LARE Plants and Planting Design Flashcards

Which layer of a woodland planting design is referred to as the 'understory'?

Answer: Small trees and large shrubs growing beneath the forest canopy

The understory consists of small trees and large shrubs that grow beneath the main forest canopy, thriving in partial shade conditions.

What is a 'planting strip' (also called a 'parkway') in urban streetscape design?

Answer: The zone of landscaping between the sidewalk and the curb

A planting strip or parkway is the landscaped buffer zone between the sidewalk and the street curb, typically used for street trees and ground cover.

When specifying plants for a LEED-certified project, which category of plant material is typically prioritized to earn regional materials credits?

Answer: Native and regionally adapted plants sourced within 500 miles

LEED credits for regional materials favor plants sourced from within 500 miles of the project, which also tends to support native ecotypes and local nursery industries.

What is the primary purpose of a 'tree protection zone' (TPZ) established on construction documents?

Answer: To define the area around existing trees where disturbance is prohibited to protect roots

A tree protection zone establishes a no-disturbance buffer around the root zone of existing trees to prevent compaction, root cutting, and grade changes during construction.

Which soil condition is MOST detrimental to newly installed landscape plants during the establishment period?

Answer: Compacted subsoil with poor drainage causing anaerobic conditions

Compacted soils with poor drainage create anaerobic (oxygen-deprived) conditions that suffocate roots and promote root rot, which is the leading cause of plant establishment failure.

In planting design specifications, what does 'bare root' refer to as a method of plant installation?

Answer: Trees or shrubs sold and planted with no soil around their roots, typically dormant

Bare root plants are dormant trees or shrubs sold with their roots exposed and no soil, which reduces shipping weight and can improve transplant success when installed correctly.