A04_306281_Oakland_Landscape_Rehab_SOW_FY_2022_(SRFP_IPM_updated).pdf

Cane River Creole National Historical Park

STATEMENT OF WORK:

Trees and Landscape Rehabilitation at Oakland Plantation

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

SOUTHEAST REGION

IR2

Trees and Landscape Rehabilitation at Oakland Plantation SOW CARI

Introduction:

Cane River Creole National Historical Park (CARI) is comprised of two Creole plantations. The Oakland and Magnolia plantations are sites that managed under one administration and located just outside the Natchitoches, Louisiana area.

Oakland Plantation, located at 4386 Highway 494 Bermuda LA 71456, was founded by Jean Pierre Emanuel Prud’homme, who began farming the area in 1785 and received a Spanish land grant in 1789.

Eight generations of his French Creole family lived and worked on this land, managing to keep the physical complex intact for two centuries.

Magnolia Plantation, located at 5549 Highway 119 Derry LA 71416, was established by Ambrose LeComte II and his wife Julia Buard LeComte in 1835. However, Magnolia’s early history is rooted in mid- 1700s colonial Louisiana. In 1753, Jean Baptiste LeComte I received a land grant on both sides of the Cane River laying the foundation for a cotton plantation unrivaled in the Cane River region.

Because of the integrity of the resources at Oakland and Magnolia, both plantations have been designated as National Historic Landmarks.

Objective:

The contract will address the health and aesthetics of the trees found throughout the Oakland Plantation. Park will designate hazard trees that are still alive; contractor shall prune to remove dead branches, correct structural deficiencies, and promote health. Limbs touching historic buildings shall be appropriately pruned in consultation with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), park Chief of Facilities, and park Superintendent to protect both the historic tree and the building. All historic trees dating to the period of significance shall be preserved to the degree feasible to ensure the integrity of the cultural landscapes and NHLs. Historic tree rows and tree lines will be pruned to re-establish meadow areas and maintained landscape. Only qualified arborists and those with sensitivity and/or training with historic trees will work on living trees. Trees that have died, are standing dead, or have fallen over shall be removed. Fallen limbs and debris piles of fallen trees due to storms shall be removed throughout the landscape.

SCOPE:

1. The Contractor shall furnish all equipment and sufficient personnel for selected maintenance (ie:

tree pruning, removal, vertical mulching, root pruning, fertilization/root enhancement, cabling/bracing, and spraying) and all related incidental work as in accordance with the bid schedule and specifications stated herein. Therefore, any items not specifically noted, but necessary for performance in accordance with accepted industry standards, shall be furnished under this contract.

2. Contractor will provide all road signs and markers per DOT standards, to allow safe passage of visitors and employees.

3. No ground disturbance is authorized.

4. Grounds shall be smooth and free of equipment ruts, felling marks, and removal voids upon work completion and restored to previous elevations prior to work defined in this contract.

5. All equipment, material and waste removed or generated by work of this contract shall be properly disposed of offsite by the contractor. Contractor shall be responsible for security of equipment used.

6. All historic trees dating to the period of significance shall be preserved to the degree feasible to ensure the integrity of the cultural landscapes and NHLs.

7. Contractor shall verify the quantity of materials needed to complete the task identified in this statement of work (SOW).

8. The contractor shall not subcontract any work required by this contract without the express written approval of the Contracting Officer (CO). If the CO approves the Contractor to subcontract any part of the work required under this contract, a copy of any such subcontract shall be provided to the CO.

9. Contractor shall provide a work site and environment that is safe for employees, for visitors to the Park, and NPS staff. The work area shall be cordoned off (if necessary) and secure.

10. Contractor shall leave the worksite clean and free of construction debris.

11. All work shall be performed Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm. No work will be performed on weekends or federal holidays without prior approval.

12. Contractor and employee parking and equipment storage areas shall be designated by the Park.

No company signs shall be installed on government property. Smoking and eating will be performed in areas designated by the Park. Employees shall wear appropriate clothing at all times.

13. Contractors shall notify NPS staff of scheduled site visits to ensure access to secure areas.

General Provisions:

Professional Qualifications:

A. All work shall be under the direction and general supervision of an Arborist(s) certified by the

International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) who possess verifiable experience and technical competence in tree physiology, identification, diagnosis of disorders, and current tree care and safety practices in accordance with accepted industry standards. The Arborist shall be the primary contact with the Government's technical representative (COR) and shall be responsible for controlling the quality of work and inspecting all completed work to ensure that contract performance requirements are met.

B. An experienced Crew Supervisor(s) shall be present at all times while work is being performed. Said experienced supervisors(s) shall have verifiable work experience as a full-time direct supervisor of shade tree maintenance and climbing work crews.

C. All work around power lines shall be performed by Certified Line Clearance Tree Trimmers in accordance with OSHA 229 CF 1910.269, 1910.331 and ANSI Z133.1-1994.

D. All tree workers shall, through related training and on the job experience, be familiar with the technical aspects and hazards of tree maintenance work and equipment used in such operations. All tree workers shall abide by any code of ethics or professional conduct established by the National Arborist Association and the International Society of Arboriculture.

E. A list of all crew supervisors and tree workers anticipated as part of the work crews as well as their position (ie: certified line clearance tree trimmers, qualified tree trimmers, tree trimmer trainees, and ground personnel not responsible for trimming trees), affiliation with the company, and related training and on the job experience of historic trees shall be submitted. If directed by the CO, a separate list of personnel to be used on a given job shall be submitted for each delivery order.

F. All spray applications and injections shall be under the direct supervision of a Certified

Pesticide Applicator licensed to operate within the State of Louisiana who possess verifiable experience and technical competence in applying horticultural oil to shade, flowering and evergreen trees in areas with high concentrations of buildings, vehicles, and pedestrians.

The Certified Pesticide Applicator shall have verifiable work experience as a full-time direct supervisor of horticultural work crews and shall be present on site at all times work is being performed or pesticides are being handled. The Certified Pesticide Applicator shall be the primary contact with the COR responsible for controlling the quality of work and inspecting all completed work to ensure that contract performance requirements are met. All workers handling or applying pesticides shall be familiar with the safety and technical aspects of applying pesticides and equipment used in such operations.

G. The Contractor shall submit copies of all licenses and certificates necessary for complying with Federal, State, and Municipal laws, codes, and regulations concerning the application of pesticides on a public street. Submittal shall be made to CO prior to the start of the work.

Equipment Requirements:

A. All equipment shall meet all federal OSHA, state and local safety requirements and shall be properly licensed. This includes equipment such as bucket trucks, aerial lifts, chipper trucks, wood trucks, stump grinders etc. which may be needed to correctly perform tree pruning and removal in accordance with the specifications stated herein.

B. A list of the equipment anticipated for use shall be submitted and include the make, model and year manufactured, tag # if applicable, and date of last inspection. If requested by the COR, a list of the equipment to be used shall be submitted for each delivery order. Listed equipment shall be on the job site when necessary during the execution of the delivery order.

C. The name or logo of the contractor shall be clearly displayed on all trucks used on the job.

D. The following load restrictions shall not be exceeded:

Single Units Gross Vehicle Weight

2 axles 40,000 lbs (18,100 kg) 3 axles 48,000 lbs (21,800 kg) 4 axles 52,000 lbs (23,600 kg)

E. Equipment use, transportation, and routes on park property shall be pre-approved before execution. Contractor shall delineate path to work areas to COR for approval prior to performing work. Ground conditions (wet areas, sensitive areas, park operations, events, etc.)

may affect equipment use on the property.

F. All equipment and vehicles entering into NPS units shall be free of mud, soil, weeds, seeds, other living organisms and other such debris that could contain or hold seeds or other propagules. The Contractor shall thoroughly wash all equipment before entry to NPS units.

The NPS reserves the right to reject equipment that is dirty and could potentially spread unwanted plants, animals or substances within the units. Vehicles may require cleaning upon leaving the site.

Reporting:

A. The contractor shall maintain a daily work log. The work log shall include the scope of work performed in accordance with the contract bid schedule. If requested a copy shall be filed with the COR on a weekly basis.

B. The contractor shall maintain, a daily pesticide use log for all areas treated and include the total gallons of mixed material applied and the total number of trees treated for each period of treatment and their respective diameter at breast height (dbh). A copy shall be filed with the COR on a daily basis.

RESPONSIBILITY REGARDING EXISTING STRUCTURES, UTILITIES, EXISTING PLANT

MATERIAL AND OTHER LANDSCAPE FEATURES:

A. The contractor shall be responsible for any damages to, and for maintenance and protection of existing structures and buildings. Contractor shall patch, repair or replace portions of sidewalks, curbs, gutters, streets, manholes, and the like that are damaged in connection with work under this contract or as a result of operations thereunder. Materials and methods shall conform to the current standards for the area damaged, match existing on-site materials, shall meet the approval of all cognizant officials and the COR. All damaged areas shall make smooth, satisfactory, and imperceptible transitions to existing adjacent work, and shall be performed without additional expense to the NPS.

B. The contractor shall be held responsible for any damages to, and for maintenance and protection of existing utilities. The existence and location of underground utilities shall be investigated and verified in the field by the contractor before starting work. To locate utilities in the field, contact 811 (call before you dig), 48 hours in advance of work.

C. The contractor shall preserve and protect all existing vegetation such as trees, shrubs, and grass areas on or adjacent to trees being pruned or removed which do not reasonably interfere with work. The contractor shall be responsible for all unauthorized cutting or damage to trees and shrubs, including damage due to careless operation of equipment, stockpiling of materials or tracking of grass and other surfaced areas by equipment. Such damaged areas or materials shall be restored, repaired or replaced by the contractor, as directed by the CO at no additional cost to the Government. Unauthorized cutting or damage to trees will be subject to liquidated damages in accordance with the Guide for Plant Appraisal (9th edition, 2000) authored by the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers and the Mid-Atlantic Tree Species Rating Guide developed by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of International Society of Arboriculture.

PRUNING:

The work to be performed under this section shall include pruning trees in accordance with the American National Standard for Tree Care Operations - Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Maintenance - Standard Practices, ANSI A300 (Part 1) -2000 Pruning.

General Requirements

A. On the same day a tree is pruned the contractor shall remove all wood, debris and chips from the site. Removal and disposal shall be the responsibility of the contractor. There shall be no sale of wood on government property. If directed to do so by the CO chip all material 16 inches or less in diameter; trim and cut all salvageable branches over 6 inches to 18-24" lengths, with all smaller branches attached to these limbs cut flush; and collect, deliver, and unload all wood and/or chips to a specified location in the park. If so directed by the CO, chips shall be blown into adjacent natural areas.

B. All specified pruning and removals at the site of any one tree shall be completed, including removal of logs and debris, before initiating work on the next tree.

C. Upon completion of pruning, one-half (1/2) of the foliage shall remain evenly distributed in the lower two-thirds (2/3) of the crown and individual limbs.

D. Branches shall be removed in such a manner to prevent damage to other parts of the tree.

Branches too large to support with one hand shall be precut to prevent splitting or tearing of the bark. Where necessary, to prevent tree or property damage, branches or portions of branches shall be lowered to the ground by ropes or equipment. Under no circumstances can branches be dropped freely onto the road, shoulder, buildings, or paved surfaces.

E. When a branch is cut back to a lateral not more than one-fourth (1/4) of its leaf surface shall be removed. All effort shall be made to cut back to a lateral, one-third (1/3) the diameter of the branch being removed.

F. When removing a lateral branch at its point of origin on the trunk or parent limb, the final cut shall be made in branch tissue sufficiently close to the trunk or parent limb starting just above a vigorous bud or shoot and running back across the limb at a 45 degree angle, without cutting into the bark branch ridge or branch collar or leaving a protruding stub= When removing a branch with a narrow branch attachment, the final cut should be made from the bottom of the branch up. Where branches cross and rub together or are forming a "V" crotch, one branch shall be removed with consideration of the tree's natural form and structure.

G. When removing a leader or length of a branch, the angle of the cut should bisect the angle between the branch bark ridge and an imaginary line perpendicular to the leader being removed. Trees which are developing more than one dominant leader shall be selectively pruned to promote a single dominant leader by sub-dominating the other competitive branches. Selection of the dominant leader shall be made with consideration of the tree's natural form and structure.

H. When removing a dead branch, the final cut shall be made just outside the collar of live tissue. If the collar has grown out along the branch stub, only the dead stub should be removed. The live collar shall remain intact and uninjured. Removing entire or large portions of healthy, sound limbs simply because the contractor chooses not to provide the necessary equipment or labor to remove only the dead or dying terminals of said limbs is prohibited.

I. Old injuries are to be inspected. Those not closing properly and where callus growth is not already completely established should be traced. Only damaged or loose bark should be removed, disturbing a minimal amount of live tissue.

J. The use of chain saws and circular blade power saws shall be limited to the removal of limbs no less than 2 inches in diameter.

K. Wounding paint shall not be used.

L. Climbing hooks shall not be worn while pruning.

Pruning Types:

A. Maintenance Pruning 1: Trees designated as Maintenance Pruning 1 are located in high use areas, are highly visible to the public, and are located adjacent to historic buildings and other developed areas (see Pruning 1 on attached map). Sensitivity to pruning these trees is of the utmost importance. Trees shall be pruned to maintain and/or improve health and structure and shall include each of the following pruning types:

1. Hazard Reduction: Shall consist of the removal of all visible hazards with potential for damage to property or personal injury. Removal shall include, but is not limited to dead wood, heavy or weak horizontal branches and weak crotches. Weak crotches are defined as split or rotted wood between two trunks of limbs that may break and fall during high wind.

2. Crown Cleaning: Shall consist of the removal of dead, dying, diseased, interfering, objectionable weakly attached, low vigor branches, and water-sprouts on the main trunk as well as those within the leaf area one inch in diameter and greater. All dead wood greater than 2 feet in length shall be removed regardless of diameter.

3. Crown Raising: All trees over 10 inches dbh shall have all lateral limbs and water sprouts removed from the main trunk of the tree to a height of twenty (20) feet above the ground except where large limbs lower than twenty (20) feet define the character of the tree (historic live oaks, pecans). All trees over 20 inches dbh shall have all lateral limbs and water sprouts removed from the main trunk of the tree to a height of twenty (20) feet above the ground except where large limbs lower than twenty (20)) feet define the character of the tree (historic live oaks, pecans). Large limbs lower than twenty (20) feet shall be pruned in consultation with the COR. All trees adjacent to buildings and structures shall be trimmed to provide three feet of clearance from such structure(s).

B. Maintenance Pruning 2: Trees designated as Maintenance Pruning 2 are generally located in special use areas containing lower densities of pedestrians, structures and vehicles than developed areas (see Pruning 2 on attached map). Trees shall be pruned to maintain and/or improve health and structure and shall include each of the following pruning types:

1. Hazard Reduction: Shall consist of the removal of all visible hazards with potential for damage to property or personal injury. Removal shall include, but is not limited to dead wood, heavy or weak horizontal branches and weak crotches. Weak crotches are defined as split or rotted wood between two trunks of limbs that may break and fall during high wind.

2. Crown Cleaning: Shall consist of the removal of dead, dying, diseased, interfering, objectionable weakly attached, low vigor branches, and water sprouts on the main trunk as well as those within the leaf area two inches in diameter and greater. All dead wood greater than 4 feet in length shall be removed regardless of diameter.

3. Crown Raising: All trees over walks, trails, and picnic areas over six inches diameter at breast height (dbh) shall have all lateral limbs and water sprouts removed from the main trunk of the tree to a height of ten (10) feet above the ground. All trees over 10 inches dbh shall have all lateral limbs and water sprouts removed from the main trunk of the tree to a height of twenty (20) feet above the ground except where large limbs lower than twenty (20) feet define the character of the tree (historic live oaks, pecans). All trees over 20 inches dbh shall have all lateral limbs and water sprouts removed from the main trunk of the tree to a height of thirty (30) feet above the ground except where large limbs lower than thirty (30) feet define the character of the tree (historic live oaks, pecans). Large limbs lower than thirty (30) feet shall be pruned in consultation with the COR. All trees adjacent to buildings and structures shall be trimmed to provide three feet of clearance from such structure(s).

Removals:

The work to be performed under this section shall include removing trees in accordance with the American National Standard for Arboricultural Operations (see Removal on attached map). - Pruning, Repairing, Maintaining and Removing Trees and Cutting Brush - Safety Requirements - ANSI Z133.1-2000

General Requirements: Trees designated by Park to be removed are of 20” DBH and less in selected areas

A. For trees specified to have all wood, chips and debris removed, the contractor shall, on the same day the tree is removed, chip all material less than 12 inches in diameter and remove all remaining wood and debris from the park and dispose of legally off site, unless approved otherwise by the CO. Removal from the park and disposal is the responsibility of the contractor. There shall be no sale of wood on government property. If so directed by the CO, chips shall be delivered and unloaded to a specified location in the park and/or blown into adjacent natural areas.

B. For trees specified to have all wood and chips delivered to a designated site in the park the contractor shall, on the same day the tree is removed: chip all material 16 inches or less in diameter; trim and cut all salvageable branches over 16 inches to 18-24" lengths, with all smaller branches attached to these limbs cut flush; and collect, deliver, and unload all wood and/or chips to a specified location in the park. If so directed by the CO, chips shall be blown into adjacent natural areas.

C. For trees specified to be flattened to the ground the contractor shall, on the same day the tree is removed: chip all material less than 12 inches in diameter; flatten all wood greater than 12 inches in diameter to the ground and position to check soil erosion. Removal of chips from the park and disposal is the responsibility of the contractor. If so directed by the COR, chips shall be delivered and unloaded to a specified location in the park and/or blown into adjacent natural areas.

D. Climbing hooks shall only be worn for tree removals.

E. The Contractor shall take all reasonable precautions to avoid damaging surrounding vegetation or lawn areas and prevent gouging and erosion of soils as a result of tree removal operations (ie: removal of stubs that might dig in and blanketing the area with brush and/or logs to cushion the fall).

F. Stumps less than 12” along with underbrush and vines that have been removed from tree trunks shall be treated with non-selective broad-spectrum herbicide at ground level. Tree and fence line vegetation shall be mowed no higher than 5” between trees.

E. Fallen trees and brush piles from past storms will be chipped and/or removed from site for proper disposal.

Execution:

A. Trees shall be felled only when there is an adequate felling area at least equal in radius to the height of the tree. Whenever possible trees should be felled on as level ground as possible avoiding stumps, rocks etc. which may cause the tree to roll when it falls.

B. Trees that cannot be felled due to proximity of the roadways, buildings, structures, utilities, and/or lack of an adequate felling area shall be topped and/or sectioned.

C. When topping and/or sectioning is required, the lower limbs shall be removed first working toward the top until the tree is stripped and sections shall be small enough to be safely handled by the worker on a rope. Sectioning shall continue until the tree is low enough for felling.

D. Pull ropes shall be used on all trees that have potential for damage to property or existing vegetation should they fall in any direction other than that intended. Pull ropes shall be installed before any cutting is done at the base.

E. Stake holdfasts and persons pulling the rope shall be outside the striking distance of the tree.

If conditions make this impossible, the tree shall be topped and/or sectioned.

F. Felling Leaning, Split, Twin, or Hollow Trees: The Contractor is responsible for taking all precautions including, but not limited to, chaining, roping, corner cutting and the use of felling wedges and securely anchored tackle blocks to ensure that the tree will fall where desired and prevent twisting and/or premature splitting or separation of the trunk. If a tree cannot be felled safely in one piece, the tree shall be topped and/or sectioned.

G. Felling Lodged Trees: Under no circumstances shall an attempt be made to fell the tree supporting the lodged tree or climbing up the inclined trunk of the lodged tree to shake it loose. If the butt of the tree is free of stump, a 1" rope or winch cable long enough to place all men and equipment outside of the falling or kickback radius should be fastened to the tree butt. The rope or cable should be pulled as nearly directly back from the direction of fall as possible. If the tree is too firmly lodged to be pulled out the adjacent tree may be climbed and limbs from the lodged tree carefully removed. The pulling operation should then be resumed. Cutting off sections of the butt of the lodged tree should be avoided.

H. Notch: A Standard Notch should be used in the majority of cases. The notch shall be at right angles to the direction of pull. Make two cuts, one parallel or horizontal to the ground, the other at an angle of 45 degrees. The depth should be from 1/4 to 1/3 the diameter of the tree.

I. Backcut: The backcut should be horizontal and about two inches above the horizontal cut of the notch. Bring the backcut in evenly until there is approximately two inches of holding wood left.

J. Felling: Before sawing into the two inches of holding wood, the power saw operator shall have an adequate and clear escape route to one side of, and away from, the direction of the fall and ensure that all is in readiness for the tree to fall safely. Once this is done the tree can be felled.

K. All stumps shall be cut to a height not to exceed 2" from grade unless directed otherwise by the COR.

L. With the exception of stump removal, all specified removals at any one location shall be completed, including removal of logs and debris, before initiating work in another location unless approved otherwise by the COR.

Stump Removal:

A. Stumps indicated for removal or from removed trees shall be ground with a stump grinder to a depth of 6 inches below grade and the depression shall be refilled with the waste material.

C. Grubbing stumps shall not be permitted unless approved otherwise by the CO.

Herbicide Application Components:

A. Herbicide shall only be applied by or under the direct supervision of a Certified Pesticide Applicator licensed to operate within the state of Louisiana and in accordance with manufacturer’s directions and shall be applied to avoid inclement weather.

Work, Safety, and Quality Control Plan:

A. At least 30 days prior to the start of work, the Contractor shall provide a Work, Safety, and Quality Control Plan, which should be updated each contract year. This work plan should identify and provide contact information for the Contractor project manager, field crew supervisor(s), and other Contractor representatives. It should include the state license numbers for each licensed herbicide applicator to be on-site in NPS park units. It should include dates and park-specific schedules for field treatments. The safety plan shall describe emergency evacuation procedures. At a minimum, a description of the routes to the nearest hospitals, key personnel to contact in an emergency, and emergency phone numbers shall be included.

B. As a part of the safety plan, submit the proposed herbicides to be used. Pesticides used in National Parks must be reviewed and preapproved within the NPS Pesticide Use Proposal System (PUPS); therefore it is imperative to submit proposed herbicides at least 30 days in advance of use. Include the EPA registration number, the MSDS sheets, method of application, and approximate dates of application. All herbicide formulations utilized, except aquatic and pre-emergent herbicides, will include a dye in order to facilitate determination of treated areas.

The herbicide formulations shall be per label directions and meet label concentration recommendations and limits. Applications cannot be made when winds exceed 10 mph at ground level, since adjacent native vegetation could be subjected to damage by spray drift.

Additionally, applications cannot be made if local weather forecasting projects a 50% or greater chance of rain within 4 hours, since treatment effectiveness will be reduced. Local forecasts should be determined by using this URL: https://www.wunderground.com/

C. The COR will review and request any necessary revisions to this Plan; Contractor must submit a fully revised plan to COR prior to the start of work.

Data Collection, Deliverables, and Timetable:

The field crew supervisor is responsible for collecting the following Daily Progress Report (DPR) data: park unit, date, start time, end time, crew member names, total crew hours, data recorder, easting and northing coordinates, each target species treated, acres treated, method of treatment by species, herbicide name by species treated, herbicide application rate by species, adjuvant trade name(s), adjuvant unit(s) of measure, carrier(s) (i.e., water, oil, none), equipment used, and additional pertinent notes (e.g., notation of weather delays). This information will be supplied daily to the COR.

Supplies and Equipment:

The Contractor will be responsible for providing herbicide applicators with all supplies and equipment for invasive plant control with one exception. Parks will provide water as an herbicide carrier and for container rinsing as needed. When water is provided, the Contractor will provide a back-flow device to prevent contamination of NPS hoses and water sources.

Obligations of the Contractor:

The Prime Contractor shall be on site at all times when plant treatment activities are being conducted on the contract. The Contractor shall be required to have a sufficient number of Crew https://www.wunderground.com/

Supervisors and ground crews to start work within 45 days of award for this contract unless otherwise coordinated with the COR.

Submittals:

• Herbicide (Manufacturers Label, SDS and mix ratio)

Definitions:

A. Shall - As used in these specifications denotes a mandatory requirement

C. Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) - The DBH shall be the trunk diameter measured at a point

4.5 feet above the average ground level. Where the trunk divides into several smaller trunks at a point lower than 4.5 feet from the ground, the tree size shall be the diameter measured at the highest point on the single trunk. If a tree falls between sizes as listed in the bid schedule the tree shall be placed in the next larger size (ie: a 17.5-inch diameter tree shall be placed in the 18-23 inch size).

C. Diameter of Crown - The diameter of the crown shall be determined by taking the average of two diameter measurements of the drip line at right angles.

D. Diameter of Cut Stump - The stump size shall be the diameter of the cut wood surface as measured across the narrowest portion. Stumps shall include all visible surface roots attached to the stump measured from the average ground level.

E. Tracing - Shaping a wound by removing loose bark from in and around a wound.

F. Girdling Roots - Roots located above or below ground whose circular growth around the base of a tree trunk or over individual roots applies pressure to the bark area, ultimately restricting the sap flow and trunk/root growth, frequently resulting in reduced vitality or stability of the tree.

G. Branch - A secondary shoot or stem arising from one of the main axes (ie: trunk or leader) of a tree.

H. Crotch - The angle formed at the attachment between a branch and another branch, leader, or trunk of a tree.

I. Crown - The upper portion of a tree from the lowest branch on the trunk to the top.

J. Lateral - A branch or twig growing from a parent branch or stem.

K. Leader - A dominant upright stem, usually the main trunk.

L. Parent Branch or Stem - The tree trunk; or a large limb from which lateral branches grow.

M. Scaffold - A limb that is or will be part of the permanent branch structure.

N. Tree Caliper Measurement: The caliper measurement will be determined by taking the average of two trunk caliper measurements at right angles 6 inches above the ground up to and including 4-inch caliper size, and 12 inches above the ground for larger sizes.

O. Tree Height Measurement: The tree height shall be measured from the ground line to where the main part of the plant ends, not to the tip of a thin shoot.

P. Shrub Height measurement: The height of each shrub shall be determined by taking the height above the "root crown" to the average growth on the main part of the plant top.

Q. Shrub Width Measurement: The spread of each shrub shall be determined by taking the average of two diameter measurements of the drip line at right angles.

R. Waters sprout: a form of shoot that originates above ground, on the tree's trunk or branches at the location of latent bud tissues.

Period of Performance:

180 days from Award

SAFETY:

All work performed on government property will be accomplished in accordance with OSHA, EPA, Federal, State and local regulations and requirements. Prior to starting work on government property, the contractor will submit to Cane River Creole National Historical Park (CARI) for approval a copy of their company safety plan pertaining to this particular contract. Although not all inclusive, the safety plan shall address at a minimum the following areas:

1) Confined space operations (if required)

2) ANSI Z133.1-2000

3) Heavy equipment operations (if required)

4) Public/visitor safety (barriers/signage, etc…)

5) Traffic safety plan (if required)

6) Trenching/sloping of soil

7) Personal protective equipment to be used

8) Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) to be used

a. Copies of Safety Data Sheets shall be provided to CARI

b. Storage of HAZMAT

9) Emergency response protocols

10) Personnel training requirements

11) OSHA DART rate

a. OSHA 300A Summary for last three years

Contractor shall use “green” products whenever possible, and all HAZMAT shall be pre-approved for use by the CARI Collateral Duty Safety Coordinator. The contractor will be responsible for the safety and security of the site to ensure unauthorized personnel (park visitors & employees) do not enter the construction area.

SECURITY & WORK HOURS:

Contractor shall only perform this work during normal operating hours (8:00am – 4:00pm), unless approval is given by Park.