Specifications.pdf

PEVI PMIS 277351 32 93 00 - 1

PLANTS

SECTION 32 93 00

PART 1 - GENERAL

1.1 RELATED DOCUMENTS

A. Drawings and general provisions of the Performance Statement of Work apply to this Section.

1.2 SUMMARY

A. Section Includes:

1. Plants and Installation.

2. Pruning.

3. Mulching.

4. Tree Stabilization.

5. Maintenance and Warranty Period.

1.3 DEFINITIONS

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

B. Balled and Burlapped Stock: Exterior plants dug with firm, natural balls of earth in which they are grown, with ball size not less than diameter and depth recommended by ANSI Z60.1 for type and size of tree or shrub required; wrapped, tied, rigidly supported, and drum-laced as recommended by ANSI Z60.1.

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

D. Topsoil: The top six to ten inches of soil having higher organic matter content, higher biological activity, less compaction than the underlying subsoil and is better for the growth of plants. Topsoil should have sand, silt and clay contents within the following ranges: Sand 40 - 65%, Silt 25 - 60% and Clay 5 - 20%. Topsoil may be salvaged and stockpiled from on-site, manufactured or imported from off-site.

E. Planting Area: Areas to be planted.

F. Planting Soil: Topsoil mixed with soil amendments.

G. 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.

H. Stem Girdling Roots: Roots that encircle the trunks of trees below the soil surface.

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I. Subgrade: Surface or elevation of subsoil remaining after completing excavation, or top surface of a fill or backfill, before placing planting soil.

J. Subsoil: All soil beneath the topsoil layer of the soil profile and typified by the lack of organic matter and soil organisms.

1.4 SUBMITTALS

A. Manufacturer’s Product Data: Provide for approval by COR before installation of planting soil for each type of product indicated.

1. Mulch.

2. Tree Tie Material.

3. Watering Bags.

4. Anti-Desiccant.

B. Samples for Verification: Provide for approval by COR before installation of planting soil for each of the following in labeled bags:

1. 1 liter of mulch.

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

1. Manufacturer's certified analysis of standard products.

D. 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.

E. Planting Schedule for Trees: Indicating anticipated planting dates.

1.5 QUALITY ASSURANCE

A. References and standards to be used:

1. ASTM: American Society of Testing Materials

2. USDA United States Department of Agriculture.

3. ANSI Z60.1 American Standard for Nursery Stock 2004 or more recent.

4. ANSI A300 Standard Practices for Tree, Shrub and other Woody Plant

Maintenance.

5. Pruning practices shall conform with recommendations in An Illustrated Guide to

Pruning, Second Edition, Edward F Gilman, Delmar Publishing, Albany, NY, 2000.

B. Contractor is solely responsible for quality assurance of work.

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C. Installer Qualifications: The installer shall be a firm with at least 5 years of successful experience in work similar in material, design and extent to that indicated for this Project and with a record of successful landscape establishment.

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

D. 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. Measure main body of tree or shrub for height and spread; do not measure branches or roots tip-to-tip.

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

E. The Contractor shall comply with all applicable requirements of the laws, codes, ordinances and regulations of federal, state and municipal authorities having jurisdiction.

F. The contractor shall comply with all requirements for control of silt and sediment during plant installation work as indicated in the contract documents.

G. Preinstallation Conference: Conduct conference at Project site to comply with COR, general contractor, all subcontractors, and owner’s representative attending. This conference can occur simultaneously with the “Soils” conference.

1.6 SELECTION, TAGGING, ORDERING AND ACCEPTANCE OF PLANT MATERIAL

A. Plants shall be subject to selection, tagging and/or inspection and approval by COR at place of growth and upon delivery for conformity to specifications. Such approval shall not impair the right of inspection and rejection during progress of the work. Submit written request for inspection of plant material at place of growth to COR. Written request shall state the place of growth and quantity of plants to be inspected. COR reserves right to refuse inspection at this time if, in his judgment, a sufficient quantity of plants is not available for inspection.

1. Notify COR of sources of planting materials a minimum 30 days in advance of delivery to site. If digging of ball and burlap stock is required prior to 30 days before delivery to site notify COR of plants sources to allow for sufficient time to plan and execute a tagging trip.

B. Before trees are dug and during tagging activities a Contractor or nursery representative shall apply a one-inch diameter white dot of landscape marking paint on the North side of all trees 12 inches above the top structural root. Maintain North orientation when planted at Project site.

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C. Substitutions of plant materials will not be permitted unless authorized in writing by COR.

If proof is submitted that any plant specified is not obtainable, a proposal will be considered for use of the nearest equivalent size or variety with corresponding adjustment of Contract price. These provisions shall not relieve Contractor of the responsibility of obtaining specified materials in advance if special growing conditions or other arrangements must be made in order to supply specified materials.

D. Plant Acceptance: COR will inspect all work for substantial completion upon written request of the Contractor. The request shall be received at least ten days before the anticipated date of inspection. Acceptance of plant material shall be for general conformance to specified size, character and quality and not relieve the Contractor of responsibility for full conformance to the contract documents, including correct species.

1. The Contractor is responsible for the condition and quality of work and materials during construction and until Acceptance. Contractor shall bear the cost of replacing all plant material until this time.

2. Remove rejected trees, shrubs or perennials immediately from Project site.

1.7 DELIVERY, STORAGE, AND HANDLING

A. Protect materials from damage or deterioration during delivery and while stored at the site. Adequately protect plants from drying out, whipping, exposure of roots to sun, wind, extremes of heat and cold temperatures or other handling or tying damage. Do not bend or bind trees or shrubs in such a manner that damages bark, breaks branches or destroys their natural shape.

B. When weather conditions are such that exposure to sun, wind and/or extremes of heat or cold temperatures during transit may adversely affect health of plants, transport plant material to site in controlled environment trailer. Use carrier experienced in handling live plants.

C. Provide protective covering over all vehicles during delivery of all plants.

D. Do not prune prior to delivery unless approved in advance by COR.

E. If deciduous trees are moved when in full-leaf, spray with an approved anti-desiccant per manufacturer’s recommendations at nursery no greater than 48 hours prior to digging, and again two weeks after transplanting. Spraying should take place in early morning hours with foliage at maximum turgidity. It is the responsibility of the contractor to decide if anti-desiccant shall be applied to the tree before delivery.

F. Deliver trees and plants after preparations for planting have been completed and plant immediately. If planting is delayed more than 6 hours after delivery:

1. Set trees and plants in shade, protect from weather and mechanical damage, and keep roots moist by covering with mulch, burlap or other acceptable means of retaining moisture.

2. Mist plant tops regularly such that plant tops remain moist. Water root zones to maintain water levels in the root zone above wilt point but below soil saturation.

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3. The duration, method, and location of storage of plant materials shall be subject to approval.

4. Provide proper spacing for trees, such that the stockpiled plant material has full access to light and air. Take all precautions to prevent defoliation of stockpiled material.

5. Do not deliver more plants to the site than there is space with adequate storage conditions to receive the plants. Provide a suitable remote staging area for plants and other supplies.

6. Do not remove container-grown stock from containers until planting time. Prepare and plant container-grown stock immediately once removed from container.

G. 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.

H. Bulk Materials:

1. Do not dump or store bulk materials on existing turf 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.

1.8 PROJECT CONDITIONS

A. Utilities: Determine location of above grade and underground utilities and perform work in a manner which will avoid damage. Hand excavate, as required. Maintain grade stakes until removal is mutually agreed upon by parties concerned. Notification of Tennessee 811, Dial 811 is required for all planting around utilities. The contractor is responsible for knowing the location and avoiding utilities that are not covered by Tennessee 811.

B. Excavation: When conditions detrimental to plant growth are encountered, such as rubble fill, adverse drainage conditions, or obstructions, notify COR before planting. Do not proceed with work until unsatisfactory conditions have been corrected.

C. 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: February 15 – June 15.

2. Fall Planting: September 15 – December 15.

D. 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.

E. TREE PROTECTION

A. Erect and maintain a temporary fence around drip line of individual trees or around

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perimeter drip line of groups of trees to remain. Remove fence when construction is complete.

1. Do not store construction materials, debris, or excavated material within drip line of remaining trees.

2. Do not permit vehicles, equipment, or foot traffic within drip line of remaining trees.

B. Do not excavate within drip line of trees, unless otherwise indicated.

C. Where excavation for new construction is required within drip line of trees, hand clear and excavate to minimize damage to root systems. Use narrow tine spading forks, comb soil to expose roots, and cleanly cut roots as close to excavation as possible.

1. Cover exposed roots with wet burlap to prevent roots from drying out.

2. Temporary support and protect roots from damage until they are perma-nently relocated and covered with soil

3. Coat cut faces of roots more than 1-1/2 inches in diameter with emulsified asphalt or other approved coating formulated for use on damaged plant tis-sues.

4. Backfill with soil as soon as possible.

C. Maintain fenced area free of weeds and trash.

D. Repair or replace trees and vegetation indicated to remain that are damaged by construction operations, in a manner approved by Landscape Architect.

1. Employ a qualified arborist, licensed in jurisdiction where Project is located, to submit details of proposed repairs and to repair damage to trees and shrubs.

2. Replace trees that cannot be repaired and restored to full-growth status, as determined by the qualified arborist.

1.9 WARRANTY

A. General Warranty: The special warranty specified in this Article shall not deprive the Owner of other rights the Owner may have under other provisions of the Contract Documents and shall be in addition to, and run concurrent with, other warranties made by the Contractor under requirements of the Contract Documents.

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

1. Warranty Period for All Trees: Two years from date of ACCEPTANCE

C. When the work is accepted in parts, the warranty periods shall extend from each of the partial acceptances to the terminal date of the last warranty period. Thus, all warranty periods for each class of warranty, shall terminate at one time. An agreement by the

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owner that the overall project is at substantial completion, does not begin the plant warranty period if all plants have not been accepted.

D. Plants shall be healthy, free of pests and disease, and in flourishing condition at the end of the warranty period. Plants shall be free of dead and dying branches and branch tips, and shall bear foliage of normal density, size, and color for the species.

E. Plants that are dead, diseased, insect infested, or not in a vigorous, thriving condition, as determined by the COR during or at the end of the warranty period, shall be deemed defective. Plants that have had more than 25% of their branches die or removed shall be replaced. Plants that have had a major branch or side of the plant removed such that current or future aesthetic appeal or structural integrity of the plant, as determined by the COR, is diminished shall be considered defective. Plant material determined to be defective shall be replaced without cost to the Owner.

1. Remove defective or dead plants immediately. Replace as soon as weather conditions permit and within one of the specified planting periods.

F. The Contractor is exempt from replacing plants, after Acceptance and during the warranty period, that are removed by others, lost or damaged due to occupancy of project in any part, lost or damaged by a third party, vandalism, or any natural disaster.

G. Replacements shall closely match adjacent specimens of the same species.

Replacements shall be subject to all requirements stated in this specification. Make all necessary repairs due to plant replacements. Such repairs shall be done at no extra cost to the Owner.

H. The warranty of all replacement plants shall extend for an additional one-year period from the date of their acceptance after replacement. In the event that a replacement plant is not acceptable during or at the end of the extended warranty period, the Owner may elect one more replacement item or credit for each item. These replacement items are not protected under a warranty period.

I. At the end of the warranty period, and no less than five days prior to final inspection, tree ties and guying shall be removed from the site. All trees that have leaned shall be straightened

PART 2 - PRODUCTS

2.1 PLANT MATERIAL: GENERAL

A. Provide trees and plants of quantity, size, genus, species, variety or cultivars, and type (ball and burlap or container) as indicated in the drawings. All plant material shall conform to ANSI Z60.1 “American Standard for Nursery Stock”, unless otherwise specified herein.

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1. Plants larger than specified may be used if acceptable and approved. Use of such plants shall not increase the contract price. If larger plants are accepted the ball-of-earth shall be increased in proportion to the size of the plant.

2. If a range of size is given, no plant shall be less than the minimum size and not less than 50 percent of the plants shall be as large as the maximum size specified.

The measurements specified are the minimum size acceptable and are the measurements after pruning, where pruning is required.

B. Plants shall be sourced from and grown in Ohio, Michigan or Pennsylvania. If specified trees are not available from these states, written permission from the COR is required to vary from this requirement.

C. Plants shall have a well balanced and full form; heavily branched with an even branch distribution, densely foliated and/or budded, and a strong, straight distinct leader where this is characteristic of the species. Plants that meet the measurements specified, but do not possess a normal balance between height and spread, shall be rejected. The COR shall be the final arbiter of acceptability of plant form.

D. Trees or large shrubs shall not have co-dominant leaders or branch crotch unions without evidence of a bark ridge.

E. Provide healthy, vigorous stock, grown in a recognized nursery in accordance with good horticultural practice and free of disease, insects, eggs, larvae, and defects such as knots, scrapes, broken or split branches, fresh limb cuts, sunscald, injuries, abrasions, or disfigurement. All graft unions shall be completely healed, free of extreme succulence.

All graft unions shall be visible above the soil line.

F. Plants shall not be pruned before delivery. Trees, which have a damaged or crooked leader, or multiple leaders, unless specifically specified, will be rejected. Trees with abrasions of the bark, sun scalds, disfiguring knots, or fresh cut of limbs over 1” which have not completely callused, will be rejected.

G. All plants shall be harvested as required by ANSI Z60.1 and additional requirements cited in this section below. In the event that the required modifications are in conflict, the modifications shall take precedent.

H. All trees and shrubs shall be dug prior to leafing out (bud break) in the spring or when plants have gone dormant in the fall except for plants known to require spring transplanting, which are only to be dug prior to leafing out in the spring.

1. Written permission from the COR is required to vary from this requirement.

2. Trees and shrubs shall not be dug in the summer.

I. If formal arrangements or consecutive order of trees or shrubs is shown, select stock for uniform height and spread, and number label to assure symmetry in planting.

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2.2 BALLED AND BURLAPPED PLANT MATERIAL

A. Provide quality plant material of height or caliper as indicated in drawings and with branching configurations and spread characteristics as recommended by ANSI Z60.1.

B. Trees: Provide quality single-stem balled and burlapped (B&B) trees, except where special forms are indicated.

1. Large Caliper Trees: Large caliper trees are defined as trees with a trunk caliper of 4” or larger and shall meet all general and tree requirements.

C. Shrubs: Provide quality single-stem or caned balled and burlapped (B&B) deciduous shrubs, except where special forms are indicated.

D. Evergreens: Provide quality balled and burlapped (B&B) evergreens with well-balanced form complying with requirements for size relationships to the primary dimension shown.

The COR has the option to specify evergreen shrubs by height.

E. Harvesting and Root Ball Requirements: All balled and burlapped trees and shrubs shall be harvested with the following modifications to standard nursery practices.

1. Prior to digging each tree and any shrub greater than 3 feet in height, check for the location of the structural roots within the root ball area. Using a surveyor’s chain pin, or other suitable device, probe into the soil around the trunk of the plant to locate the position and depth of the structural roots. A surveyor’s chain pin is a metal rod approximately 3/16” in diameter, 12 inches long with a cone shaped point. The rod is painted with alternating bands 1” wide along its length.

2. A minimum of three radial roots shall be found in each plant. The top structural roots shall be defined as large woody roots found at a point 4” out from the trunk or shrub base. These roots shall be roughly radial to the trunk and be at approximately the same depth to each other. Plants with roots that appear to be circling, or at depths differing greater than 3 inches may be rejected. Plants with visible circling roots at the surface shall be rejected.

3. Apply a one-inch diameter, white dot of paint on the north side of all trees 12 inches above the top structural root.

4. For trees or shrubs where the top structural roots are three inches or less in depth, the soil at the top of the root ball may be left in place and the plant harvested. For trees with more than three inches of soil covers the top structural roots, soil should be carefully removed to the depth of the highest root. This will expose the root flare of the tree. Care must be exercised not to damage the bark at the root flare and the top of the structural root. For large trees, any excess soil over the roots shall be removed at the time the tree is root pruned.

5. After the removal of the required amount of soil, dig the root ball. Trees larger than 5” in caliper shall be dug with a minimum root ball diameter of 11 inches of diameter for each inch of trunk caliper and depth of the ball shall be a minimum of 2/3rd of the ball diameter. Trees 5” or smaller in caliper and all shrubs shall be dug with root ball sizes as required by ANSI Z60.1.

6. Plants shall be burlap wrapped either using ANSI Z60.1 drum lacing technique or a wire basket. If wire baskets are used, a low-profile basket shall be used. A low-

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profile basket is defined as having the top of the highest loops on the basket no less than 4” and no greater than 10” below the shoulder of the root ball as indicated on the drawings.

7. Twine and burlap used for wrapping the root ball shall be natural, untreated, biodegradable material.

8. Apply 1/8” thick, wax sealed, corrugated cardboard trunk protection around the trunk of the tree from the top of the root ball to the first branch. Cardboard shall be coated to reduce water penetration and fabricated for this application. Secure the cardboard with biodegradable twine.

2.3 TREE BRANCH HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS

A. Shade Trees: One-half of tree height

B. Street Trees: Limb up trees to a height of 6’ above finished grade, or one half of tree height, whichever is greater.

C. Small Ornamental Trees: Branched or pruned naturally according to species and type.

D. Multi-trunk Trees: Branched or pruned naturally according to species and type.

2.4 MULCH

A. Mulch shall be double shredded hardwood bark free from roots, leaves, twigs, debris, stones, fungus, crabgrass rhizomes, or any material detrimental to plant growth. Material shall be mulching grade, uniform in size and foreign matter. Wood content shall not exceed 15% by volume. Mulch shall be composted to the point where all wood has turned dark brown within the interior of the fragment. Mulch that has become saturated with water and presents an anaerobic odor shall be rejected.

1. Depth: Depth of mulch indicated means the depth of mulch after settlement.

2.5 STAKES AND GUYS

A. Upright and Guy Stakes: Rough-sawn, sound, new hardwood or redwood, free of knots, holes, cross grain, and other defects, 2 by 2 inches by length indicated, pointed at one end.

B. Tree guying to be flat woven polypropylene material, 3/4” wide, 900 16 break strength.

Color to be Green. Product to be ArborTie, manufactured by Deep Root Partners, L.P.

(800) 458-7668, or approved equal.

2.6 ANTI-DESICCANT

A. Anti-Desiccant shall be emulsion type, film-forming agent similar to Dowax by Dow Chemical Company, or Wilt-Pruf by Nursery Specialty Products, Inc., Croton Falls, New York, or approved equal. Anti-desiccant is designed to permit transpiration but retard excessive loss of moisture from plants. Deliver in manufacturer’s fully identified containers and use in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

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2.7 WATERING BAGS

A. Watering bags shall be Treegator Irrigation Bags, or approved equal. The bags shall be sized to the appropriate model for the requirements of the plant, manufactured by Spectrum Products, Inc, Youngsville, NC 27596.

PART 3 - EXECUTION

3.1 EXAMINATION

A. Examine grading, verify all elevations and notify the COR of any discrepancies before beginning work.

B. Examine soil conditions for areas to receive plants for any circumstance that might be detrimental to plant growth. Verify that no foreign or deleterious material or liquid such as paint, concrete, oils, gasoline, paint thinner, etc. have been deposited or spilled in planting area.

C. Proceed with installation only after unsatisfactory conditions and grade discrepancies have been corrected.

3.2 PREPARATION

A. Protect structures, utilities, sidewalks, pavements, other facilities, lawns and existing plants from damage caused by planting operations.

B. Complete all soil preparation and placement activities and erosion control measures in each planting area before beginning planting activities.

C. SEQUENCE AND LAYOUT

1. When applicable, plant trees before adjacent shrubs, vines and perennials and are in place.

2. Notify the COR, one (1) week prior to layout for approval. Lay out all individual tree and shrub locations. Place plants above surface at planting location or place a labeled stake at planting location. Layout bed lines with paint for approval. Where spacing dimensions or locations are not clear, notify the COR. Secure acceptance before digging and start of planting work.

3. Plants are not precise objects and minor adjustments in the layout will be required as the planting plan is constructed. These adjustments may not be apparent until some or all of the plants are installed. Make adjustments as required by the COR.

3.3 INSTALLATION OF BALL AND BURLAP TREES AND SHRUBS

A. Inspect each plant after delivery and prior to installation for damage of other characteristics that may cause rejection of the plant. Do not use planting stock if root ball is cracked or broken before or during planting operation.

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B. Excavate pits and trenches with 2:1 sloped sides and with the bottom of excavation slightly raised at center to provide proper drainage. Leave pedestal as required to meet the tree or shrub root flare elevation as indicated. If pedestal is disturbed during excavations compact pedestal to 90% dry density. Provide planting pits at least three times the size of the rootball. Do not excavate deeper than depth of root ball, measured from the root flare to the bottom of the root ball. When conditions detrimental to plant growth are encountered, such as rubble fill, adverse drainage conditions, or obstructions, notify the COR before planting. Dispose of detrimental subsoil removed from planting excavations and do not mix with planting soil or use as backfill.

C. Drainage: Test each tree or large shrub pit or trench for proper drainage.

1. Fill excavations with water twice in succession and allow water to percolate out before planting.

2. Notify the COR if the time it takes for pit or bed to drain is slow or if pit does not drain. Notify COR if subsoil conditions evidence unexpected water seepage or retention in tree or shrub pits.

3. Hardpan or construction activity compacted soils: In areas where hardpan is discovered or soils have been compacted during construction activity auger 6-inch-diameter holes, minimum 2 per pit, into free-draining strata or to a depth of six (6) feet, whichever is less, and backfill with free-draining material. Locate all utilities prior to beginning auguring.

D. Scarify hard subsoil on side walls and around perimeter of undisturbed tree ball pedestal.

For plants to be planted in prepared planting soil, tamp the soil under the root ball using a motorized jumping jack tamper, to assure firm bedding for the root ball.

E. Set edge of the root ball at the elevation of the proposed finish grade. Consult the grading plan and utilize a builder’s level or transit to determine the grade at the tree trunk.

For trees on sloped surfaces, set the edge of the root ball at the average grade around the tree. Set the plant plumb and in the location indicated on the plan and approved by the COR. Set so the root flare and tree graft, if applicable, shall be visible at the top of the root ball, above the grade after backfilling.

F. Trees shall be oriented so their north side, as marked by the white dot on the trunk from the nursery, faces north. The COR may require trees to be oriented slightly in another direction based on the form of the tree or other conditions.

G. When set, brace root ball by tamping backfilled Planting Soil around the lower portion of the root ball. Remove plastic, wood containers and root-bags totally from ball and planting pit at this time. Place additional Planting Soil around base and sides of ball in six-inch (6”) lifts. Work each lift to settle backfill and eliminate voids and air pockets.

When excavation is approximately two-thirds full the following shall be performed:

1. Cut and pull back ropes or strings on top of ball.

2. Cut and removed burlap or cloth wrapping from the top of the root ball.

3. Cut the top horizontal ring of support wire basket in four places and fold the top half of the wire basket down into the soil.

4. Water thoroughly before placing remainder of backfill.

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5. Repeat watering until no more is absorbed.

H. Complete backfilling in 6-inch lifts as described above. Ensure all grades and elevations indicated are met. Do not place soil on top of the root ball. The root flare and tree graft, if applicable, shall be visible at the top of the root ball, above the grade. Water again after placing final layer of backfill.

I. Once approved by the COR, remove all nursery plant identification tags and ribbons.

J. All evergreen plant material shall have anti-desiccant applied to it for Fall installations.

K. Remove trunk protection just prior to substantial completion.

3.4 MULCHING

A. Mulch top of root balls and planting beds, covering the entire planting bed area. Provide the following thickness of mulch. Top of mulch shall be smooth and even in all directions.

1. Tree shrub and vine planting areas: 3-inch depth continuous from plant to plant.

Depth is depth after settling.

2. Perennial planting areas: 2-inch depth continuous from plant to plant. Depth is depth after settling.

B. In no case shall mulch come in contact with any part of trunk or root flare.

C. Apply mulch after all plants have been installed and approved.

D. Contractor shall not over-mulch planting beds with excess mulch. Excess mulch shall be removed and disposed of off-site.

E. Lift all leaves, low hanging stems and other green portions of plants out of the mulch if covered.

3.5 TREE AND SHRUB PRUNING

A. Prune plants as directed by COR at time of planting.

1. Pruning shall be performed by arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture and according to standard horticultural practice. Do not apply pruning paint to wounds.

2. Prune plants to retain natural character of the plant or to remove injured or dead branches.

3. Unless otherwise indicated by COR, do not cut tree leaders.

4. Required height and spread shall be met after pruning.

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3.6 GUYING AND STAKING

A. Upright Staking and Tying: Stake trees of 2-5 inch caliper. Stake trees of less than 2-inch caliper only as required to prevent wind tip-out. Use a minimum of 2 stakes of length required to penetrate at least 18 inches below bottom of backfilled excavation and to extend at least 72 inches above grade. Set vertical stakes and space to avoid penetrating root balls or root masses. Support trees with woven polypropylene material as indicated. Allow enough slack to avoid rigid restraint of tree. Use the number of stakes as follows:

1. Use 2 stakes for trees up to 12 feet high and 2-1/2 inches or less in caliper; 3 stakes for trees less than 14 feet high and up to 4 inches in caliper. Space stakes equally around trees.

3.7 WATERING

A. The Contractor shall be fully responsible to ensure that adequate water is provided to all plants from the point of installation until the date of acceptance. THE CONTRACTOR

IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR WATERING AFTER FINAL ACCEPTANCE.

B. The Contractor shall install one set of watering bags for each tree to be maintained for tree watering during the installation period. The Contractor will leave the watering bags in place after project completion. If the project is completed after December 1, 2022, and before March 1 2023 the Contractor shall not install the watering bags until spring. The Contractor will return in the spring for installation of the Watering bags during the first two weeks of March, 2023.

3.8 STRAIGHTENING TREES AND SHRUBS

A. Maintain all trees and shrubs in a plumb position throughout the warranty period.

Straighten all trees including those not staked.

B. Plants to be straightened shall be excavated and the root ball moved to a plumb position, and then re-backfilled. Do not straighten plants by pulling the trunk with guys.

3.9 INSTALLATION OF FERTILIZER AND OTHER CHEMICAL ADDITIVES

A. Do not apply any additional amendments to plantings. Apply amendments only upon the approval of the COR.

B. Amendments shall be applied according to manufacturer’s instructions and standard horticultural practices only.

3.10 CLEANUP AND PROTECTION

A. During planting, keep adjacent paving and construction clean and work area in an orderly condition.

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B. Keep the site free of garbage at all times. Immediately dispose of wrappings or waste materials associated with products necessary for the completion of the work.

C. All garbage shall be kept in a central collection container. Do not bury garbage in back-fill.

D. Protect plants from damage due to landscape operations, operations by other contractors and trades and others. Maintain protection during installation and maintenance periods. Treat, repair or replace damaged plantings.

E. Damage to plants as a result of activities by the Contractor, or any of their sub-consultants, shall be replaced by the Contractor at no expense to the Owner.

F. Once installation is complete, remove any excess soil from pavements or embedded fixtures. Ensure that mulch is confined to planting beds and that all tags and flagging tape are removed from the site.

3.11 DISPOSAL

A. Disposal: Remove surplus soil and waste material, including excess subsoil, unsuitable soil, trash, and debris, and legally dispose of them off property.

END OF SECTION 32 93 00