TM 5-803-13/AFM 126-8
Section II. Attributes of Planting
2-9. Aesthetic value. Plantings made for utilitarian
number and variety of animal species. Landscaping so as
purposes, such as screening service areas or shading hot
to attract animal species such as songbirds and small
pavements, will simultaneously improve the appearance
game can add to the richness of residential and
and enhance the livability of an area. The use of plantings
administrative areas. Plants used for this purpose usually
can introduce visual variety, create vistas, and relieve
have the added advantage of being native and requiring
bareness. One desirable effect of planting is a reduction
low maintenance. Care must also be taken so that wildlife
in the monumental scale of structures; this relieves the
habitats that are nuisances, such as black-bird roosts, do
visual oppressiveness created by large buildings and adds
not contribute to bird aircraft strike hazard (BASH)
to the psychological comfort of the viewer. Plantings can
problems.
separate groups of buildings into several pleasantly
2-11. Environmental Controls.
framed units and enhance individual buildings within
each group. Shrubs and small trees arranged in strategic
groups around a building often improve overall
significantly increase the energy efficiency of buildings.
appearance by softening structural lines. This technique
Air-conditioning requirements for most buildings result
integrates the building and its site and diverts attention
from solar energy absorbed by building surfaces. By
from unattractive structural features. Vines on large,
shading those portions of the building receiving the most
blank masonry walls can be attractive but should not be
sun, cooling requirements can be significantly reduced
used where injury to the structure may result.
(fig 2-12). During summer months, deciduous trees
provide shade, while during winter months, their bare
2-10. Wildlife conservation. Plant materials sup-
branches allow sunlight to reach exterior building
port wildlife and can be used to increase or decrease the
surfaces and reduce heating requirements.
b. Reduction of noise. Dense foliage is of some use in
atures, relative humidity and air velocities. Plants can be
absorbing and deadening noise (fig 2-13). In locations
used to break, guide, deflect or filter the wind and thereby
such as family housing areas located near main traffic
alter its effects (fig 2-14). To properly design for wind
arteries, deep belts of planting may prove beneficial in
control using plant materials, a basic knowledge of air
reducing traffic noise. Sounds caused by breezes rustling
dynamics is necessary. Information about the directions
through leaves and branches can mask undesirable noise.
of prevailing winds and their average speeds for different
c. Wind control. Wind is a climatic factor that can be
seasons of the year is also necessary.
either pleasant or unpleasant depending on air temper-
2-8