Request for council action-lkshore restoration-2001

Home Browse Search

� � 2845 Little Orchard July 17, 2001 Page 3 replacement plan is necessary to retain a naturally vegetated shore, or the buckthorn must be removed gradually so its removal doesn't leave bare openings. I've discussed this program with Hennepin Pazks staff who are following a similar program at nearby Noerenberg Pazk,and they have gradually made some progress at buckthorn elimination. Proposed Restoration Plan The proposed restoration plan by Everette Parks of Talberg Lawn and Landscape is attached as Exhibit A. The intent of the plan is to take advantage of and encourage the natural regrowth that is already occurring, as well as supplement it with low ground covers for slope stability and medium height plants to help re-establish some density of vegetation. The first 15' adjacent to the shoreline is proposed to be allowed to naturally revegetate,with the new plantings on the sloped areas 15'-75'+ from the shoreline. In the area of the shoreline that has not had understory removal,buckthorn is still the dominant understory plant and needs to be removed. A gradual removal/replacement program should be followed to minimize the visual impact; it could take as much as 5 years to complete the removal under this scenario. Plantings proposed include a small variety of species, most of which appear on the DNR list of plants common to a maple-basswood forest in Minnesota, including: Common Name Mature Hei�ht Red-twig Dogwood 3' - 15' Low Bush Honeysuckle 2' - 4' "Gro-Low" Sumac 2' Wild Geranium 1' Variegated Hosta 1' Virginia Creeper Climbing vine The submitted plan does not show the locations of all existing mature trees; staff has added to the plan the locations and trunk sizes of the approximately 35-40 trees remaining in the azea of understory removal. Perhaps a half dozen of these trees are in poor condition and will ultimately need to be removed or expertly trimmed to save them. Additionally, the natural regrowth that has occurred this spring and summer suggests that there may be some merit in the suggestion of the City's consulting landscape planner, Wally Case, who felt that the species that want to thrive on these slopes will grow back quickly where the ground has not been disturbed. This appears to be happening,and the additional plantings to supplement the natural growth should provide significant low understory in a few seasons. The plan notes indicate that shrub plantings will be in rock or wood chip lined mulch beds underlaid with weed barrier. In general, our goal would be to avoid weed barrier fabric or plastic within 75'