Professional Documents
Culture Documents
10.1 INTRODUCTION
Fort Carson's Landscaping Master Plan identifies the location
and type of landscaping to be used throughout the installation.
Landscaping provides a simple and often times cost effective
enhancement to the general appearance of Fort Carson and, if done
in accordance with Fort Carson Landscaping Standards, will be
sustainable into the future.
The visual image conveyed by a military installation is defined not
just by architectural character and site organization, but also by an
attractive, organized landscape design. The presence of plant
material on the installation greatly enhances the visual character
and environmental quality of the installation.
Plantings add an element of human scale to open spaces and can be used functionally to screen
undesirable views, buffer winds, reinforce the hierarchy of the circulation system, or provide a visual
transition between dissimilar land uses.
LANDSCAPING SCREEN
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Create a unified approach to landscaping throughout the Installation.
Protect/Conserve mature, desirable tree/shrub species to the maximum extent possible.
Incorporate native grasses and other native plants into the landscape design.
Sustainable Energy and Water Use Goal:
Sustain all facility and mobility systems from renewable sources by 2027 and reduce the total water
purchased from outside sources by 75% from the 2001 baseline. The desired end states are; secure
sustainable energy sources; alleviation of dependence on fossil fuels and adverse air emissions;
funding for life cycle costs; reduction of reliance on petroleum imports and vulnerability; reduction of
wastewater discharges; efficient water consumption; increase in the quality of re-use and; development
of sustainable water source solutions.
10.4.1 UNITY
The selection and placement of plant material can be
used to blend, screen, and soften incompatible
architecture or other unattractive visual impacts. Plant
material, as a unifying element, can be placed in front
of a building or view to frame and enhance the visual
impact.
10.4.2 BALANCE
Plant material can be selected and placed to provide
visual equilibrium or balance through the use of either a
symmetrical or asymmetrical planting scheme.
Symmetrical plantings are generally more formal while
asymmetrical plantings are informal.
10.4.3 CONTRAST
Plant material can be selected and placed to provide
differences in size and shape, which adds interest to the
environment. Plants can be located to provide a
backdrop for other plants, such as a hedge behind a bed
of annuals or perennials.
10.4.4 RHYTHM
Repetition of a single plant or a mass of plants provides
visual interest and formality to the landscape. Rhythm
produces emphasis and unity and is especially effective
in articulating main circulation routes.
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
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10.4.6 SIMPLICITY
Landscape plans should be broad and simple in form to limit excessive maintenance. Plant material
should be grouped in beds with simple edges that are easy to mow. Small turf areas should be avoided
because of the difficulty of mowing. The use of annuals should be minimal because of the high
maintenance involved.
10.6.1 OBJECTIVES
Develop a comprehensive and cost effective landscaping plan for the cantonment area of Fort Carson
and a realistic plan of action for accomplishment.
Maintain stewardship of the communitys resources, enhance the well being of soldiers and family
members, and unify the aesthetic appearance across the post while minimizing the visual effects of
barren areas.
Delineate landscaping maintenance responsibilities and correct the shortfalls of the existing
landscaping plan.
Establish a master plan that will be kept in the Installation Design Guide.
Reduce the amount of water used for landscaping by 75% and incorporate the use of nonpotable water ionto irrigation design.
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Gravel: Non-irrigated, 1.5 inch red rock or stamped concrete. Installed in and around parking lot
areas.
10.7.1 AGRONOMY
Introduction. Responsibility for this program is in accordance with AR 200-3 (replaces AR 420-74):
Natural Resources - Land, Forest, and Wildlife Management.
The DECAM Agronomy Program provides the following services for Fort Carson and the Pinon
Canyon Maneuver Site (PCMS).
Assists the Fort Carson Fire Department with Wildland Fire Suppression on Fort Carson and PCMS.
Provides technical assistance with landscape projects materials and maintenance.
Provides technical assistance on all turf and ornamental species on Fort Carson and PCMS.
The DECAM Agronomy design guidelines are intended for application to landscape improvements at
sites throughout Fort Carson. Their primary purpose is to assist in the design of responsible,
aesthetically pleasing landscapes, and in the achievement of the overall landscape goals for all of Fort
Carson. The entire Agronomy Design Guidelines Document resides in Appendix B of the IDG.
Proposed plantings must be reviewed to ensure that site conditions (soil, topography, adjacent uses,
and architecture) and climatic criteria (sun, shade, and moisture requirements) are considered in the
desired plant design and selection (i.e., form, texture, color, size). The uses and users of the site must
also be considered. Landscape planting plans should be approved by qualified personnel to provide
quality assurance and promote design consistency within each visual zone.
FOUNDATION PLANTING
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10.7.3 SCREENING
10.7.3.1 WINDSCREENS
Use a combination of evergreen and deciduous trees to provide
windbreak protection from prevailing winds. Windbreak
plantings should be irregular in form, rather than straight and
evenly spaced, in order to provide more effective wind control
and to visually blend with the natural character of the installation.
WIND SCREENING
BUFFER PLANTING
STREET TREES
Use informal groupings of street trees along tertiary routes. Utilize medium size deciduous trees to
screen on-street parking along roadways. Set trees 1 to 2 meters (3 to 6 feet) from the back of curbs.
Spacing should be uniform, except where curb cuts interrupt regular spacing.
As a general rule, street trees should be deciduous species, resistant to salt and root pressure, and
should have a 10' to 12' high clearance between the street pavement and branch height to allow
adequate clearance for pedestrian and vehicular traffic to pass unimpeded by lower branches.
The street tree layout should be coordinated with the layout of proposed street lighting.
Appropriate plant heights should be used within sight triangles to ensure safe views from intersections.
Weeping trees should not be used at Fort Carson.
Street trees can be watered by using creative drainage techniques that employ using the run off water
from the street to water these trees.
Avoid planting trees in areas with less than three feet between paved areas. In areas with 3 to 4 feet
between paved areas, plant trees that grow to a mature height of less than 30 feet. In areas with 5 to 6
feet between paved areas, select trees that mature about 50 feet tall. Reserve trees that mature higher
than 50 feet for areas with at least eight feet between paved areas. This allows adequate space for the
tree roots
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Use mixed massings of deciduous shrubs and evergreen trees/shrubs to provide sound control along
primary and secondary roads.
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10.7.11 ZEROSCAPING
Zeroscaping is a low maintenance method that can be used where
appropriate to conserve water. Zeroscaping at Fort Carson usually
consists of rocks used as a groundcover with a few sparse plants
integrated in strategic locations. The Fort Carson Landscaping
Master Plan uses Zeroscaping in certain areas on the Installation.
Xeriscape however, is a more preferred approach to landscaping in
the Cantonment Area.
10.7.12 XERISCAPING
Xeriscape comes from a combination of two words: "xeri" is
derived from the Greek word "xeros" meaning dry; and "scape"
meaning view or scene. Together they mean "a dry scene." The
term Xeriscape was coined in Denver, Colorado in 1978.
Xeriscaping is landscaping with slow-growing, drought tolerant
plants, allowing a conservation of water and nutrients. Xeric
landscapes are conscious attempts to develop planting areas that
are compatible with the local natural environment. Plants that are
native to the area or can exist in this location without additional
water are excellent choices for Xeriscape gardens.
USAF Landscape Design Guide, Xeriscape.
"ZERO" SCAPING
XERISCAPING
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Watering lawns on Fort Carson is permitted only when necessary, and never more than once every two
days. In the family housing areas, even numbered houses water on even numbered days; odd
numbered houses on odd numbered days. Watering should only be done in the early morning or late
evening to avoid water loss to evaporation. Watering should not be done when the wind is blowing or
when there is a threat of rain. Follow the guidelines above for determining the amount of water to
apply and when. See the Watering Guide in the DECAM Agronomy Design Guidelines.
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that cannot be preserved should be considered for transplanting to a different location on site or to a
different site.
Changes in the grade of the soil around trees can cause extensive root damage and eventually the death
of the tree. To prevent damage to a tree, it is important to maintain the existing grade for least the size
of the trees canopy (the drip line).
For more information see in FHWA/TX-04/0-4548-1 (partially included below) for further the tree
protection standards on Fort Carson.
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10.12.1.6 TRENCHING
Trenching within the protected root zone is discouraged and forbidden within the CRZ except under
specific conditions and using specific construction methods. Within the CRZ: bore at 3 below grade
Outside CRZ: bore beneath, expose roots and prune, or expose roots and thread utilities below roots.
10.12.1.10 WATERING
Supplemental irrigation will be not be required unless roots are damaged or removed within the CRZ.
Recommended but left to engineer.
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Area of the protected root zone exposed to pedestrian or vehicular traffic must be covered with four
inches of shredded hardwood bark or well-graded gravel over the affected area. For temporary or
permanent situations. Must be removed when access is no longer needed.
10.12.1.12 PRUNING
Pruning must be performed by a qualified arborist in accordance with the International Society of
Arboricultures Tree-Pruning Guidelines and/or the ANSI 300 Pruning Standard.
Pruning will be required:
For reasons of safety
To allow clearance of equipment near the CRZ where breakage may otherwise occur
For removal of limbs that are dead or diseased
Clearance above present or future travel lanes
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American Standard for Nursery Stock, ANSI Z60.1.
Overseas (Host Nation Standards).
Sustainable Design and Development Policy Update, ASA (I&E), 5 Jan 06; ECB 2006-2, Sustainable
Design and Development
10.16 REFERENCES
The following references are provided for guidance.
Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) 2-600-01, Installation Design, Chapter 10.
USAF Landscape Design Guide.
C. Brickell and D. Joyce. Pruning and Training, 1996.
US Army Corps of Engineers web site Engineering Knowledge Online