TE 2 Tree Maintenance.pdf

TECHNICAL

EXHIBIT 2

TREE MAINTENANCE

SPECIFIC TASKS

AND METHODS

GENERAL

This specification covers the general requirements for tree maintenance. Specific requirements are covered by the applicable detailed specifications.

1. SCHEDULING AND COORDINATION: The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer Representative at least 24 hours prior to beginning any work. Tree pruning and removal shall be accomplished during normal duty hours 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday except Federal Holidays, unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

1.1 Trees to be maintained and trees with stump to be removed will be identified on individual delivery orders.

1.2 No trucks or heavy equipment shall be permitted off hard surface roads without first obtaining permission from the Contracting Officer’s Representative.

1.3 All work involving use of tools or equipment which would tend to interfere with any interment service or ceremony conducted in the immediate vicinity of the work sites shall cease until the service or ceremony has been complete. Any plant debris, personnel or equipment that would interfere with said service or ceremony shall be removed prior to the event. A schedule of ceremonies and/or interments will be provided to the Contractor the day prior to said events.

2. INSPECTOR REPORTS: The Contractor shall include in all invoices for payment a signed Tree Maintenance Inspection Report (TE-2). These reports shall be signed by a Government Inspector or COR. Failure to obtain signed inspection reports will release the Government from any obligation to pay for services claimed but not documented by a signed inspection report.

3. EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS: Provide any and all tree maintenance equipment necessary to meet these specifications in a professional and expedient manner and within the designated time frame. This includes equipment such as “bucket trucks” or “aerial man lifts”, which may be needed to correctly prune certain tree specimens. Do not use tree or lineman’s “climber’s spikes” on any trees except those that will be removed.

4. CLOSING STREETS: When operations in connection with contract work necessitate the closing of roads, streets, and parking lots, arrangements will have to be made for such. The COR will make the arrangements. Any total street closing will require a 10 working day notice to Fort Lee before any work can be started.

5. WARNING SIGNS AND BARRICADES: Place suitable warning signs near the work site and 50 feet ahead of the work for alerting approaching traffic from both directions. All other devices such as portable stands for flashing lights, cones or other types of delineator and separators between traffic and work areas shall be furnished, erected, maintained, moved and removed by the Contractor subject to the approval of the Contracting Officer or COR. Take all necessary precautions for the protection of the work and the safety of the public. All barricades, warning signs, lights, temporary signals and other protective devices shall conform to the requirements of the ANSI D6.1, and all special provisions pertaining to such devices in this contract.

6. REPAIR OF DAMAGED GROUNDS: Repair by filling with topsoil and packing to original grade, raking level, and seeding any grassed areas which are damaged by the Contractor. Repairs shall be completed within five working days of each specific instance of damage.

7. REMOVING TREES WITH STUMPS: Remove trees, including stumps and surface roots, as indicated in the bid schedule. If a tree falls between sizes (diameter at breast height) as listed in the bid schedule, then place the tree in the next larger size. For example, place a 17 ½ inch diameter tree in the 18-23 inch size. This rule applies to all size trees except that any tree size over 49” inches shall be place in the 49” and over. Remove stumps and surface roots to a depth of 6-8 inches below ground level. The resulting depressions shall be filled and packed with topsoil. The on-site excavated soil may be used to fill depressions only if all wood chips, roots, rocks or any other object larger than 1 inch in any dimension is first removed. Rake fertilizer (10-10-10) into the top 2 inches of soil at the rate of 20 pounds per 1000 sq. ft., and then uniformly apply certified seed at 3 pounds/100 sq.ft. and lightly rake into the soil over the entire disturbed area from which stumps and roots were remove. Mulch the seeded area with 1-2 inches of straw. Where a stump grinder is used, rake up and remove all wood chips. Remove and dispose of all wood, and all other debris at off-post locations as required by local municipalities, unless otherwise authorized by the Contacting Officer or COR. With the exception of stump removal and grounds repairs, complete all work, including debris removal, at the site of any one tree removal complete prior to initiating the next tree removal or pruning.

7.1 Remove all dead, dying, diseased, obstructing, (in terms of normal traffic in the vicinity of the tree), and weak branches and suckers, as well as selective thinning to lessen wind resistance.

The removal of such described branches is to include those on the main trunks, as well as those inside the leaf area. On mature (12-inch size and greater) deciduous trees remove all limbs and suckers from the tree trunks up to the first branch of at least 3-inch diameter, and provide a minimum clearance height of 8 feet from ground level under the entire tree canopy. Remove all visible girdling roots as follows: Cut the root at either end, notch the root in the center with a chisel and remove the entire root without injuring the bark or parent stem. Inspect old injuries, those not closing properly, or where the callus growth is not already completely established. All tree limbs over family quarters shall be removed to provide a minimum clearance of 8 feet from the highest point on the roof. All debris from this operation shall be removed from the roof.

7.2 All cuts shall be made sufficiently close to the trunk or parent limb, without cutting into the branch collar or leaving a protruding stub, so that closure can readily start under normal conditions. Clean cuts shall be made at all times. Branches larger than 2 inches in diameter shall be undercut then cut off just outside the undercut to prevent stripping bark.

7.3 All pruning debris shall be removed from the installation on the same day that the debris is generated.

7.4 Reduce the tops, sides, under branches or individual limbs of the trees as needed so that a symmetrical appearance and/or shape typical of the species is maintained or promoted.

7.5 Remove one or all crossed or rubbing branches when practicable.

7.6 Remove smaller limbs and twigs in such a manner as to leave the foliage pattern evenly distributed.

7.7 Remove all suckers.

7.8 Avoid cutting-back large limbs to the point of small side branches or suckers (instead, drop to a main crotch, if the tree’s symmetry can be maintained).

7.9 SHORT CUTS: Removal of entire or large portions of healthy, sound limbs simply because the Contractor chooses not to provide the necessary equipment or labor to remove only the dead or dying terminal portions of said limbs is prohibited. Contact the Contracting Officer or COR prior to the pruning or “cut-back” of any tree if said pruning or cut-back will severely reduce the surface area of the tree by more than 25 percent. Note and report in writing the presence of any tree structural weakness, disease conditions, decayed trunk or branches, and split crotches or branches to the Contracting Officer or COR and recommend corrective measures (especially where such tree defects pose a hazard to installation personnel or property).

8. PROTECTION OF TREES RETAINED: Tops, trunks, and roots of all existing trees shall be protected at all times. No ropes, cables, or guys shall be fastened to or attached at any existing trees for anchorages, unless specifically authorized by the Contracting Officer or COR. Where such special emergency use is permitted, the Contractor shall first adequately wrap the trunk with a sufficient thickness of burlap or rags over which softwood cleats shall be tied before any rope, cable, or wire is placed. The Contractor shall in any event be responsible for any damage resulting from such use. Where, in the opinion of the Contracting Officer, trees may possibly be defaced, bruised, injured, or otherwise damaged by the Contractor’s equipment or by other operations, the Contracting.

9. PROTECTION OF LAND RESOURCES: The land resources within the project boundaries and outside the limits of permanent work shall be preserved in their present condition or be restored to a condition after completion of construction that will appear to be natural and not detract from the appearance of the project. Insofar as possible, the Contractor shall confine construction activities to areas defined by the plans and specifications.