715 — TREE ROOT PRUNING 2026 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS CATEGORY 700 LANDSCAPING SECTION 715 — TREE ROOT PRUNING
715.01 Description
Prune tree roots as indicated in the SP 700 Tree Preservation Program, or in the plans. Perform Tree Root Pruning within a Tree Preservation Area per Section 120 when specified.
715.03 Construction
715.03.01 General.
a.Permits. Obtain a Roadside Tree Permit from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Forest Service.
b.Tree Preservation Program (TPP). Adhere to the requirements of the TPP when developed by the Administration.
c.Schedule. Perform operations when soil moisture and weather conditions are suitable. Cease operations when conditions are not suitable.
715.03.02 Maryland Licensed Tree Expert (LTE). A LTE shall perform or directly supervise
the Operations in conformance with the Maryland Roadside Tree Law, the Forest Conservation Act, and accepted arboricultural practices.
715.03.03 Meetings. Meet with the Engineer, the LTE, and the Landscape Programs Division
before beginning Operations.
715.03.04 Utilities Marking and Conflicts. Refer to Section 875 when included in the Contract
Documents.
a.Utilities Marking. Contact ‘Miss Utility’ or another approved service to identify and mark utilities in the rights-of-way and on SHA property. 715 — TREE ROOT PRUNING 2026 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS
b.Conflicts. Notify the Administration of conflicts that may affect operations. Conflicts will be reviewed by the Landscape Programs Division and resolved within 14 days after notice.
715.03.05 Marking. Mark areas to be root pruned, and obtain approval before beginning
Operations.
715.03.06 Equipment. Use a vibratory knife or other equipment and tools that conform to
accepted arboricultural practices.
715.03.07 Notice. Notify the Engineer at least 10 days before beginning Operations.
715.03.08 Operations. Meet ANSI A300 standards for Tree Care Operations. Cleanly cut tree
roots along the approved line to a depth of 24 in., or to the depth specified in the Tree Preservation Program, and immediately backfill trenches with excavated soil.
715.03.09 Cleanup and Restoration. Avoid damage to existing structures, plants, and turfgrass.
Keep turfgrass areas, paved surfaces and sidewalks clean. Promptly remove, disperse, or dispose of wood debris and other waste materials as directed. Restore areas of root pruning, ruts and damaged turfgrass areas by seeding in conformance with Section 705, or perform Turfgrass Sod Establishment in conformance with Section 708 when directed, before beginning other landscape operations.
715.03.10 Damage Repair. Do not injure vegetation to be preserved. Repair injuries to bark,
trunks, or limbs by cutting, smoothing, and tracing the bark in accordance with ANSI A300 Standards for Tree Care Operations.
715.03.11 Damage Compensation. Monetary compensation for damage or loss of trees will be
calculated and assessed in conformance with the Guide for Plant Appraisal of the Council of Tree & Landscape Appraisers.
715.04 Measurement and Payment
Tree Root Pruning will be measured and paid for at the Contract unit price per linear foot. The payment will be full compensation for all labor, material, equipment, tools, cleanup and restoration, damage repair, disposal fees and incidentals necessary to complete the work.
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Source: Standard Specifications for Construction and Materials, 2026 Edition. Pages 881–882 of 1,138. View official source ↗