8-135 Section 815. Landscaping
815.01 Description
This work consists of providing and planting trees, shrubs, and other plants, including replacements, classified as nursery stock . The Engineer may inspect, select , and reject plants anytime until final acceptance.
815.02 Materials
Provide materials in accordance with the following sections : Topsoil ................................................................................................... 917 Peat Moss ............................................................................................. 917 Compost ................................................................................................ 917 Fertilizer ................................................................................................ 917 Water ..................................................................................................... 911 Nursery Stock ....................................................................................... 917 Mulching Materials ................................................................................ 917 Balling Material ..................................................................................... 917 Wire ...................................................................................................... 917 Hose ..................................................................................................... 917 Stakes ................................................................................................... 917
815.03 Construction
A.Prepared Soil . Use prepared soil for landscaping, consisting of a uniform mixture of topsoil, peat moss or compost, and fertilizer . Proportion the prepared soil so that 1 cubic yard of the prepared soil contains ¾ cubic yard of topsoil, ¼ cubic yard of peat moss or compost, and c hemical fertilizer as specified in subsection 917. 09.A.1. Thoroughly mix the component materials before final placement.
B.Site Preparation . Excavate holes from the center of staked location, extending a minimum of 1.5 times the diameter of the root ball or bare root unless otherwise approved by the Engineer . Place the root ball on undisturbed soil . Backfill the planting holes with prepared soil the same day they are dug.
C.Preparation of Shipments . Label all plants with correct genus, species , and variety . Variations or substitutions must be approved by the Engineer. Prepare nursery stock for shipment in accordance with ANSI Z60.1 requirements and enclose or cover during transportation to prevent drying. MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 815 8-136 1. Balled and B urlapped Stock . Complete ball and burlap operations before spring bud break . In the fall, do not begin balling until after the deciduous plants begin to harden off . Dig and pack balled and burlapped stock immediately before shipment . Maintain a firm root ball during digging, packing, and burlapping operations . Protect the root balls with wet straw, mulch, or other material approved by the Engineer . Protect the root balls from rain or sudden changes in the weather . The Engineer will not accept trees or plant s if root balls are loose or broken.
2.Container Grown Stock . All container -grown nursery stock must be healthy, vigorous, well rooted, and established in the container in which it is growing. Container -grown nursery stock must have a well-established root s ystem reaching the sides of the container to maintain a firm ball when the container is removed but must not have excessive growth encircling the inside of the container.
3.Bare Root Stock. Dig and pack bare root stock without injuring or removing fibrous feeder roots . Maintain root moisture while transporting stock to the planting site.
D.Seasonal Limitations. Plant deciduous plants from March 1 to May 15 and from October 15 until the prepared soil freezes . If unusual planting conditions exist or if using container -grown material, the Engineer may alter these planting seasons. Plant evergreen plants from March 1 to June 1.
E.Care of Plants B efore Planting . Immediately following delivery and inspection at the project, heel -in plants with exposed roots in moist soil . Protect heeled- in plants and keep their roots moist until planted. Use a protected or shaded area or a well -ventilated enclosure for the heeling- in grounds . The Engineer will reject plants if roots and surrounding soil are not kept moist. Keep the roots of planting stock moist and protected. Protect tree trunks and branches from injury . The Engineer will reject injured trees.
F.Planting . Do not begin planting until water for the plantings is readily available at the project . Water -in plants as they are planted. Water -in the prepared soil around the root ball and roots and firm the soil at intervals during the planting process . Saturate the prepared soil in the planting hole.
1.Plants Located on Slopes. Construct a berm of prepared soil half way around each plant on the downslope side to retain water . MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 815 8-137 2. Balled and Burlapped Stock . Level plant vertical ly and horizontal ly. Set balled and burlapped plant to a depth resulting in the root flare matching to the finished grade. Backfill and tamp the plant hole to half the required depth and remove the burlap and lacing from around the trunk and the upper half of the ball . Water the prepared soil surrounding the plant and eliminate air pockets by tamping the soil at intervals under and around the ball . Do not damage the root ball during tamping operations . Continue to backfill the hole with prepared soil until th e soil matches the proposed grade after compaction. Bend the top half of the wire basket away from the root ball . Do not remove the entire wire basket.
3.Container Grown Stock . Remove container -grown plants from the containers at the time of planting. Plant container -grown stock in accordance with subsection 815.03.F.2. The Engineer may reject plants with broken, loosened, dry, or diseased root mass.
4.Bare Root Stock. Preserve the root growth on bare root stock . Do not prune the roots except to remove broken or damaged roots . Plant bare root stock to a depth resulting in the root flare matching finished grade and level plant vertical ly and horizontal ly. Do not bury root flare or expose roots . Spread roots over soil and hold in place during backfill placement . Compact disturbed ground until roots are stabilized and the plant is secured in place.
5.Mulching. After backfilling is complete, place 4 inches of shredded bark unless otherwise shown on plans.
G.Pruning Branches. Use an arborist, certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), to prune branches before planting. Complete pruning according to ISA standards and to control disease and pest problems.
1.Deciduous Trees. Prune deciduous trees to rem ove dead wood and broken branches . Do not cut the primary leader back .
2.Deciduous Shrubs . Prune deciduous shrubs to remove dead wood and broken branches . Thin out canes and cut back or remove crossing branches , suckers, and other growth. Prune shrubs to for m an outline conforming to the general shape of the shrub type.
3.Evergreen Trees and Shrubs. Prune evergreens to remove broken or damaged branches . Do not shear .
H.Clean Up . At planting completion, immediately clean, remove, and dispose of trash and surplus material off site. Repair ruts and turf damage resulting from the planting operations and reestablish turf in these areas in accordance with subsection 816.03 and as directed by the Engineer . MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 815 8-138 Remove excavated material from the project and dispose outside the right-of-way in accordance with subsection 205.03.P . Complete clean-up before June 1.
I.Watering and Cult ivating . In addition to required watering at time of planting, water and cultivate a minimum of five times during each growing season of the establishment period. Cultivate to remove grass , suckers, and weeds within the entire mulched area. The Engineer may add or subtract watering as conditions warrant . Notify the Engineer a minimum of 3 days before each watering and cultivating. Cut the grass to a height of 3 inches within 12 inches of the perimeter of the mulch. Inspect the landscaping and remove insect infestations or disease damage to the plants and prune dead wood. During the first and second waterings of the second growing season, use a nitrogen- enriched solution as specified in subsection 917. 09.A.2 . Apply fertilizer before July 7. During the first watering of the second growing season, remove and dispose of the guying material, identification tags, and inspection tags . During the final watering, replenish the mulch around the plants to a depth of 4 inches.
1.Watering with Probe . Water with a probe that :
a.Is long enough to extend to the depth of the root ball;
b.Is not greater than 1 inch in diameter ;
c.Has a closed pointed end with holes in the lower 4 inches; and
d.Is equipped with a control valve for regulating water pressure and volume. Insert the probe next to the root ball in at least three equally spaced locations around the plant . Adjust the pressure so little or no run-off occurs before placement of the required amount of water . After extracting the probe, close or fill entry holes in soil.
2.Quantity of Water . Use the following volumes of water for the specified plants:
a.35 gallons per watering for shade t rees;
b.20 gallons for intermediate plants and evergreen trees ;
c.5 gallons for shrubs; and
d.A volume that saturates the soil to a depth of 3 inches for perennials and container grown stock. MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 815 8-139 3. Watering and Cultivating Periods . Water and cultivate during each of the following periods:
a.From June 1 to June 15;
b.From June 23 to July 7;
c.From July 15 to July 29;
d.From August 4 to August 18; and
e.From September 5 to September 19.
J.Bracing and Guying . Brace or guy deciduous , evergreen , and bare-rooted trees immediately after planting and according to the following:
1.For evergreen trees, use at least the following number of stakes:
a.For trees higher than 6 feet, 3 stakes; and
b.For trees 6 feet high or less, 2 stakes;
2.For bare-root stock, use at least 2 stakes;
3.For balled stock, use at least the following number of stakes:
a.For low -headed trees, 1 stake (the Engineer may omit); and
b.For deciduous clump trees, 2 or 3 stakes;
4.For balled stock, deciduous, but not low -headed trees , use at least the following number of stakes:
a.For caliper measurements greater than 4 inches, 3 stakes;
b.For caliper measurements from 2 to 4 inches or at least 8 feet high, 2 stakes; and
c.For caliper measurements less than 2 inches or less than 8 feet high, 1 stake. Place one stake on the west side of the plant . If using two stakes, position them on opposite sides of the trunk and secure each stake to the trunk at two-thirds the height of the tree. If three stakes are required, use the tripod method of guying. To avoid the root ball, anchor the tree by driving stakes no closer than 1 foot from the trunk . Drive stakes parallel to the trunk to within 4 inches of the lower main branches remaining after pruning. Maintain bracing stakes at a uniform height for similar plant or tree sizes throughout the project . Attach the top of the stake to the trunk with No. 11 wire and form a figure eight shape around the stake and trunk . Encase the wire loop that MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 815 8-140 contacts the tree trunk with sections of hose that extend 6 inches beyond either side of the trunk . Twist guy wires so they do not restrict normal trunk growth and the trunk can move laterally 1 to 2 inches . For deciduous clumps, attach each stem to a support stake. Use three No. 11 wires for the t ripod method of tree guying. Encircle the trunk with one end of each guy wire. Encircle the trunk of deciduous trees just above the lower main branches and evergreen trees at a point two-thirds the height of the tree. Encase the wire encircling the trunk i n hose that extends 6 inches beyond either side of the trunk . Fasten the other end of each guy to stakes equally spaced around the tree. Place the stakes away from the tree a distance equal to three-quarters the vertical distance from the ground to where t he guys are fastened to the trunk . Notch the anchor stakes to prevent the wire from slipping. Drive stakes to at least 18 inches deep and at an angle so the tops point away from the tree. For the duration of the contract, replace blown down trees or trees damaged by improper bracing or guying at no additional cost to the Department. Brace or guy replacement plants, planted at the beginning of the second growing season. Maintain guying for one full growing season and then remove.
K.Period of Establishment . The Engineer may inspect, select, and reject plants anytime until final acceptance. The establishment period begins at the completion of the initial planting and extends through subsequent two growing seasons . A growing season is the months of June, July, and August. Provide plants in a healthy growing condition at the start of the establishment period. The Engineer will inspect the plants at the end of the first and second growing seasons to determine acceptability . The Engineer will consider plants unaccepta ble if they are dead, missing, unhealthy, or otherwise unsatisfactory at the time of inspection, or not planted as specified. Remove dead evergreen plants before winter , including the root ball, and backfill the hole at time of removal . Plant replacement s in accordance with subsection 815.03.F before May 10 of the following spring planting season. Water replacement s planted after the first growing season at the same time and in the same manner as the other plants receiving their second season w atering. Unacceptable plants , identified by the Engineer at the end of the second growing season, do not require replacement . Remove these plants , root MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 815 8-141 ball, and guying materials , and dispose off the project site. Backfill holes and restore grade at time of removal.
815.04 Measurement and Payment
Pay Item Pay Unit Site Preparation, Max (dollar) .......................................................... Lump Sum (Botanical Name) ...................................................................................... Each Watering and Cultivating, First Season, Min (dollar) ........................ Lump Sum Watering and Cultivat ing, 2nd Season, Min (dollar) ......................... Lump Sum
A.Plants . The Engineer will measure plants by the units shown on the plans and methods specified in ANSI Z60.1. The Department will not pay for the pay item (Botanical Name) until the plant is pruned, planted, watered, braced or guyed, and mulched. The Department will not make additional payments for replacement plants.
B.Site Preparation . The unit price for Site Preparation, Max (dollar) includes the cost of digging holes, providing prepared soil, backfilling holes, and disposing of excess excavated material.
C.Watering and Cultivating
1.First Season . The Department will pay 20% of the lump sum price for Watering and Cultivating, First Season, Min (dollar) at the completion of each of the five watering and cultivating operations . Payment includes the cost of the following:
a.One watering and cultivating operation;
b.Providing and mixing fertilizer with water;
c.Removal and disposal of unacceptable plants including the root ball; and
d.Removal of all guying material at the end of the first growing season.
2.Second Season . The Department will pay for Watering and Cultivating, 2nd Season, Min (d ollar) as a lump sum at the completion of the second growing season. The unit price of Watering and Cultivating, 2nd Season, Min (dollar) includes the cost of the following:
a.Five watering and cultivating operations;
b.Providing and mixing fertilizer with the water; MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 815 8-142 c. Removal and disposal of unacceptable plants including the root ball; and
d.Removal of all guying material at the end of the second growing season. For each unacceptable plant identified, the Engineer will calculate a 50% reduction in the unit price for the relevant (Botanical Name) pay item and will process a negative assessment for each unacceptable plant for that amount.
3.Supplemental Watering . The Department will pay for supplemental watering, in addition to the 10 watering operations required, at 20% of the associated lump sum contract unit price. The Department will reduce the relevant lump sum contract unit price by 20 % for each deleted watering.
Source: Michigan Standard Specifications for Construction, 2020 Edition. Pages 696–703 of 1,146.