Usda Natural Resources Conservation Service

562 – Recreation Area Improvement

Specification

USDA Natural ResourceS Conservation Service

Conservation Practice Specification

ARIZONA

RECREATION AREA IMPROVEMENT

(acre)

CODE NO. 562

NRCS Field Office Technical Guide, Section IV Page 13 of 13 NRCS, Arizona

June, 2005

562 – Recreation Area Improvement

Specification

1.  SCOPE

The work shall consist of all preparation and furnishing and installing materials as required to construct the recreation area improvement.

2.  general requirements

A. Planting

(1) Grasses and Forbs

Areas without supplemental water will be seeded according to Range Seeding or Critical Area planting standards and specifications.

Areas with supplemental water available will be seeded in accordance with Pasture and Hayland standards and specifications with the following exceptions:

·  Seeding rates will be doubled or tripled when heavy recreational use is anticipated and when close-growing quick-establishing turf is desired.

·  Intensive use areas such as lawns, playgrounds, and athletic fields will be seeded with species, on dates, and at rates found in Table 8.

An irrigation system may be needed for intensive use areas.

All seeded areas will need protection from trampling until well established. Pathways, sidewalks, and directional signing may be needed to protect seeded areas.

(2)  Trees, Shrubs and Vines

Standards and specifications for Farmstead and Feedlot windbreaks will be used where row planting of vines, shrubs or trees is planned.

Consideration must be given to service facilities such as sewer lines, water lines, roads, power and telephone lines, and drainage fields when selecting species for planting.

Species selected should have more than one use if possible. Wildlife attracting ability, beautification and erosion control would be an example of multiple use of a species.

(3)  Time and Methods

Container stock can usually be planted at any time of the year. Transplants and bare root stock should be planted while dormant in early spring.

Bare root stock is planted as follows:

a.  Provide hole large enough not to crowd roots.

b.  Trim all broken roots.

c.  Dig hole 6 inches deeper than root length, backfill with good soil.

d.  Place plants 1-2 inches deeper than planted at the nursery.

e.  Water well, keep damp until well established.

Remove plants from all containers except for the paper plant bands. Plants can be planted in bands.

Plants will be maintained in accordance with standards and specifications for farmstead and feedlot windbreaks. In addition, the following is recommended?

a.  In D-40 and D-30 MLRAs, plants will benefit from placing bark or similar mulch around the plant. Vitamin B (Hort, grade) added to the hole will facilitate rooting and lessen plant shock.

b.  When planting native plants, water well to establish, but after plant is well established, cut back on watering to the point of natural rainfall amounts wherever the plant grows.

(4)  Flowers, forbs and herbaceous plants

Specific guidelines for the use of flowering annuals, biennials and perennials are extremely difficult to outlines because of the tremendous range of plants adapted to Arizona. There are hundreds of species, plus thousands of horticultural varieties. The following general considerations will serve at least as guidelines:

·  The use of flowering plants will enhance any recreation area. It will attract birds, provide seeds for birds, and beautify.

·  Examples of other uses are hollyhocks for screens, zinnias for borders and beds around play areas, iris to outline foot paths, crocus and tulips around fish ponds for landscaping. Most of the commercially available flowers will require irrigation.

·  Native wildflowers are effective in natural landscapes and are especially good where supplemental water is not available. Perennials or self-seeding varieties should be used. Best results can usually be obtained by seeding native wildflowers in the fall or early winter. This is the natural way to break seed dormancy. Plant at a shallow depth and cover seeds lightly, but firmly, with soil. A light mulch of straw should be applied. Wildflower beds or areas must be kept free of weeds.

·  All planted areas must be protected from grazing and/or trampling.

B.  Thinning and Pruning

Thinning:

·  Locate and sketch camping, picnic and playground areas, roads, paths and other improvements prior to thinning.

·  Mark all plants to be removed prior to cutting.

·  Remove defective, damaged, or diseased trees and shrubs.

·  Thinning should be held to a minimum and only done to provide easy access to the areas. Trees and shrubs are difficult to grow in the southwest, so all vegetation that can be saved will be an asset.

·  Where thinning is necessary, leave trees and shrubs in irregularly spaced clumps. All openings should be made to appear natural. Look at natural openings in the area and plan similar openings on the sites.

·  All trees cut should have a stump no higher than 3 inches and all shrubs and vines should be cut level with the ground.

·  Pile and dispose, as allowed by law, all slash 4 inches or smaller in diameter. Larger material should be trimmed, cut, stacked and use for firewood on the sites.

·  Keep all fireplaces, grills, fire circles and incinerators at least 10 feet away from all trees and shrubs.

Pruning

·  Remove all dead and diseased limbs and branches from trees and shrubs.

·  Prune tree limbs 8-10 feet above ground around playgrounds, and near trailer and pickup camper roads and parking areas. Equestrian trails should be cleared to 15 feet.

·  Prune tree limbs larger than 1 inch with a saw. Smaller branches should be pruned with loping shears. Make a cut on the underside of the limb 1-2 feet from the trunk before making final cut next to trunk. This will prevent bark stripping. Saw next to trunk, but avoid sawing into the trunk. Apply a fungicide paing on all limb cuts 2 inches or larger.

·  All broadleaf trees must be pruned while dormant. Do not prune more than ½ total crown area.

Attached tables provide guidance.

3.  Special Requirements

Installation shall be in accordance with the following drawings, specifications and special requirements. NO CHANGES ARE TO BE MADE IN THE DRAWINGS OR SPECIFICATIONS WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL OF NRCS.

Other Requirements

4.  Required Attachments

Plan Map showing location

Designs showing alignment, width, side slopes, drainage, erosion control, surfacing, traffic safety, and construction operations.

Drawings, No.

5.  Other Attachments

Associated Practice Specifications

Water Quality Considerations

Other

6.  Operation and Maintenance

This conservation practice is an asset to your farm or ranch. This practice will need periodic operation and maintenance to maintain satisfactory performance. The life of this practice or system is at least 10 years. The life of this practice can be assured or extended by thorough and timely operation and maintenance. Here are some recommendations to help you develop a good operation and maintenance program.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Maintain the roadway surface in a good condition, which includes periodic grading or repair of the surface.

Prevent surface ponding by grading to remove depressions.

Limit livestock usage to periods that permit use without damage.

If fences are installed, they shall be maintained to provide warning and/or prevent unauthorized human or livestock entry.

Remove debris to prevent blockage of stream crossings, culverts or bridges.

Control all rodents or burrowing animals. Immediately repair any damage caused by their activity.

Immediately repair any damage from vandalism, vehicles, or livestock.

Specific Recommendations For Your Installation

NRCS Field Office Technical Guide, Section IV Page 13 of 13 NRCS, Arizona

June, 2005

562 – Recreation Area Improvement

Specification

NRCS Field Office Technical Guide, Section IV Page 13 of 13 NRCS, Arizona

June, 2005

562 – Recreation Area Improvement

Specification

TABLE 1

Exotic Evergreen and Deciduous Ornamental Shrubs for Recreation Areas

Name / Best adapted to elevations / Height (ft) / Color time / Color / Comments / Wildlife use[1]
Acanthus
Acanthus mollis / Below 4500 / 1 ½-3 / All year / Green / Large, dark green leaves, evergreen
Arbutus
Arbutus uneda / Below 4500 / 3-6 / Fall / Red bark, pink flowers / Deep green foliage, evergreen
Aucuba
Aucuba japonica / Below 4500 / 3-5 / All year / Bronze foliage / Evergreen shrub
Barberry
Barberis thunbergi / Above 2000 / 4-6 / All year / Bronze foliage / Evergreen shrub / Fruit choice food for birds
Shrimp plant
Beloperone tomentosa / Below 4500 / 1 ½-2 / All year / Red flowers / Evergreen shrub, heat & drought resistant
Bottlebrush
Callistemon spp. / Below 4500 / 6-15 / April / Red flowers / Evergreen shrub, heat & drought resistant
Boxwood
Buxux harlandii / Below 4500 / 2-4 / All year / Evergreen hedge / Choice fruit for birds
California holly
Photiniia arbutifolia / Below 6000 / 6-10 / Fall / Red berries / Evergreen, red berries at Christmas time / Choice fruit for birds
Cape honeysuckle
Tecoma capensis / Below 2000 / 6-8 / Oct-Apr / Red flowers / Half climbing evergreen / Choice for nectar
Chinese photinia
Photinia serrulata / Below 6000 / 6-8 / April / White flowers / Very fragrant flowers / Fruit choice for birds
Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster horizontalis / All areas / 1- 1 ½ / Fall / Red berries / Spreading evergreen shrub / Fruit choice for birds
Dusty miller
Centaurea cineraria / Below 6000 / 1-1 ½ / All year / Silver foliage / Evergreen, broad silver leaves
Euonymous
Euonymous japonica / All areas / 3-8 / All year / Green foliage / Stands both heat & cold, evergreen
Germander
Teucrium chamaedrys / Below 4500 / 1-1 ½ / All year / Purple foliage / Likes full sun, dry areas, good ground cover, evergreen
Hakea
Hakea suaveolens / Below 4500 / 6-8 / April / White flowers / Very drought resistant, evergreen
Hibiscus
Hibiscus spp. / Below 3000 / 4-8 / Apr-Jun / Many colors / Not frost tolerant, evergreen / Choice nectar for hummers
Holly
Ilex altaclarensis (Wilson var.) / Below 4500 / 6-10 / Fall / Red berries / Use in shade or partial shade, evergreen / Choice fruit for birds
Hopseed bush
Idodonaea viscose var purpurea / Below 4500 / 6-8 / Fall / Purple leaves / Willow-like leaves, evergreen / Browse for deer
Lantana
Lantana spp. / Below 4500 / 2-5 / April / Colored flowers / Stands heat & drought well, semi-evergreen / Birds take fruit
Lavender
Lavendula vera / All areas / 1 ½-2 / May / Purple flowers / Silver-gray foliage, evergreen, old time herb / Nectar for hummer
Common myrtle
Myrtus communis / Below 4500 / 4-8 / April / White flowers / Likes hot, dry locations, evergreen
Nandina
Nandina domestica / All areas / 4-6 / Winter / Bronze foliage / Fruit is fair for birds
Natal plum
Carissa grandiflora / Below 3000 / 4-6 / Mar-May / White flowers / Full sun, evergreen, frost sensitive / Fruit choice for birds
Oleander
Nerium oleander / Below 4500 / 6-15 / May-Sep / Colored flowers / Has poisonous leaves & stems, evergreen
Oregon grape
Mahonia acquifolium / Above 2000 / 3-5 / April / Yellow flowers / Evergreen, does best in partial shade
Pampas grass
Cortaderia spp / Below 4500 / 6-8 / Jul-Nov / Plumes / Large grass clumps, very hardy
Pittosporum
Pittosporum tobira / Below 4500 / 5-8 / White flowers / Evergreen, dense glossy leaves
Plumbago
Plumbago capensis / Below 2000 / 3-4 / Jun-Oct / Blue flowers / Plant in protected area, evergreen
Privet, amur River
Ligustrum amurensis / Above 2000 / 4-8 / May / Red flowers / Has red berries, evergreen / Fruit choice for many birds

TABLE 2

Exotic Flowering Trees & Palms for Recreation Areas

Name / Best Adapted to Elevations / Height
(ft) / Comments / Wildlife use[2]
Acacia, silver waffle
Acacia baileyana / Below 4000 / 20-25 / 15°F and below injures this tree. Bright yellow flowers in late winter.
Callistemon, bottlebrush
Callistemon viminalis / Below 4000 / 18-20 / Scarlet flowers, below 15°F injurious.
Flowering cherry
Prunus spp / Above 4000 / 20-25 / Covered with masses of large pink & white flowers in spring / Fruit choice food of many birds
Flowering crab apple
Malus spp. / Above 4000 / 10-30 / Flowers and persistent colored fruit / Fruit choice food of many birds
Fringe tree
Chionanthus virginicus / Below 4000 / 15-20 / White flowers in spring, below 10°F injurious
Flowering hawthorne
Cretaegus spp. / Above 4000 / 15-20 / Pink, red, crimson flowers, very attractive tree / Fruit choice for many birds
Jacaranda
Jacaranda mimosaefolia / Below 2000 / 15-18 / Below 25°F injurious to tree, Yuma-Maricopa counties best.
Flowering peaches
Prunus spp. / Above 4000 / 10-15 / Pink blossoms, purple leaves / Fruit choice for birds
Orchid tree
Bauhinia purpures / Below 2000 / 15 / Below 25°F injurious, large purple orchid-shaped flowers
Citrus fruits (ornamental)
Citrus spp. / Below 2500 / 5-30 / Many different kinds, all are fragrant / Fruit choice for birds
Carob tree
Ceratonia siliqua / Below 3000 / 30 / Slow growing evergreen
Red box-gum
Eucalyptus polyanthemos / Below 3000 / 60-70 / Below 15°F injurious
Red gum
Eucalyptus rostrata / Below 3000 / 100-110 / Tall, upright, good windbreak, below 18°F injurious
White gum
Eucalyptus vimunalis / Below 3000 / 100-125 / Below 15°F injurious, very hardy in desert conditions
Japanese loquat
Eriobotrya japonica / Below 3000 / 15-20 / Below 25°F injurious, fruit in spring / Fruit is choice food for birds
Silk oak
Grevillea robusta / Below 3000 / 30-40 / Below 20°F injurious
Canary palm
Phoenix canariensis / Below 3000 / 24-30 / Long, curving fronds, below 10°F injurious
California fan palm
Wasningtonia filifera / Below 3000 / 30-35 / Large trunk, below 10°F injurious
Date palm
Phoenix dactylifera / Below 3000 / 40 / Common date palm / Good food for birds
Slender fan palm
Wasningtonia robusta / Below 3000 / 75-80 / Tallest growing palm, best for landscaping, below 18°F injurious
Queen palm
Arecastrum romanzoffianum / Below 3000 / 30 / Below 18°F injurious

TABLE 3

Deciduous Shade and Street Trees for Recreation Areas

Name / Best Adapted to Elevations / Height
(ft) / Comments / Wildlife use[3]
Arizona ash
Fraxinus veluntina / Statewide / 50 / 0°F and below will injure trees. One of the best for southern AZ / Seeds are choice food for birds
Ash, green male
Fraxinus lanceolata / Above 4000 / 50-60 / Non-seeding bearing male trees.
Modesto ash
Fraximus veluntina glabra / Below 4000 / 50 / 5°F and below injures tree
Cottonwood
Populus fremonti / Below 4000 / 50-75 / Fast grower, injured below 0°F / Seeds are choice food for birds
American elm
Ulmus americiana / Above 4000 / 100-110 / Excellent for northern Arizona / Seed choice food for many birds
Chinese elm
Ulmus pumila / Statewide / 40+ / Excellent for dry, hot areas / Seed choice food for several birds
Common hackberry
Celtis occidentalis / Below 4000 / 60 / Good for hot, dry areas / Seed choice for several birds
Black locust
Robinia pseudoacacia / Statewide / 60-80 / Very hardy, does well on dry, hot, sandy soils / Nectar choice for hummingbirds, seed fair for many birds
Moraine locust
Gledetsia tricanthos var. moraine / Statewide / 70-80 / Excellent shade tree / Nectar choice for hummingbirds
Silver maple
Acer saccarhinum / Above 4000 / 60-80 / Fastest growing of maples / Seed fair for many birds Catkins fair.
Mayday tree
Prunus padus / Above 5000 / 20 / Large flowers, very hardy around Flagstaff
Mesquite
Prosopis juliflora / Below 4000 / 20-30 / Leave growing when clearing land, water and fertilize lightly / Seeds taken by several birds and small animals
Fruitless mulberry
Morus spp. / Below 4500 / 40-50 / Best shade tree in southern Arizona
Russian olive
Elaeagnus angustifolia / Statewide / 20 / Hayfever producer, can be weedy, very hardy / Fruit taken by several birds, browsed by deer
Pecan
Carya pecan / Below 4500 / 50-60 / Needs deep soil / Nut meat choice food for many birds
Chinese pistachio
Pistacia chinensis / Below 4000 / 50-60 / Bright purple leaves in fall
Lombardy poplar
Populus nigra italica / Above 4000 / 40-50 / Upright, columnar shaped tree, good screen tree / Buds choice food of many birds
Weeping willow
Salix babylonica / Statewide / 40-50 / Good around tanks, ponds, streams / Buds choice food of many birds
London plane sycamore
Platanus acerifolia / Statewide / 60 / Needs deep, well drained soils / Seed is fair for a few birds
American sycamore
platanus occidentalis / Statewide / 80 / Very hardy / Seed fair for a few birds
Pepper tree
Ischinus molle / Below 3000 / 50 / Fast growing, drooping branches, 12°F or lower kills tree
African sumac
Rhus lancea / Below 4000 / 30-35 / Broad crowned, slow growing / Fruit sometimes used
Athel tree
Tamarix articulate / Below 4000 / 40-50 / Hot, dry, desert tree; alkali tolerant; excellent as windbreak

TABLE 4