(1) Shrubs and Ground Cover. All required plant materials shall be of sufficient size and number to meet the required 70 percent coverage standard within 3 to 5 years according to the type of landscape standard being addressed. Mulch is not a substitute for ground cover plants. All required shrubs shall be in at least 3 gallon containers prior to planting, unless otherwise specified.

(2) Trees. Except where 1 or the other is specified elsewhere in this code, trees may be either deciduous or evergreen varieties. Required canopy trees at the time of planting must be fully branched and have a minimum diameter of 2 inches as measured by American Association of Nurserymen Standards. Required evergreen trees at the time of planting must be fully branched and a minimum of 6 feet in height.