HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-12-12-TREE-min.ltr
To: Lexington Zoning Board of appeals
At their monthly meeting Dec. 12, 2013 the Lexington Tree Committee approved the following
screening street trees
recommendations to the Lexington Zoning Board of Appeals for replacement of at
Lexington Toyota, 409 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA to achieve the 1988 Special Permit
Conditions.
1.The Tree Committee concludes that the screening tree replacement should consist of 10 trees, all
of which should be along Massachusetts Avenue.
2.The trees should be replaced in the same positions as the original 10 trees. Because Lexington
Toyota put chemicals in the original tree positions, the soil there should be remediated to a depth
of 3 feet, to a nominal front to back dimension of 4 feet, and to a width of 4 to 5 feet, or the actual
tree pit dimensions if greater than these nominal dimensions. The front to back dimension should
be measured from the Massachusetts Avenue right-of-way line such that the front of the tree pit
begins on Lexington Toyota Property.
3.To provide a sufficient growing medium for the new tree roots, replacement trees should be
planted within 3 planting strips. The first and second strips are on either side of the telephone pole
to the left of the dealership as viewed from the street. One tree should be planted on either side of
the telephone pole as before, each in its own planting strip. Excavation should not occur closer
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than 3 feet from the pole. The 3 planting strip should be contiguous with the Mass. Ave. right-
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of-way line, starting from the left (west) side of the 3 planting pit easterly to the right side of the
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10 planting pit.
4.The planting strips should be constructed with “Cornell structural soil” (as recommended by
Prof. N. Bassuk, Cornell University) or equivalent and be 3 feet deep, 4 feet front to back, and a
nominal 13 feet in length either side of the telephone pole (strips 1 & 2) and strip 3 (a nominal
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142 feet, or the distance from the left edge of the 3 planting pit to 2 feet past the 10 planting
pit). “Structural soil” is 75% crushed stone (3/4 to 1½ inch), 25% clay loam with hydrogel added
to retain water. This was installed a few years ago under impervious paving on the south side of
Massachusetts Avenue in Lexington Center in front of Michelson’s, Crafty Yankee, etc. The trees
planted there are now flourishing.
5.The minimum tree caliper should be no less than 4 inches, and minimum tree height no less than
18 feet. This is much smaller than the mature 9 to 12 inch trees removed, but will increase chance
of survival.
6.The recommended species of the ten (10) trees to be planted along Mass. Ave. is Gleditsia
triacanthos inermis ‘Shademaster’(Shademaster Honeylocust), the same species recommended
by Lexington Toyota’s landscape architect, Mr. Gary Larson.
7.Tree protection such as wheelstops, posts or other guards should be installed at each tree.
8.The Tree Committee suggests that the planting strips be planted with ground cover throughout all
three structural soil planting strips, such as a low spreading juniper, Juniperus conferta ‘Blue
Pacific’ in order to provide an attractive setting for the displayed automobiles. If desired, paving
over the structural soil between the 4 by 4 planting pits would be acceptable.
9. The Tree Committee recommends that the owner consult the Lexington Design Advisory
Committee (DAC) for landscape planting ideas in front of the main building and other areas to
make the complex blend more graciously with the abutting residential neighborhoods as the
Zoning bylaw intends.
Thank you for your consideration,
John Frey, Chairman, Lexington Tree Committee.