🔎 Common Symbols

• Tree symbols: circle with canopy spread, tag shows species & size.
• Shrubs/groundcover: clustered hatch or small circles.
• Paving materials: hatch patterns for concrete, brick, pavers, asphalt.
• Site furniture: benches, trash bins, bike racks with codes.
• Lighting: triangles or dots with circuit tags.
• Irrigation lines: dashed lines, spray head circles, drip line hatching.

📐 Key Calculations

• Area of planting beds: (length × width) minus hardscape cutouts.
• Tree counts: total trees = # per plan symbol tag.
• Sod/seed areas: takeoff by square feet, convert to rolls or pounds.
• Hardscape: square footage for pavers, concrete, asphalt; adjust for thickness.
• Mulch volumes: area × depth ÷ 324 = cubic yards.
• Irrigation zones: total heads ÷ GPM to size pipe & controller.

⚡ Quick Reference

• 🌱 Plant spacing: convert center-to-center spacing into plants per SF.
• 🧱 Paver conversion: 1,000 SF ≈ 4.5 pallets (varies by manufacturer).
• 💧 Irrigation pressure loss: 0.433 psi per foot of elevation gain.
• 🌳 Tree caliper: measured 6" above root flare (specs call-out).
• 🪨 Gravel base depth: walkway 4", driveways 6–8".

📝 Self Test

1. How do you calculate mulch volume in cubic yards for a 1,200 SF bed at 3" depth?
2. What symbol is commonly used for irrigation spray heads?
3. How do you size irrigation zones using GPM and head counts?
4. What base depth is required for hardscape paving under a driveway?
5. How do you measure tree caliper per plan standards?

(Answers: 1) 1,200 × 0.25 ÷ 324 ≈ 0.9 CY, 2) small circle, 3) divide total heads by GPM capacity, 4) 6–8", 5) 6" above root flare)