S02_Attachment - ANSI Z60.1_Nursery_Stock_Standards.pdf

American Standard for Nursery Stock published by

ANSI Z60.1-2014

Approved April 14, 2014

AmericanHort.org

American National Standards

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The American Standard for Nursery Stock (ANSI Z60.1) is published by:

American Horticulture Industry Association d/b/a AmericanHort an ANSI-accredited Standards Developing Organization

2130 Stella Court, Columbus, OH 43215 614 487 1117 www.AmericanHort.org

This publication was funded in part by a grant from the Horticultural Research Institute.

©2014 AmericanHort. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, in an electronic retrieval system or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

http://www.ansi.org http://www.AmericanHort.org http://www.ansi.org http://www.AmericanHort.org http://www.hriresearch.org

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Contents ANNEX A: FOREWORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i

History of the American Standard for Nursery Stock (ANSI Z60.1) i

Horticultural Standards Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii

2014 Canvass List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii

Normative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

ANNEX B: HOW TO USE THIS PUBLICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

Section 1: General Standards

1.1 Required specifications

1.1.1 Plant size specification required

1.1.2 Plant size intervals

1.1.3 Container class specification required

1.1.3.1 Container class volume ranges

1.1.3.2 Incomplete specifications for container grown plants . . . 2

1.1.3.3 Unclassified containers

1.1.3.4 Relation of container classes with imperial volumes

1.1.3.5 Small plant containers (“SP” designation)

1.1.3.6 Dimension measurements for square containers

1.1.3.7 Box size equivalents

1.1.4 Shearing designation specification required for evergreens 3

1.1.4.1 Shearing designations

1.1.4.1.1 Natural

1.1.4.1.2 Semi sheared or lightly sheared

1.1.4.1.3 Sheared

1.1.4.1.4 Altered form

1.1.4.2 Compliance with specifications with no shearing

designation

1.2 Methods of measurement

1.2.1 Measuring caliper

1.2.2 Measuring height and spread

1.2.2.1 General application

1.2.2.2 Height measurement – deciduous shrubs

1.2.2.3 Height measurement – evergreens

1.2.3 Required specifications for trees with multiple

stems (trunks)

1.2.3.1 Desired form

1.2.3.2 Height, minimum number of stems, caliper, method of

caliper measurement

1.2.3.2.1 Default specification if specifications do not include minimum number of stems

1.2.3.3 Method of caliper measurement

1.2.3.3.1 Default specification if specifications do not include method of caliper measurement

1.3 Minimum requirements for all nursery stock

1.3.1 Correct identification requirement

1.3.2 Minimum quality requirement

1.3.3 Co-dominant stems - Type 1 and Type 2 shade trees

1.3.4 Pruning cuts to correct injury, damage, or branching

structure

1.3.5 Plants not grown in the nursery

1.3.5.1 Collected plants

1.3.5.2 Plantation grown plants

1.4 Optional specifications

1.4.1 Optional measurement specifications

1.4.2 Optional descriptive or quality specifications

1.4.3 Lowest branch height for street trees

1.4.4 Pruned or trained plants for other uses

1.4.5 Optional transplanting or root pruning specifications . . . 11

1.5 Root ball requirements for field grown nursery stock 11

1.5.1 Root ball diameters

1.5.2 Plant in center of root ball

1.5.3 Root ball depths

1.5.4 Burlapping

1.5.5 Ball-supporting devices

1.5.6 Use of digging machines recognized

1.6 Container grown root systems

1.6.1 General requirement for container grown root systems . . 13

1.6.2 Containers that encourage or manipulate root

growth recognized

1.7 Box-grown

1.8 In-ground fabric bag sizes

SECTION 1 Figures & Tables

FIGURE 1 - Measurement - field grown trees – single-stem

FIGURE 2 - Average spread measurement – evergreens

FIGURE 3 - Measurement of deciduous shrubs

FIGURE 4 - Height measurement – evergreens specified by height

FIGURE 5 - Height and spread measurement – evergreens

FIGURE 6: Co-dominant stems – Type 1 and Type 2 shade trees . 9

FIGURE 7 - Example: Center of plant in center of root ball

FIGURE 8 - Measurement of root ball depths

Table 1 - Container class volume ranges

Table 2 - In-ground fabric bag sizes

Section 2: Shade and Flowering Trees

2.1 Type 1 shade trees

2.1.1 Classification of Type 1 shade trees

2.1.2 Specifications for Type 1 shade trees

2.2 Type 2 shade trees

2.2.1 Classification of Type 2 shade trees

2.2.2 Specifications for Type 2 shade trees

2.3 Type 3 small upright trees

2.3.1 Classification of Type 3 small upright trees

2.3.2 Specifications for Type 3 small upright trees

2.4 Type 4 small spreading trees

2.4.1 Classification of Type 4 small spreading trees

2.4.2 Specifications for Type 4 small spreading trees

2.5 Trees with multiple stems (trunks)

2.5.1 General application

2.5.2 Shrub form trees

2.5.2.1 Classification of shrub form trees

2.5.2.2 Measurement intervals for shrub form trees

2.5.3 Clump form trees

2.5.3.1 Classification of clump form trees

2.5.3.2 Unified root system of clump form trees

2.5.3.3 Measurement intervals for clump form trees

2.5.4 Classification of multi-stem trees

2.5.4.1 Designation as “single trunk, low branching”

2.5.5 Root ball diameters and container classes for

clump form, shrub form, and multi-stem trees

2.5.5.1 Root ball diameters for clump form trees

2.5.5.2 Root ball diameters and container classes for

shrub form and multi-stem trees

2.6 Palms

2.7 Caliper/height/root spread relationship for

nursery grown bare root trees

2.8 Field potted or field boxed

2.9 Processed balled

SECTION 2 Figures & Tables

FIGURE 9 - Measurement – Type 2 shade trees

FIGURE 10 - Type 3 small upright trees

FIGURE 11 - Type 4 small spreading trees

FIGURE 12 - Classification of multi-stem, clump form, and shrub form trees

FIGURE 13 - Palms

Table 3 - Specifications for Type 1 shade trees

Table 4 - Specifications for Type 2 shade trees

Table 5 - Specifications for single-stem Type 3 small upright trees

Table 6 - Specifications for single-stem Type 4 small spreading trees

Table 7 - Root ball diameters and container classes for shrub form and multi-stem trees

Table 8 - Caliper/height/root spread relationship for nursery grown bare root trees

Section 3: Deciduous Shrubs

3.0 Minimum number of canes

3.1. Type 0 tender deciduous shrubs

3.1.1 Classification of Type 0 tender deciduous shrubs

3.1.2 Specifications for Type 0 tender deciduous shrubs

3.2 Type 1 small or dwarf deciduous shrubs

3.2.1 Classification of Type 1 small or dwarf deciduous shrubs 28

3.2.2 Specifications for Type 1 small or dwarf deciduous shrubs 28

3.3 Type 2 intermediate deciduous shrubs

3.3.1 Classification of Type 2 intermediate deciduous shrubs . . 29

3.3.2 Specifications for Type 2 intermediate deciduous shrubs . . 29

3.4 Type 3 large or tall deciduous shrubs

3.4.1 Classification of Type 3 large or tall deciduous shrubs . . . 30

3.4.2 Specifications for Type 3 large or tall deciduous shrubs . 30

3.4.3 Exception for Type 3 deciduous shrubs with a

narrow habit

SECTION 3 Figures & Tables

FIGURE 14 - Type 2 intermediate deciduous shrubs

Table 9: Deciduous shrubs - Type 0 tender shrubs

Table 10: Deciduous shrubs - Type 1 small or dwarf shrubs . . . 28

Table 11 - Deciduous shrubs – Type 2 intermediate

Table 12 - Type 3 large or tall deciduous shrubs

Section 4: Coniferous Evergreens

4.1 Determining root ball, container, or

fabric bag size

4.2 Optional minimum or maximum caliper specifications 31

4.3 Dwarf conifers not a separate classification

4.4. Type 1 conifers - creeping or prostrate

4.4.1 Classification of Type 1 conifers

4.4.2 Specifications for Type 1 conifers

4.5 Type 2 conifers - semi-spreading

4.5.1 Classification of Type 2 conifers

4.5.2 Specifications for Type 2 conifers

4.6 Type 3 conifers - broad spreading, globe, and

compact upright

4.6.1 Classification of Type 3 conifers

4.6.2 Specifications for Type 3 conifers

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4.7 Type 4 conifers - cone type (pyramidal)

4.7.1 Classification of Type 4 conifers

4.7.2 Specifications for Type 4 conifers

4.8 Type 5 conifers - broad upright

4.8.1 Classification of Type 5 conifers

4.8.2 Specifications for Type 5 conifers

4.9 Type 6 conifers - columnar type

4.9.1 Classification of Type 6 conifers

4.9.2 Specifications for Type 6 conifers

SECTION 4 Figures & Tables

FIGURE 15 - Measurement - Type 3 coniferous evergreens

FIGURE 16 - Determining average height - Type 4 coniferous evergreens

FIGURE 17 - Measurement - Type 5 coniferous evergreens

FIGURE 18 - Measurement - Type 6 coniferous evergreens

Table 13 - Specifications for Type 1 conifers

Table 14 - Specifications for Type 2 conifers

Table 15 - Specifications for Type 3 conifers

Table 16 - Specifications for Type 4 conifers

Table 17 - Specifications for Type 5 conifers

Table 18 - Specifications for Type 6 conifers

Section 5: Broadleaf Evergreens

5.1 Determining root ball, container, or fabric bag size . . 41

5.2 Optional minimum or maximum caliper specifications 41

5.3 Dwarf broadleaf evergreens not a separate

classification

5.4. Type 1 broadleaf evergreens - spreading

5.4.1 Classification of Type 1 broadleaf evergreens

5.4.2 Specifications for Type 1 broadleaf evergreens

5.5 Type 2 broadleaf evergreens - semi-spreading

5.5.1 Classification of Type 2 broadleaf evergreens

5.5.2 Specifications for Type 2 broadleaf evergreens

5.6 Type 3 broadleaf evergreens - broad spreading, globe, and compact upright

5.6.1 Classification of Type 3 broadleaf evergreens

5.6.2 Specifications for Type 3 broadleaf evergreens

5.7 Type 4 broadleaf evergreens – broad upright

5.7.1 Classification of Type 4 broadleaf evergreens

5.7.2 Specifications for Type 4 broadleaf evergreens

5.8 Type 5 broadleaf evergreens – cone (pyramidal)

5.8.1 Classification of Type 5 broadleaf evergreens

5.8.2 Specifications for Type 5 broadleaf evergreens

5.9 Type 6 broadleaf evergreens - columnar

5.9.1 Classification of Type 6 broadleaf evergreens

5.9.2 Specifications for Type 6 broadleaf evergreens

SECTION 5 Figures & Tables

FIGURE 19 - Measurement - Type 1 broadleaf evergreens

FIGURE 20 - Measurement - Type 2 broadleaf evergreens

FIGURE 21 - Measurement - Type 3 broadleaf evergreens

FIGURE 22 - Measurement - Type 4 Broadleaf evergreens

FIGURE 23 - Measurement - Type 5 broadleaf evergreens

Table 19 - Specifications for Type 1 broadleaf evergreens

Table 20 - Specifications for Type 2 broadleaf evergreens

Table 21 - Specifications for Type 3 broadleaf evergreens

Table 22 - Specifications for Type 4 broadleaf evergreens

Table 23 - Specifications for Type 5 broadleaf evergreens

Table 24 - Specifications for Type 6 broadleaf evergreens

Section 6: Roses

6.1 General

6.2 Hybrid tea, grandiflora, floribunda, and climbing roses 53

6.3 Polyantha, shrub, landscape, and low growing

floribunda roses

6.4 Field grown miniatures

6.4.1 Large grower miniatures

6.4.2 Small grower miniatures

6.4.3 Root gystem

6.5 Tree roses

6.5.1 Standard tree rose 36” (91 cm)

6.5.2 Patio tree rose 18 inches (46 cm)

6.5.3 Mini-tree rose (miniature marieties)

6.6 Container grown roses

SECTION 6 Figures & Tables

FIGURE 24 - Hybrid tea, tea, grandiflora, etc., roses

FIGURE 25 - Climbing roses

FIGURE 26 - Polyantha roses

FIGURE 27 - Floribunda roses

FIGURE 28 - Tree roses

Table 25 - Minimum container sizes for container grown roses 57

Section 7: Young Plants

7.1 General specifications

7.1.1 Cultural history specifications

7.1.1.2 Propagation and cultural history codes

7.1.2 Plants collected from the wild

7.1.3 Quality definition

7.1.4 Unrooted cuttings

7.1.5 Micropropagated plants (in vitro and ex vitro)

7.1.6 Pruning

7.2 Method of measurement

7.3 Sizing intervals

7.3.1 Slow grower (dwarf and semi-dwarf)

7.3.2 Medium grower

7.3.3 Fast grower

7.4 Types of plants

7.4.1 Type 1 - No stems

7.4.2 Type 2 - Single stem

7.4.2.1 Spreading

7.4.2.2 Semi-spreading

7.4.2.3 Globe

7.4.2.4 Medium upright

7.4.2.5 Upright

7.4.3 Type 3 - Stoloniferous

7.4.4 Type 4 - Rhizomatous, tuberous, or fibrous roots

7.4.5 Type 5 - Fans

7.4.6 Type 6 - Bulbs, corms

7.4.7 Type 7 - Vines

7.4.8 Conifer plantation and reforestation plants

7.5 Unclassified

7.6 Plants sold in containers, in-ground fabric bags, and plug cells

7.6.1. Plug cell specifications

Section 8: Fruit Trees

8.1 General specifications

8.1.1 Minimum requirements

8.1.2 Cultural history specifications

8.1.2.1 Unrooted cuttings

8.1.2.2 Micropropagated plants (in vitro and ex vitro)

8.1.3 Age specification

8.2 Caliper and height measurement

8.3 Height-caliper relationships

8.4 Processed balled

8.5 Fruit tree seedlings and understock

8.5.1 Seedlings with limbs

8.5.2 Apple and pear seedlings

8.5.3 Vegetatively propagated or micropropagated

fruit understock

8.5.3.1 Root system specification required

8.6 Citrus

8.7 Marketing nomenclature

SECTION 8 Tables

Table 26 - Height/caliper relationship for standard apple, sweet cherry, peach, almond, nectarine, pear, apricot, prune, and plum (one and two years)

Table 27 - Height/caliper relationship for standard sour-cherry and dwarf peach, pear, nectarine, apricot, prune and plum (on clonal rootstock only)

Table 28 - Height/caliper relationship for dwarf apple (including clonal rootstock and interstem trees)

Table 29 - Ball sizes - processed balled fruit trees

Table 30 - Apple rootstocks/interstems

Table 31 - Pear rootstocks

Table 32 - Peach, nectarine, and almond rootstocks

Table 33 - Plum and apricot rootstocks

Table 34 - Cherry rootstocks

Section 9: Small Fruits

9.1 General specifications

9.1.1 Quality definitions

9.1.2 Propagation and cultural history codes

9.1.2.1 Unrooted cuttings

9.1.2.2 Micropropagated plants (in vitro and ex vitro)

9.2 Method of measurement

9.2.1 Raspberries

9.2.1.1 Sucker and root cutting plants

9.2.2 Transplanted raspberries

9.2.3 Dewberries, blackberries, boysenberries, youngberries . . 71

9.2.3.1 Root cuttings

9.2.4 Transplanted blackberries

9.2.5 Currants

9.2.6 Blueberries

9.2.7 Gooseberries

9.2.8 Grape vines

9.2.9 Strawberry plants

9.2.10 Asparagus crowns

SECTION 9 Figures

FIGURE 29 - Strawberries – minimum requirements

Section 10: Understock

10.1 Quality definition

10.1.1 Cultural history specifications

10.1.1.1 Unrooted cuttings

10.2 Method of measurement

10.2.1 Measurement specification

10.3 Types of plants

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10.3.1 Fruit and nut seedlings—seed-propagated stock

10.3.1.1 Seedlings with limbs

10.3.1.2 Root descriptions

10.3.2 Vegetatively propagated plants

10.3.2.1 From layering

10.3.2.2. Hardwood cuttings

10.3.2.3 Softwood cuttings

10.3.2.4 Micropropagated plants (in vitro and ex vitro)

10.3.3 Unclassified

10.4 Evergreen lining out stock—recommendations

10.5 Shade and flowering tree seedlings

10.6 Container grown understock

10.7 In-ground fabric bag grown understock

Section 11: Seedling Trees and Shrubs

11.1. Quality definition

11.1.1 Cultural history specifications

11.2 Method of measurement

11.2.1. Deciduous or hardwood

11.2.2 Coniferous evergreens

11.3 Container grown and in-ground fabric bag grown

seedlings

11.4 In-ground fabric bag grown seedlings

SECTION 11 Tables

Table 35 - Minimum heights and root lengths for seedling calipers

Table 36 - Minimum calipers for seedling heights* and root lengths

Table 37 - Coniferous evergreen seedlings

Section 12: Bulbs, Corms, and Tubers

12.1 General specifications

12.2 Amaryllis

12.3 Anenomes

12.4 Begonias (tuberous)

12.5 Caladiums

12.6 Callas

12.7 Cannas

12.8 Crocosmia

12.9 Crocus

12.10 Dahlias

12.11 Freesias

12.12 Gladiolus

12.13 Gloxinia (tuberous)

12.14 Hyacinths

12.15 Iris - Dutch iris

12.16 Liatris

12.17 Lilies

12.18 Muscari (grape hyacinths)

12.19 Narcissus and daffodils

12.19.1 - Double nose

12.19.2 - Round

12.20 Narcissus - Paper white

12.21 Ranunculus

12.22 Tulips

12.23 Tuberoses

Section 13: Herbaceous Perennials, Ornamental Grasses, Groundcovers, and Vines

13.1 General specifications

13.1.1 Types (form in which marketed)

13.1.2 Propagation methods

13.2 Herbaceous perennials sold by eye divisions, fans, or rhizomes

13.2.1 Astilbe

13.2.2 Dicentra - Bleeding heart

13.2.3 Hemerocallis - Daylily

13.2.4 Hosta ssp. - Funkia

13.2.5 Iris

13.2.6 Paeonia - Peony

13.2.7 Papaver orientale - Oriental poppy

13.3 Other herbaceous perennials

13.4 Ornamental grasses

13.5 Groundcovers

13.6 Vines

SECTION 13 Figures

FIGURE 30 - Examples of typical grades for Hemerocallis

FIGURE 31 - Examples of typical sizes for Paeonia

Section 14: Christmas Tree Standards

ANNEX C: GLOSSARY

ANNEX D: METRIC EQUIVALENTS

Recommendation to Revise American Standard for Nursery Stock (ANSI Z60.1-2014)

AmericanHort.org | i

ANNEX A: FOREWORD

The information contained in this Annex is not part of this American National Standard (ANS) and has not been processed in accordance with ANSI’s requirements for an ANS. As such, this Annex may contain material that has not been subjected to public review or a consensus process. In addition, it does not contain requirements necessary for conformance to the standard.

History of the American Standard for Nursery Stock (ANSI Z60.1)

On January 1, 2014, AmericanHort was formed with the consolidation of the American Nursery & Landscape Association and OFA—The Association of Horticulture Professionals.

With a combined 220+ years of experience serving the horticulture industry, the vision of the AmericanHort merger is to unify the industry, improve collaboration, increase organizational efficiencies, and expand the support for the industry’s businesses. With that goal in mind, AmericanHort truly represents the entire horticulture industry, including breeders, greenhouse and nursery growers, retailers, distributors, interior and exterior landscapers, florists, students, educators, researchers, manufacturers, and all of those who are part of the industry market chain. It is the leading national association for the industry, and its size and scope makes AmericanHort the largest association for garden retailers in the world.

One of the early activities of the American Nursery & Landscape Association, formerly the American Association of Nurserymen, was the development of a standardized system of sizing and describing plants to facilitate the trade in nursery stock. The association’s Committee on Standards was formed in 1921, and the first edition of “Horticultural Standards” was published in 1923. From time to time, these standards were revised and expanded to meet the needs of the industry.

After World War II the association elected to make the standards a national standard by adhering to the procedures of the American Standards Association. The first edition published under the procedures of the American Standards Association (forerunner of the current American National Standards Institute, or “ANSI”) was published on June 22, 1949.

Since then, the American Standard for Nursery Stock (ANSI Z60.1) has been revised from time to time in accordance with ANSI procedural requirements.

The revisions included in the 2014 edition were developed by the association’s Horticultural Standards Committee from January, 2005, through August, 2013. The proposed revisions were then submitted to a “canvass list” comprising horticulture-focused societies, associations, companies, and individuals, and related government agencies for their review and endorsement in order to develop “evidence of industry consensus” to meet ANSI requirements for accredited national standards. The results of the canvass ballots unanimously approving the revisions were provided to ANSI and approved on April 14, 2014.

Managing Editor

Warren A. Quinn, CAE Managing Editor

For comments or recommendations, please see Page 97.

ii | AmericanHort.org

Horticultural Standards Committee

The following individuals served on the Horticultural Standards Committee during the 2005-2014 revision cycle (please note that some professional affiliations may have changed since service):

2014 Canvass List

The following organizations agreed to participate in the “canvass” review process (please note that not all of the organizations returned a ballot):

Alabama Nursery & Landscape Association Arizona Department of Agriculture Bailey Nurseries Carlton Plants City of Lewiston, Idaho City of Roanoke, Virginia Colorado Department of Agriculture Colorado Nursery & Landscape Association Connecticut Nursery & Landscape Association Division of Plant Industry, New York Stat Dept. of Agriculture & Markets Fleming Nursery Sales Gilson Gardens

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Idaho Nursery & Landscape Association Indiana Nursery & Landscape Association Jeffrey L. Bruce & Company Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Maine Department of Transportation Massachusetts Nursery & Landscape Association Minnesota Nursery & landscape Association Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association Monrovia New Jersey Nursery & Landscape Association North Dakota Department of Agriculture Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association Pennsylvania College of Technology Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association Preston Greenhouse South Carolina Forestry Commission South Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association South Dakota Nursery & Landscape Association Star Roses and Plants Tennessee Nursery & Landscape Association/TSU Nursery Extension Service The Maryland Nursery & Landscape Association Tree Care Industry Association, Inc.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Plant Industry Vermont Nursery & Landscape Association Wisconsin Green Industry Federation Wyoming State Forestry Division

Normative References

The following documents are cited in the standard and are indispensable for the application of the standard:

Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Management – Standard Practices – Part 1 – Pruning (ANSI A300). Tree Care Industry Association (www.tcia.org).

United States Standards for Grades of Christmas Trees. Fresh Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC. October 30, 1989, and as thereafter may be revised. (www.ams.usda.gov/ AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5050490).

The information contained in this Annex is not part of this American National Standard (ANS) and has not been processed in accordance with ANSI’s requirements for an ANS. As such, this Annex may contain material that has not been subjected to public review or a consensus process. In addition, it does not contain requirements necessary for conformance to the standard.

http://tcia.org/business/ansi-a300-standards http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5050490 http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5050490 iv | AmericanHort.org

ANNEX B: HOW TO USE THIS PUBLICATION

The information contained in this Annex is not part of this American National Standard (ANS) and has not been processed in accordance with ANSI’s requirements for an ANS. As such, this Annex may contain material that has not been subjected to public review or a consensus process. In addition, it does not contain requirements necessary for conformance to the standard.

A. General Information.

The purpose of the American Standard for Nursery Stock (ANSI Z60.1, the “Standard”) is to provide buyers and sellers of nursery stock with a common terminology, a “single language,” in order to facilitate commercial transactions involving nursery stock. For instance, the Standard establishes common techniques for (a) measuring plants, (b) specifying and stating the size of plants, (c) determining the proper relationship between height and caliper, or height and width, and (d) determining whether a root ball or container is large enough for a particular size plant.

For specifiers or buyers, it is important that you provide growers or distributors with specifications that conform to the terms of the Standard. For growers or distributors, it is important that product specifications in catalogues or contract proposals conform to the terms of the standard. If either party to a transaction that purports to implicate the Standard fails to comply with the Standard, conflicts are much more likely to occur because the two parties are “speaking different languages.” In such cases, contract terms control the transaction and the Standard may not help resolve the conflict.

The Standard is intended for use by professional horticulturists and landscape architects with an understanding of common horticultural terms, plant nomenclature, and plant attributes.

It is not applicable to transactions with the retail consumer, who cannot be expected to have the horticultural knowledge necessary to apply its terms. Retail consumer transactions are controlled primarily by consumer protection laws, such as those requiring accurate information in advertisements and on labels or signage.

B. Organization and Procedure

1. Before you locate the standards for a particular plant, you should know (a) what type of plant it is (e.g., a shade or flowering tree, a coniferous or broadleaf evergreen, perennial, ground cover or vine, etc.), (b) the growth habit of the particular species or cultivar, (e.g., upright, conical, spreading, multi-stemmed, etc.), (c) the method of production and packaging of the plant at the time it will be sold (e.g., balled and burlapped, in-ground fabric bag, bare root, containerized, etc.), and (d) the buyer’s intended purpose for the plant (e.g., seedlings for conservation or restoration plantings, young plants for nursery production, understock for budding/grafting, or for sale to the retail or landscape trade for use in a managed landscape).

2. Familiarize yourself with the “General Standards” section, which includes standards that are applicable to all nursery stock, with exceptions and particular applications noted, and addresses many of the most important issues regarding nursery stock specifications.

3. Find the appropriate section, or chapter, for the plant. Each section heading includes a brief explanation of its general applicability.

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4. In the applicable section, determine which table or sub-section applies to the plant.

Review the introductory information and the text that describes the plants covered by each table or sub-section.

5. For tables, locate the row that provides the standards for the plant. Keep in mind that, in most cases, the tables represent minimum relationships, and that the Standard encourages parties to exceed the minimums in the tables. Also note the various exceptions to the minimums.

6. Examples of plants are only to clarify the factors used to determine plant types within each section. Only a few examples are listed, and are not complete lists of all genera within each plant type. Users must have horticultural knowledge or access to horticultural resources to determine the plant type of an unlisted species.

7. If you are unable to locate the information under the first plant group selected, you should review other sections and determine whether there may be another plant group to which the plant belongs.

8. The Annex provides both a glossary of terms used in the Standard as well as a metric conversion table.

The information contained in this Annex is not part of this American National Standard (ANS) and has not been processed in accordance with ANSI’s requirements for an ANS. As such, this Annex may contain material that has not been subjected to public review or a consensus process. In addition, it does not contain requirements necessary for conformance to the standard.

American Standard for Nursery Stock (ANSI Z60.1-2014)

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Section 1: General Standards The following standards are applicable to all nursery stock, with exceptions and particular applications noted.

1.1 Required specifications

1.1.1 Plant size specification required

Specifications must include plant size, by caliper, height, or width, as appropriate to the plant type as set forth in the appropriate plant type section, except for certain perennials and non-winter-hardy shrubs, which may be specified by container class only (See Section 13 -herbaceous perennials, ornamental grasses, groundcovers, and vines, and Section 3.1.0 - Type 0 tender deciduous shrubs).

1.1.2 Plant size intervals

Plant size specifications should include only the minimum measurement of the desired plant size interval. The measurement so specified is the minimum size allowable and shall include plants from that minimum size up to but not including the minimum size in next larger size interval. Acceptable size intervals for each plant type are shown in the appropriate plant type section. For instance, a specification for a “2.5 in. cal.” Type 1 shade tree references the “2.5 to 3 inch” caliper size interval, while a specification for a “5 ft.” Type 4 spreading tree references the “5-6 ft.” height size interval.

1.1.3 Container class specification required

Specifications for container grown nursery stock shall include a container class specification, in accordance with Table 1, below, in addition to the plant size specification. Containers marketed and sold that indicate a “trade” or “#” designation must have volumes within the ranges shown in Table 1 in order to comply with this standard.

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1.1.3.1 Container class volume ranges

Table 1 – Container class volume ranges

Container class specification

Container volume range Box size equivalent

Cubic Inches Min - Max

Cubic Centimeters Min - Max

#SP1 6 1⁄2 - 8 106 - 131

#SP2 13 - 15 213 - 246

#SP3 20 - 30 328 - 492

#SP4 51 - 63 836 - 1033

#SP5 93 - 136 1524 - 2229

#1 152 - 251 2492 - 4115 #2 320 - 474 5246 - 7770 #3 628 - 742 10285 - 12164 #5 785 - 1242 12860 - 20360 #7 1337 - 1790 21913 - 29343 #10 2080 - 2646 34090 - 43376 #15 2768 - 3696 45376 - 60589 #20 4520 - 5152 74096 - 84457 20-inch box #25 5775 - 6861 94669 - 112472 24-inch box #45 9356 – 11,434 153317 – 187377 36-inch box #65 13514 - 16517 221456 – 246051 42-inch box

#95/100 20790 – 25410 340686 - 416394 48-inch box

1.1.3.2 Incomplete specifications for container grown plants

If a plant size specification is required and only container class is specified, the specification is incomplete, and the Standard does not provide a corresponding minimum plant size (for exceptions, see Section 13 - herbaceous perennials, ornamental grasses, groundcovers, and vines, and Section 3.1.0 - Type 0 tender deciduous shrubs).

Tables showing recommended container class specifications are to be used as a guideline in determining which container class specification should accompany the plant size specification, and may not be used as the basis for rejecting nursery stock based on the minimum or maximum plant size shown in the tables in cases where a specification does not include a plant size specification. In such cases, the parties should refer to the “general root system requirement” for all container grown nursery stock (see Section 1.6, below) to determine whether the root system complies with the Standard.

1.1.3.3 Unclassified containers

Parties to a transaction may agree that nursery stock will be in an “unclassified” container, which is a container with a volume not included within the recommended container class volume ranges.

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1.1.3.4 Relation of container classes with imperial volumes

Each container class includes a range of acceptable container volumes, and is not limited to a single container volume (e.g., a certain number of “gallons”). The volume ranges for container classes #1 through #100 include the volume of a container that, if such a container were manufactured, would hold the equivalent number of gallons as the container class number.

Standard users should refer to container manufacturers’ volume specifications for compliance with the Standard. Nursery stock specifications that reference only an imperial volume measurement, such as “quarts” or “gallons,” are not in accordance with the Standard.

1.1.3.5 Small plant containers (“SP” designation)

Generally, containers commonly referenced in the industry as “four inch” or “quart” containers are #SP4 containers (1 qt. = 57.75 cubic inches). If growers, buyers or specifiers include dimension measurements or imperial volume references, they are encouraged to also specify “round” or “square,” and to reference the appropriate container class in the Container Class Table in order to assure adequate soil volume in the container.

1.1.3.6 Dimension measurements for square containers

Dimension measurements for square containers shall be taken along one side and not diagonally.

1.1.3.7 Box size equivalents

For purposes of the Table 1, box size “equivalent” indicates that a box size may be specified in lieu of the indicated equivalent container class, and nursery stock in an equivalent box size shall be accepted in the trade as in conformance with a specification for container-grown nursery stock in the equivalent container class indicated, and vice-versa. Boxes are not required to have volumes that are “equal to” or within the volume range of the indicated equivalent container class, or vice-versa.

1.1.4 Shearing designation specification required for evergreens

Specifications for evergreens (see Section 4 Coniferous evergreens and Section 5 Broadleaf evergreens) shall include a shearing designation.

1.1.4.1 Shearing designations

1.1.4.1.1 Natural

Grown with only corrective or reparative pruning, leaving the form that is natural for the species. Never sheared. Specify as “N.”

1.1.4.1.2 Semi sheared or lightly sheared

Symmetrically sheared, pruned, or disbudded when the plant is young and then only periodically thereafter during the life of the plant. The intent is to retain an intermediate level of density while retaining the form that is natural for the species and not limiting the height of the plant over a period of time. Trunk caliper shall not be significantly larger than the trunk caliper of a plant that has been allowed to grow as a natural form, defined above.

Specify as “LS.”

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1.1.4.1.3 Sheared

Annually or semi-annually sheared, pruned, or disbudded to retain a symmetrical shape, make the plant very dense, and limit the height and width of the plant over a period of time.

The trunk caliper of the plant will therefore continue to increase at a disproportionate rate to the plant size, and will be larger than the trunk caliper of a plant that has been allowed to grow naturally. Specify as “S.”

1.1.4.1.4 Altered form

Sheared or pruned to attain a shape or branching habit that is not natural for the species, such as topiary, espalier, trained with wire, etc. (see Section 1.4.4, below). Specifications should include minimum root ball size or container class.

1.1.4.2 Compliance with specifications with no shearing designation

If a specification does not include a shearing designation, nursery stock fitting the definition of any shearing designation, except altered form, shall be deemed as acceptable for purposes of this section 1.1.4.

1.2 Methods of measurement

1.2.1 Measuring caliper

For fruit trees (Section 8), small fruits (Section 9), understock (Section 10), and seedling trees and shrubs (Section 11), caliper measurement shall be taken at the root collar or at other points expressly described in those sections.

For all other nursery stock, caliper measurement shall be taken six inches above the ground level for field grown stock and from the soil line for container grown stock, which should be at or near the top of the root flare, and six inches above the root flare for bare root plants, up to and including the four-inch caliper size interval (i.e., from four inches up to, but not including, 4½ inches). If the caliper measured at six inches is four and one-half inches or more, the caliper shall be measured at 12 inches above the ground level, soil line, or root flare, as appropriate.

Seldom are tree trunks perfectly round. The most accurate measurement will result from the use of a diameter tape. Caliper measurements taken with manual or electronic “slot” or “pincer” type caliper tools should be the average of the smallest and largest measurements.

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FIGURE 1 – Measurement - field grown trees – single-stem

1.2.2 Measuring height and spread

1.2.2.1 General application

Height measurement shall be taken from ground level for field grown stock and from the soil line for container grown stock, which should be at or near the top of the root flare, and from the root flare for bare root plants.

Spread measurement shall be the average spread of the branches of the plant, without leaves for deciduous shrubs, including leaves for evergreens (see Figure 2).

FIGURE 2 – Average spread measurement – evergreens

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1.2.2.2 Height measurement – deciduous shrubs

For deciduous shrubs, height measurement shall extend to the top of all canes meeting the height specification, as appropriate to the plant type. This is generally at a point below the tallest point on the plant. For example, a 2’ Type 2 deciduous shrub should have four canes reaching at least 2’, even if two or three canes are taller than 2’ (see Figure 3).

FIGURE 3– Measurement of deciduous shrubs

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1.2.2.3 Height measurement - evergreens

For evergreens, height measurement shall not be taken at the tip of the leader, but should be taken at the midpoint between the uppermost whorl(s) and the tip of the leader (see Figure 4 and Figure 5).

FIGURE 4 – Height measurement – evergreens specified by height

FIGURE 5 – Height and spread measurement – evergreens

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1.2.3 Required specifications for trees with multiple stems (trunks)

1.2.3.1 Desired form

Specifications for trees with multiple stems (trunks) shall include whether the form desired is shrub form, clump form, or multi-stem, as set forth in Section 2.5.

1.2.3.2 Height, minimum number of stems, caliper, method of caliper measurement

Specifications for shrub form trees and multi-stem trees shall include height.

Specifications for clump form trees shall include the minimum required number of stems (trunks), height or caliper, as appropriate to the plant type, and the method used to determine the caliper measurement, if caliper is specified (see Section 1.2.3.3, below).

A two-stem tree shall be so specified.

1.2.3.2.1 Default specification if specifications do not include minimum number of stems

In the event that specifications for a clump form tree do not include the minimum number of stems (trunks), a three-stem tree shall comply with the specification.

1.2.3.3 Method of caliper measurement

When a caliper measurement is included in the specifications, the specifications shall also include the method used to determine the caliper measurement, shown below:

A. The number of required trunks and the minimum caliper of each required trunk.

B. The caliper of only the largest trunk, with all other required trunks within a certain caliper range of the largest trunk (e.g., by percent or within two smaller caliper sizes). This is the Canadian method.

C. The caliper specified is one-half (1⁄2) of the caliper of the three largest required trunks.

D. The caliper specified is the average of all required trunks.

1.2.3.3.1 Default specification if specifications do not include method of caliper measurement

In the event that a caliper specification does not include a method of measurement, compliance with the caliper specification shall be determined by Method C, as shown in Section 1.2.3.3, above.

1.3 Minimum requirements for all nursery stock

1.3.1 Correct identification requirement

All nursery stock transacted within the terms of the Standard shall be correctly identified by genus, species, and, if applicable, cultivar.

1.3.2 Minimum quality requirement

All nursery stock transacted within the terms of the Standard shall, at time of shipment, be substantially free of damaging insects and diseases, in good living condition, and typical in habit for the species in the region of the country in which it is grown.

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1.3.3 Co-dominant stems - Type 1 and Type 2 shade trees

Unless specified as multi-stem trees (see Section 1.2, above), Type 1 and Type 2 shade trees (see Section 2) with co-dominant stems occurring within the lower half of the crown do not meet the minimum quality requirement set forth in Section 1.3.2 (see Figure 6, below).

FIGURE 6: Co-dominant stems – Type 1 and Type 2 shade trees

1.3.4 Pruning cuts to correct injury, damage, or branching structure

Pruning cuts to correct injury, damage, or branching structure shall meet the provisions of the most recent edition of Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Management – Standard Practices – Part 1 – Pruning (ANSI A300) to satisfy the minimum quality requirement set forth in Section 1.3.2.

1.3.5 Plants not grown in the nursery

1.3.5.1 Collected plants

Plants collected from native stands or established plantings shall be so specified.

For collected bare root plants, the spread of roots shall be at least one-third (33%) greater than the spread of roots shown for nursery grown bare root plants.

For collected plants harvested with a root ball intact, the minimum root ball size shall be equal to the next larger size interval shown in the appropriate table for nursery grown stock.

Collected plants may be considered nursery grown when they have been successfully reestablished in the nursery and grown under regular nursery cultural practices for a minimum of two growing seasons and have attained adequate root and top growth to indicate full recovery from transplanting into the nursery.

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1.3.5.2 Plantation grown plants

Plantation grown nursery stock shall be so specified.

For plantation grown plants harvested with a root ball intact, the minimum root ball size shall be equal to the next larger size interval shown in the appropriate table for nursery grown stock.

1.4 Optional specifications

1.4.1 Optional measurement specifications

Specifications may include measurement specifications in addition to the required specifications. For instance, if caliper is the only required specification, the specifications may also include height.

1.4.2 Optional descriptive or quality specifications

Specifiers and buyers are encouraged to provide additional specifications and appropriately detailed descriptive language to the extent that required specifications and minimum requirements do not provide sufficient detail for a particular transaction.

When specifications include optional quality designations, such as “specimen” or “quality grade,” the desired characteristics shall be stated. For example, specifications should include deviations from standard minimums for caliper, height, root ball diameter, container or box size, etc., as well as other factors such as symmetry, crown width, fullness of branching, single or single dominant leader above the minimum point set forth in Section 1.3.3, age, specialized pruning techniques, or uniqueness of the plant. The determination of compliance with the term “specimen” shall be determined with reference to the descriptive characteristics provided in the specifier’s or buyer’s specifications.

1.4.3 Lowest branch height for street trees

Bid specifications for trees to be used as street trees shall include the minimum height of the lowest branch, or the height to which the trunk shall be free of branches, which shall bear a relationship to the size and kind of tree so that the crown of the tree is in good balance with the trunk.

Examples:

Acer platanoides, 2 in. cal., 12 to 14 ft., trunk free of branches 6 ft.

Quercus rubra 3½ in. cal., 14 to 16 ft., lowest branch 7 ft.

1.4.4 Pruned or trained plants for other uses

Where a form of growth is desired which is not in accordance with a natural growth habit, this form should be so specified.

Examples:

Cut back or sheared - pruned back so as to multiply the branching structure and to develop a more formal effect.

Topiary - sheared or trimmed closely in a formal geometric pattern.

Espaliered - trained on a structure of a specified shape and style.

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1.4.5 Optional transplanting or root pruning specifications

In certain landscapes, such as street tree or container plantings with limited soil availability, or when the buyer desires a particularly well-formed root mass, specifications may include the minimum number of times that nursery stock shall have been transplanted (e.g., “trans. 3x”) or root pruned.

In such cases, nursery stock may be shipped with a smaller root ball than would otherwise be allowed, and the minimum allowed smaller root ball may be specified. Minimum root ball sizes shown in each applicable section are based on plants that have not been transplanted after they have been lined out in the field, which is the typical and accepted practice in the industry.

For example, if root density is of particular importance to a seller, buyer, or specifier, the nursery stock may be designated in marketing materials or in specification documents as being transplanted or root pruned a certain number of times. In such cases, the grower may ship the nursery stock with a root ball size smaller than shown in the appropriate section.

This approach is intended to assist those members of the trade who recognize the value of enhanced cultural practices in the nursery industry.

1.5 Root ball requirements for field grown nursery stock

1.5.1 Root ball diameters

Tables throughout the Standard provide the recommended minimum root ball sizes for nursery stock that is (a) grown in the ground in the nursery without artificial root restriction devices, such as containers or fabric bags, (b) grown under favorable growing conditions, having received the proper cultural treatment to develop a well-branched root system, and (c) harvested with the ball of earth in which they are growing remaining intact (e.g., balled and burlapped).

Many factors affect the minimum root ball size. Although minimum ball size is not a required specification, parties to nursery stock transactions are encouraged to address minimum ball size in personal communications or specification documents prior to the transaction.

The objective in all nursery stock transactions is for root balls to meet the following general requirement:

Ball sizes should always be of a diameter and depth to encompass enough of the fibrous and feeding root system as necessary for the full recovery of the plant.

Given the variety of acceptable cultural practices in the industry, the ball sizes set forth in each applicable section are based on those factors which are objectively observable and measurable: the height, width, or caliper measurement. Other cultural practices in the nursery, such as transplanting or root pruning practices or watering techniques, or soil types and local growing conditions, certainly affect the density of the roots, but are much more difficult to observe and measure within the context of the Standard.

It is recognized that plants having a coarse or wide-spreading root system because of natural habit of growth, soil condition, infrequent transplanting practice, or plants that are moved out of season, would require a root ball larger than the recommended size.