SECTION 02950

TREES, PLANTS, AND GROUND COVER

PART 1 GENERAL

SECTION INCLUDES

[Preparation of [subsoil] [and] [topsoil].]

[Topsoil bedding.]

[New] [Relocation of] [trees,] [plants,] [and] [ground cover].

[Mulch] [and] [fertilizer].

Maintenance.

RELATED SECTIONS

Section 02205 - Soil Materials: Topsoil material.

Section 02223 - Backfilling: Rough grading of site.

Section 02225 - Trenching:	Rough grading over trench cut.

[Section 02811 - Underground Irrigation System.]

Section 02923 - Landscape Grading: Preparation of subsoil and placement of topsoil in preparation for the work of this Section.

Section 02936 - Seeding.

Section 02938 - Sodding.

ALLOWANCES

Cash Allowance: Include under provisions of Section [01019.] [________.]

Allowance includes [purchase and delivery of trees, plants, and ground cover. Installation is included in this Section and is part of the Contract Sum.] [purchase, delivery, and installation of trees, plants, and ground cover.]

UNIT PRICE - MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

Topsoil:

Basis of Measurement: By the cubic [yard] [________] ([meter] [________]).

Basis of Payment: Includes topsoil, placing topsoil.

Plants:

Basis of Measurement: By the unit.

Basis of Payment: Includes [preparation of [subsoil] [topsoil],] [placing topsoil,] planting, watering and maintenance to specified time limit.

REFERENCES

FS O-F-241 - Fertilizers, Mixed, Commercial.

ANSI Z60.1 - Nursery Stock.

DEFINITIONS

Weeds: Include 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, Perennial Sorrel, and Brome Grass.

Plants: Living trees, plants, and ground cover specified in this Section [, and described in ANSI Z60.1].

MAINTENANCE DATA

Submit under provisions of Section [01700.] [________.]

Operation Data: Submit for continuing Owner maintenance.

Maintenance Data: Include cutting and trimming method; [types, application frequency, and recommended coverage of fertilizer;] and [________].

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Provide [inspection] [and] [testing] for verifying acceptability of plants, [robustness,] [and] [________].

QUALIFICATIONS

Nursery:	Company specializing in growing and cultivating the plants with [three] [_______] years [documented] experience.

Installer: Company specializing in installing and planting the plants [with [________] years [documented] experience] [approved by nursery].

Maintenance Services: Performed by [installer.] [________.]

REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

Comply with regulatory agencies for [fertilizer and] herbicide composition.

Provide certificate of compliance from [authority having jurisdiction] [________] indicating approval of plants, fertilizer [and herbicide] mixture.

Plant Materials:	[Certified by [federal] [state] department of agriculture] [Described by ASTM Z60.1] [________]; free of disease or hazardous insects.

DELIVERY, STORAGE, AND HANDLING

Deliver, store, protect and handle products to site under provisions of Section [01600.] [________.]

Deliver fertilizer in waterproof bags showing weight, chemical analysis, and name of manufacturer.

Protect plants until planted.

Deliver plant life materials immediately prior to placement. Keep plants moist.

ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Do not install plant life when ambient temperatures may drop below [35] [____] degrees F ([2] [____] degrees C) or above [90] [____] degrees F ([32] [____] degrees C).

Do not install plants when wind velocity exceeds [30] [____] mph ([48] [____] k/hr).

COORDINATION

Coordinate work under provisions of Section [01039.] [________.]

Coordinate with installation of underground sprinkler system piping and watering heads.

WARRANTY

Provide [one] [____] year warranty under provisions of Section [01700.] [________.]

Warranty: Include coverage for one continuous growing season; replace dead or unhealthy plants.

Replacements: Plants of same size and species as specified, planted in the next growing season, with a new warranty commencing on date of replacement.

MAINTENANCE SERVICE

Maintain plant life for [three] [____] months after Date of Substantial Completion.

****** [OR] ******

Maintain plant life immediately after placement [until plants are well established and exhibit a vigorous growing condition]. Continue maintenance until termination of warranty period.

Maintenance to include:

Cultivation and weeding plant beds and tree pits.

[Applying herbicides for weed control in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. Remedy damage resulting from use of herbicides.]

[Remedy damage from use of insecticides.]

[Irrigating sufficient to saturate root system.]

Pruning, including removal of dead or broken branches, and treatment of pruned areas or other wounds.

Disease control.

Maintaining wrapping, guys, [turnbuckles,] and stakes. [Adjust turnbuckles to keep guy wires tight.] Repair or replace accessories when required.

PART 2 PRODUCTS

ACCEPTABLE NURSERIES

[__________________________________].

[__________________________________].

[__________________________________].

Substitutions: Under provisions of Section [01600.] [________.]

TREES, PLANTS, AND GROUND COVER

[Trees] [Plants] [and] [Ground Cover]: Species and size identifiable in plant schedule, grown in climatic conditions similar to those in locality of the Work.

SOIL MATERIALS

Topsoil: [As specified in Section 02205 Type [____].

****** [OR] ******

Topsoil: [Excavated from site] [imported].

****** [OR] ******

Topsoil:	Fertile, agricultural soil, typical for locality, capable of sustaining vigorous plant growth, taken from drained site; free of subsoil, clay or impurities, plants, weeds and roots; minimum pH value of [5.4] [____] and maximum [7.0] [____].

SOIL AMENDMENT MATERIALS

Fertilizer: FS O-F-241, Type [I] [II], Grade [A] [B]; with fifty percent 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 [____] percent, phosphoric acid [____] percent, soluble potash [____] percent].

Peat Moss: Shredded, loose, sphagnum moss; free of lumps, roots, inorganic material or acidic materials; minimum of [85] [____] percent organic material measured by oven dry weight, pH range of [4 to 5] [________]; moisture content of [30] [____] percent.

Bone Meal: [Raw, finely ground, commercial grade, minimum of 3 percent nitrogen and 20 percent phosphorous] [________].

Lime: [Ground limestone, dolomite type, minimum 95 percent carbonates.] [________.]

Water: Clean, fresh and free of substances or matter which could inhibit vigorous growth of plants.

Herbicide:	[________].

Pesticide:	[________].

MULCH MATERIALS

Mulching Material: [________] species wood [shavings] [ground bark] [cellulose fiber dust], free of growth or germination inhibiting ingredients.

****** [OR] ******

Mulching Material: Oat or wheat straw, free from weeds, foreign matter detrimental to plant life, and dry. Hay or chopped cornstalks are [not] acceptable.

ACCESSORIES

Wrapping Materials: [Burlap] [________].

Stakes: [Softwood lumber, pointed end.] [Mild steel angle, galvanized, pointed end.] [________.]

Cable, Wire, Eye Bolts [and Turnbuckles]: Non-corrosive, of sufficient strength to withstand wind pressure and resultant movement of plant life.

Plant Protectors: Rubber sleeves over cable to protect plant stems, trunks, and branches.

Plant Pot:	[________].

Grates: [Cast iron] [Cast steel] [________], [galvanized] [________] finish, with [________] grillage design, inch ([____] mm) [diameter] [square], sized to resist [pedestrian] [vehicular] loads; [________] manufactured by [____________].

Decorative Cover: [Fir bark chips] [[Crushed] [Smooth] gravel] [________], [____] inch ([____] mm) minimum and [____] inch ([____] mm) maximum size.

Membrane: [20] [____] mil ([0.5] [____] mm) thick, [[clear] [black] polyethylene] [water permeable polyolefin fabric] [________].

TESTS

Provide analysis of [imported] [existing] topsoil under provisions of Section [01400.] [01410.]

Analyze to ascertain percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, soluble salt and organic matter; pH value and [________].

Submit minimum [10] [____] oz ([280] [____] g) sample of topsoil proposed. Forward sample to testing laboratory in sealed containers to prevent contamination.

****** [OR] ******

Testing is not required if recent tests are available for imported topsoil. Submit these test results to the testing laboratory for approval. Indicate, by test results, information necessary to determine suitability.

PART 3 EXECUTION

EXAMINATION

Verify that prepared subsoil [and planters] are ready to receive work.

[Saturate soil with water to test drainage.]

[Verify that required underground utilities are available, in proper location, and ready for use.]

PREPARATION OF SUBSOIL

Prepare subsoil to eliminate uneven areas. Maintain profiles and contours. Make changes in grade gradual. Blend slopes into level areas.

Remove foreign materials, weeds and undesirable plants and their roots. Remove contaminated subsoil.

Scarify subsoil to a depth of [3] [____] inches ([75] [____] mm) where plants are to be placed. Repeat cultivation in areas where equipment, used for hauling and spreading topsoil, has compacted subsoil.

Dig pits and beds [6] [____] inches ([150] [____] mm) larger than plant root system.

PLACING TOPSOIL

Spread topsoil to a minimum depth of [4] [6] [____] inches ([100] [150] [____] mm) over area to be planted. Rake smooth.

Place topsoil during dry weather and on dry unfrozen subgrade.

Remove vegetable matter and foreign non-organic material from topsoil while spreading.

Grade topsoil to eliminate rough, low or soft areas, and to ensure positive drainage.

Install topsoil into pits and beds intended for plant root balls, to a minimum thickness of [6] [____] inches ([150] [____] mm).

FERTILIZING

Apply fertilizer [in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.] [at a rate of [________].]

Apply after initial raking of topsoil.

Mix thoroughly into upper [2] [____] inches ([50] [____] mm) of topsoil.

Lightly water to aid the dissipation of fertilizer.

PLANTING

Place plants for best appearance [for review and final orientation by Architect/Engineer].

Set plants vertical.

[Remove non-biodegradable root containers.]

Set plants in pits or beds, partly filled with prepared topsoil mixture, at a minimum depth [of 6 inches (150 mm)] [as indicated on drawings] under each plant. [Remove] [loosen] burlap, ropes, and wires, from the root ball.

Place bare root plant materials so roots lie in a natural position. Backfill soil mixture in [6] [____] inch ([150] [____] mm) layers. Maintain plant materials in vertical position.

Saturate soil with water when the pit or bed is half full of top soil and again when full.

PLANT RELOCATION AND RE-PLANTING

Re-locate plants as [indicated] [directed] by Architect/Engineer.

Re-plant plants in pits or beds, partly filled with prepared topsoil mixture, at a minimum depth [of 6 inches (150 mm)] [as indicated on drawings] under each plant. [Remove] [loosen] burlap, ropes, and wires, from the root ball.

Place bare root plant materials so roots lie in a natural position. Backfill soil mixture in [6] [____] inch ([150] [____] mm) layers. Maintain plant materials in vertical position.

Saturate soil with water when the pit or bed is half full of top soil and again when full.

INSTALLATION OF ACCESSORIES

Place [decorative cover and membrane] [stone] [________], [where indicated on drawings] [at base of plant to a nominal diameter of [____] inches ([____] mm).

Place grates at base of [trees] [________] where indicated on drawings.

PLANT SUPPORT

Brace plants vertically with plant protector wrapped guy wires and stakes to the following:

Tree Caliper________________Tree Support Method

1 inch (25 mm)	1 stake with one tie

1 - 2 inches (25 - 50 mm)	2 stakes with two ties

2 - 4 inches (50 - 100 mm)	3 guy wires [with eye bolts and turn buckles]

Over 4 inches (100 mm)	4 guy wires [with eye bolts

and turn buckles]

FIELD QUALITY CONTROL

Field inspection will be performed under provisions of Section [01400.] [01410.]

Plants will be rejected if a ball of earth surrounding roots has been disturbed or damaged prior to or during planting.

MAINTENANCE

Neatly trim plants where necessary.

Immediately remove clippings after trimming.

Water to prevent soil from drying out.

Control growth of weeds.	Apply herbicides in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. Remedy damage resulting from improper use of herbicides.

Apply pesticides in accordance with manufacturers instructions. Remedy damage resulting from improper use of pesticides.

SCHEDULE - PLANT LIST

Key____Botanical Name ____Common Name ____Size	____Remarks

T-1	Betula Papyrifera	Paper Birch	Height:	Balled &

4'-5'	Burlapped

T-2	Citrus aurantium	Sour Orange	Caliper:

3/8"-1/2"

S-1	Juniperus Chinensis Pfitzer's	Spread:	Balled &

"Pfitzeriana"	Juniper	24"-30"	Burlapped

S-2	Juniperus Sabina	Tamarix	Spread:	Balled &

Tamariscifolia	Juniper	18"-24"	Burlapped

G-1	Euonymus Fortunei	Winter	2 1/4"	Min Runner

Cultivars	Creeper	pot min	length 8"

G-2	Pachysandra	Japanese	3 stems

Terminalis	Spirge

END OF SECTION