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South Salt Lake staff recommend higher standards for urban trees, including soil cells and larger soil volumes
Summary
The Department of Neighborhoods proposed ordinance and engineering-standard changes to improve urban tree survival in downtown and TOD zones, recommending soil cells, minimum soil volumes, underground irrigation and higher-quality species lists; staff estimated a soil-cell system could cost about $15,000 per tree.
The South Salt Lake Department of Neighborhoods presented proposed standards for urban trees at the council’s March 12, 2025, work meeting, recommending changes to engineering standards and the landscape handbook to increase tree survival, canopy size and stormwater benefits in downtown and transit-oriented development (TOD) areas.
Sharon Hari, who led the presentation, told the council current ordinances and typical sidewalk construction yield short-lived trees that rarely reach mature canopy size. She recommended higher minimum soil quantities, the use of engineered soil-cell systems where pavement covers trees, and underground drip irrigation to water the entire root zone.
Why it matters: Staff said a healthier urban…
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