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10.2 Landscaping and Maintenance <br /> In this section, a compatible landscaping concept for the more formal human uses <br /> associated with the golf course clubhouse is presented. Planting additional plants near and <br /> around oaks in built environments softens architectural lines and blends housing structures <br /> into the environment, screens views, and moderates the climate. <br /> Landscaping with plants that are compatible with oaks is recommended California oaks <br /> are adapted to cool, moist winters and hot,dry summers. A similar environment should be <br /> maintained in developed conditions. Ornamental plants should be selected for drought <br /> tolerance. Many native plants are well-suited in developed oak landscapes and are not only <br /> attractive, but require low maintenance. Appendix 4 lists such suitable plants for <br /> landscaping underneath oaks. Placing a wood chip mulch over the root zone is also <br /> beneficial. Mulch adds humus, improves soil aeration and fertility, and prevents excessive <br /> evaporation. <br /> Several books and pamphlets have discussed compatible landscaping around oak trees <br /> (Johnson, 1989). Most of these references describe landscaping in terms of compatibility. <br /> The concept of plants that are compatible with oaks and the native environment requires a <br /> brief explanation. The concept of compatibility includes elements of aesthetics,drought <br /> tolerance, and food and habitat value for wildlife. <br /> Nearly all of the human building sites occur in oak woodlands. These habitats are <br /> characterized by open growth, widely spaced trees with rounded crowns and a sparse, <br /> grassland understory. In keeping with this landscape having naturally soft edges and <br /> curved outlines, new landscaping should ideally maintain this inherent life form. <br /> Compatible understory shrubs might include coffeeberry, toyon, or western redbud, all <br /> Buckeye Ranch Resource Plan (November, 1993) <br /> 241 <br />