How to read a planting plan

A planting plan locates trees, shrubs, perennials and ground cover and links each symbol to a specification.

To carry it out correctly, the drawing has to be cross-checked against the key, the schedule of quantities, the details and the technical conditions.

Reading only the name next to the symbol can lead to the wrong cultivar, size or form.

Before measuring, check the revision number, date, north point and scale.

A print may have been resized. The scale bar lets you confirm.

The base should match the levels and built elements that will be constructed.

Working from an old version produces conflicts that planting cannot correct.

Trees to be kept, transplanted, removed and planted should be shown differently.

The plan also shows relevant structures, paving and services.

When the existing vegetation is not up to date, the setting-out on the ground needs validating.

The protection zone for retained trees should appear on the plan or be defined in the conditions.

Each species or group is given a code.

The circle for a tree may represent the mature crown, the crown at planting or just a symbol. The key should make this clear.

For shrubs, blocks may indicate an area of the composition rather than each plant.

Colours help reading, but they should not be the only distinction, because black-and-white prints need to stay legible.

The key links the code to the botanical name, cultivar, form, size and production system.

One line might read Lagerstroemia indica ‘Nivea’, multi-stem, height and container or rootball.

The unit of quantity should be clear: units, plants per square metre or area.

Common names may appear as support, but the main identification is botanical.

Girth, height, crown height, spread and rootball describe different aspects.

The design chooses the parameters that matter.

In avenue planting, crown height can be critical. In a free-standing specimen, form and orientation carry more weight.

The classes represent ranges, not exact measurements.

Standard tree, multi-stem, ball, pyramid, espalier or roof-trained crown need to be stated.

The same species in different forms produces different results and maintenance.

A reference photograph can complement the description, but does not replace it.

In grafted forms, the graft height may be relevant.

In blocks, the plan may use a regular grid, groups or a mix.

The code should give density and percentage when there are several species.

The distribution on the ground follows the overall drawing, but small adjustments avoid accidental lines and obstacles.

The team should not change quantities without approval.

Spacing is the distance between plants. It can be given in metres or as a density.

It is measured from centre to centre.

Next to boundaries, the first row is adjusted to keep room for growth.

Spacing takes account of mature size and the time to close up. Reducing it to fill in quickly increases competition and maintenance.

Before planting holes are dug, trees and masses are marked out.

The team walks the space and checks the relationship with doors, views, lighting and circulation.

Small adjustments may be needed because the site as built shows differences. They are approved by the designer.

Large trees are checked against crane access.

The plan is overlaid on irrigation, lighting, drainage and services.

A tree cannot coincide with a chamber, a foundation or a main pipe.

For shrubs, emitters need to cover the mass and stay accessible.

Conflicts are resolved before planting.

The schedule is derived from the plan, but the two should be compared.

Differences can arise from revisions, rounding or altered areas.

The order confirms quantity, margin and phase.

Availability does not justify a substitution without analysing function, size and behaviour.

An alternative should be equivalent in terms of the design’s aim, and not just in size or price.

Leaf persistence, flowering, habit, soil and maintenance are compared.

The approval is recorded and updates the key.

For mature trees, choosing the specimen may require a visit to the nursery.

Trees go in first, followed by shrubs and perennials.

Setting out can be done zone by zone so that it is not destroyed by traffic.

The irrigation system is adjusted to the actual position.

Mulches and finishes are applied after inspection.

Changes made on site are recorded.

As-built drawings help with maintenance, replacements and future works.

They should include the relevant species and services.

Without updating, the plan no longer represents the garden on the day of handover.

The document is not just for counting plants.

It makes it possible to preserve the intention, coordinate teams and check quality.

The work improves when whoever plants understands the composition and does not follow symbols without context.

A technical reading and a joint setting-out reduce mistakes that would only become visible after the garden has grown.

• Detailed design
• Complete planting
• Girth, girth size and height

1. Principles for documenting planting plans.
2. European Arboricultural Standards. European Tree Planting Standard.
3. Diaplant’s method for design and setting out.