Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/1303720
By Jan Foster Colony landscape terms, unwrapped! Are you confused as to what's considered your front yard? A planter? Mulch? Decorative artifact? Hardscape? Boulder? A tree well? FRONT YARD: This is the area from the curb to your front gate (if you have one), or to your side gate (if you don't have a front gate). It includes turf, hardscape, plants and trees. PLANTER: The front yard area which has dirt with plants in it (not grass) is considered your planter. Certain items may be in your planter, such as trees, shrubs, plants and the mulch which covers the dirt. The mulch may be of ground-up wood or stones. Stones such as river rocks (two to three inches in size) or smaller stones are known as stone mulch and may be placed in the front yards between the sidewalk and the side of the house, but never next to turf. Stone mulch may only be applied by the landscape contractor, but residents may purchase the stones (from the approved list) elsewhere and have them approved by the Landscape Department before being installed. All wood mulch in front yards is provided exclusively by the landscape contractor. Certain decorative artifacts (man-made items), such as a fabric "welcome" flag, may be placed in the planter area, but no more than one to a home. Pinwheels, birdhouses, statues, pots and other similar decorative artifacts may not be placed anywhere in the front yard planter areas or be hanging from trees. Holiday decorations are the exception and are subject to other rules, including how long they may remain up. Do these rules apply to items on walls or attached to the house? No. Rule of thumb to remember is… if it's in the dirt, Landscape rules apply. If it's on the house, walls, gate, sidewalk or driveway (hardscapes), Architectural rules apply. HARDSCAPE: This is any hard surface, such as cement, paver stones, stepping stones, sidewalks, driveways, etc. Boulders (natural rocks 6-18 inches in height) may be placed in front yard planters, but no more than six to a home. STREET TREE VS PLANTER TREE: If the tree is growing in the turf in your front or possibly side yard, it's considered your street tree. Every lot is required to have a street tree unless the lot is too small or the electrical boxes, utility vaults, etc., are in the way. Planter trees are trees in the dirt of the planter. These trees are optional. On some streets, the builder incorporated the street trees into the design of the planters, leaving essentially too little turf to add a street tree. These streets/homes have been identified and these homeowners are not required to add another tree. During our recent survey of lots without street trees, we have identified the few lots which should have a street tree but for some reason don't. We are notifying the homeowners that this needs to be remedied. TREE WELLS: This is the ground area around your street tree which is devoid of turf. This is done to allow more irrigation water to sink directly into the tree roots and not compete with the grass. In closing, we are always looking for new applicants to volunteer for our Committee. On another note, this will be my last article as Chair of the Landscape Advisory Committee. After four years of service, I stepped down as Chair at our October meeting. It has been an amazing ride! I will remain on the LAC and will continue to serve in another capacity. LANDSCAPE ADVISORY Landscape & Tree Concerns For all landscape and/or tree issues, questions, or problems, call The Colony Landscape line at (951) 698-0731. For after hours and weekend irrigation emergencies only, call the Main Gate at (951) 677-0238. 12 | THE COLONY NEWS | NOVEMBER 2020 | COMMITTEE NEWS