ITEM 661 PLANTING TREES, SHRUBS, Perennials AND VINES

661.01  Description

661.02  Plant Materials

661.03  Location and Source of Supply

661.04  Transportation, Storage and Handling

661.05  Labeling

661.06  Acceptance

661.07  Scheduling

661.08  Layout of Plant Materials

661.09  Backfill Mix

661.10  Planting

661.11  Mulch

661.12  Wrapping

661.13  Bracing

661.14  Period of Establishment

661.15  Final Acceptance

661.16  Removal of Stakes and Wrapping

661.17  Method of Measurement

661.18  Basis of Payment

 

661.01  DescriptionThis work consists of furnishing, planting and maintaining trees, shrubs, perennials, and vines, described in the plans.  Additionally, provide landscape watering according to Item 662.

661.02  Plant Materials.  Plant materials include all trees, shrubs, perennial and vines, and plants required as part of the Work.  Provide plant materials that are healthy specimens, typical of their species or variety, and that exhibit a normal habit of growth as set forth in the most current edition of the American Standard for Nursery Stock (ANSI Z60).

661.03  Location and Source of Supply.  Supply the Engineer with complete and detailed information concerning the source of supply for each item of required plant material within 15 days after receiving the notice of award of the Contract.

Ensure that all plant materials have been grown in the same hardiness zone or 1 zone colder than the project.

661.04  Transportation, Storage, and Handling.  Transport all plants from nursery sources to the project site with the entire load completely covered for protection from drying winds.  Thoroughly water all plants that cannot be immediately planted so as to keep the roots in a continually moist and protected condition.  The Engineer may reject plants that are not adequately protected during transportation and storage.  Immediately remove all rejected plant materials from the project site.  Handle all plant materials by the root ball or container.

661.05  Labeling.  Attach legible labels to all specimens, or boxes, bundles, and other containers, indicating detailed information including, but not limited to, the botanical genus and the species name, the common name, the size or age of each species or variety and the quantity contained in the individual bundles or boxes.  Remove all labels no more than two weeks prior to the completion of the establishment period.  Notify the Engineer prior to removing the plant material labels.

661.06  Acceptance.  Prior to acceptance by the Engineer, notify the Engineer when plant materials are delivered to the project site. Ensure that the plant species delivered are as described in the plans and are healthy, vigorous, and free from harmful plant diseases, and insect pests.  Species substitutions must have written approval from the project engineer prior to delivery to the project.

Do not install any plant materials until the Engineer provides the contractor with notification that the plant materials have been accepted.

661.07  Scheduling.  Install all plant materials after March 15 and before June 1 or after September 15 and before November 30.  Do not install plant materials in frozen or saturated soil conditions.  Ensure a sufficient water supply is available to satisfy the requirements of the plant materials and Item 662.

661.08  Layout of Plant Materials.  Before installation, use suitable staking to lay out the locations of all planting holes and beds.  Provide the Engineer with a scaled drawing that indicates the location, species, and size of plant materials required in the plan.  Obtain the Engineer’s approval of these locations before installation.

661.09  Backfill Mix.  For all plantings, use backfill mix consisting of the following:

A.      One part soil.

B.      One part sphagnum peat moss, shredded pine bark, or EPA rated Class IV compost.

C.      One part sand.

Do not use backfill mix that is frozen or muddy.

661.10  Planting.

A.      Planting Holes:  Dig planting holes that have sloping side walls and are ‘bowl shaped’.  Slope the side walls to approximately 45 degrees.  Dig the planting hole so that the diameter at the top is at least two times the diameter of the root ball.  Dig the planting hole to the same depth as the root ball structure. 

Dig planting holes for vines and perennials to a minimum depth and diameter of 6 inches (150 mm).  Make planting holes for rooted cuttings and tree seedlings large enough to accommodate the root system.

B.      Planting Beds:  One month before cultivation, treat all planting beds that are to be developed in areas of existing turf with pre-emergent and post-emergent type herbicides.  Use a State-licensed pesticide applicator to apply the herbicide according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Before planting, top dress all planting beds with a minimum of 2 inches (50 mm) of backfill mix, then cultivate it to a depth of 6 inches (150 mm) using a plow, disc, or roto-tiller.

C.      Planting Trees & Shrubs: Set each plant in the center of the planting hole, plumb, and straight at a level such that the top of the root structure (i.e., trunk flare or root collar) is 1 inch (25 mm) above the surrounding soil.  Set the root ball on compacted or unexcavated soil to prevent settlement.  Prior to backfilling the hole, remove all twine, bags, and roping.  For trees shipped with wire baskets supporting the root structure, remove the top two-third of the wire basket from root balls.  Remove all rot-proof burlap.  Remove or fold down the top one-third of standard (biodegradable) burlap.  Take care not to separate the soil of the root ball from the plant’s root system.  Cut or remove circling roots before planting.

Backfill the planting hole with the backfill mix.  Fill the hole gradually and settle the backfill with water to the top of the root structure.  Do not place backfill mix in direct contact with the trunks or stems.  Add backfill mix around the root structure up to the plant’s root collar is at the soil surface.

Do not plant groundcovers, vines, or perennials closer than 12 inches (300 mm) to tree trunks and shrub stems or within 6 inches (150 mm) of the edge of planting beds.

D.      Planting Seedlings, Groundcovers, Vines or Perennials: For seedlings, groundcovers, vines, or perennials that are not in a planting bed, , remove all grass and weeds by scalping an area that has a minimum diameter of 12 inches (300 mm).  Plant seedlings or perennials in the center of the scalped area using a spade or planting bar.

661.11  Landscape Mulch. Provide Landscape Mulch that consists of shredded bark and shredded wood.  The length of any individual component cannot exceed 2 inches (50 mm).  Ensure that at least 75 percent of the mulch can pass a 1-inch (25 mm) screen.  Landscape Mulch may contain up to 50 percent shredded wood.  Wood chips are not acceptable.  Provide mulch that is free of soil, rocks, and weeds, and that has been aged at least one year before installation.

Smooth and shape the backfill mix to form a shallow basin slightly larger than the planting hole.  Mulch these areas with a 4-inch (100 mm) layer of Landscape Mulch uniform in texture and size.  Do not place mulch in direct contact with the trunks of any trees. Rake and smooth all planting beds upon completion of the work.

661.12  Wrapping.  Wrap all single deciduous tree trunks of 1-inch (25 mm) caliper and larger.  Before wrapping, inspect for insect infestation and take corrective measures.  Wrap trees within 48 hours after planting, using a double-layered, bituminous-cemented, waterproof, crinkled paper.  Start at the ground and wrap the trunk neatly and snugly to the height of the first branches, then attach securely.  With each turn of the wrapping, overlap the previous turn by half the width of the paper.

661.13  Bracing.  Use only flexible, biodegradable ties when bracing trees.  Use bracing only in areas where mower damage, vandalism, or windy conditions are a concern or as directed by the Engineer.  Install loose fitting ties that will not girdle the trunk.  Ensure that the tie will allow trunk movement and growth.  Install all bracing as shown on the standard construction drawing.

661.14  Period of Establishment.  Before final inspection, install all plants and care for them for a period of establishment.  The period of establishment begins immediately upon completion of the planting operations and continues until October 1.  The minimum period of establishment is one complete growing season, beginning June 1 and ending the following October 1.

During the period of establishment, follow standard horticultural practices to ensure the vigor and growth of the transplanted material including watering (according to Item 662), re-mulching, re-staking, and cultivating as necessary.  Prune branches of deciduous plants to preserve the natural characteristics of the species according to ANSI Pruning Standards (ANSI A300).  Remove broken, damaged, and dead branches.  Do not trim the central leader of trees.

Completely remove weeds and grasses from the planted and mulched areas by weeding and mowing (around trees, shrubs, and bed edges) at least two times during the growing season. Weed and mow the first time on or about June 15 and again approximately 8 weeks later.

661.15  Final Acceptance.  On or about October 1 at the end of the establishment period, the Engineer, in coordination with the Department’s Office of Environmental Services, will inspect the plantings and supply the Contractor with a list of plant materials that do not comply with the contract requirements.  Install all replacement plantings in accordance with the contract requirements.  Replacement plants are subject to a new establishment period.  Care for, water and maintain the replacement plant materials throughout the new establishment period at no additional cost to the State.

661.16  Removal of Stakes and Wrapping.  After receiving notification from the Department of the date of the final inspection, remove all stakes and wrapping material from all plants not more than 14 days before the final inspection, with the exception of the replacement plantings that have not been in place for a full growing season.

661.17  Method of Measurement.  The Department will measure the number of healthy plant materials that exhibit typical growth habit for the species and variety.

The Department will measure each species and size, completed and accepted in place.

The cost associated with wrapping, bracing, mulching and staking is included in the unit price bid for Item 661 Planting Trees, Shrubs, Perennials and Vines.

If the Contract does not include an estimated quantity for Item 662 Landscape Watering, the Department will not pay for landscape watering separately. In this case, include the cost of landscape watering in the unit price bid for Item 661 Planting Trees, Shrubs, Perennials and Vines.

661.18  Basis of Payment.  The Department will pay 40 percent of the bid price for plant materials delivered and accepted at the project site.  The Department will pay 40 percent of the bid price when the plant materials have been installed.  The Department will pay the remaining 20 percent of the bid price at the end of the establishment period following final acceptance. 

If for each pay item, less than or equal to 5% of the installed plants require replacement at the time of Project Completion, the Engineer may waive the establishment period for the replacement plantings, provided that the replacement plantings are installed in accordance with this specification and in the presence of the Engineer or Inspector.

If for each pay item, more than 5% of the installed plants require replacement at the time of Project Completion, the contractor is required to install the replacement plantings in accordance with this specification.  The Department will pay the remaining percentage of the bid price at the time of Project Completion.  The replacement plantings are subject to the one year establishment period regardless of the Project Completion date.  After the replacement plantings complete the one year establishment period, the Department will inspect the replacement plantings and notify the contractor of the Departments’ findings.  As final remedy under the contract, the Contractor is required to install replacement plants for all plantings that did not survive the establishment period at no additional cost to the State.

The Department will pay for accepted quantities at the contract prices as follows:

Item           Unit                                Description

661             Each                                Tree Seedling, (Size), (Species)

661             Each                                Perennials, (Size), (Species)

661             Each                                Groundcover and Vines, (Size), (Species)

661             Each                                Deciduous Shrub, (Size), (Species)

661             Each                                Evergreen Shrub, (Size), (Species)

661             Each                                Deciduous Tree, (Size), (Species)

661             Each                                Evergreen Tree, (Size), (Species)