Increasing shade from trees
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- Increasing shade from trees
Background
Florida Water Star gives credit for landscapes that have a tree canopy that provides shading to a significant portion of the landscape, which can substantially reduce on-site evapotranspiration (ET).
Requirements and certification
Trees will provide shade to 30% of the total landscaped area at maturity. For properties where no more than 50% of the turf has permanent irrigation, trees at maturity shall provide shade to a minimum of 15% of the total landscaped area.
| Percentage | Silver | Gold | Commercial/Institutional |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | NA | 20 | NA |
| 40 | NA | 15 | NA |
| 30 | Required | Required | NA |
For properties where 51% to 100% of the turf has permanent irrigation, trees at maturity shall provide shade covering a minimum of 30% of the total landscaped area.
For properties where 50% or less of the turf has permanent irrigation, trees at maturity shall provide shade covering a minimum of 15% of the total landscaped area.
This practice pertains to all trees on the lot, recently planted or existing. Landscape designers and Inspectors should use the Waterwise plant database, or comparable reference, to assess the mature shade area of the trees.
This practice does not give credit to overlapping portions of tree canopies or to the portions of canopies that provide shade beyond lot boundaries to adjacent lots.
