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� landscape archite�ture � 3 February 2000 Membefs Of the Plann{ng Commission Cit�r of Roseville 2660 Civic Center Drive Roseville, M N 55113 Re: Midland Hilts Country Club Lanoscape Suffer Dear Members: � the landscape architect wo�ng with Partners & Simy Architeets on the redevelopment of the Midlan0 Hills Courttry Club and site, I have been asked to submit my opinion about the proposed scree��r,� abng tn� east edqe of the site. I have several thoughts: 1. The screen sl�ould appear as natural as possible, UI keeping with the overall character of the site and sucrounding oommunit�r. This suggests that if a berm is used, it should be low and carefufy shaped to appear like a natural earth form. I recommend a three foot maximum height A tsller bCrm will look IikE a lump on me landscape. 2. Evergreen trees am an �q�� choice, obvionatp, for e y�8r 'round scxeen. In nature, tellet trees are often surrounded by shorter ones, anA they 8�8 spaced qulee close together. forming e natural visual barrier. We suggest a triangulated planting pattern, with tr+e�s ae close as 13' Of1 canter. This insures that they will grow together quite quickly, 1so�ming the desired screen. 3. We also recommend a mix of tree heights, located on the sWeslopes of the berm (rath�r than perched on top), and that one or two taller uees (12-V') be tlanked by A10tE numerous shorter ones (&10')_ Obtaining the taller h� will require a tree spade, and thele is always some risk and increaaed cat associated with moving mature p�anes. AA�tufr d�ees spaded out of a field often have not been root pruned and survival rates are �neraily lower than with shorter balled and bu�lappld plank trom the nursery. Still. it is worth doing if gOOd trees can be found and tne supplier is wil6ng to guarantee the pI�1tS. The 8 10' trees are 8N8�abl� from many nurseries. and ur typiCaly r0ot pruned and guaranteed. Foresters in general argue in favor of planting smaller trees because they 'take off more quickly than the larger ones. Studfe6 have found that me smaller trees wiii actually catch up with larger ones. due to the guida+ess with which they e�abliah ��(ves after transpbnting. 4, ln nature. again. undlratOry ptants ottien mbc wrim tre� stands. We;.oRen suggest the use of shrubs (and pKennials) as � acoent cobr (redMrig dogwood is an excellent companion with spruce or pine), and the sflruDs break up the long row of evergreens. Some sm�ll openings between dusters of �� filled with tedtwig dogwood, would pfOiVldd a more natural and visually i�terrsti�g screen than a monoculture of evengreen bre�l, �fPlCiflly if the trees are aq about tlle same he"igNt 5. Last, it is � to remember that the landscape is composed of many diverse elements Midland Hilb anticipa�es fairly extensive use of perenn�als and other plant meterisl8, all of which w;ry �p�aibute tp a fiCh and varied landscape. One must be r.are�ul not to make me "single issue' component — the east screen , becortfs an element that weakens the overall oOnCept If you have any additional questions or concerns about me scxeening iSSUO, please �� me at 651-222-5�54.