Proof from outside my office. Accessibility for man and beast. This family gathered on the walk, then got bored and stood in the street. A passing car stopped and honked; a move that was probably misinterpreted. Another group joined them in the street from across the way, then they all waited. Another honk from the car, and they all used the roadway for a runway, and were in V formation before they were 3 feet off the ground.
This local landscape strip in the parking area exhibits several flaws. The area is too narrow for the selected tree species (Live Oak) The topsoil within the planting area has been eroded away either by foot traffic or rainfall, or both There is no mulch around the tree to aid in moisture retention. It is possible that the soil is so compacted that the roots must surface to get the oxygen needed to survive. A path is not provided between areas separated by the landscape strip, making traversing an area like this, with exposed roots, hazardous to pedestrians. A mitigating feature is that the planting strip is, placed at a 90 degree agnle with reference to the store entry so that pedestrians are not forced to cross the strip in order to reach the front entry. Some Suggested Design Considerations Ensure the species of tree is well suited at maturity for the space provided. Know the characteristics of the development of the root system. At ...
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