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Avoiding Pedestrian Hazards in Parking Lots (2) Landscape Strips


 

This local landscape strip in the parking area exhibits several flaws. 

  1. The area is too narrow for the selected tree species (Live Oak)
  2. The topsoil within the planting area has been eroded away either by foot traffic or rainfall, or both
  3. There is no mulch around the tree to aid in moisture retention.
  4. It is possible that the soil is so compacted that the roots must surface to get the oxygen needed to survive.
  5. 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

  1. Ensure the species of tree is well suited at maturity for the space provided.  Know the characteristics of the development of the root system.
  2. At the time of planting, provide adequate pits for the root ball, and do not severely compact surrounding soil.
  3. Provide and maintain proper amounts of water, fertilizer and mulch.
  4. Remember, drivers become pedestrians when they leave their vehicles.In general, its a good rule of thumb not to run the planting strips parallel to the building entry, thus blocking the pedestrian path from the parking lot.  It's better to use islands instead, or provide designated, walkable paths through the planting strips.
  5. Planting shrubs in the strips will discourage unwanted foot traffic, and can serve to direct pedestrians to the designated walks.


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Comments

  1. UnknownSeptember 7, 2018 at 7:45 AM

    Good example. Yes, while most roots of trees grow in the top foot to 18 inches of soil, this example shows the need of roots (as is for all living parts of trees except those parts actively doing photosynthesis) need to do respiration. A compacted soil will then encourage roots to grow shallowly like this, because there is not enough available oxygen deeper in this compacted soil.

    Stan Rosenthal
    Big Bend Forestry
    UF/IFAS Extension Forestry Agent Emeritus

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jim Canter, AICPSeptember 8, 2018 at 5:23 PM

    Thanks, Stan.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ben Gooden - CitygreenSeptember 17, 2018 at 5:03 PM

    do you realise this can all be done successfully beneath pavement? Structural soil vaults can be designed and installed in car parking lots that meet the life needs of trees, while also allowing car parking and pedestrian movements?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jim Canter, AICPSeptember 25, 2018 at 8:59 AM

      Sorry for the late reply Ben. Would you mind sending me some info or a link on this. We've not had a lot of success with vaults, and I'm interested in which process you have in mind.

      Delete

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