END OF SCOPE
PART 2 - MATERIALS 2.1 GENERAL
A. MUSHROOM COMPOST
Mushroom compost shall be composed of well-rotted cattle or stable manure with an admixture of 15-30% topsoil and shall have been used for the commercial growing of at least one (1) crop of mushrooms.
B. SHREDDED HARDWOOD BARK (general mulching)
Shredded hardwood bark shall consist of finely shredded hardwood bark, free of sticks and leaves.
2.10 SOIL AMENDMENTS
Composted organic mater such as leaf compost, yard waste compost, mushroom compost, pine bark, domestic peat or other form approved by the Landscape Architect. Sawdust will not be an acceptable amendment.
The organic material shall be sufficiently composted to have broken down all woody fibers, seeds and leaf structures and be free of toxin and non-organic matter.
A. Domestic peat shall be 80% decomposed organic matter.
B. Manure shall be 2 or 4 years old, well-rotted stable or cattle manure free from shavings, sawdust, refuse, or other collected humus and materials harmful to plant growth.
C. Mushroom Compost shall be composted, well-rotted stable or cattle manure with an admixture of 15-30% mineral topsoil and shall have been used for the commercial growing of at least one (1) crop of mushrooms.
SECTION 329300 - PLANT MATERIAL
PLANT MATERIAL 329300-5
2.11 FERTILIZER & NUTRIENTS
Fertilizer shall be commercial fertilizer which shall be a complete fertilizer with the following approximate analysis:
A. Shrubs
Woodace (14-3-3) slow-release briquettes or acceptable equivalent approved by Landscape Architect.
B. Roses
1. Woodace (14-3-3) slow-release briquettes
2. Superthrive liquid or acceptable equivalent approved by Landscape Architect.
C. Perennials, Groundcovers, Ornamental Grasses & Vines
Osmocote (18-6-12) 8-9 month controlled release, or acceptable equivalent approved by the Landscape Architect.
D. Deciduous & Evergreen Trees No fertilizer required
2.12 TREE WRAPPING MATERIAL
A. Wrap shall be - Breathable synthetic fabric tree wrap. White in color, delivered in 75 mm (3 in.) wide rolls. Specifically manufactured for tree wrapping. Tree wrap shall be “Breathable Fabric Tree Wrap” as manufactured by the Dewitt Company, Inc., Sikeston, MO, or approved equal.
Submit manufacture literature for approval.
B. Tape for securing the wrap shall be bio-degradable tape suitable for nursery use and which is expected to degrade in sunlight in less than two (2) years after installation.
2.13 WATER
Potable water shall be supplied by the Owner at no cost to the Contractor by way of a hydrant meter or a designated fill-up source on site.
PART 3 - EXECUTION
Planting operations shall be conducted under favorable weather conditions during the season stated in the Contract. Before excavations are made the surrounding turf (if existing) shall be covered in a manner that will satisfactorily protect all turf areas that are to be trucked or hauled over and upon which soil is to temporarily stocked. The Contractor shall be responsible for the restoration of all damaged existing turf. All restoration shall be sodded.
SECTION 329300 - PLANT MATERIAL
PLANT MATERIAL 329300-6
3.1 TIME SCHEDULE OF PLANTING OPERATION
Landscaping shall be performed during the season or seasons which are normal for such work as determined by weather conditions and by accepted practice. Planting may be performed under unseasonable conditions without additional compensation, but such work must have the prior approval of the Landscape Architect and/or Owner in writing as to the time of work and methods of operations. Approval to plant under such conditions shall in no way relieve the Contractor form the guarantee provisions of these specifications.
PLANTING SEASON ACCEPTABLE TIME PERIOD
1. SPRING a. From time soil is workable to June 15 with the following exception:
1) Bare root materials (if any) shall cease on May 31 2. FALL a. Sept. 1 to Nov. 15 with following exceptions:
1) Evergreen Shrub planting to cease Oct. 31 2) Evergreen Tree planting to cease Oct. 15
3) Perennial & Ornamental Grass planting to cease Oct. 15 3.2 EXCAVATION FOR PLANTING
Excavation for planting shall include the removal from the site of debris encountered in areas excavated for plant pits.
A. DECIDUOUS & EVERGREEN TREES
Tree pits shall excavated be in strict accordance with the details illustrated on the drawings.
All planting pits shall be sides which slope so that the pit is wider at the top than the bottom. The shallower the side slopes, the better. The center of the pit shall be excavated only to the depth of the ball to be installed in that pit, so that the ball will rest on unexcavated sub-grade. The use of fill beneath the root ball should be avoided. The top of the ball should be at a minimum flush with existing grade when resting on the pit bottom or preferably slightly higher than existing grade. The remainder of the bottom, which will not be directly underneath the root ball, should be excavated an additional six inches (6") if wetness is perceived.
Where obstructions below or above ground are encountered, alternate locations may be selected as approved by the Landscape Architect. Where locations cannot be changed, removal of underground obstructions (i.e., rock) shall be the responsibility of the Contractor. The obstruction shall be removed to a depth of not less than 3 feet (may not be needed in some cases) below grade and no less than 6 inches below the bottom of ball when plant is properly set at the required grade.
B. DECIDUOUS & EVERGREEN SHRUBS
Circular pits with vertical sides shall be excavated for shrubs. The diameter of the pits shall be at least one foot (1') greater than the diameter of the root ball or planter container.
The depth of the pits for shrubs shall be suitable to accommodate the ball or peat container when the plant is set to finished grade allowing for six inches of compacted, prepared soil in the bottom of the pit.
SECTION 329300 - PLANT MATERIAL
PLANT MATERIAL 329300-7
Where obstructions below or above ground are encountered, alternate locations may be selected as approved by the Landscape Architect. Where locations cannot be changed, removal of underground obstructions (i.e., rock) shall be the responsibility of the Contractor. The obstruction shall be removed to a depth of not less than 3 feet (may not be needed in some cases) below grade and no less than 6 inches below the bottom of ball when plant is properly set at the required grade.
C. ROSES
Circular pits shall be excavated for bare root and container grown roses. The diameter of the pit shall be a minimum of 30" and the depth approximately 24".
See B. above for note regarding encountering obstructions.
3.3 PLANTING PIT DRAINAGE
If after the plant pit has been dug to the proper size the Contractor should encounter severe drainage problems which he feels could be detrimental to the growth of the specified plant material, he should inform the Owner or Landscape Architect immediately by phone of the condition before proceeding with the work. The Owner or Landscape Architect will then confer with the Contractor so that a solution to the problem can be quickly agreed upon.
3.4 SOIL PREPARATION FOR PLANTING PITS A. SOIL
The same soil excavated from the pits shall be returned to the pits. If debris is encountered (e.g., asphalt chunks) it shall not be returned to the pit. The backfill soil shall be thoroughly pulverized and amended with organic matter (i.e., mushroom compost, leaf compost, peat) at a rate of one (1) part of organic matter to three (3) parts soil.
B. FERTILIZER
The following application rates shall apply to soil/plant pit preparation:
1. TREES
DO NOT FERTILIZE for 1st growing season.
2. SHRUBS
Woodace (14-3-3) briquettes @ 2 per every one foot (1') of height or spread.
3. ROSES
a) Superthrive liquid @ 2 gallons of mix per rose (1/4 teaspoon Superthrive per gallon).
b) Woodace (14-3-3) briquettes @ 3 per rose.
4. PERENNIALS, ORNAMENTAL GRASSES, GROUNDCOVERS & PERMANENT VINES Osmocote (18-6-12) coated pills @ 1.5 lbs per 10 Sq.Ft. of bed, incorporated to a depth of six inches (6").
SECTION 329300 - PLANT MATERIAL
PLANT MATERIAL 329300-8
3.5 PREPARATION OF PLANTING BEDS FOR PERENNIALS, & GROUNDCOVER
Planting beds shall be thoroughly rototilled to a minimum depth of nine inches (9"). A three inch (3") topdressing of mushroom compost shall be applied and rototilled into the bed. Fertilizer shall be incorporated per 3.4-B of this section. After planting the bed shall be mulched with a three inch (3") layer of mushroom compost.
3.6 SETTING AND BACKFILLING PLANTS
All plants shall be installed in accordance with the following:
A. TREES
All twine tied around the tree trunk shall be removed. All treated burlap or plastic wrap shall be rolled down all around the ball. If feasible, it shall be completely removed, along with any wire or any other non-decomposable materials. Untreated burlap need not be removed, but should be loosened around the tree trunk.
Backfill the planting pits with prepared soil in 12" layers and tamp each layer to fill voids until the planting mixture is at final grade. A shallow saucer shall be formed around each tree.
B. DECIDUOUS & EVERGREEN SHRUBS 1. BALLED AND BURLAPPED PLANTS
Balled and Burlapped Plants "BB" plants being planted in pits or trenches shall be placed in the center of the pit or trench on six inches (6") of compacted, prepared soil. If needed, the compacted soil shall be adjusted so that the top of the root ball bears the same relationship to finish grade as it bore to its previous finish grade in the nursery.
All twine tied around the base of the plant shall be removed. All treated burlap or plastic wrap shall be rolled down all around the ball. If feasible, it shall be completely removed, along with any wire or any other non-decomposable materials. Untreated burlap need not be removed, but should be loosened around the base of the plant.
Backfill the planting pits with prepared soil in six inch (6") layers and tamp each layer to fill voids until the planting mixture is at final grade.
2. CONTAINER GROWN PLANTS
Open and remove potted plants from containers. If the growing medium is comprised of seventy-five percent (75%) or more of peat, perlite, sand, or like material other than soil, pull visible roots away from the container medium so as to leave the roots partially exposed. For all growing medium types, if the roots appear to be pot bound, pull or cut the roots to relieve this condition prior to placement in the planting pit. Place plants in plant pit or trench and carefully backfill with prepared soil among the exposed roots.
Continue backfilling and tamping in six inch (6") layers until the planting mixture is at final grade.
SECTION 329300 - PLANT MATERIAL
PLANT MATERIAL 329300-9
C. ROSES
Remove container grown roses from the pot, pull bound roots apart and prune root ends. Bare root roses should be soaked in Superthrive enriched water up to the moment of planting to avoid the drying out of the roots. Immediately before planting, prune root ends.
The depths of the pit should allow the graft union to be planted 3" below grade. Adjust the pit depth if necessary.
Form a soil cone in the bottom of the pit and spread the roots out over it, adjusting them to avoid crowding. Note, the side of the graft with the fewest canes should face south. Add the fertilizer briquettes and backfill with the prepared soil mix, tamping occasionally (gently) during the process to eliminate air pockets. Halfway through the process add some of the Superthrive soaking water (or fresh Superthrive water) to settle the backfill material and fill all voids.
Completed backfilling and water with at least 2 gallons of Superthrive treated water.
3.7 WRAPPING
Immediately after planting, spirally wrap trunk of trees with tree wrap with an overlay of two inches (2"), starting from the base of the trunk and continuing up to the first lateral branches or three feet, whichever is greater. Secure with wrapping tape or medium or coarse sisal yarn twine. Twine may be lightly tarred. Plastic twine will not be acceptable. Prior to wrapping all trunks shall be inspected for injury to bark, improper pruning, and evidence of insect or disease infestation.
All newly planted trees shall be wrapped prior to the occurrence of freezing temperatures in the fall. The wrapping shall be removed during the following spring after all threat of freezing temperatures has past.
3.8 PRUNING
Upon completion of the planting operations, all new trees and shrubs on the site shall have been pruned. Pruning shall be limited to the minimum necessary to remove dead or injured twigs and branches and to compensate for the loss of roots as a result of the transplanting operation.
Pruning shall be performed in such a manner as to retain the natural habit or shape of the plants.
All cuts shall be made flush, leaving no stubs. On all cuts over 3/4" in diameter and bruises and scars on the bark, the cambium shall be traced back to living tissue and removed; wounds shall be smoothed and shaped so as not to retain water. Treating such areas with tree paint is not a requirement. Flowering trees shall be pruned only to remove dead or broken branches. In no case shall a leader be removed.
3.9 STAKING
Securing deciduous tree via wires and stakes shall not be required unless, in the opinion of the Landscape Architect, conditions are such that certain individual plants require such attentions. In most situations, this is determined subsequent to the planting operations. All evergreen trees shall be staked. The method of staking shall be as follows: Guy wires shall be 3/16" Steel Aircraft cable, using 1/4" galvanized cable clamps and 1/4" turnbuckles. Anchors for holding the guys shall be 30" steel screw earth anchors or approved equal. Hose for covering the wire cable at the trunk shall consist of 2-ply reinforced rubber, used or new, garden hose type of at least 1/2"
diameter.
SECTION 329300 - PLANT MATERIAL
PLANT MATERIAL 329300-10
3.10 MULCHING
All plants shall be mulched within one (1) day after planting in accordance with the following:
PLANT CATEGORY
A. Evergreen Trees - Three inches (3”) of Shredded Hardwood Bark Mulch in four foot (4’) minimum circle for free standing trees not in beds. No mulch shall come in contact with trunk.
B. Mass Planting Beds (i.e., Shrubs & Roses) - Three inches (3”) of Shredded Hardwood Bark Mulch.
C. Ornamental Grasses & Perennials - Two inches (2”) of Shredded Hardwood Bark Mulch.
D. Groundcovers - Two inches (2”) Mushroom Compost.
3.11 WATERING
All plants shall receive a thorough watering immediately after installation. During times of extreme heat, all evergreen and deciduous trees shall receive a minimum of 10 gallons of water per tree per watering. The Contractor shall remain responsible for watering as needed until all planting operations have been completed. Upon completion the Contractor shall notify Village Public Works Department that planting operations have been completed so that the Village can take over the watering responsibilities. Failure to do so in a timely manner shall obligate the contractor to continue watering responsibilities.
.
3.12 MAINTENANCE
Maintenance shall be performed by the Contractor as follows: