) business days prior to the landscape pre-installation meeting: 1) a letter that certifies that the project landscape architect performed pre-selection tagging for all trees proposed within the public right of way and on public land prior to installation. This letter must be signed and sealed by the project landscape architect, and 2) a copy of the soil bulk density test report verifying that maximum compression rates are met.

4. All construction waste shall be removed prior to planting.

5.  As-built drawings for this landscape and/or irrigation/water management system will be provided in compliance with City of Alexandria Landscape Guidelines, the City Code of Ordinances, and all applicable plan preparation checklists. As-built drawings shall include clear identification of all variation(s) and changes from approved drawings including location, quantity and specification of all project elements.

6. Areas of bare soil will not be accepted. Mulched areas and planting areas shall be weed free upon acceptance of the project by the City.

• Standard Landscape Plan Notes

The following notes shall be provided on landscape plan submissions for all projects with preservation areas:

1. Vegetation designated for protection and/or preservation shall continuously receive an enhanced level of maintenance throughout the entire construction period.
   • Maintenance shall be pro-active.
   • Maintenance operations shall aggressively monitor the health, growth and vigor of vegetation and prescribe selective pruning, removal of volunteer and/or invasive species, watering, fertilization and installation of mulch/topdressing.
   • When preserved vegetation is located on city property, maintenance shall be performed to the satisfaction of the City. 
2. Areas designated for protection and/or preservation of vegetation shall not be entered or utilized (approved maintenance procedures and watering excepted) throughout the entire construction period. Prohibited items/activities include, but are not limited to: 
   • Modifying site topography in a manner that directly or indirectly alters existing site drainage within protection zone including trenching or grading operations and placing, storing or stockpiling soil or construction related supplies.
   • Felling and storing vegetation. Iii. Incinerating materials within or in close proximity. 
   • Operating machinery or equipment, including vehicle/equipment parking or storage. 
   • Temporary or permanent utility construction, paving or impervious surface installation.  
   • Disposal of debris or chemicals. Vii. Temporary facilities or occupation by work force. 
   • Storage of construction materials or waste.

PDF of Tree Preservation Notes

The City of Alexandria’s 2019 Landscape Guidelines Update revises the City’s approved landscape standards to include current industry standards, best practices, and terminology. The update also aligns the standards with City policies and plans approved since 2007 when the Landscape Guidelines were last revised.  

This document is a guide to the City of Alexandria’s landscape standards. The Landscape Guidelines are primarily intended for use by property owners, developers, and applicants seeking approvals such as Grading Plans, Development Site Plans, Development Special Use Permits, and/or Special Use Permits within the City of Alexandria, Virginia. The document provides information regarding the expectations and procedures associated with these approval processes. The best practices and references in this document are resources for all Alexandria residents.

The Landscape Guidelines set minimum standards for landscape plans, installation of landscape improvements and maintenance. The present update builds upon the initial version in 1997 and first update in 2007 and aligns the City’s standards with current industry best practices, recent changes to City policies and procedures, and includes new sections detailing the approval processes.

Information in the Landscape Guidelines is not intended to replace, but instead to supplement applicable codes, ordinances, and development procedures. In any given application the City may require additional improvements and plantings beyond the established minimums.

Approvals

• City Council Docket 19-1752: February 23, 2019 Public Hearing
• Planning Commission Docket 19-606: February 7, 2019 Public Hearing

Major changes from the 2007 guidelines

• Document Organization
• Communication Sections for Development Process
  • New sections describing what is required for all approval processes
  • New sections describing what is required at different stages in the approval processes
• Plant Material Requirements
  • New requirement to source plant material from within 300 miles of Alexandria
• Invasive Species Management
  • New requirement for invasive species removal and management if certain project criteria are met

• Canopy Coverage
  • New requirement to meet canopy coverage requirements on site or contribute to the Urban Forestry Fund
  • Amendments to planting above structure requirements to encourage additional trees on each site
  • Amendments to street tree requirements to encourage additional trees in the right-of-way
• Native Plants
  • New requirement for native plants on landscape plans
  • Required percentage would increase over time, to coordinate with industry availability •
• Plant Diversity
  • New requirement to increase diversity of plant species proposed on landscape plans
• Soils
  • New requirements for soil composition
  • Amended requirements for soil volume
• Planting and Tree Protection Details
  • Amended details for planting standards
  • New details added to standardize installation of plants and tree protection measures
  • Linked to the website for improved updating
• References and Appendices
  • Updated references to required notes, canopy coverage allowances,   and industry standards for native plants and invasive species
  • Linked to the website for improved updating

Outreach Process

• Listening Sessions with Industry Professionals and Designers – Summer 2018 
• Park and Recreation Commission Draft Presentation – October 18, 2018
• Invitation to provide Input from residents and the business community - October 19, 2018
• Online Public Comment Period – Ends November 16, 2018
• Environmental Policy Commission – November 5, 2018
• Beautification Commission – November 8, 2018
• Park and Recreation Commission Public Hearing – November 15, 2018
• Outreach to NAIOP and Federation of Civic Associations - November 2018
• Planning Commission – February 7, 2019
• City Council – February 23, 2019