Victoria Bay's Landscape Committee's main responsibility is to oversee the landscape contract currently held by ABM Landscape Services. The Committee also sponsors pine needle drives and the Yard of the Season contest, develops proposals for landscape improvement projects, periodically circulates landscaping tips to residents and coordinates the street tree replacement plan. The largest part of the HOA budget is earmarked for landscaping functions.

Members:

Michael Case, Chair

Carol Fahey

Pat Gardner

Karen Donovan, Board Liason

All residents are welcome and encouraged to participate. Meetings are held at 7:00 pm at the clubhouse, check the Events Calendar for dates. Please contact Michael at landscaping@victoriabayhoa.com with any comments or questions.

Helpful Tips on Tree Pruning and Bermuda Grass Care.

Care and maintenance of street trees in front of and beside your house is the homeowner's responsibility, per the HOA Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, Article VIII, "The owner of each Lot shall be obligated to keep and maintain all portions of his Lot and the portion of the right-of-way on which his Lot is located lying between his Lot and the pavement of the road within such right-of-way in a neat, sanitary and attractive condition which is satisfactory to the Executive Board." Please refer to this handy guide for proper care: Care of Street Trees

For the Town of Cornelius: Town Tree Requirements

Street Tree Replacement Plan

The first phase of street tree replacement was completed in January 2008.  The HOA has adopted the following street tree replacement plan:

Victoria Bay – Green Vase Zelkova, Dawn Redwood (area near club house will have Deodora Cedars)
Bluff Inlet – Biloxi Crepe Myrtle
Water’s Edge – Trident Maple
Harbor Cove – Trident Maple
Harbor Mist – Allee Elm
Beard – Village Green Zelkova
Brinkley – Allee Elm
Marina Village – Allee Elm
Calipso – Allee Elm
Coral Cove – Allee Elm
Windshore – Allee Elm
Catawba Springs – Brandywine Maple
Sailboat Way – Brandywine Maple
Washam – Trident Maple
Common Areas along Brinkley and Harbor Cove - mixture of Dawn Redwood, Red Oak and Ginkgo. 

Tree Descriptions

	Allee Elm Upright spreading shape; Fast growing to 60’; Small green leaves turning yellow in fall
	Biloxi Crepe Myrtle, Single Stem Fast growing to 25’ tall; Upright vase shape with cinnamon colored bark; Pink flowers and orange red fall color
	Brandywine Maple Oval Crown to 25’ tall, medium green leaves 4.5 long x 4.4 wide;  Bark is smooth light grey when young turned dark grey with age;  Fall colors begin red turning purple red
	Dawn Redwood Fast growing deciduous pyramidal conifer reaching 80-100’ at maturity; Reddish colored wood…striking in winter landscape; Spring Green fern like foliage turning rusty brown in fall
	Ginkgo Slow to medium growing pyramidal shape 50-80’ tall; Bright green fan shaped leaves turning bright yellow in fall; Textured golden bark
	Green Vase Zelkova Vase shaped with small green leaves; Grows medium fast to 50-60’ tall Smooth gray bark exfoliates as tree matures; Orange reddish brown fall color
	Trident Maple Small maple with medium to fast growth up to 20-30’; Leafs out early spring with glossy green summer leaves, holding leaves into fall; Fall color can be yellow, orange and red
	Village Green Zelkova Similar to Green Vase but wider and broader at maturity; Same growth rate as Green Vase. 50-60’ tall; Red brown fall color

Tree planting requirements
The HOA intends to work with Town of Cornelius to replace street trees every fall/winter.  If homeowners are interested in replacing a street tree in advance of the HOA/Town schedule, they may do so provided they contact the Landscape Committee Chair in advance so that tree type and size can be verified before purchase.  In this case, all costs associated with removal, soil amendments and purchase of new tree will be borne by the homeowners.  Homeowners should purchase their trees from The Maplewood Company, (Paul Yandle, 704-363-4171 or maplewoodco@bellsouth.net).  They should be 2.5” caliper in size and consistent with the tree type in the HOA’s adopted street tree plan.  The following are two companies the Landscape Committee would recommend for tree removal services:  Bartlett Tree Experts (Brian Frierson, 704-588-3713, www.bartlett.com) and Barry’s Stump Removal Inc. (803-548-3138).  Once the trees are installed, they need to be maintained in accordance with the Watering and Maintenance Guidelines prepared by The Maplewood Company. 

Street Tree Watering and Maintenance Guidelines. Please Click Here