A.
C.
Job conditions. Protect underground utilities and structures. Comply
with local and state requirements to locate facilities to avoid damage.
D.
Product delivery, storage and handling. Comply with local, state
or federal laws relative to plant material shipment.
A.
Plant stock.
(1)
All plant material shall be true to type and name, in accordance
with the current edition of Standardized Plant Names. Each plant or
plant group shall be labeled with not less than the plant's common
name and size. Each plant shall be typical of the species or variety
specified. All stock shall be free from disease, insect infestations,
mechanical injuries, broken branches, or other defects and also meeting
the following requirements.
(a)
Nursery stock shall have been grown in a certified nursery for
a period of at least two full growing seasons. The use of mechanical
digging equipment at the nursery will be permitted only when its use
is not deemed detrimental to nursery stock survival.
(b)
Collected plants shall be obtained from native standard or established
plantings.
(c)
Balled and burlapped plants (B&B) shall have a firm ball
composed of original, undisturbed soil, wrapped with untreated burlap
and laced with biodegradable lacing to hold the root ball firm and
intact. All plants found with broken, loose, or manufactured root
balls will be rejected.
(d)
Container-grown plants shall have been grown for at least one
year, but not more than two years, in the same container and shall
not exist in a pot-bound condition.
(e)
Bare root plants shall have a live, well-branched root system
with moist, fibrous root hairs free from rot and mold.
(2)
Plant material shall be handled, packed and stored using good nursery
practices. Material shall be available for inspection in the nursery
or collecting field before digging. The municipality reserves the
right to tag selected plants, indicating acceptable form, shape, and
cultural practices, in compliance with detailed specifications.
(3)
Any plant material which is designated as rejected material shall
be segregated and removed from the planting site within 48 hours.
B.
Wrapping material. Approved wrapping material shall be krinkle-kraft
waterproof paper 30-30-30 in four-inch widths or approved equal.
C.
Fertilizer. Commercial fertilizer shall conform to the requirements
of the Pennsylvania Soil Conditioner and Plant Growth Substance Law,
Act of December 1, 1977, P.L. 258, No. 86 (3P.S.68.2), as amended.[1] Fertilizer shall have an analysis of 0-20-0, 23-10-5 (10
gram tablets) or 16-8-1916 and shall be packaged in four-ounce, individual,
heat-sealed, polyethylene envelopes.
[1]
Editor's Note: See now 3 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 6702
and 6902.
D.
Mulch.
(1)
All mulch shall be free from foreign material, coarse stems and any
substances toxic to plant growth. Material shall be suitable, fibrous-ground,
shredded, or chunk-aged oak bark, not decomposed, between 1/4 inch
and two inches in any dimension.
(2)
Mulch shall be spread in three-inch thick (minimum) layer over a
two-inch thick (minimum) layer or organic compost material.
E.
Backfill mix for plantings. Backfill mix shall consist of a homogeneous
mixture of 20% peat (either shredded reedsedge peat or spaghnum moss
peat, or a combination of both from fresh water sites) and 80% topsoil
by volume. One pound of 0-20-2 commercial fertilizer shall be uniformly
mixed into each cubic yard of backfill mix.
F.
Stakes and guys.
(1)
Where required, stakes shall be rough-sawn, red or white cedar, southern
yellow pine, or acceptable hardwoods free from knots, rot, or other
defects which may impair the strength of the stake. Steel channel
bar posts, rolled from standard carbon steel rails, and meeting ASTM-A499
may be used in lieu of wood stakes.
(2)
Ground anchors, if specified, shall be either a four-inch universal
ground anchor, as manufactured by Laconia Malleable Iron, or a four-inch
auger-type earth anchor, as manufactured by American Steel Products
Corp., or approved equal.
(3)
Turnbuckles shall be galvanized steel, meeting ASTM A153, and measuring
nominally 3/8 inch by six inches.
(4)
All wire for bracing and guying trees shall be #12 gage, galvanized,
and shall meet ASTM A392, Class II requirements.
G.
Tree protectors.
(1)
All newly planted trees shall have a tree protector device installed
around the base. The protector shall be corrugated polyethylene solid
pipe (ASTM D1248, ASTM F405) of a minimum diameter of two times greater
than the caliper of the tree, and a length of 18 inches. Galvanized
steel or aluminum perforated protectors may be used but must have
a rubber hose guard lining at the top.
(2)
Before placing, samples or manufacturers catalog cuts of the devices
shall be submitted for review and acceptance.
H.
Hose guard. To protect trees and shrubs from guy wire damage, an
acceptable hose guard shall be utilized.
I.
Weed barrier mat. When indicated, use a nonwoven 100% polyester fiber
fabric manufactured for this specific purpose.
A.
Temporary storage.
(1)
All plant material not planted immediately shall be properly stored.
Obtain, provide, and prepare a suitable healing-in site or arrange
for a well-ventilated and cool storage shed located near the planting
site. Temporarily store container-grown or balled and burlapped plants
in a protected area, with containers or balls six inches apart. Fill
all voids with moist mulch to the top of the container or ball.
(2)
Bare root plant material which arrives at the planting site shall
be immediately removed from the transport vehicle. Roots shall be
covered with wet burlap or mulch to prevent drying. Protect the plant
material from sun and wind and keep fresh by the fine mist spraying,
or by other acceptable methods.
(3)
Protect plants at all times. All material left out of the ground,
unprotected overnight, with roots exposed to sun and wind, or unprotected
during transit, unloading, storage, healing in or during actual planting
operations will be rejected.
B.
Layout of plantings.
(1)
Delineate the plant pit locations, bed and planting area outlines.
Identify the plants to be placed at the delineated locations. Do not
start excavation or cultivation until the locations and outlines have
been accepted by the municipality.
(2)
Should obstructions prevent planting at the indicated locations,
alternate locations or deletions will be determined by the municipality.
C.
Shrub bed preparation. For areas indicated for bedding, prepare the
area in the following manner to attain the designed finished grade:
(1)
Remove sod and all undesirable growth and add additional topsoil
if required to reestablish grade.
(2)
Uniformly spread three inches of peat, then thoroughly incorporate
it into the soil to a minimum depth of six inches. As directed during
this blending operation, remove and dispose of undesirable material
larger than two inches in any dimension.
D.
Preparation of plant pits.
(1)
For bare root shrubs, vines, and seedling transplants, dig pits with
vertical sides and flat bottoms large enough to accommodate roots
without crowding. For balled and burlapped plants, the pit shall be
twice the width of the ball diameter. For common periwinkle, pachysandra,
and ivy, provide only four inches of backfill mix beneath and around
all sides of the root system.
(2)
All plant pits designated for bare root or balled and burlapped plant
stock shall be dug prior to removing plants from temporary storage.
Immediately before planting, scarify, loosen, or roughen the sides
of the plant pit.
(3)
If the soil conditions are deemed favorable to healthy plant growth,
the municipality may direct the contractor to dig the pit up to three
times the root spread or balled diameter.
E.
Pruning.
(1)
Typical top pruning, as directed, shall be performed appropriate
for each species, variety, size, or planting location. Typical pruning
samples will serve as a guide for subsequent pruning throughout the
project.
(2)
Broken or badly bruised branches shall be removed with a clean cut.
Pruning cuts over 3/4 inches in diameter shall be painted over with
approved tree paint.
(3)
Prune the tops of deciduous shrubs prior to or immediately following
planting. Prune according to best horticultural practices regarding
natural or desired form and growth characteristics of the individual
species. Unless otherwise directed, remove 1/4 to 1/3 of the potential
leaf-bearing surface from deciduous plants. Only trim or thin evergreens
when and as directed.
(4)
Root pruning shall only be performed to remove damaged or broken
main roots. Cut immediately above the damage with a clean oblique
cut.
F.
Planting.
(1)
Planting shall be performed when soil and climatic conditions are
favorable and according to the following schedule. Where local conditions
warrant and at the direction of the municipality, these dates may
be extended:
(2)
Plants shall be set plumb and at the specified depth. Plant material
shall be handled by the packaging material and not by the stem or
branches. Remove plant containers or preformed root protection devices
which restrict root development immediately prior to planting. Balled
and burlapped material shall be placed in the plant pits intact.
(3)
Bare root material shall be planted immediately. To prevent root
drying, use wet burlap, straw, hay or other protective measures.
(4)
Fertilize in accordance with the fertilizer schedule. Cultivate and
completely tamp backfill mix around the ball or roots, in a manner
that fills voids and eliminates air pockets. Use extreme care to avoid
damaging roots during backfilling and tamping operations. When backfilling
is 2/3 complete, on balled and burlapped material cut the lacing around
the main stem or trunk then lay the burlap back. Thoroughly water
the plant. After absorption of all water, complete the backfill operation
and water again.
(5)
Where indicated, install the weed barrier mat to match the diameter
of the plant pit or other designated area and staple. Mulch area as
required.
(6)
Wrap deciduous shade and flowering tree trunks from the ground line
to the lowest main branches, overlapping the wrap one inch to 1 1/2
inches. Tie the wrapping at the top, middle and bottom and at a minimum
of two other places.
(7)
If staking and guying is required, perform that operation immediately
after completion of backfilling.
(8)
Install tree protectors around the base of deciduous and flowering
trees with the bottom of the protector extending through the mulch
and being in contact with the backfill material.
G.
Maintenance of planting.
(1)
All plants shall be maintained in living, healthy conditions until
the entire project has been accepted. Plants are required to be growing
in place at least 30 days prior to project acceptance. During this
period of establishment, perform necessary maintenance functions such
as weeding, spraying, remulching and watering as required or directed.
(2)
Watering shall be performed during the period of establishment promptly
and with sufficient personnel and equipment to complete any directed
operation within five calendar days of such direction. Furnish measurements
and capacities of water tanks to be used in the watering operation
along with a watering schedule for approval.
(3)
Tighten guys and stakes that may become loosened.
H.
Cleanup. The planting site shall be left in an acceptable condition,
with all debris and undesirable excavated material satisfactorily
removed from the site and suitably disposed of. The acceptable condition
may also require seeding and mulching of disturbed areas within the
limits of work.
I.
Replacement. Within the thirty-day establishment period and prior
to acceptance of the project, all plants determined by the municipality
not to be alive or in a healthy condition shall be replaced with plants
of the same species, size, and quality as originally indicated and
specified. Replacements may be directed to be made at the beginning
of the next planting season.
