HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-03-14 crepe myrtles1 of 2
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
723 West Markham Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334
Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax: (501) 399-3435
March 14, 2007
Jay Brizzolara
WER Architects
Little Rock, AR 72201
Re: Tree Plantings at St Edwards Church
Dear Mr. Brizzolara:
I received your email of March 1, 2007 concerning the tree plantings at St Edwards
Church at Sherman and 9th Streets. Below are both approvals for the tree types and
instructions for maintenance. Please consider this letter as approval from the Historic
District Commission for changes to the approved Landscape Plan for the church.
The trees noted as “A” on the plan, Quercus shumardii, are approved as noted three
feet off of the sidewalk and centered east to west in the grass. Gradually, over a period
of years, remove horizontal branches under 8’-0” per city code. Do not top or reduce
height of tree. Trim sides of trees only to reduce rubbing on building or porch. Trees
are to meet landscape ordinance for minimum size at time of planting.
The trees noted as “B” on the plan, Lagerstroemia indica, are approved to be planted
equidistantly off the rose window façade of the building. These crepe myrtles on the
south façade of the building shall be no less than 12’-0” tall upon installation with three
to five trunks of 1 1-2” caliper fully branched. Species must be of a variety that achieves
20’ at maturity.
The “B” trees as noted above shall be maintained in the following manner: 1) Prune in
late winter through early February when trees are dormant. 2) Check tree for rubbing
branches and remove one of the branches at a lower branch or branch collar (where the
branch joins the trunk). 3) Remove all suckers at the base of the tree while leaving the
original three to five trunks. 4) Remove horizontal branches that grow towards the
center of the tree. 5) Remove all horizontal branches gradually over a period of years
that are below eight feet. 6) Remove seed heads just below seed head. It is not
necessary to remove these, but you may if you wish. 7) Do not top tree or reduce in
height.
The trees noted as “C” on the plan at the front of the new classroom building to be Acer
ruburm ‘Red Sunset’ . Gradually, over a period of years, remove horizontal branches
under 8’-0” per city code. Do not top or reduce height of tree. Trim sides of trees only
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to reduce rubbing on building or porch. Trees are to meet landscape ordinance for
minimum size at time of planting.
Additional crepes on Sherman, 8th and Ferry Street: The following instructions for
pruning are not requirements of the conditional use permit but are highly recommended.
This will give the trees a more natural appearance while still maintaining visibility for
pedestrians. The aim is to allow the trees to be taller, with clear sight lines under the
trees for eight feet and below as per city ordinance. For pruning in Spring 2007:
Remove knobby growth at the end of each shoot while cutting main trunks at different
heights to give an appearance that is more natural. Remove all horizontal branches.
For pruning in Spring 2008 - 2009: Remove all horizontal branches below eight feet. Of
the new shoots at the top of the tree, choose the two strongest shoots to remain and
remove all other shoots as close to the trunk as possible. Cut these new shoots at 14-
18 inches long for variety. Remove all suckers at the base of the tree while leaving the
original three to five trunks. The next year, the tree will have put on multiple branches
at the end of the previous years shoots. Choose the two strongest shoots to remain
and remove all other shoots as close to the trunk as possible. Cut these new shoots at
14-18 inches long for variety. Remove all suckers at the base of the tree while leaving
the original three to five trunks.
For Spring 2010 and beyond, 1) Prune in late winter through early February when trees
are dormant. 2) Check tree for rubbing branches and remove one of the branches at a
lower branch or branch collar (where the branch joins the trunk). 3) Remove all suckers
at the base of the tree while leaving the original three to five trunks. 4) Remove
horizontal branches that grow towards the center of the tree. 5) Remove all horizontal
branches gradually over a period of years that are below eight feet. 6) Remove seed
heads just below seed head. It is not necessary to remove these, but you may if you
wish. 7) Do not top tree or reduce in height.
If this letter is acceptable to the Church and its’ maintenance crew, please have them
sign below. If not, let me know what revisions they would like to make and I will send a
new version to you.
_____ ________________________________
Brian Minyard Scott Landers
Historic District Staff