Technical_Exhibit_7.5.7.9_Pruning_Standards.docx

Technical Exhibit 7.5.7.9 Pruning Standards

Tree Pruning Specifications

THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PERFORM TREE PRUNING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CURRENT FORT BELVOIR TREE POLICY LETTER, THE CURRENT NATIONAL ARBORIST ASSOCIATION STANDARDS, AND THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATIONS:

1. Lineman's or climber spikes are not to be used on trees to be pruned.

2. All trees are to be pruned to maintain natural form and symmetry.

3. All cuts are to be made sufficiently close to the trunk or parent limb without cutting into the branch collar or leaving a protruding stub.

4. Dead, dying, diseased, obstructing (in terms of normal traffic in the vicinity of the tree), major interfering and hazardous limbs are to be removed. Suckers located between the base of the tree and the first major limb are to be removed. Limbs that endanger buildings are to be removed or elevated to ensure adequate clearance and safety.

5. All visible girdling roots are to be removed by cutting the root at either end without injuring the bark or parent stem.

6. All trunks and limbs less than 6 inches in diameter are to be chipped and transported to the Fort Belvoir Recycling Center. Limbs and trunks 6 inches or larger and less than 24 inches in diameter are to be cut into sections no longer than 12 feet and transported to the Fort Belvoir firewood stockpile area. Trunk sections 24 inches and larger in diameter are to be transported to a timber stockpile that is located near the firewood area off of 215t Street and Lyman Loop.

7. Limbs, which are pruned or removed are to be cut back to the main trunk or a major limb or branch intersection to enhance structural integrity and reduce the development of water sprouts and suckers.

8. Short Cuts. Removing entire or large sections of healthy, sound limbs simply because the contractor chooses not to provide the necessary equipment or labor to remove the dead or dying terminal sections of said limbs is prohibited.

9. Pruning Heights. Young landscape trees that are less than 6 inches in diameter are to be maintained at clearance height of 5-6 feet. Street trees (trees in which 50% or more of the crown is over the paved road surface) are to be pruned to a maximum height of 10-12 feet. All other trees are to be maintained at a limb elevation of 7-9 feet.

10. Cut surfaces shall not be treated with any chemicals or compounds unless specifically requested by the COR and approved by the DPW, Environmental/Natural Resources Management Office (ENRMO).

11. Contact the DPW-ENRMO prior to the pruning of any tree if said pruning will severely reduce the foliage area by more than 25 percent.

12. There are to be no exceptions to the above standards unless prior approval is received in writing from the COR.