The Table of Contents for this section is available.
The work covered by this section consists of furnishing, delivering, and planting trees, shrubs, vines, ground cover plants, and reforestation plants at locations shown on the plans or directed by the Engineer, in accordance with these specifications.
The work of planting includes planting bed preparation, initial planting, plant establishment, and replacement planting.
The Contractor shall perform the operations provided for in these specifications in a careful, workmanlike manner that will promote the continued life and healthy growth of all plants in their final location.
The work of plant bed fumigation and herbicidal treatment for plant beds to be performed will be affected by the actual conditions that occur during the construction of the project. The quantities of plant bed fumigation and herbicidal treatment for plant beds may be increased, decreased, or eliminated entirely at the direction of the Engineer. Such variations in quantity will not be considered as alterations in the details of construction or a change in the character of the work.
All materials shall meet the requirements of Division 10 shown below:
Fertilizer Article 1060-2
Water Article 1060-9
Plant materials --nursery grown Article 1060-10
Mulch for planting Article 1060-11
Materials for staking or guying Article 1060-12
Herbicide Article 1060-13
All plant materials shall be nursery grown.
The fumigant shall be methyl bromide consisting of a mixture of 98% methyl bromide and 2% chloropicrin.
Plastic used to cover fumigated plant beds shall be a 2 mil. polyethylene agricultural film free of holes, punctures, and tears. The width of the plastic shall be appropriate for the width of the plant bed, and shall have been approved by the Engineer.
The kind of herbicides to be used shall be as stated in the special provisions.
1670-3 WEATHER AND SEASONAL LIMITATIONS.
The operation of actual planting shall be performed only between the dates shown in the special provisions except where otherwise permitted in writing by the Engineer.
No planting shall be done when the temperature is below 32F, when soil to be excavated for the plant hole is frozen, when the sides or bottom of the plant hole are frozen, or when the soil to be used for backfilling is frozen or too wet.
Fumigation shall be performed during or within 2 weeks prior to the time allowed for planting as shown in the special provisions. At the time of fumigation, the soil temperature shall be at least 55F at a depth of 5 inches. The soil shall be moderately moist (5085% of field capacity) at the time of fumigation.
Post-emergence herbicide shall be applied when the weeds are near maturity but not when the weeds are under stress from drought, disease, inset damage, or any other cause.
Post-emergence herbicide shall not be applied when rain is likely within the next 6 hours or as restricted on the container label.
1670-4 CARE AND HANDLING PLANTS.
(A) General:
In digging, loading, transporting, unloading, planting, or otherwise handling plants, the Contractor shall exercise utmost care and use adequate precautions to prevent injury to or drying out of the trunk, branches, or roots; and to prevent freezing of the plant roots. Plants shall be heeled-in within 48 hours of delivery from the nursery, if they can not be planted within that time.
All heeled-in plants shall be properly maintained by the Contractor until planted. No plants shall remain heeled-in over summer or winter. When plants are delivered in boxes or wrapped bundles or other forms of closed packages, such packages shall be opened immediately after delivery and the plants inspected and dampened if necessary.
(B) Balled and Burlapped Plants:
The roots of balled and burlapped plants, if not immediately planted after delivery, shall be adequately protected by a soil or sawdust covering that is kept moist constantly in an acceptable manner appropriate to weather or seasonal conditions. The solidity of the plant ball shall be carefully preserved.
(C) Bare Rooted Plants:
Immediately following delivery to the project, all plants with bare roots, if not promptly planted, shall be heeled-in in constantly moist soil or sawdust in an acceptable manner corresponding to generally accepted horticultural practice.
While plants with bare roots are being transported to and from heeling-in beds, or are being distributed in planting beds, or are awaiting planting after distribution, the Contractor shall protect the plants from drying out by means of wet canvas, burlap, or straw, or by other means acceptable to the Engineer and appropriate to weather conditions and the length of time the roots will remain out of the ground.
Plan locations for plants and outlines for areas to be planted or reforested shall be located and marked on the ground by the Contractor or approval by the Engineer prior to digging plant holes for beds.
Where so directed by the Engineer, the Contractor shall install standard identification wires with plastic flags furnished by the Contractor to designate individual plants in major planting areas. Such flags will be color coded as follows and shall be installed by the Contractor to supplement plan location markers.
Plant Color Scheme
Deciduous trees White
Evergreen trees Red
Flowering trees Yellow
Shrubs Green
Flags will not necessarily be needed for all plants required by the contract, but shall be used on portions of the project until plant locations in these portions are approved by the Engineer. Following the Engineer's approval, the flags shall be moved to other portions of the project as directed by the Engineer and this sequence shall continue until all plant locations have been approved.
Unforeseen conditions may make it necessary to make minor adjustments in plant locations due to utility lines, traffic signs, rock, drainage, etc., and such adjustments will be permitted subject to the approval of the Engineer.
Shrubs and trees shall be pruned after planting as shown on the plans or as directed by the Engineer. Pruning done at any time shall in no way alter the Department's right to reject plant material. Such pruning shall be in accordance with the plans, generally accepted horticultural practices, and according to shape, size, and condition of the individual plant.
(A) General:
Where called for by the plans or directed by the Engineer, plant beds shall be treated by fumigation or by application of herbicides. The type of treatment shall be as directed by the Engineer.
(B) Fumigation:
The plant beds shall be fumigated with methyl bromide in preparation for planting.
The plant bed shall be leveled to a proper grade and be ready for planting 7 to 10 days prior to fumigating. The bed shall be tilled to a depth of 5 to 8 inches. The soil shall be in good tilth with no dry clods over 1 inch in diameter present.
The methyl bromide gas shall be applied under plastic sheets at a rate of 1 pound per 100 square feet. Envelope folds shall be used at the edges of the bed with the edge of the plastic buried 4 to 6 inches deep.
The plastic shall remain over the bed for a period for 48 to 72 hours. After removal of the plastic, the bed shall be reformed to the required shape with little or no soil inversion.
(C) Herbicidal Treatment:
Herbicidal treatment includes applications of a systemic post-emergence total vegetation control herbicide, tillage, application of pre-emergence herbicide, and incorporation of the pre-emergence herbicide.
The rates of application of the herbicides shall be as stated in the special provisions.
All herbicides shall be applied in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions on the container label.
A systemic post-emergence total vegetation control herbicide shall be applied to the bed area before any tilling or mowing is performed. Post-emergence herbicide shall be applied when the weeds are near maturity but not when the weeds are under stress from drought, disease, insect damage, or any other cause. No tilling or mowing shall be performed for at least 7 days after the application. If cloudy weather or other poor growing conditions are present, this 7 day period shall be extended until there are visible signs of herbicidal activity. After the waiting period, or when injury to the vegetation appears, the bed shall be thoroughly tilled. Prior to the application of the pre-emergence herbicide, the soil shall be in good tilth with no clods over 1 inch present. After tilling, the pre-emergence herbicide shall be applied and incorporated into the soil.
1670-8 EXCAVATION OF PLANT HOLES.
Plant hole excavations for plants other than reforestation plants shall be cylindrical in shape, with the plant location stake marking the center of the circle and with the sides of the hole being approximately vertical. The Contractor may use mechanical means which make digging of cylindrical holes impractical, provided that the complete hole has the minimum dimensions as shown on the plans.
When plants are to be grouped together in a plant bed as contrasted to widely separated individual plants, and when so indicated on the plans, the entire area of the plant bed shall be loosened and clods broken to a depth of not less than 5 inches by means of a scarifier, disc, spade, or other appropriate means before plant holes are dug.
Reforestation plants, spaced as shown on the plans, may be planted in holes made by a mattock, dribble, planting bar, or other means which meet the approval of the Engineer. The hole shall be of sufficient size to accommodate the entire extended root system of the plant without cramping.
1670-9 PLANTING, BACKFILLING, AND WATERING.
(A) General:
The kind and rate of application of fertilizer shall be as stated on the plans. Fertilizer shall be applied during backfilling operations in a manner that will ensure proper placement of the fertilizer and avoid injury to the roots.
After the plant hole is dug, the walls and floor of the plant hole shall be scarified. The plant shall then be placed in the prepared plant hole at the proper position as regards to depth, alignment, final grade of the surrounding ground level, and vertical placement of the trunk. This position shall be maintained during all subsequent backfilling and watering operations. The depth to which plants are to be set shall be the same as in the nursery or collection site unless otherwise directed.
After one-half to two-thirds of the backfilling and tamping has been completed, and if the soil in the plant holes is not sufficiently moist it shall be moistened with water. The quantity of water applied shall be such as to moisten all soil particles but shall not be an amount that will saturate the soil to the extent of excluding all air from around the roots. After absorption of the water is sufficiently complete, the remainder of the backfill shall be placed.
Water rings shall be constructed around all plants except reforestation plants in accordance with details shown on the plans. A water ring shall consist of a ridge of firmed soil in a ring around the plant and of a minimum inside diameter equal to the diameter of the plant hole. This ridge shall be approximately 6 inches high and shall be compacted firmly enough to hold water.
(B) Balled and Burlapped Plants:
Balled and burlapped plants shall be handled by the ball and placed in the plant hole so that the soil of the ball will not be loosened from the roots. After the hole has been almost completely backfilled and the soil thoroughly firmed under and around the ball, the burlap shall be cut away and removed from around the stem of the plant. Backfilling shall then be completed so as to avoid loosening of the soil of the root ball.
(C) Container Grown Plants:
Planting of container grown plants shall meet all applicable requirements for balled and burlapped plants. Immediately before planting, the container shall be removed. During the removal of the container sufficient precautions shall be taken so as to ensure that the soil and roots inside the container are undisturbed.
(D) Bare Rooted Plants:
Before the plant is placed in the plant hole, any bruised or broken parts of roots shall be cut off smoothly. The plant shall then be placed in its proper position in the hole and backfilled. The backfill material shall be carefully placed, worked around and under the roots, and compacted in a manner that avoids bruising or breaking the roots.
(E) Reforestation Plants:
Reforestation shall include tree reforestation and shrub reforestation. Type, mixture, size, furnish description, and spacing shall be as shown on the reforestation detail sheet in the plans.
Prior to beginning reforestation, each area to be reforested will be measured by the Engineer to determine the exact number of acres for tree reforestation or square yards for shrub reforestation therein, and the quantity of each species of seedling to be planted within the area.
Where structures or plantings do not adequately delineate the outline of the area to be reforested, the outline of the area shall be staked by the Contractor as directed by the Engineer. Stakes shall be furnished by the Contractor and shall be cypress, cedar, oak, locust, or other wood approved by the Engineer. Stakes shall be a minimum of 2" x 2" (nominal) and shall be approximately 30 inches in length with a 15 inch white top. Stakes shall be driven in the ground with approximately 18 inches remaining above the ground line, and shall be placed as necessary to delineate the reforestation outline.
After the plant hole has been prepared, the plant shall be placed upright in the hole at the correct depth without crowding or bunching the roots. Soil shall be firmed around the root system from the bottom of the plant hole to natural ground elevation.
Upon completion of planting the required number of seedings within all areas to be reforested, the Contractor will be relieved of further responsibility in connection with reforestation except for damage caused directly by the Contractor.
Mulch for planting shall be placed as a top layer on the backfilled plant hole and water ring. The depth of mulch shall be approximately 4 inches, as shown on the plans or as directed by the Engineer. Additional mulch may be needed after initial planting and shall be placed at the direction of the Engineer.
No mulching will be required for reforestation plants.
All mulch will be paid for as "Mulch for Planting"
Watering will be required at the time of planting as specified in Article 16709 and at intervals determined by the Engineer. Watering shall be done with gravity flow or low pressure applicators which have been approved by the Engineer, and which will not cause holes or washes around the plant root system or damage to plants. The soil around each plant shall be thoroughly saturated at each watering.
All water will be paid for as "Water for Planting".
Plants shall be staked or guyed as shown on the plans. Any plants of any size that are in a condition or a location which, in the opinion of the Engineer, necessitates the staking or guying of the plant to prevent damage, shall be staked or guyed as directed by the Engineer.
Care shall be taken to ensure that the plant is attached and held rigid to the support in a manner that will prevent chafing or other injury to the bark, and that will permit normal development of the trunk or branch.
Initial planting will be considered complete when the plants have been placed in the plant hole, backfilled, watered, mulched, staked, and guyed, and the plants are in an acceptable condition.
All plants of one species, which are shown on the plans to be planted within a bed, shall be planted concurrently and the entire group shall be completed before any plant therein is considered acceptable.
Establishment for all initial or replacement plants shall begin immediately after they are planted. The Contractor will be required to maintain trees, shrubs, vines, and groundcovers, and the area of planting until final acceptance of the project. The Contractor shall be responsible for the area around trees and shrubs for a distance of 6 feet beyond the outside limits of water rings or 6 feet beyond the limits of the guy stakes, whichever is greater; within shrub beds; and for a distance of 6 feet outside the perimeter of the shrub beds. Establishment shall include cutting of grass and weeds; watering; replacement of mulch; repair of replacement of guy stakes, guy wires, and water rings; and other work as directed by the Engineer to ensure the survival and growth of plant material and the satisfactory appearance of the project. The Contractor shall remove dead plant material from the project during the establishment period.
Replacement planting of trees, shrubs, and ground cover consists of replacing those plants which are not in a living, healthy condition or do not conform to the specifications contained in the edition of "American Standard for Nursery Stock" that is in effect on the date of advertisement, or which have been damaged or stolen, except replacement of reforestation plants which have died due to natural causes will not be required.
Replacement planting shall be done within the planting season specified in the project special provisions.
The work of planting shall have been completed and all plants shall be in a living and healthy condition at the time of final inspection.
1670-17 METHOD OF MEASUREMENT.
The quantity of planting to be paid for will be the actual number of plants of each species and size called for in the contract, other than reforestation plants, which have been planted and accepted.
The quantity of reforestation to be paid for will be the actual number of acres of land, measured along the surface of the ground, which has been acceptably planted with seedlings in accordance with these specifications.
The quantity of Wetland reforestation to be paid for will be the actual number of acres of land, measured along the surface of the ground, which has been acceptably planted with seedlings in accordance with these specifications.
The quantity of plant bed fumigation to be paid for will be the actual number of square yards of plant bed, measured along the surface of the ground, which has been acceptably treated by fumigation.
The quantity of herbicidal treatment to be paid for will be the actual number of square yards of plant bed, measured along the surface of the ground, over which an acceptable application of herbicides has been made.
The quantity of mulch to be paid for will be the actual number of cubic yards of mulch furnished and placed around plants according to the plans, specifications and/or as directed by the Engineer. Where mulch is furnished in bales or bags, the number of cubic yards in each bale or bag will be determined and then multiplied by the number of bales or bags of the same size which have been acceptably furnished and placed. Where mulch is furnished in trucks, each truck will be measured by the Engineer and shall bear a legible identification mark indicating its capacity. Each truck shall be loaded to at least its measured capacity at the time it arrives at the site of the work.
The quantity of water to be paid for will be the actual number of 1,000 gallon units of water which have been furnished and applied to plants according to the plans, specifications and/or as directed by the Engineer. Measurement of water will be made by means of an approved metering device at the source of supply, or by determining the volumetric capacity of tank trucks used to deliver water to the project and recording the number of loads delivered by each truck.
Quantities of planting, measured as provided in Article 167017, will be paid for at the contract unit prices each for the various plant species and sizes indicated in the contract.
The quantity of tree reforestation, measured as provided in Article 167017, will be paid for at the contract unit price per acre for " Reforestation".
The quantity of Wetland reforestation, measured as provided in Article 167017, will be paid for at the contract unit price per acre for "Wetland Reforestation".
The quantity of plant bed fumigation, measured as provided in Article 167017, will be paid for at the contract unit price per square yard for "Plant Bed Fumigation."
The quantity of herbicidal treatment, measured as provided in Article 167017, will be paid for at the contract unit price per square yard for "Herbicidal Treatment for Plant Beds".
The quantity of mulch, measured as provided in Article 167017, will be paid for at the contract unit price per cubic yard for "Mulch For Planting".
The quantity of water, measured as provided in Article 167017, will be paid for at the contract unit price per 1,000 gallons for "Water For Planting".
The above prices and payments will be full compensation for all work covered by this section, including but not limited to furnishing or collecting plants; tilling, excavating, and any other soil preparation and working; furnishing and placing fumigant, plastic sheets, herbicides, stakes, fertilizer, water, mulch, and any other materials; pruning and planting; maintaining plants; and replacing dead, damaged, or stolen plants.
Payment will be made under:
(Plant species and size indicated in contract) Each
Reforestation Acre
Wetland Reforestation Acre
Plant Bed Fumigation Square Yard
Herbicidal Treatment for Plant Beds Square Yard
Mulch for Planting Cubic Yard
Water for Planting 1,000 Gallons