March 2022
This mid-rise multi-family housing project located in Miami Gardens consists of 420 units on a 13-acre site. The site is covered with many mature oak trees. A great deal of planning was done between the architects and our firm to preserve as many as possible of the trees. Those trees considered specimens or even champion trees were relocated to areas that would be beneficial to the community. It was very expensive to relocate the trees, but the owners were sensitive to the importance of preserving the trees, knowing full well they could never duplicate mother nature with these majestic trees.

We were responsible along with our arborist for the relocation and procedure in making sure the trees of 48” to 60” inch calipers would survive, be preserved, and protected during construction. In addition, we made sure all existing trees were protected by cording off with tree barriers. During our planting design process, we analyzed and picked important key nodes and emphasized the landscape with many native understory trees and shrubs.

We also assisted in the hardscape adjustment with the architects and civil engineers. The latter was extremely important by guiding the engineers in locating the infiltration drain trenches away from the existing trees to protect them.

Finally, a new code system was implemented for perimeter landscape planting which is called CPTED or Crime Prevention through Environmental Design. A risk assessment or Crime Area Profile (CAP) is done surrounding the proposed project with other residential communities. Based on a scale system of a one-mile radius, this tool tells us how serious the crime within this site area is. If the crime is 3 times above normal, we then have to prepare a landscape plan using plant materials that will deter any intruder from crossing or jumping into property to commit any crime.