Pages from Attachment 5d- HAFB Landscape Standards - 06 27 2017-4.pdf

Specifications 6

Landscape Standards Hanscom Air Force Base, MA SECTION 6.1 | pg. 1

6 Specifications

6.1 Planting Soils

Topsoil shall be natural, fertile, friable soil, without admixture of subsoil, clean and reasonably free from clay, lumps, stones, stumps, roots or similar materials and free from debris or other objects which might be a hindrance to planting operations, and as follows:

1. Utilize previously stripped and stockpiled topsoil prior to obtaining additional topsoil from off- site sources. If the quantity of stockpiled topsoil is insufficient, provide additional topsoil as required to complete the landscape work.

a. All on-site stockpiled topsoil shall be screened and made to comply with the specifications and per laboratory recommendations prior to use.

2. Obtain topsoil from local sources and are from naturally, well drained sites where topsoil occurs at a depth of not less than 4 inches.

3. Texture: Topsoil shall be a “sandy loam” as determined by mechanical analysis and based on the “USDA Textural

Classification” and it shall conform to the following grain size distribution

U.S. Standard Sieve Minimum Maximum

5/8” 100

#10 81 93

#18 66 87

#35 52 82

#60 35 66

#140 12 34

#300 5 18

Silt 4 13

Clay 1 5

4. pH value: Portion of the sample that passes a ¼ inch sieve shall fall within a range of pH 5.5 to pH 7.0.

5. Organic Matter:

a. Portion of the sample which passes ¼ inch sieve shall contain not less than 5 percent nor more than 7 percent organic matter, as determined by the wet combustion method on a sample directed at 105°C.

To adjust organic matter content, the soil may be amended, prior to site delivery, by the addition of composted humus. Use of organic amendments is acceptable only if random soil sampling indicates thorough incorporation.

Landscape Standards Hanscom Air Force Base, MA SECTION 6.2 | pg. 1

6 Specifications

6.2 Planting Specifications

1.01 SUMMARY

A. Provide all labor, materials, equipment, services, and perform all operations necessary to complete the work of this section as indicated within the drawings and specified herein which shall include, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Selection, procurement and planting of all plant materials indicated within the Drawings including:

a. Trees.

b. Shrubs.

c. Groundcover.

d. Perennials and annuals.

2. Planting soils.

3. Soil amendments.

4. Maintenance.

5. Warranty.

B. Related Sections:

1. Section "Turf and Grasses" for turf.

1.02 REFERENCES

A. American Association of Nurserymen (AAN): ANSI Z 260.1 “American

Standard for Nursery Stock.”

B. Bailey Hortorium of Cornell University, Hortus Third, A Concise Dictionary of Plants Cultivated in the United States and Canada (for nomenclature).

C. American National Standards Association and National Arborist

Association, Inc.: ANSI/ANAA A300 “Tree, Shrub and Other Woody Plant

Maintenance - Standard Practices.”

1.03 DEFINITIONS

A. Backfill: The earth used to replace or the act of replacing earth in an excavation.

B. Balled and Burlapped Stock: Plants dug with firm, natural balls of earth in which they were grown, with ball size not less than diameter and depth recommended by ANSI Z60.1 for type and size of plant required;

wrapped with burlap, tied, rigidly supported, and drum laced with twine with the root flare visible at the surface of the ball as recommended by

ANSI Z60.1.

Landscape Standards Hanscom Air Force Base, MA SECTION 6.2 | pg. 2

C. Container-Grown Stock: Healthy, vigorous, well-rooted plants grown in a container, with a well-established root system reaching sides of container and maintaining a firm ball when removed from container. Container shall be rigid enough to hold ball shape and protect root mass during shipping and be sized according to ANSI Z60.1 for type and size of plant required.

D. Finish Grade: Elevation of finished surface of planting soil.

E. Planting Soil: Standardized topsoil; existing, native surface topsoil;

existing, in-place surface soil; imported topsoil; or manufactured topsoil that is modified with soil amendments and perhaps fertilizers to produce a soil mixture best for plant growth.

F. Root Flare: Also called "trunk flare." The area at the base of the plant's stem or trunk where the stem or trunk broadens to form roots; the area of transition between the root system and the stem or trunk.

G. Subgrade: Surface or elevation of subsoil remaining after excavation is complete, or the top surface of a fill or backfill before planting soil is placed.

1.04 SUBMITTALS

A. Soil Test Reports:

1. For existing native surface topsoil.

2. Imported or manufactured topsoil.

B. Qualification Data: For qualified landscape Installer. Include list of similar projects completed by Installer demonstrating Installer's capabilities and experience. Include project names, addresses, and year completed, and include names and addresses of owners' contact persons.

C. Product Certificates: For each type of manufactured product, from manufacturer, and complying with the following:

1. Manufacturer's certified analysis of standard products.

2. Analysis of other materials by a recognized laboratory made according to methods established by the Association of Official

Analytical Chemists, where applicable.

D. Product Data: For each type of product indicated to be installed:

1. Fertilizers

2. Inorganic soil amendments

3. Organic soil amendments

4. Anti-dessicant.

E. Maintenance Instructions: Recommended procedures to be established by Owner for maintenance of plants during a calendar year. Submit before start of required maintenance periods.

F. Submit samples of the following materials for approval by the Base Civil

Engineer prior to ordering or delivering those items to the site:

1. Bark Mulch: 1 quart bag with label indicating source of supply.

Landscape Standards Hanscom Air Force Base, MA SECTION 6.2 | pg. 3

G. Planting Schedule: Provide proposed planting schedule, indicating dates for each type of landscape work to be completed, maintenance periods and anticipated “Substantial Completion” date.

H. Warranty: Sample of warranty.

1.05 QUALITY ASSURANCE

A. Installer Qualifications: A single qualified landscape Installer specializing in this work and employing only experienced workers, familiar with planting procedures, and under the full time supervision of a qualified supervisor.

The Contractor must show previous evidence of having successfully installed and maintained landscape projects of similar scope with regards to quantities and sizes of plants.

1. Professional Membership: Installer shall be a member in good standing of either the Professional Landcare Network or the

American Nursery and Landscape Association.

2. Experience: Five years' minimum experience in plant installation in addition to requirements in Division 01 Section "Quality

Requirements."

3. Installer's Field Supervision: Require Installer to maintain an experienced full-time supervisor on Project site when work is in progress.

B. Soil-Testing Laboratory Qualifications: An independent laboratory or university laboratory, recognized by the State Department of Agriculture, with the experience and capability to conduct the testing indicated and that specializes in types of tests to be performed.

C. Topsoil Testing and Analysis: The Contractor shall submit representative samples of topsoil to a soil testing laboratory for testing and analysis, in conformance with the Standards of the Association of Official Agricultural

Chemicals and the USDA Textural Classification and have testing report sent directly to the Architect.

1. Test and analyze topsoil from the from the following sources:

a. 5 samples from the on-site stripped and stockpiled topsoil.

b. 5 samples from each individual off site loam source.

c. 5 samples from the constructed bioswale planting medium.

2. Soil test report that shall include;

a. Mechanical sieve analysis with soil classification.

b. Organic content.

c. Chemical analysis which shall include: pH (1:1 soil-water ratio), buffer pH, Soluble Salts (1:2 soil-water ratio), Nitrate

Nitrogen, Ammonium Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Aluminum, Magnesium, Manganese, Ferric Iron, Sulfate and toxins including but not limited to lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury.

d. Inform the Soil Testing Laboratory that soil tests are for specific applications, i.e.; tree and shrub plantings, turfgrass, wetland restoration and retention areas.

Landscape Standards Hanscom Air Force Base, MA SECTION 6.2 | pg. 4

3. Test and analysis reports shall include the laboratory’s recommendations for amending the topsoil, if necessary, to meet these Specifications herein for each planting area.

D. Obtain written approval from the Base Civil Engineer before delivering materials to the site. Do not use topsoil until test results have been received by the Base Civil Engineer and amendments per specifications and laboratory recommendations required have been completed.

1. Report shall be submitted at least 1 month before any material is to be delivered or installed on the project site.

E. The Base Civil Engineer reserves the right to request topsoil testing and analyses (up to 10 additional tests) after the material have been placed on site, during the maintenance period or during the guarantee period. All testing shall be paid by the Contractor at no additional cost to the Owner.

F. Measurements: Measure according to ANSI Z60.1. Do not prune to obtain required sizes.

1. Trees and Shrubs: Measure with branches and trunks or canes in their normal position. Take height measurements from or near the top of the root flare for field-grown stock and container grown stock. Measure main body of tree or shrub for height and spread;

do not measure branches or roots tip to tip. Take caliper measurements 6 inches above the root flare for trees up to 4-inch caliper size, and 12 inches above the root flare for larger sizes.

2. Other Plants: Measure with stems, petioles, and foliage in their normal position.

G. Substitutions: No substitutions shall be made by the Contractor. If the specified plant material is not obtainable, submit proof of non-availability to the Base Civil Engineer, together with proposal for use of equivalent material, a minimum of one (1) month prior to installation.

H. Pre installation Conference:

1. At least 10 days in advance of the first day of planting operation arrange for a pre-construction meeting between the Base Civil

Engineer, Owners Representative, General Contractor and Planting

Subcontractor to discuss the proposed planting schedule, source of plants, consideration of proposed substitutions and general review of procedures.

1.06 QUALITY CONTROL AT THE SOURCE OF SUPPLY

A. The Base Civil Engineer shall have the right to inspect and select all plant materials at the source of supply for compliance with requirements for genus, species, variety, size, and quality. The Architect further retains the right to inspect trees and shrubs for size and condition of root balls and root systems, insects, injuries and latent defects, and to reject unsatisfactory or defective material at any time during progress of work.

1. Plant selection at the source does not affect the Base Civil

Engineers right of re-inspection and rejection of plant material during the progress of the work.

Landscape Standards Hanscom Air Force Base, MA SECTION 6.2 | pg. 5

B. Make pre-selection arrangements at the source to insure a ready supply of materials, equipment, and manpower required for an efficient selection procedure. The Contractor shall pay all Base Civil Engineer’ expenses for all visits to the source beyond a 100 mile radius from the Base.

1. Notify the Base Civil Engineer 10 days prior to the scheduled date for plant selection.

1.07 DELIVERY, STORAGE, AND HANDLING

A. Packaged Materials: Deliver packaged materials in original, unopened containers showing weight, certified analysis, name and address of manufacturer, and indication of conformance with state and federal laws if applicable.

B. Bulk Materials:

1. Do not dump or store bulk materials near structures, utilities, walkways and pavements, or on existing turf areas or plants.

2. Provide erosion-control measures to prevent erosion or displacement of bulk materials, discharge of soil-bearing water runoff, and airborne dust reaching adjacent properties, water conveyance systems, or walkways.

C. Do not prune trees and shrubs before delivery. Protect bark, branches, and root systems from sun scald, drying, wind burn, sweating, whipping, and other handling and tying damage. Do not bend or bind-tie trees or shrubs in such a manner as to destroy their natural shape. Provide protective covering of plants during shipping and delivery. Do not drop plants during delivery and handling.

D. Handle planting stock by root ball.

E. Deliver plants after preparations for planting have been completed, and install immediately. If planting is delayed more than six hours after delivery, set plants and trees in their appropriate aspect (sun, filtered sun, or shade), protect from weather and mechanical damage, and keep roots moist.

1. Set balled stock on ground and cover ball with soil, peat moss, sawdust, or other acceptable material.

2. Do not remove container-grown stock from containers before time of planting.

3. Water root systems of plants stored on-site deeply and thoroughly with a fine-mist spray. Water as often as necessary to maintain root systems in a moist, but not overly-wet condition.

1.08 PROJECT CONDITIONS

A. The Contractor shall be solely responsible for judging the full extent of work requirements involved, including but not limited to the potential need for storing and maintaining plants temporarily and/or re-handling plants prior to final installation.

Landscape Standards Hanscom Air Force Base, MA SECTION 6.2 | pg. 6

B. Field Measurements: Verify actual grade elevations, service and utility locations, irrigation system components, and dimensions of plantings and construction contiguous with new plantings by field measurements before proceeding with planting work.

C. Utilities: Verify all public and private utility locations and elevations prior to excavation.

D. Planting Restrictions: Plant during one of the following periods.

Coordinate planting periods with maintenance periods to provide required maintenance from date of Substantial Completion.

1. Spring Planting: Deciduous material: April 1 through June 15.

Evergreen material: April 1 through June 15.

2. Fall Planting: Deciduous material: September 1 through

November 30.

Evergreen material: September 1 through

November 15.

E. Variance: If special conditions exist which may warrant a variance in the above planting dates, a written request shall be submitted to the Architect stating the special conditions for the proposed variance. Permission for the variance will be given if warranted in the opinion of the Architect.

F. Schedule tree selection and digging operations so as to comply with nursery industry recognition of “Spring Dig Only” or “Fall Hazard” plant materials. No substitutions of plant materials will be allowed for fall planting based on unavailability due to the “Spring Dig Only” or “Fall

Hazard” restrictions. Contractor shall have selected and had the material dug during the previous spring.

G. Weather Limitations: Proceed with planting only when existing and forecasted weather conditions permit planting to be performed when beneficial and optimum results may be obtained. Apply products during favorable weather conditions according to manufacturer's written instructions and warranty requirements.

H. Coordination with Turf Areas (Lawns): Plant trees, shrubs, and other plants after finish grades are established and before planting turf areas unless otherwise indicated.

1. When planting trees, shrubs, and other plants after planting turf areas, protect turf areas, and promptly repair damage caused by planting operations.

1.09 MAINTENANCE

1. Maintenance Service: Provide maintenance by skilled employees of landscape Installer. Maintain as required in Part 3. Begin maintenance immediately after plants are installed and continue until plantings are acceptably healthy and well established but for not less than maintenance period below.

a. Maintenance Period: 3 months from date of planting completion for planting operations completed between

September 1 and September 30.

Landscape Standards Hanscom Air Force Base, MA SECTION 6.2 | pg. 7

b. Planting operations completed between October 1 through

October 15 will continue maintenance during next planting season until April 30.

c. Planting operations completed between October 16 through

October 31 will continue maintenance during next planting season until May 15.

d. Planting operations completed by November 1 through

November 30 will continue maintenance during next planting season until May 30.

2. Notify the Base Civil Engineer in writing upon the completion of the installation of the plant material operations, the beginning date of the maintenance period and the anticipated completion date of the maintenance period.

1.10 PLANT MATERIAL ACCEPTANCE AND WARRANTY

A. Plant Material Substantial Completion:

1. When all plant material is installed and at the end of the maintenance period specified in Part 3 of this section, the

Contractor shall request the Architect, in writing, to inspect the work for Substantial Completion. Notify the Base Civil Engineer at least 10 days prior to the anticipated date of inspection.

a. For Substantial Completion, all plantings must be installed as specified in the locations indicated on the plans or as directed in field by the Base Civil Engineer, they must be in robust health, free of tags, ribbons and string, true to name and specified size.

2. Furnish written instructions for maintenance of the planting to the

Owner at the time of inspection for Substantial Completion.

Maintenance instructions shall consist of, complete typed instructions indicating specific operations in watering, fertilizing, spraying and pruning that will be necessary to maintain plants and lawn areas in a healthy condition.

3. When the plant material and workmanship are acceptable or upon the completion of the documented corrective work has been completed and maintenance instructions have been received by the

Owner the Architect will certify in writing the Substantial Completion of the planting and initiating the beginning date of the warranty period.

B. Warranty: Installer agrees to repair or replace plantings and accessories that fail in materials, workmanship, or growth within specified warranty period.

1. Failures include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. Death and unsatisfactory growth, except for defects resulting from abuse, lack of adequate maintenance, or neglect by

Owner, or incidents that are beyond Contractor's control.

b. Structural failures including plantings falling or blowing over.

c. Faulty performance of tree stabilization.

2. Warranty Periods from Date of Substantial Completion:

a. Trees, Shrubs, Vines, and Ornamental Grasses: 12 months.

Landscape Standards Hanscom Air Force Base, MA SECTION 6.2 | pg. 8

b. Ground Covers, Biennials, Perennials, and Other Plants: 12 months.

3. Include the following remedial actions as a minimum:

a. Immediately remove dead plants and replace unless required to plant in the succeeding planting season.

b. Replace plants that are more than 25 percent dead or in an unhealthy condition at end of warranty period.

c. A limit of one replacement of each plant will be required except for losses or replacements due to failure to comply with requirements.

d. All replacement plant material shall be of the same species;

cultivar size as specified in the Plant Schedule

e. Provide extended warranty for period equal to original warranty period, for replaced plant material.

f. Restore areas damaged or disturbed by replacement operations to their original condition.

C. At the end of the warranty period or as directed by the Base Civil

Engineer at the Substantial Completion, remove and dispose of guys, wires, rubber hose sections, stakes, and tree trunk wrapping off site.

D. Final Inspection and Final Acceptance:

1. At the end of the warranty period, inspection will be made by the

Base Civil Engineer upon written request submitted by the

Contractor. Notify the Architect at least 10 days before the anticipated date.

2. The Base Civil Engineer will review the plant material for acceptance or direct the Contractor for corrective work required, including plant replacement. Upon the Architects satisfaction of the completed work, the Base Civil Engineer will certify in writing the Final

Acceptance of the planting.

PRODUCTS

2.01 PLANTING SOILS

A. Topsoil: Topsoil shall be natural, fertile, friable soil, without admixture of subsoil, clean and reasonably free from clay, lumps, stones, stumps, roots or similar materials and free from debris or other objects which might be a hindrance to planting operations, and as follows:

1. Utilize previously stripped and stockpiled topsoil prior to obtaining additional topsoil from off- site sources. If the quantity of stockpiled topsoil is insufficient, provide additional topsoil as required to complete the landscape work.

a. All on-site stockpiled topsoil shall be screened and made to comply with the specifications herein for new topsoil (off site) and per laboratory recommendations prior to use.

2. Obtain topsoil from local sources and are from naturally, well drained sites where topsoil occurs at a depth of not less than 4 inches.

Landscape Standards Hanscom Air Force Base, MA SECTION 6.2 | pg. 9

3. Texture: Topsoil shall be a “sandy loam” as determined by mechanical analysis and based on the “USDA Textural

Classification” and it shall conform to the following grain size distribution

a. Percent passing by weight:

U.S. Standard

Sieve

Minimum Maximum

5/8” 100

#10 81 93

#18 66 87

#35 52 82

#60 35 66

#140 12 34

#300 5 18

Silt 4 13

Clay 1 5

4. pH value: Portion of the sample that passes a ¼ inch sieve shall fall within a range of pH 5.5 to pH 7.0.

5. Organic Matter:

a. Portion of the sample which passes ¼ inch sieve shall contain not less than 5 percent nor more than 7 percent organic matter, as determined by the wet combustion method on a sample directed at 105°C.

b. To adjust organic matter content, the soil may be amended, prior to site delivery, by the addition of composted humus.

Use of organic amendments is acceptable only if random soil sampling indicates thorough incorporation.

2.02 PLANT MATERIAL

A. A complete list of plants, including a schedule of sizes, quantities and other requirements, shall be shown on the Drawings. In the event that quantity discrepancies or material omissions occur between the plant materials schedule and the Drawings, the Contractor shall be responsible in providing the higher quantity of plants.

B. Furnish nursery-grown plants true to genus, species, variety, cultivar, stem form, shearing, and other features indicated in Plant Schedule shown on Drawings and complying with ANSI Z60.1; and with healthy root systems developed by transplanting or root pruning. Provide well-shaped, fully branched, healthy, vigorous stock, densely foliated when in leaf and free of disease, pests, eggs, larvae, and defects such as knots, sun scald, injuries, abrasions, and disfigurement.

1. Trees with damaged, crooked, or multiple leaders; tight vertical branches where bark is squeezed between two branches or between branch and trunk ("included bark"); crossing trunks; cut-off limbs more than 3/4 inch in diameter; or with stem girdling roots will be rejected.

Landscape Standards Hanscom Air Force Base, MA SECTION 6.2 | pg. 10

2. Collected Stock: Do not use plants harvested from the wild, from native stands, from an established landscape planting, or not grown in a nursery unless otherwise indicated.

C. Provide plants of sizes, grades, and ball or container sizes complying with

ANSI Z60.1 for types and form of plants required. Plants of a larger size may be used if acceptable to Architect, with a proportionate increase in size of roots or balls.

D. Plants shall be balled and burlapped unless otherwise specified and must be moved with the root systems as solid units with balls of earth firmly wrapped with untreated eight-ounce burlap, firmly held in place by a stout cord or wire. The diameter and depth of the balls of earth must be sufficient to encompass the fibrous root feeding system necessary for the healthy development of the plant.

1. No plant shall be accepted when the ball of earth surrounding its roots has been badly cracked or broken preparatory to or during the process of planting or after the burlap, staves, ropes or platform required in connection with its transplanting have been removed.

The plants and root balls shall remain intact during all operations.

E. Root-Ball Depth: Furnish trees and shrubs with root balls measured from top of root ball, which shall begin at root flare according to ANSI Z60.1.

Root flare shall be visible before planting.

F. Labeling: Label at least one plant of each variety, size, and caliper with a securely attached, waterproof tag bearing legible designation of common name and full scientific name, including genus and species. Include nomenclature for hybrid, variety, or cultivar, if applicable for the plant as shown on Drawings.

G. If formal arrangements or consecutive order of plants is shown on

Drawings, select stock for uniform height and spread, and number the labels to assure symmetry in planting.

H. Groundcover: Furnish established plants, well-rooted in removable containers or integral peat pots and with not less than minimum number and length of runners required by ANSI Z60.1 for the pot size shown or listed.

2.03 INORGANIC SOIL AMENDMENTS

A. Lime: ASTM C 602, agricultural liming material containing a minimum of

80 percent calcium carbonate equivalent and as follows:

1. Class: T, with a minimum of 99 percent passing through No. 8 sieve and a minimum of 75 percent passing through No. 60 sieve.

2. Provide lime in form of ground dolomitic limestone.

B. Aluminum Sulfate: Commercial grade, unadulterated.

C. Perlite: Horticultural perlite, soil amendment grade.

Landscape Standards Hanscom Air Force Base, MA SECTION 6.2 | pg. 11

D. Agricultural Gypsum: Minimum 90 percent calcium sulfate, finely ground with 90 percent passing through No. 50 sieve.

E. Sand: Gravelly sand that meets ASTM D 422 is clean, washed, natural or manufactured and free of toxic materials.

1. Percent passing by weight:

U.S. Standard

Sieve

Minimum Maximum

2” 100

¾” 70 100

¼” 50 80

#40 15 40

#200 0 3

F. Diatomaceous Earth: Calcined, 90 percent silica, with approximately 140 percent water absorption capacity by weight.

2.04 ORGANIC SOIL AMENDMENTS

A. Compost: Well-composted, stable, and weed-free organic matter, pH range of 5.5 to 8; moisture content 35 to 55 percent by weight; 100 percent passing through 1/2-inch sieve; soluble salt content of 5 to 10 decisiemens/m; not exceeding 0.5 percent inert contaminants and free of substances toxic to plantings; and as follows:

1. Organic Matter Content: 50 to 60 percent of dry weight.

B. Sphagnum Peat: Humus or Peat Moss shall be natural humus, reed peat or sedge peat, finely divided peat, decomposed and free of fibers with a minimum 60 per cent Sphagnum composition by volume. pH range approximately 5.5 pH to 7.5 pH and the organic matter shall be not less than 85% as determined by loss on ignition. The minimum water absorbing ability shall be 200% by weight on an oven-dry basis.

C. Muck Peat: Partially decomposed moss peat, native peat, or reed-sedge peat, finely divided or of granular texture, with a pH range of 6 to 7.5, and having a water-absorbing capacity of 1100 to 2000 percent.

D. Manure: Well-rotted, unleached, stable or cattle manure containing not more than 25 percent by volume of straw, sawdust, or other bedding materials; free of toxic substances, stones, sticks, soil, weed seed, and material harmful to plant growth.

2.05 FERTILIZERS

A. Bonemeal: Commercial, raw or steamed, finely ground; a minimum of 4 percent nitrogen and 20 percent phosphoric acid.

B. Superphosphate: Commercial, phosphate mixture, soluble; a minimum of

20 percent available phosphoric acid.