Landscape Master Plan

1. 1. The tailored desert theme of the improved common areas allows planting and maintenance of varieties of cactus, shrubs, and trees that are common to the Sonoran Desert, or possess similar drought-tolerant characteristics and are suitable for this area.
   2. Plantings will be maintained in as natural a format as possible except where it is necessary for pack rat control. For example, plants like Texas Rangers and Jojoba will be “fluffy” and not pruned into round balls. Desert Spoons may need to be periodically lifted to avoid creating hiding spots for packrats but this will be minimized as much as possible.
   3. Common areas that have steep slopes subject to erosion will either be landscaped with high-density drought-resistant plants or rock to control water runoff.
   4. Vegetation will be monitored and controlled as necessary in drainage channels.
   5. Weed control is a major consideration throughout the growing season. Pre-emergent herbicides will be applied at appropriate times to improve appearance and minimize the amount of time-consuming weed removal.
   6. Invasive grasses, plants and trees will be controlled in maintained common areas and drainage channels. These include Buffelgrass, Fountain Grass, Desert Broom, African Sumac or such plants as the Landscape Committee deems as invasive.
   7. Plants obscuring required sight distance on roadways will be trimmed or removed to maintain a safe visual clearance.
   8. Trees in common area will be periodically trimmed, crowned, or thinned by certified arborist to minimize damage to houses and common areas, particularly from wind. This work should not occur during bird nesting season (typically Feb-September). Also, because this is a high dollar item, trees will be prioritized based on amount of impact (located in areas where lots of homeowners will see them) and degree of poor shape the tree is in. Only a few trees can be done annually.
   9. Trees will be considered for replacement when the Landscape Committee determines that they meet one or more of the following criteria:
      1. Unhealthy
      2. Planted in wrong area or are too crowded
      3. Require excessive pruning which is not sound horticultural practice and is costly in dollars and time
      4. Roots pose a potential threat to structural integrity of curbs, sidewalks, walls, roadways, utilities or homes
      5. Existing tree has been excessively pruned so that it looks unattractive

When an existing tree is marked for removal, it will be replaced as soon as possible to eliminate a bare look in the area. When existing trees are removed, the location and mature height of the new planting must not interfere with views from private lots. If a tree is not the proper plant to use, a shrub will be used.

1. Homeowners who want trees in unmaintained Common Area behind their wall trimmed for view must submit a written request to the Landscape Committee (See Form used for signed approval of tree trimming.) When approved, the homeowner will pay for the work and will pay the authorized landscaper directly. Note the homeowner may select the HOA authorized landscaper or they may chose another licensed and insured landscaper to complete the work. The process remains the same regardless of choice of landscaper. Evaluation for approval will take into consideration line of sight, size of the tree/vegetation, and distance from homeowner’s wall. Note that only trees within approximately 25 feet of homeowner’s back wall are candidates for trimming. The Landscape Committee will be responsible to perform post inspection to verify compliance with the policy.
2. Some maintained common areas are treated with pre-emergent only (weed control) but are not landscaped. Two examples of this would be Territory Drive between Via Sempreverde and Via Gelsomino and the wash area behind Via Frassino. There are other small slivers of common areas between homes that would fall into this category (weed control only).