05-23-1988 - Agenda Packet City Council - regular meeting

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7 9 -Mr. Waye Page 3 Uec 6 I suggest the following goals for giving direction to the replanting: 1) General plant characterisitics a) tolerant to high pH, limestone soils for slope b) drought tolerant c) sun tolerant d) native origins e) complementary to adjacent sites 2) Re -estate?'.-` Transition areas at the north and south extremities of the site to the adjacent properties as a visual transition to the on:;, z-ea of the restoration work. 3) Establis;, plantings at the top of the slope to help prevent erosion above the restored area which could undermine the limestone. 4, Establish a planting cover on the main limestone slope a) p.ovide consistent cover over the stone. b) low to allow identification and removal of weed trees which could be a problem in future 7) Establish plants on mid -level area. a) Vigorous root mass b) Retain grasses as nurse crop f' :rovide watering capabilities which are non -erosive. I recommend the following specific actions for planting: 1) The north and south transistion areas should be planted with White Oak, Ironwood, Black Chokeberry and Bush Honeysuckle. 2) The yard above the lope should be planted with a mix of Black Chokeberry, Isanti Dogwood, Creeping Juniper and Tawny Daylillies.�._ 3) The main limestone slope should receive topsoil in all joints to, the full depth of the stone mass. This will provide a full depth soil profile for plant growth, eliminate air pockets below the root z:,ae which will inhibit root growth and are potential settlement areas. This can be asccomplished by washing the soil into the voids in a series of successive operations. Thoses joints where plants are to be gro.: should have no soil in the top 12" so as co minimize growth location "ir weed L -ds. 4) The main limestone slope ....ould be plantr* with Engelma-�n Ivy. z Plants sho-ild be located at each major jc. t intersection. S) The mid -level area should be planted with Eastern Redcedar and Isanti Redtwig Dogwood. 6) All plants on the slope should be as small as practicable so as to 'allow thuz, to acclimate to t7,#, conditions of the site 7) All ;,!ants should be m�chr.,' w;th sr r edded hardwood hark. Many of these plants can be ob!t,.rved in' the wii and under cultivation in similar circumstances. Locally, the Mississirr) Riser gr..i.;e has abundant examples of most of these plants growing in Platteville limes,-:>rP. Similarly, the bluff tops along the Minnesota River .have most of these plant.- gr,,a;ng under similar soil and climatic conditions. Also, the Shakopee limestone .as been used for years as a mulch in landscape plantings. Finally, the use of Engelmann Ivy is rerommended as a ground cover on rough sites and as a vine for buildings because of it. ability to cling with its adhesive dies. The Bell Museum of Natural History at the U of M has an entire wall of limestone covered with this plant.