SITE INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS FOR

LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Through the process of site inventory and analysis, we can determine
elements and conditions that will impact the ultimate use and design of the
landscape.
Design, when based on thoughtful inventory and analysis, can improve the
environment, by creating new features based on the users' needs and keeping
those features which are deemed useful and desirable.
HOW TO BEGIN?

Identify and locate all site elements on the property by size, material, and
condition. Find out the history of the site, how it once was used, and if such
use is still relevant today. Who will use the area and what aesthetics and
activities are to be incorporated into the ultimate landscape design?
LOCATE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS

Walk the land with a scale-drawn property survey and roughly locate important
built elements such as walks, driveways, utilities, and fences, as well as
natural features like existing trees and shrubs, rock outcroppings, and on and
off-site views.

UNDERSTAND ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

As it is best to treat natural systems with regard, discern how natural areas
can be maintained and where they are most vulnerable.

INVENTORY FACTORS THAT AFFECT CLIMATE

It is essential to inventory the prevailing wind directions, patterns of sun and
shade, existing topography, and soil type on a site in order to identify the
different "microclimates" that exist.

FOLLOW THE SUN'S PATH

 One of the best ways to improve certain site conditions is to understand
the sun's path across the entire area.
 For example, a house with southern exposure will benefit from the
strategic placement of deciduous shade trees along the southwest
corner; to lower the amount of heat and glare received
on summer afternoons.
CLIMATE/MICROCLIMATE
 The climate immediately surrounding the building is called its
microclimate.
 When landscaping for energy efficiency, it's important to consider the
microclimate along with the regional climate.
 Building microclimate may receive more sun, shade, wind, rain, snow,
moisture, and/or dryness than average local conditions.
 If building is located on a sunny southern slope, it may have a warm
microclimate, even if you live in a cool region. Or, even though you live
in a hot-humid region, building may be situated in a comfortable
microclimate because of abundant shade and dry breezes.
 Nearby bodies of water may increase your site's humidity or decrease its
air temperature.
 Microclimatic factors also help determine what plants may or may not
grow in your landscape.
SOIL COMPOSITION AND CLASSIFICATION

 Soil is the result of decomposition of parent rock material.

 Soils are classified by physical and chemical properties, which include

grain size and distribution as well as organic content.

 Soils are also categorized by their ability to support construction.

 Solid rock and boulders is the most suitable base for construction, with
fine sand, silt, clay, and
peat being the least
suitable.

 For most horticultural

purposes, we try to
achieve a good balance
of particles so that water
will enter the soil and be
held until the particles
release it to the plant
roots.

 Generally, coarse,
sandy soils are more
permeable than fine-
grained clay soils, but
tend to lose water and
nutrients too rapidly for
plant roots to take up.

 Organic matter in soil improves nutrient content and prevents leaching,

even after heavy rains.
SOIL PH
 In addition to available moisture and adequate drainage, the most
important property of a soil for horticultural applications is its pH level or
soil reaction.
 The range of a soil's acidity or alkalinity is expressed in pH values.
 A reading of 7 is considered neutral.
 Since all plants have specific tolerances for pH, a soil test is advisable to
indicate the pH level.
 With this knowledge you can determine if a soil must be modified in
order to grow desired species.
 Please note that most important nutrients become available for plant
growth in a slightly acid soil with a pH of about 6.5.
 If a soil is quite to plant roots while other nutrients such as iron,
manganese, and boron becomes readily available.
 Only acid-loving plants such as Rhododendron and Azalea can
tolerate and thrive in this type of soil.
 Many plants are also intolerant of alkaline soils and this can be more of
limiting factor to growth than soil acidity.
VEGETATION

 Trees and shrubs in the landscape are classified as coniferous,

deciduous, and broadleaf evergreen.

 Conifers include needle leaf evergreens like spruce, fir, and pines along
with ancient species like ginkgo and cycads.

 Deciduous trees like oak, maple, and beech compose much of our
northeastern forests.

 Rhododendron and holly are examples of broadleaf evergreens.

 For inventory purposes, it is important to note all trees over 4" DBH
(diameter at breast height) and observe the size of their branching
canopy.

 Next, locate all shrubs and inventory visual characteristics such as form,
 branching habit, twig character, bark coloration, foliage shape, texture,
and color, flower color and fragrance, fruit, and distinguishing uses such
as wildlife and human value.

 Lastly, identify plants in the understory layer including herbaceous

perennials, biennials, and annuals, ferns, fern allies, vines, and/or
seedlings of trees and shrubs.

 Noting the overall condition of the vegetation along with a thorough

inventory will help you to decide what you want to keep and what needs
to be weeded out.

ANALYZE THE DATA

After you have carefully inventoried the natural and built features, you can
begin to analyze what you wish to keep, what you will remove, what needs to
be modified, and what will be added.

INTERPRET A SITE'S LIMITATIONS/POTENTIALS

Further emphasizing a beautiful, existing view is a great way to begin

interpreting a site's design potential. Similarly, noting an area that holds
rainwater would limit its potential for development, unless you want to plant a
wetland garden.

BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS

The process of site inventory and analysis identifies and evaluates existing
site conditions to determine what can be worked with and what must be
overcome in order to accomplish the design proposal. The key is careful
review of existing space and material so that a beautiful, functional, and
manageable landscape can evolve.