2110 - MULCH 2100-16
2110.1 Description
This specification covers materi al suitable for use as mulch.
2110.2 Requirements
a. General Mulch Materials. Prairie hay is the preferred mulch material. Use prairie hay containing primarily Bluestem grasses, switchgrass, indiangrass and other desirable perennial grasses, normally found in Bluestem pastures. Additional materials acceptable for mulching include sudan grass hay or excelsior mulch. Provide written evidence to the Engineer if none of the preferred/additional mulching materials are available. The Engineer may permit the use of wheat straw, oat straw, sawdust, shredded wood, peat moss or pulverized corn cobs. Do not provide mulching material containing Sericea Lespedeza, Multiflo ra Rose or any noxious weed identified by the Kansas Department of Agriculture. b. Excelsior Mulch.
1.General. Excelsior mulch is composed of fibers cut from green wood. The cut is to be made to provide maximum fiber strength, but at an angle to the natural grain of the wood so the fiber will splinter as weathering progresses. Provide excelsior mulch free of seeds or other viable plant material that are not desirable in the mulch. Deliver excelsior mulch to the project in bales.
2.Dimensions. The approximate dimensions of the majority of the fibers are as follows: Length ........................................................................................................... 4 to 6 inch Thickness ......................................................................................... 0.020 to 0.040 inch Width ............................................................................................... 0.030 to 0.050 inch
3.Smolder Resistance. The excelsi or mulch material is not to flame or smolder for a distance of more than 12 inches from point of ignition. See subsection 2110.3 for test method.
4.Toxicity. Vegetation growth and/or seed germination are not to be inhibited by any toxicity in the mulch. Excelsior mulch material is to be non-toxic to the personnel engaged in handling and installation. c. Shredded or Chipped Wood Mulch. Provide shredded or chipped hardwood, cypress or cedar wood mulch for use around trees, shrubs and other plants as designated in the Contract Documents. Chipped wood mulch is to be substantially free of mineral, organic or vegetativ e matter other than wood. The mulch is to have no more than one calendar year between the time of cutting and shredding or chipping and the time of application to the current project. Do not use this chipped wood mulch around small perennials and vines. d. Composted Mulch. Use only composted wood mulch around small perennials and vines. e. Wood Cellulose Fiber. Provide wood cellulose fiber composed of a blend of virgin wood and paper fibers that contains no growth or germination inhibiting factors and complies with TABLE 2110-1: TABLE 2110-1: WOOD CELLULOSE FIBER Property Requirement Wood 70% paper 30% Moisture Content 9-15% Organic matter 80% minimum pH 6.5 average water holding capacity 1.6 gal/lb Guar Tackifier 2% minimum 2110 - MULCH 2100-17 f. Hydro-Mulch. Provide a bonded fiber matrix (BFM) product made from non-toxic, biodegradable, thermally processed, virgin, wood fibers that contains no growth or germination inhibiting factors and complies with TABLE 2110-2: TABLE 2110-2: HYDRO-MULCH Property Requirement Virgin wood fibers 90% minimum Organic matter 99% minimum Hydrocolloid-based binder 10% minimum “Dry” Moisture Content 9 - 15% pH 5.5 – 7.5 Water holding capacity 13 times own weight Dye agent color Green or Yellow
2110.3 Method of Tests
Test for smolder resistance of excelsior mulch as follo ws: Obtain a representative sample of the excelsior large enough to form a mat approximately 30 x 30 x 1 ½ inch es. Leach the sample with seven one-hour immersions in separate portions of water maintain ed at 80°F during the l eaching period. Drain for ab out 15 minutes after each immersion. After the last immersion and draining period , spread the sample out on a flat surface to form a mat approx. 30 x 30 x 1 ½ inches and air dried for 72 hours at room temperature. At the completion of the air drying period, place a lit cigarette on the surface of the mat. Measure and record the distan ce that a flame or smolder spreads from the cigarette.
2110.4 Prequalification
None Required.
2110.5 Basis of Acceptance
a. Excelsior mulch is accepted on the basis of satisfact ory test results from the Materials and Research Center. Perform tests on samples supplied from the project delivered material. b. The Engineer will accept straw or hay bales based on the following: North American Weed Management Association (NAWMA) Standards. Receipt of a statement that this material “meets the North American Weed Free Forage Standards” on a Transit certificate with th e vehicle tag number, the type and number of bales being transported or a Forage tag on each bale. Contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture to re quest inspection or for certif ications. For a Certified Weed-Free Forage/Mulch Growers Listing contact the Kansas Department of Agricultures. c. The wood cellulose fiber will be accepted based on visu al inspection of the container label to verify compliance with this specification. Receipt and approval of a Type C certification as specified in DIVISION 2600. d. All other mulch materials are accepted based on a visual inspection by the Engineer.
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Source: Standard Specifications for State Road and Bridge Construction, 2015 Edition. Pages 898–899 of 978. View official source ↗