1. SCOPE
2. MATERIALS
Ball depth shall be approximately 65% of ball diameter.
5. Collected Stock: When collected plants are
specified, the spread of roots, bareroot, shall be 1/3 greater than
the spread of roots, bareroot nursery grown. If collected material is
moved as balled and burlapped, the minimum ball sizes shall be equal
to those specified for the next larger size nursery grown stock,
balled and burlapped.
(3) Inspection of Plant Material
(a) Inspection of plant material will be made at the
nursery by the Engineer, or his duly authorized representative, whenever
such an examination is deemed needed and practical, and must be in the
field (or in storage houses) of the nursery supplying the material.
Collected stock will be inspected before digging or lifting.
(b) Approval of material on such an examination shall
not be construed as an acceptance of it. Final acceptance will not be
made until the plant material is determined to be in a healthy, growing
condition at end of establishment period.
(c) All plant material, including collected stock,
shall comply with the State and Federal laws with respect to
inspection for plant diseases and insect infestation. An inspection
certificate, required by law to this effect shall accompany each
shipment and on arrival the certificate shall be filed with the
engineer.
(4) Shipment:
(a) Each species or variety shall be handled and
packed in the manner approved for that plant, having regard for the
soil and climatic conditions at the time and place of digging and of
delivery, and to the time that will be consumed while in transit of
delivery. All precautions that are customary in good trade practice
shall be taken to insure the arrival of the plants in good condition.
(b) Plants shall be packed or covered in such a
manner as to insure adequate protection against damage while in
transit. The roots of bare root plants shall be carefully protected
with wet straw or other suitable material to insure the arrival of the
plants at destination with roots in a moist condition.
(c) When shipment is made by enclosed vehicle, the
vehicle shall be adequately ventilated to prevent any
"heating" in transit.
(d) All stock furnished must be legibly tagged with
the name or the corresponding key designation as indicated on the
plans.
(e) All material shall conform to size and grade
according to the current American Standards for Nursery Stock ASA
Z60.1 adopted by the American Association of Nurserymen.
b. Topsoil: Topsoil shall be free from large
roots, sticks, weeds, brush or stones larger than 1 inch in diameter or
other liter and waste products. It shall be a loamy mixture having at
least 90 percent passing the No. 10 sieve.
c. Backfill Material: Unless otherwise specified
backfill material will consist of a mixture of 3 cubic feet of topsoil and
one cubic foot of sand. Fertilizer will not be used unless specified. All
backfill material shall be in a loose, friable condition when mixed and at
the time of planting. The method of mixing the components shall meet the
approval of the Engineer.
d. Fertilizer: Fertilizer (when required) shall
be ready mixed material of an analysis specified on the plans or as
directed by the Engineer. In cases where a single nutrient is requested,
unless otherwise specified, the analysis will be optional, provided that
it carries sufficient filler to insure adequate distribution of the
nutrient.
The following information shall be shown on the
fertilizer bag or package or on a tag attached thereto:
(1) Name and address of manufacturer.
(2) Name, brand or trade mark.
(3) Number of net pounds.
(4) Chemical composition or analysis.
(5) Guarantee of analysis.
e. Tree Wrapping Materials:
(1) The wrapping materials shall be commercially
available tree wrapping paper.
(2) Cord - Jute twine not less than two ply.
f. Mulch Material: The mulch material for
planting shall be approved by the Engineer. The mulching material shall be
uniformly graded and have the ability to completely block sunlight from
reaching the surface of the soil. The mulch material will consist of one
or more of the following as specified in detailed specifications.
(1) Processed hardwood tree bark
(2) Cottonseed hulls
(3) Crushed corn cobs
(4) Wood chips
(5) Nut shells
(6) Buckwheat hulls
(7) Aggregates
(8) Small grain straw
g. Materials for staking and guying trees:
(1) Post, stakes, and anchors.
(a) Metal "tee posts" - length specified
in bracing specifications.
(b) Wooden stakes - 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" length
specified in construction details standard drawing
IL-687-2 GUY
METHOD-TREES UNDER 8'.
(c) Anchors for guying shall be 36" long wooden
2" x 4"s or auger type anchors, as shown standard drawing
IL-688-3 GUY METHOD TREES OVER 8'.
(2) Wire - Malleable No. 12 or larger gauge
galvanized annealed steel wire.
(3) Hose - New two-ply reinforced hose having
an inside diameter of not less than 1/2 inch.
3. CONSTRUCTION
a. Planting Time: Regardless of calendar date,
plants must be dormant at the time they arrive at the site of the work or
storage site.
(1) Spring planting of balled and burlapped and
container stock shall be performed from the time the soil can be worked
until the plant, under field conditions, is not dormant except that:
Evergreen planting shall be terminated on June 1 in northern Illinois and
May 15 in central and southern Illinois unless otherwise specified in the
detailed specifications.
(2) All bare root plant material shall be planted in the
spring. It shall be planted only when the temperature exceeds 35 degrees
F. Planting shall terminate on May 15 in northern Illinois on May 5 in
central Illinois April 25 in southern Illinois.
(3) Fall planting of balled and burlapped stock. This
work shall start when the plant (under field conditions) becomes dormant
and shall stop when the ground cannot be satisfactorily worked except that
evergreen planting shall be performed between September 1 and December 1
in central and southern Illinois unless otherwise specified in the
detailed specifications.
(4) Plantings shall not be made in frozen ground, holes
shall not be dug in frozen ground and frozen backfill material shall not
be used.
b. Digging Plants: Plants shall not be dug until
Contractor is ready to transport them or to have them transported from their
original locations to the site of the work or approved storage. The maximum
time lapse between digging and being properly loaded for delivery to the
site of the work or being placed in approved storage shall be 4 days for
balled and burlapped plants and one day for bare root plants. They shall be
dug with care avoiding injury to the plants or loss or damage of the roots,
particular attention being given to fibrous roots. Immediately after
digging, roots shall be protected against drying out and freezing. Bare root
plants shall be dug only when air temperatures exceed 35 degrees F. Stock
shall not be dug, balled and burlapped when the soil is frozen.
c. Transportation. During transportation, the
contractor or those transporting the plants for the Contractor shall
exercise care to prevent injury and drying out of plants. Upon arrival at
the temporary storage location or the work site, plants shall be inspected
for proper shipping procedures. Should the roots be dried out, large
branches broken, ball of earth broken, or loosened, or areas of bark torn,
the Engineer may reject the injured tree. When a tree has been so rejected,
the Contractor shall at once remove it from the storage: No plant shall
remain in temporary storage over the summer or winter unless otherwise
specified in the detailed specifications. Plants that are not to be planted
immediately shall be protected in the following manner:
(1) Bare Root Plants may remain on the site of the work
only 24 hours prior to being planted or placed in storage. The roots of
plants to be placed in storage shall first be puddled in a paste solution
of topsoil and water. The plants shall then be protected and kept moist by
"heeling-in" the roots or be separated and the roots heeled in a
suitable moist soil. If plants are stored in a building, the roots shall
be covered with a suitable moist mulch. Planting materials not planted by
the end of the planting periods shall be removed from the site and not
returned to the site for use.
(2) The earth balls of balled and burlapped planting
stock shall be kept moist and their solidity carefully preserved. Plants
may remain on the work site only 72 hours prior to being planted or placed
in storage. To prevent drying out or freezing they shall be stored either
in a cool moist storage building or placed in a compact group with a
suitable mulch material placed around and between the balls so they are
completely covered. The duration of storage and mulch material shall meet
the approval of the Engineer.
(3) The roots and rooting material of container grown
planting stock will be kept moist. To prevent freezing, they shall be
stored either in a cool moist storage building or placed in a compact
group with a suitable mulch material placed around and between the
containers so they are completely covered. The duration of storage for
balled and burlapped and container grown deciduous planting stock will
terminate in the spring when the plants, under field conditions, break
dormancy and in the fall when the ground cannot be satisfactorily worked.
The duration of spring storage for evergreen planting
materials shall terminate on June 1 in northern Illinois and on May 15 in
central and southern Illinois. Fall storage of evergreen planting material
shall terminate on November 1 in Plant Suitability Zone 1 and on December 1
in Plant Suitability Zones II and III.
Planting materials not planted by the end of the storage
periods shall be removed from the site and not returned to the site for use.
e. Layout of Planting. The area to be planted will
be finished to line and grade before planting operations are begun. The
Contractor shall furnish and place all stakes for locating the planting
sites. The stakes will be marked with the species code on the plans. The
Contractor will place stakes and outline each area for mass or solid
planting or plantings with less than 6' spacing. The spacing and locations
of species shall be shown on the plans or as directed by Engineer.
f. Site Preparation. Unless otherwise specified,
the immediate planting areas for trees, shrubs and vines shall be treated
prior to planting. An area extending a minimum of 2 feet in all directions
from where any plant is to be planted and entire plant beds where the
spacing of the plants are 6 feet or less shall be treated. Treatment shall
be by either mechanical or chemical means. If a mechanical method is used,
the area shall be cultivated to a depth of not less than 2 inches, with
equipment approved by the Engineer, until the surface is smooth and free of
debris, gullies, clods, stones, grass, weeds and any other living
vegetation. If chemical control is used, the treated area does not have to
be disturbed prior to planting when the surface is smooth and free of
debris, gullies, clods and stones.
g. Pruning. Pruning shall be the responsibility of
the Contractor. It may be done at the nursery or at the planting site in
such a manner as to preserve the natural growth habit of the tree, shrub, or
vine. Pruning shall meet the approval of the Engineer. All pruning shall be
done with sharp tools and in accordance with good horticultural practices.
(1) Deciduous Trees. Pruning shall consist of
removing twigs and branches as dictated by the growth habit of the trees
being pruned. Unless otherwise specified or otherwise directed by the
Engineer, branches shall not be removed from a height exceeding 1/2 the
total height of the tree, neither shall the leader or terminal buds of the
leader be removed unless specified.
(2) Deciduous Shrubs. Unless otherwise specified,
multi-stemmed shrubs shall be cut back to one-half the height that they
attained in the nursery during the previous growing season. Single stemmed
shrubs shall be pruned in the same manner as deciduous trees.
(3) Evergreens. Evergreens shall not be pruned
except to remove broken branches and roots.
The ends of all broken roots and damaged roots shall be
pruned before planting. All broken twigs, shrubs, limbs, stubs, and improper
cuts from previous pruning shall be removed either before or within 2 days
following planting.
h. Excavation of Plant Holes: The sides of all
plant holes shall be sloped to 1:1 or flatter and the bottoms shall be
horizontal. On slopes, the depth of excavation shall be measured at the
center of the hole. Unless specified in the detailed specifications,
watering saucers will be constructed around all single plants where the
spacing is 6 feet or more on centers. The saucers shall be a minimum of 4
feet in diameter and a minimum of 4 inches deep unless otherwise specified
in detailed specifications. The saucers may be all or partially above or
below the normal ground elevation. Material excavated from the plant hole
shall be used as needed to construct the watering saucer and the remainder
will be disposed of as indicated in the detailed specifications.
(1) Excavation of holes for planting balled and
burlapped or container grown trees, shrubs, or vines. The holes shall be
dug at the locations indicated by the stakes or on the plans. They shall
be excavated 2 feet greater in diameter than the earthen balls or
containers. Unless otherwise specified in the detailed specifications
excavate to a depth 1 to 2 inches greater than the depth of the ball or
container, plus depth needed for construction of a watering saucer when
required.
(2) Plant holes for bare rooted trees, shrubs, and vines
shall be wide enough and deep enough to accommodate the spread out roots
of the plants. The holes will be deep enough to allow the plant to be
planted one inch deeper than it grew in the nursery, plus depth needed for
construction of a watering saucer when required.
(3) When planting trees, shrubs, and vines all stones,
debris, and all living herbaceous and wood material, within the area to be
mulched shall be killed or removed.
i. Planting Procedures. All plants shall be planted
in the plumb position. Plants will be set at the same depth or up to one
inch deeper than they grew in the nursery.
Prepared backfill material shall be placed around the
balls of balled and burlapped plants, around the container or mass of soil
and roots of container grown plants or around the roots of bare rooted
plants being planted in excavated holes. See standard drawing
IL-689
PLANTING
PROCEDURES FOR SHRUBS for shrub planting detail and standard drawing
IL-687-2 GUY METHOD-TREES UNDER 8' for tree planting detail or standard
drawing No. IL-685-PLANTING PROCEDURES FOR BALLED AND
BURLAPPED
(B&B) or CONTAINER-GROWN TREES AND SHRUBS.
Tamp the backfill material during placement and thoroughly
water after backfilling has been completed. This watering shall completely
saturate planting. After the ground settles, as a result of watering, the
voids shall be filled to the proper level with prepared backfill material.
Approved watering equipment shall be at the site for the work and in
operating condition prior to starting the planting operation.
(1) Balled and Burlapped Plants. Remove all
cords, wires and burlap from the trunk of the plant during or at the end
of the backfilling operation.
(2) Container Grown Plants. Prior to placing the
plant in the excavated hole, the container shall be removed with care so
as to not disturb the soil in which the root system is growing. Care shall
be taken during backfilling operations not to destroy the solidity of the
mass of soil. Containers of material that will decompose within one
growing season after planting need not be moved.
(3) Bare Root Plants.
(a) When planting in excavated holes the roots shall
be carefully spread in a natural position and prepared backfill material
shall be worked in around the roots to eliminate air pockets.
(b) When planting in a slot made with a tree planting
machine or a planting bar (a special planting spade manufactured for
planting seedlings), the slot shall be of adequate depth to allow the
roots to be fully extended vertically when the seedling is placed in the
slot at the proper depth. Care shall be taken when planting to prevent
the end of the roots from being turn upward. Pruning for large massive
root systems into balance with top growth will help in ease of planting
and possibly prevent "J" roots from occurring. After placing
the seedling in the slot at the proper depth, the slot shall be
completely closed to eliminate all air pockets. These plants shall not
be watered unless otherwise specified.
j. Mulch Cover. Within 5 days after planting, a
mulch cover shall be placed around all plants, unless otherwise specified,
to control the growth of competing vegetation. Unless otherwise specified an
area extending a minimum of 2 feet from any plants spaced greater than 6
feet apart shall be mulched. Where plants are on less than 6 foot spacing
the entire bed or areas, plus an area extending a minimum of 3 feet beyond
the peripherals of the plants, shall be mulched unless otherwise specified.
Small grain straw shall be relatively free of any viable
seed and shall be applied evenly at the rate of 3/4 pound per square foot
unless otherwise specified.
All other mulching material shall be applied to a minimum
depth of 6 inches. Depth of mulching material should not exceed 6 inches.
The mulch shall not be covered with hold down material unless specified in
detailed specifications.
k. Wrapping. Within 10 days after planting, all
deciduous trees shall be wrapped from the ground to the lowest major branch
unless otherwise specified in detailed specifications.
Unless otherwise specified in the detailed specifications,
the following method of wrapping shall be used. Bare root stock does not
have to be wrapped.
The tree wrapping paper shall be wrapped tightly around
the trunk from the bottom to the lowest major branch with a minimum of one
inch overlap. At top and bottom and at 2 intermediate intervals not greater
than 18 inches, the wrapping paper shall be secured with ties of stout cord
that will stretch with the growth of the tree. Remove after one growing
season from fast growing species.
l. Bracing. Unless otherwise specified all trees
over 4 feet in height shall be braced within 10 days after planting.
(1) Trees 4 to 8 feet tall shall be braced by securing
each tree to (2) metal "tee" posts or two (2) 2 1/2" x 2
1/2" wooden stakes. The wooden stakes shall be durable for a minimum
for 12 months after being placed in the ground. See standard drawing
IL-687-2 GUY METHOD - TREES UNDER 8'.
Use stakes or posts with a minimum length of 6.5 feet if
they are placed adjacent to the ball, container or bare rooted plant. Use
stakes or post with a minimum length of 6 feet if they are placed a
minimum of 6 inches outside the area excavated for planting.
Placement of stakes or posts:
Balled and burlapped - beyond the edge of the ball.
Container stock - beyond the edge of the container.
Bare root stock - 12 to 15 inches from the trunk of the
tree.
Place one stake or post on the west side of the tree and
one on the east side. Drive the stakes or posts into the ground leaving 4
feet to 4.5 feet above the ground. The anchor plate on the metal post
shall be perpendicular to a line between the tree and the post.
Secure each tree firmly to each of the two posts or
stakes with No. 12 or larger malleable wire. The wires shall be installed
on a horizontal plane at a height approximately one half that of the tree.
The portion of the wire in contact with the tree shall be enclosed in
1/2" two ply reinforced hose.
The area inside the loop around the tree shall not be
less than 2 times the cross sectional area of the tree at the contact
point. Provisions shall be made to tighten the wires if they become loose.
(2) Trees over 8 ft. in height shall be braced by using
3 guy wires and 3 anchors per tree. See standard drawing
IL-688-3 GUY
METHOD - TREES OVER 8'. The guy wires shall be placed around the
tree immediately above branches located from one-half to two-thirds the
height of the tree. No more than one guy wire shall be placed above any
branch if a higher branch exists. The portion of the guy wire that
contacts the tree shall be enclosed in the 1/2" two ply reinforced
hose. The inside area of the loop around the tree shall not be less than 2
times the cross sectional area of the tree at the point of contact.
The guy wire shall be securely fastened to an anchor
post or stake, at or below the ground line, which is driven at least 30
inches into the ground at an angle that is perpendicular to the line of
pull. Distance of anchors from the base of the tree shall not be less than
two-thirds nor greater than the vertical distance from the base of the
tree and the point where the guy wire contacts the tree.
One anchor shall be placed on the west side of the tree
and the others placed so all guy wires are equidistant. Provision will be
made to tighten the guy wires if they become loose.
4. ESTABLISHMENT
5. GUARANTEE
6. SUPPLEMENTAL WATERING OF
PLANTINGS
7. MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT