Tree-Lined and Shaded Treescapes – Above Green

(1-2 points)

Intent

To encourage walking and bicycling and discourage speeding. To reduce urban heat island effects, improve air quality, increase evapotranspiration, and reduce cooling loads in buildings.

Requirements

Option 1. Tree-lined blocks (1 point)

Provide trees at intervals of no more than 50 feet (12 meters) (exempting driveways) along at least 60% of the total existing and planned block length within the project, and on the project side of blocks bordering the project, between the vehicle travel way (if there is one) and walkway). Alleys may be exempted from the block length calculations.

AND/OR

Option 2. Shaded sidewalks (1 point)

Provide shade from trees or permanent structures over at least 40% of the total length of existing and planned sidewalks within or bordering the project (alleys may be exempted). Trees must provide shade within 10 years of landscape installation. Use the estimated crown diameter to calculate the length of sidewalk shaded.

AND

For all projects with street tree plantings

From a registered landscape architect (or local equivalent for projects outside the U.S.), obtain a determination that planting details are appropriate to growing healthy trees, taking into account tree species, root medium, and width and soil volume of planter strips or wells, and that the selected tree species are not considered invasive in the project context according to USDA or the state agricultural extension service (or local equivalent for projects outside the U.S.).