SOW_CROATAN_PLANTING.docx

Contract Specs for Longleaf Planting

Background:

The Project consists of planting containerized longleaf pine seedlings.

Project area: Project areas are located within the Croatan National Forest. Three of the areas are located off Holston Hunter Road FSR 134, one area is located off of Sanders Branch Road FSR 175, 2 areas are located off of Millis Road FSR 128, and one area is located off of Hwy 58. There is approximately 136 acres of ground to be planted.

Access: Attached maps show the locations of the areas to be planted. All areas are accessible by road.

Planting shall begin approximately January 15 depending on arrival of seedlings and be completed before March 15.

Description of work:

The perimeters of the treatment units will be painted with orange paint prior to treatment. The contractor shall plant trees in the areas identified on the included maps and marked on the ground.

Government furnished property:

Containerized longleaf seedlings will be provided by the Forest Service. The contractor is responsible for loading and transporting seedlings form the cooler storage site located at the Croatan Ranger District Work Center cooler building, 8 miles south east of New Bern, NC off of US Highway 70 (see attached vicinity map). Only one day supply of seedlings may be picked up at a time unless authorized by the COR. Pick up time for seedlings must be coordinated in advance with the COR.

Container Seedling dibbles are required for planting these seedlings. These bars can be furnished by the Forest Service if requested by the contractor. Any loss or damage to the planting bars will be the responsibility of the contractor.

Prescriptive elements:

It is the intent of this contract to plant containerized longleaf pine seedlings. The following prescriptive elements detail what is to be done.

Seedlings will be flat planted using containerized seedling bars on an 8’x9’ spacing (approximately 605 trees per acre).

Planting specifications:

A. Plant one tree in a trash free hole created by the use of a Container Seedling dibble bar.

B. Plant each containerized Longleaf Pine seedling as instructed by the COR. Take care not to bury the terminal bud during planting. The top of the plug should be at or slightly above the ground surface.

C. Planted longleaf pine seedling spacing shall be approximately 8’x9’ (approximately 605 trees per acre). Acceptable minimum number of Longleaf Pine seedlings, properly Planted, shall be 574 trees per acre and maximum number of Longleaf Pine seedlings, properly Planted, shall be 635 per acre. The contractor may adjust the placement of seedlings to meet ground conditions. The number of properly planted seedlings must not be less than the specified minimum.

D. Plant seedlings in a manner to prevent “U” roots and “L” roots.

E. Do not plant seedlings in frozen ground or during freezing weather unless approved by COR.

F. Do not plant within 5 feet of clearing limits of any designated system road, fence, power line, or pipeline right-of-way.

G. To avoid possible root damage, do not use planting tool to maneuver roots of seedlings into hole.

H. Do not plant seedlings when soil moisture drops below 20 percent as determined by COR.

I. Remove seedlings from planting bag one at a time to limit exposure of root systems to air and sunlight.

J. Soil is not to be removed from root plugs before bagging and planting.

K. Seedlings must be planted vertical to the ground.

Care and handling of seedlings:

The Contractor must protect the seedlings and take precaution to prevent damage to them from the time received by the contractor until they are planted. This shall include but is not limited to:

Protection from sun, wind, and adverse temperatures Seedlings must be handled, stored, and transported in a manner to protect them from the sun and wind and to maintain the air temperature of bags between 32 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

An insulate box or heat resistant tarp will be used to protect the seedlings.

If seedlings are furnished in boxes, boxes of seedlings shall be kept sealed prior to planting of the seedlings. Only one box shall be opened at a time. Partially used boxes will be kept closed to prevent exposure of the seedling roots to air. If any box is torn or separated, contractor shall immediately patch or seal it in a suitably way to prevent seedlings from exposure to air or drying.

Seedling not planted must be returned to the cooler at the end of the work day, unless approved beforehand by the COR.

Seedling roots must be kept moist at all times prior to and during planting.

Seedlings shall be protected from contamination by materials such as gasoline, diesel fuel, oils, or chemicals which may damage the seedlings.

All seedlings are containerized stock. No pruning will be required or permitted.

Disposal of Debris All seedling boxes and contractor generated debris shall be removed from national forest lands. Boxes can be returned to the Croatan National Forest work center to be disposed of properly.

Camping If requested by contractor, camping areas are available. Camping areas are designated by COR. No camping is allowed in wildlife fields, and absolutely no driving in wildlife fields or other areas off road will be allowed.