6 Questions for Fair Oaks Landscape Architect

Amy Nettleton is a landscape architect with  She was brought on to the  in March to create a revised landscape and irrigation plan due to city ordinance AB 1881, which states municipal landscape projects must be water efficient.

Here's a look into what she's done since she's been on the job:

1. When did you get involved with the ? 

I was awarded the contract to complete the Fair Oaks landscape re-design in mid-March of this year. I was among a number of landscape architects who competed for the project.

2. What role(s) have you taken since then?

My role as landscape architect has been to develop a revised landscape and irrigation plan for the project. I have hired sub-consultant Lyman Brewer Irrigation to coordinate the irrigation plans. It was important that the design respond to a technical memo prepared by the Natural Resources and Environment Commission (dated Jan. 5, 2011). This memo commented on the original landscape and irrigation plans with regard to water use and urged compliance with current water conservation law.

In early April, I presented a preliminary design that identified a planting design strategy, plant species palettes and a general irrigation approach. This scheme was reviewed and approved by the City prior to our preparation of construction documents.

Lyman Brewer and I have had a limited role for observation during construction. We have reviewed submittals and answered questions from the contractor, and we made limited field visits to verify that the work was being installed according to the plans. I was able to coordinate with the landscape contractor to fine-tune the plant placement on site.

3. Tell us about the revisions you made to make the landscaping water efficient. Is this an expensive process?

The water efficiency of the redesign is based on the selection of appropriate drought-tolerant, plant species and the specification of a drip irrigation system (as opposed to the spray irrigation design that was part of the original scheme). A water efficient design is not significantly more expensive than a traditional, more water-thirsty design, although drip irrigation can cost slightly more to install than a spray system.

4. Can you tell us about the trees chosen for the project? Why these trees? 

For the Fair Oaks Avenue streetscape, we selected three different species of native oak trees. The medians are planted with coast live oak and Engelmann oak. There are several valley oaks included in the sidewalk planters. These oak species are appropriate drought-tolerant trees for a streetscape.

Engelmann oak was once a relatively common tree in our local environment, but most have been lost due to development. So it is ecologically meaningful to add them back to the landscape. All three species are long-lived and will provide welcome shade in what can be a very hot landscape.

Each species has a slightly different texture and leaf color, which adds a subtle variety to the landscape. I deliberately used a mix of species, rather than a mono-culture, to introduce diversity in our urban forest. I personally like the idea that the name Fair Oaks will be more meaningful with native oak trees as part of the streetscape.

On State Street, we chose a thornless variety of palo verde. This species is already present in the median on Raymondale, which intersects with State Street just east of OSH, and we thought it was appropriate to continue the use of that tree in the area. The ‘Desert Museum’ cultivar is a cross of two native desert species. It is extremely drought-tolerant and also very attractive, with green bark on young stems and abundant yellow flower clusters in the summer.

5. I remember talks (from a Fair Oaks community meeting) about not trimming the trees in the early stages. Can you explain this concept and why it's important?

The limitation on tree pruning when trees are first planted applies specifically to small side branches on the lower trunk. In the past, these branches would be removed to provide a clear trunk when the tree was young. Now it is recognized that these small branches help provide sustenance to the tree and contribute to natural trunk development while the tree is establishing in its new location.

The branches can be removed after several years. During the first year, the trees are generally not pruned except to provide clearance where necessary. After the first year, it will be important to provide careful pruning to shape the canopy in coming years.

6. What is one of the most common questions you've received from community members regarding the landscape of this project?

What kind of trees are we using, just as you asked above!