I-25 Landscape Master Plan - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Appendix E. Maintenance Guidelines The amount and type of maintenance required on any project is dependent on many factors. Some of these factors can be controlled at the time of design and/or installation. Dr, James R. Feucht, Extension landscape Plants Specialist at Colorado State Univershy has written a new book on landscape maintenance and also offers landscape Maintenance courses through both the Extension Service and Colorado State Univershy at Fort Collins, Colorado. Any of these should prove valuable to anyone involved in the maintenance of any landscaping project, GUIDELINES: . A written maintenance program should be de- veloped for each project she. . There must be continuous and ongoing training at all maintenance personnel to emphasize how routine maintenance practices can pre- vent many problems and the need to identify and make written reports of potential prob- lems, . Follow-up inpections by qualnied persons should be conducted at least once a week dur- ing the growing season and several times throughout the dormant season_ . Continue to develop and up-date written, custo- mized maintenance programs based on loca- tion, type of vegetation, season, specHic con- ditions of vegetation, weather, etc, Maintenance programs should include the de- velopment of an integrated pest control pro- gram based on actual infestations rather than the outdated "scheduled. spray programs, . Follow the basic diagnostic procedures, devel- oped by CSU and utilize the University and Ex- tension Service personnel to aid in determining questionable diagnostic problems, . Pruning should be done by those experienced in the basic pruning principles and procedures ,51 . All tree pruning wilfbe done in a manner to pro- mote natural, strong form that will reduce the potential for storm damage. . Existing and new upright juniper trees will not be sheared, but will be pruned to develop wide an- gle crotches and promote a tree form. . All plant material wounds will be treated by a knowledgable person as soon as they are re- ported or detected, . Paints or tars are not to be used on tree cuts or wounds as no sealants are effective and can even cause further problems, . Trees and shrubs should be fertilized based on the previous years growth to avoid both over fertilization or nutrient deticiencies. . Required fertilization of trees and shrubs should be done in late fall alter dormancy, If the dor- mant season is missed fertilization should be done sometime in late spring before lhe end of June. . The use of "line trimmers" and similar devices can cause wounds and should not be used around trees, . Basins may be used for irrigation of trees but should not keep natural runoff from getting to the plant base, . The use of weed and growth control chemical should be limited to those treatments recom- mended by CSU and should not be used on a long term basis, as eventually they will damage or kill the turf, . Mulches must be renewed every other year due to deterioration, . Necessary turf maintenance practices include mowing (depending on the turf choice), irriga- tion and fertilization. A mowing program should be developed which reflects the different mow- ing practices necessary for tha care of native and various turf grasses and wildflower areas. . Irrigation system maintenance is an important part of overall turf maintenance as poor irrigation often causes turf problems. Adequate irrigation'system maintenance is as important as the choice of turf grasses, . Other irrigationiturf maintenance guidelines in- clude: -night watering - short repeat cycles during watering period to in crease absorbtion -use of preciphation and moisture sensors which automatically shut off system -meter/leak detection -check system after mowing -flush emitter lines and filters on an annual basis -adjust application rate monthly, or more often is needed . Drip irrigation emitters will need to be moved out- ward as roots grow outward from trees to effectively irrigate the plant material. Alter 3.5 years of estab- lishment, trees can often be weaned off of supple- mental irrigation and lelt to grow using only natural preciphation. However, it is important to continue to maintain a sufficient mulch level to increase mois- ture retention and reduce water compethion from weeds. 51.