From Your Architectural Liaison By Diane Botica SRCA Architectural Liaison
A tree by any other name is still a tree. The Hollywood privacy wall that is used throughout California often uses Ficus as the screening material. Ficus is a genus of about 850 species of woody trees. This genus is touted by the plant nurseries as fast growing. For that very reason, Ficus is not allowed or approved near any shared walls/concrete sidewalks/ neighboring properties and requires a minimum setback measurement of 15’. Ficus is not a bush. Ficus is a cut to size tree. These trees can reach 50 feet in height. No matter how much you may try and keep this type of a tree pruned, the root systems will always be highly invasive. They are known for buckling pavement, damaging sidewalks, underground utilities, and drains. If planted close to the shared wall and the roots damage the shared wall between the properties of your neighbor and you, the repairs are the responsibility of the party that planted the tree.
There are better choices to use for privacy screening. Green Hopseed Bush, Dodonaea viscosa, Oleander or Photina x fraseri. If you are planting anything from bushes to shrubs to trees in the front of your house, a submittal to SRCA is required. For the rear yard, anytime you are planting a tree, a submittal to SRCA is always required to ensure you meet the setback requirements. For more landscape information, please see the architectural section of SRCA’s website. Visit www.scottsdaleranch.org and click on the blue and white house that says ‘Plan My Project. Here you will find applications, the architectural rules, project checklists and many neighborhood character studies. Thank you and remember…. In all cases, a minimum of a $250 fine is levied for work that has commenced without obtaining prior architectural approval. When in doubt submit for approval.
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