SECTION 02950 TREES, PLANTS AND GROUNDCOVER PART 1 1 - GENERAL 1.1 SECTION INCLUDES A. Preparation of subsoil, topsoil and planting soil mixture. B. Excavating for planting pits, beds and trenches. C. Planting trees, shrubbery and plants, and ground covers. Refer to "Planting Schedule" on contract drawings. D. Mulching, staking and guying, pruning and maintenance of all landscape planting. E. Protection of existing trees and shrubs. 1.2 RELATED SECTIONS A. Section 02200 - Earthwork B. Section 02923 - Landscape Grading C. Section 02486 Finish Grading and Seeding 1.3 REFERENCES A. American Joint Committee on Horticultural Nomenclature (AJCHN): 1. AJCHN Standardized Plant Names. B. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): 1. USDA Standards for Nursery Stock. C. American Association of Nurserymen, Inc. (AAN) D. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM): 1. ASTM C602 - Agricultural Liming Materials. E. Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC): 1. AOAC - Official Method of Analysis 10-0012 02950-1
F. FS O-F-241 - Fertilizers, Mixed, Commercial. G. ANSI Z60.1 - Nursery Stock. H. Pennsylvania State University Agronomy Guide. 1.4 DEFINITIONS A. Weeds: All plants listed on the PA Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Control Law, Act of 1982, P. L. 228, No. 74, also to include Japanese Knotweed. B. Weeds: Include Japanese Knotweed, Dandelion, Jimsonweed, Quackgrass, Horsetail, Morning Glory, Rush Grass, Mustard, Lambsquarter, Chickweed, Cress, Crabgrass, Canadian Thistle, Nutgrass, Poison Oak, Blackberry, Tansy Ragwort, Bermuda Grass, Johnson Grass, Poison Ivy, Nut Sedge, Nimble Will, Bindweed, Bent Grass, Wild Garlic, and Perennial Sorrel. C. Plants: Living trees, plants and ground cover specified in this Section and described in ANSI Z60.1. 1.5 QUALITY OF PLANTS A. Plants shall in all cases conform with requirements of the American Standard for Nursery Stock latest versions of rules and grading adopted by the American Association of Nurserymen, Inc., but upgraded to meet the following additional requirements. B. Use only well-formed and shaped plants, true to type, and free from disease, insects or larvae, and defects such as knots, sun-scald, windburn, injuries, abrasion or disfigurement. Unless specifically noted otherwise, all plants shall be of selected specimen quality, exceptionally heavy, symmetrical, tightly knit, so trained or favored in their development and appearance as to be superior in form, number of branches, compactness and symmetry. All plants shall have a normal habit or sound, healthy, vigorous plants with well developed root system. C. True To Botanical and Common Name and Variety: Comply with the American Joint Committee on Horticultural Nomenclature, Standardized Plant Names, latest edition. D. Nursery Grown and Collected Stock: Comply with ANSI Z60.1. 1. Container grown stock: a. Growing in container for a minimum of two years before delivery. 10-0012 02950-2
b. Not root-bound or with root system hardened-off. The root system of each shall be well provided with fibrous roots. All parts shall be sound, healthy, vigorous, well-branched and densely foliated when in leaf. 2. Ground Cover Plants: Use only well-established plants in removable containers, integral containers, or formed homogeneous soil sections. E. Topsoil Testing: 1. Test topsoil samples for ph, alkalinity, total soluble salts, porosity, sodium content and organic matter. 2. Provide Owner and Engineer each with one copy of topsoil test results. F. Protection: 1. Before commencing work, all trees and shrubs which are to remain must be protected from damage by the placement of fencing, flagged for visibility or some other suitable protective procedure approved by the Owner's Construction Manager. No work may begin until this requirement is fulfilled. 2. Where excavating, fill, or grading is required within the branch spread of trees that are to remain, the work shall be performed as follows: a. Trenching: When trenching occurs around trees to remain, any roots encountered shall be cut with a sharp ax. b. Raising Grades: When the existing grade at tree is below the new finished grade, and fill not exceeding 16" is required, clean, washed gravel graded from 1" - 2" in size shall be placed directly around the tree trunk. The gravel shall extend out from trunk on all sides a minimum of 18" and finish approximately 2" above the finished grade at tree. Install gravel before any earth fill is placed. New earth fill shall not be left in contact with the trunks of any trees requiring fill. Where fill exceeding 16" is required, a dry laid tree well shall be constructed around the trunk of the tree. The tree well shall extend out from the trunk on all sides a minimum of 3' and to 3" above finish grade. Coarse grade rock shall be placed directly around the tree well extending out to the drip line of the tree. Clean, washed gravel graded to meet AASHTO #57 requirements in size shall be placed directly over the coarse rock to a depth of 3". Approved backfill material shall be placed directly over the washed gravel to desired finished grade. c. Lowering Grades: Existing trees in areas where the new finished grade is to be lowered shall have regrading work done by hand to elevation as indicated. Roots encountered shall be cut cleanly 3" below finished grade and scars covered with tree paint. d. Trees marked for preservation that are located more than 6" above proposed grades shall stand on broad rounded mounds and be graded smoothly into the lower level. Trees located more 10-0012 02950-3
1.6 SUBMITTALS AND SAMPLES than 16" above proposed grades shall have a dry laid stone wall, or other retaining structure as detailed on the plans, constructed a minimum of 3' from the trunk. Exposed or broken roots shall be cut clean and covered with topsoil. A. It is the responsibility of the Contractor, before ordering or purchasing materials, to provide samples of those materials to the A/E for approval. B. The Contractor is to submit certification tags from trees, shrubs and seed verifying type and purity. C. Certificate of inspection of planting material by State or Federal authorities. D. Test Reports: 1. Topsoil analysis. 2. Chemical analysis of peat moss. E. Maintenance Instructions: Prior to end of maintenance period, submit three copies of written maintenance instructions and care of installed plantings through their full growing season. Data to include cutting and trimming methods types, and fertilize application rates. 1.7 QUALIFICATIONS A. Nursery: Company specializing in growing and cultivating the plants with five years documented experience. B. Installer: Company specializing in installing and planting the plants with 10 year documented experience approved by nursery. 1.8 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS A. Comply with regulatory agencies for fertilizer composition. B. Provide certificate of compliance from authority having jurisdiction indicating approval of plants, fertilizer mixture. 1.9 JOB CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS A. Planting Season: Plants may be set in any season, as it is the Contractor's responsibility to provide the plant material guarantee. The planting operation should be conducted during normal planting seasons. An anti-desiccant may be used during warm or cold weather plantings. 10-0012 02950-4
1.10 FINAL APPROVAL PART 2 A. The A/E shall have the final approval for acceptance of the landscaping. 2 - PRODUCTS 2.1 TREES, PLANTS AND GROUNDCOVER A. Trees, Plants and Groundcover: Species and size identifiable in plant schedule, grown in climatic conditions similar to those in locality of the Work. 2.2 SOIL AND SOIL AMENDMENT MATERIALS A. Topsoil: As specified, local origin from the A Horizon. B. Fertilizer: FS O-F-241; with 50% of the elements derived from organic sources; of proportion necessary to eliminate any deficiencies of topsoil, as indicated in analysis to the following proportions: Nitrogen 5%, phosphoric acid 10%, soluble potash 10%. C. Peat Moss: Shredded, loose, sphagnum moss; free of lumps, roots, inorganic material or acidic materials; minimum of 85% organic material measured by oven dry weight, ph range of 4 to 5; moisture content of 30%. D. Bone Meal: Raw, finely ground, commercial grade, minimum of 3% nitrogen and 20% phosphorous. E. Lime: Ground limestone, dolomite type, minimum 95% carbonates. F. Mulching Material: Pine wood ground bark, free of growth or germination inhibiting ingredients. 2.3 ACCESSORIES A. Stakes: Galvanized, pointed end. B. Cable, Wire, Eye Bolts and Turnbuckles: Non-corrosive, of sufficient strength to withstand wind pressure and resultant movement of plant life. C. Brace plants vertically with plant protector wrapped by wires and stakes to the following: Tree Caliper Tree Support Method. 1" 1 stake with one tie. 1-2" 1 stake with two ties. 2-4" 3 guy wires with eye bolts and turn buckles. Over 4" 4 guy wires with eye bolts and turn buckles. 10-0012 02950-5
D. Plant Protectors: Rubber sleeves over cable to protect plant stems, trunks and branches. E. Weed Barrier Fabric; Rot-resistant polypropylene fabric, water and air permeable: Mirascope II by Mirafi; Pro 5 Weed Barrier by Frostproof Company; Biobermer by Reemay, Inc.; or equal as approved by the A/E 2.4 ANTI-DESICCANT A. "Wilt Pruf", or equal as approved by the A/E. B. Delivered in original unopened containers and used in accordance with manufacturer's printed instructions. 2.5 WATER PART 3 A. Free of matter harmful to plant growth, suitable for drinking. 3 - EXECUTION 1. Contractor shall pay all costs for water. 3.1 PLANTING PREPARATION A. Apply fertilizer in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. B. Apply after initial raking of topsoil. C. Mix thoroughly into upper 2" of topsoil. D. Stake out locations for plants and outline of planting beds on the ground. E. Do not begin excavation until stakeout of plant locations and plant beds are approved and accepted by A/E. F. Remove non-biodegradable root containers. 3.2 EXCAVATION FOR PLANTING A. Pits, Trenches and Planters: 1. Shape: a. Vertical sides and flat bottom. b. Plant pits to be square or circular as indicated on the drawings. 10-0012 02950-6
2. Size: a. For Deciduous Trees: 1) Depth: Minimum of 2' from finish grade and increased as necessary to accommodate ball or roots as shown on details. 2) Width or Diameter: 2' greater than diameter of ball or spread. b. For Shrubs: 1) Depth: Minimum 16" increased as necessary to accommodate ball. Tamp backfill below ball to prevent settlement. 2) Width or Diameter: Minimum of 12" greater than diameter of ball. 3. Bare rooted shrubs shall be dug with adequate fibrous roots. Roots of these plants shall be covered with a uniformly thick coating of mud by being puddled immediately after they are dug, or packed in moist straw, or moss. 4. All balled and burlapped plants which cannot be planted immediately upon delivery shall be set on the ground and shall be well protected with soil, wet moss or other acceptable material. Bare rooted plants that cannot be planted immediately shall be heeled-in upon delivery. All plants shall be kept moist. 5. Bundles of plants shall be opened and the plants separated before the roots are covered. Care shall be taken to prevent air pockets among the roots. During planting operations, bare roots shall be covered with canvas, hay or other suitable material. No plant shall be bound with wire or rope at any time so as to damage the bark or break the branches. B. Planting Beds: 1. Remove existing soil from planting bed areas to a depth to permit a minimum of 6 of the planting soil mixture under the balls of all deciduous trees. 2. Replace excavated soil with the prepared planting soil mixture. 3. Bring beds, pits and trenches to smooth, even surface conforming to established grades after full settlement has occurred. 4. Install weed barrier of non-woven polypropylene fabric in all planting beds. Overlap edges minimum 6". Apply fabric to main stem of all plants. Fabric may be applied before and after planting. Cover fabric completely with mulch. 5. Mulch ground cover beds with minimum 10 of specified backfill mixture. C. Disposal of Excess Soil: Dispose of unacceptable or unused excess soil offsite in a lawful manner. 10-0012 02950-7
3.3 TREE, SHRUB AND FLOWER PLANTING OPERATIONS A. General: 1. No plant material shall be planted in frozen ground. 2. All plants too large for two men to lift in and out of holes shall be placed with a sling and backhoe. 3. For soil mix for plant holes: 5 parts topsoil to 1 part peat moss. 4. Center plants in pits or trenches. 5. Locate planting for beds in accordance with details on Construction Drawings. 6. Face all planting for best effect. 7. Set plant plumb and hold rigidly in position until soil has been tamped firmly around ball or roots. 8. Use only planting soil mixture for backfill. 9. Backfill with planting soil mixture in 6" layers and water each layer thoroughly to settle soil. 10. As soil settles, fill pit with planting soil mixture. Water twice within the first 24 hours and leave planting soil mixture surface one inch below surrounding finish grade. 11. Around all trees and shrub rootballs, excavate and expose tree and shrub flair for each plant. 12. Locations containing unsuitable subsoil shall be treated in the following manner: a. Where unsuitability within the construction site is deemed by the Architect/Engineer to be due to excessive compaction caused by heavy equipment [ or by the presence of boards, mortar, concrete or other construction materials in sub-grade ] or where the natural subsoil is other than AASHTO classification of A6 or A7, the Contractor shall loosen such areas with spikes, discing, or other means to loosen the soil to a condition acceptable to the Architect/Engineer. Soil should be loosened to a minimal depth of 12" with additional loosening as required to obtain adequate drainage. Contractor may introduce peat moss, sand, or organic matter into the subsoil to obtain adequate drainage should he so desire. All such remedial measures shall be considered as incidental to the work and no extra payment shall be made. b. Where sub-grade is deemed by the A/E to be unsuitable because the natural subsoil falls into an AASHTO classification of A6 or A7 and contains moisture in excess of 30%, then such a condition shall be immediately brought to the attention of the A/E prior to continuing with construction. 13. Adjustments in locations and outlines shall be made as directed. In the event that pits or areas for planting are prepared and backfilled with topsoil to grade prior to commencement of lawn operations, they shall be so marked that when the work of planting proceeds, they can be readily located. 10-0012 02950-8
B. Balled and Burlapped (BB) Plants: 1. Place in pit on planting soil mixture that has been handtamped prior to placing plant. 2. Place with burlap intact so location of ground line at top of ball is same as at nursery. 3. Cut burlap or cloth, ropes, wires, and other wrapping materials and remove from top one-half of ball. 4. Do not pull wrapping from under ball. 5. Do not plant if ball is cracked or broken before or during planting process. C. Container-Grown Plants: 1. Can or Box Grown: 3.4 SOIL SUPPLEMENT a. Carefully remove plants without injury or damage to root ball. b. After removing plant, superficially cut edge-roots with knife on three sides. 2. Hand backfill with planting soil mixture and hand tamp leaving slight depression around bases of plants. Cover root ball with minimum 1 / 4 " of planting mixture. A. Broadleaf Evergreens: 1. Apply evenly 6 lbs. of cottonseed or soybean meal per 100 sq. ft. of planted area, worked into the top 1" of planting soil mixture. 2. Apply evenly 1 lb. of aluminum sulfate per 20 sq. ft. of planted area. 3. Water in supplements heavily. B. Narrow Leaf Evergreens: 1. Spread evenly around the tree 2 lbs. per inch of 5-10-5 fertilizer in diameter of the tree trunk. C. Deciduous Trees: 1. Add and thoroughly mix into the planting soil mixture 1 / 4 cup of superphosphate for each bushel of planting soil mixture required. D. After planting and adding soil supplements, cultivate the planting soil mixture in the planting beds, pits and trenches, rake smooth and neatly outline in accordance with the drawings. E. Apply bonemeal around flowering shrubs at a rate of 4 lbs. per 100 SF and flower bulbs at 8 lbs. per 100 SF. 10-0012 02950-9
3.5 MULCHING A. Mulch planting beds, pits and trench areas immediately after planting. B. Cover watering basins or bed evenly with 3" of mulch material. 3.6 PRUNING 1. All Plants: Mulch with sterilized hardwood bark mulch. A. All trees and shrubs shall be pruned in accordance with the American Association of Nurserymen standards. B. Prune minimum necessary to remove injured twigs and branches, deadwood, and suckers. C. Pruning shall be done with clean, sharp tools. D. All cuts over 1 / 4 " in diameter and bruises or scars on the bark, and injured cambium shall be traced back to living tissue and removed; wounds shall be smoothed and shaped to provide drainage; and the treated area shall be air dried. E. Do not cut central leader. Trees with the central leader cut will be rejected. 3.7 MAINTENANCE DURING CONSTRUCTION A. General 1. Begin maintenance immediately after each item is planted and continue until acceptance by Owner. Coordinate maintenance with Owner through the Engineer and in accordance with the Project General Conditions. 2. Maintain a healthy growing condition by watering, pruning, spraying, guying, weeding and other necessary maintenance operations. 3. Keep planting saucers and beds free of weeds, grass, and other undesired vegetation. 4. Replace impaired or dead plants promptly during the specified planting season. 5. Inspect plants at least once a week and perform maintenance promptly. 6. All settled planting shall be reset to proper grade position; planting saucer restored and dead material removed. Defective work shall be corrected as soon as possible after it becomes apparent and weather and season permit. 7. Guy wires and tie wires shall be tightened, repaired and maintained as necessary. 8. Plant Replacement: a. All replacements shall be of the same type and size as the original. 10-0012 02950-10
3.8 CLEAN-UP b. Furnish and plant as specified and indicated in Landscape Drawing details. 9. Prior to the Owner taking over maintenance, the Contractor shall fertilize all plantings with: a. Broad Leaf Evergreens: Aluminum sulfate. b. Other Type Planting: Bone meal. A. Sweep and wash paved surfaces. B. Remove all planting debris from project site. END OF SECTION 10-0012 02950-11