Delaware City Shade Tree Commission reviews multiple landscape plans, species swaps and canopy accounting

At a recent meeting of the Delaware City Shade Tree Commission, commissioners reviewed multiple landscape plans for incoming developments and discussed proposed tree species substitutions, canopy calculations and maintenance responsibilities.

Commissioners examined landscape plans for several sites, including Sawmill Farms and Mill Run Crossing, and discussed whether proposed plantings belong in the public right-of-way or on private property. Commissioners noted a range of species proposed and several substitutions: hedge maples and hornbeam were added for larger shade-tree slots, Japanese tree lilac and ginkgo were proposed in some locations, and a common hackberry was suggested in place of a red oak in at least one plan.

Commissioners raised questions about species suitability and long-term survival. One commissioner said young ginkgo specimens appear to have “about a 55 percent survival rate,” and members discussed whether certain species would tolerate narrow planting strips or overhead wires. Commissioners also discussed how species size and mature canopy assumptions affect canopy-credit calculations used in plan approvals.

The commission reviewed how landscape plans are routed through city review. Planning staff and zoning review canopy calculations and the canopy-management plan before applications reach the commission; after the commission’s comments, the package goes back to planning and then, if required, to city council for action. Commissioners emphasized that private roads and private landscaping remain the developer’s maintenance responsibility, and that the commission’s role is advisory for those private sites.

Members discussed specific site features where tree canopy might be added, including detention basins. Commissioners noted some detention areas are designed to hold water seasonally and could support wet-tolerant canopy trees; others are intended to be dry most of the year and would be better planted with standard street trees. Commissioners asked staff to check whether proposed detention basins would be maintained by the city or by private utilities and developers.

Commissioners also flagged nursery sourcing and plant quality as recurring problems. One member asked whether the city’s suppliers had changed and noted variability in stock and survivability across supplier lots; members urged verifying species and canopy metrics in the city’s planting database when species are changed so canopy calculations remain accurate.

Votes at a glance: The commission approved the meeting summary/minutes after a motion and recorded approval by roll call; a motion later to close the meeting was moved and carried. The meeting transcript did not record a detailed roll-call tally for those motions in full detail.

The commission agreed to continue reviewing planting plans and canopy calculations as developers submit revised sheets and to provide species- and placement-specific comments back to planning staff. Commissioners requested staff follow up on whether detention basins on specific sites will be wet or dry and who will maintain them, and asked that species lists be checked against the commission’s canopy spreadsheet when developers change plant selections.