9-132 Section 917. Turf and Landscaping Materials
917.01 General Requirements
Nursery stock, seed, sod, mulching material, and chemical fertilizer nutrients must meet the requirements of this section. Provide documentation of inspection for plant diseases and insect infestation in accordance with state and federal laws.
917.02 Testing
The Engineer will require visual inspection or other acceptance tests of landscaping material as specified in this section or t he MDOT’s Materials Quality Assurance Manual .
917.03 Nursery Stock
Nursery stock must come from nurseries in Zone 4 or Zone 5 of the 2012 United States Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) Hardiness Zone Map for landscaping in Michigan’ s Lower Peninsula. Nursery stock for landscaping in Michigan ’s Upper Peninsula must come from nurseries in Zone 3 or Zone 4. Nurseries in Zone 6 of the Upper Great Lakes Region are allowed as follows:
A.At or north of latitude 40 degrees North;
B.Zone 6b includes only nurseries in counties that border the Great Lakes ; and
C.Zone 6 plants are not accept able for use in Upper Peninsula or in Lower Peninsula counties north of US -10 except for counties bordering Lake Michigan. Nursery stock must meet the requirements of ANSI Z 60.1. Nursery stock must be true to the type and name specified by the American Joint Committee on Horticultural Nomenclature’s Standardized Plant Names . Label each plant type wit h the size, species, and variety . Include the common and scientific names on the label . Provide first -class quality stock with well-developed branch systems and vigorous, healthy root systems . Ensure uniform and straight tree trunks . Nursery stock grown in sandy soils or any damaged, diseased, under -developed, or infected plant material will be rejected. Provide trees, ornamentals, and shrubs as noted on the plans. Notify the Engineer a minimum of 24 hours before stock delivery . Provide an invoice showing plant sizes, species, and varieties for each shipment . Plants will not be accepted until the stock is delivered and inspected at the project. MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 917 9-133 The Engineer may examine plants at the nursery by removing soil from the root systems of balled or container grown plants or by digging in the nursery row. The Department will not pay for plants that fail the Engineer ’s inspection.
A.Deciduous Shade Trees. Deciduous shade trees must be straight and symmetrical with a persistent , central main leader . The crown must be in proportion to the total height of the tree. Clumps must have at least two stems originating from a common base at the groundline.
B.Small Trees, Ornamentals, and Shrubs. Small trees, ornamentals, and shrubs must be well formed with a crown typical of each species or variety . Pruning, shearing, or sculpting plants to meet the sizes shown on the plans is not allowed.
C.Evergreen Trees. Evergreen trees must be typical of the species and not shear ed or color treat ed. Do not use evergreen trees grown for Christmas trees . Antitranspir ant protection for evergreen trees is allowed .
D.Vines , Ground Cover , and Herbaceous Ornamental Plants. Plants must be in individual containers , at least 1 year old, grown in pots long enough to ensure root growth capable of holding soil in place and retain ing the container shape when removed from the pot . Vines must have at least four runners 1½ feet long. Leaf and stem structure of ground cover plants must be proportional to the root systems and typical of species or variety . Provide he rbaceous plants in a heathy and vigorous growing condition.
917.04 Balling Material
Use untreated burlap as balling material . Do not use synthetic balling materials such as nylon or plastic.
917.05 Bracing and Guying Materials
A.Wire . For trees less than 4 inches in diameter, provide No. 11 galvanized steel guy wire. For trees with a diameter greater than 4 inches, provide No. 9 galvanized steel guy wire. Provide new wire free of bends and kinks.
B.Hose. Provide ¾ -inch reinforced rubber garden hose or steam hose.
C.Stakes. Provide green metal T -section posts without anchor plates for bracing trees . For shade trees, the minimum post length is 8 feet . For evergreen trees, the minimum post length is 6 feet. MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 917 9-134 Provide nominal 2- by 4-inch stock stakes 24 inches long for guying plants . Stakes must be beveled on two or four sides to provide a point on one end.
917.06 Topsoil
The Engineer will review the topsoil testing report to determine whether it meets the organic matter, pH, gradation, and nutrient levels as stated in Table 917-1. Ensure that the topsoil is contamination-free and clean at the source prior to transport to the project site. Obtain the Engineer ’s approval for salvaged topsoil prior to use. Topsoil must meet the following requirements:
A.Testing Reports . Reports must contain at a minimum the following tests and the recommendation from the laboratory for amending the soil.
1.Mechanical gradation ( particle size analysis);
2.Sand/Silt/clay content determined by hydrometer test of soil passing the No. 200 sieve;
3.Organic matter determined by an a sh burn test or Walkley/Black t est; and
4.Chemical analysis for n itrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, aluminum, lime requirements, and acidity (pH). Table 917- 1: Topsoil Requirements Requirement Loam Sandy Loam Silty Loam Clay Loam Test Method Passing ¾ -inch sieve 100% 100% 100% 100% ASTM D6913 Passing No. 4 sieve >85% >95% >90% >90% ASTM D6913 Clay 10–30% 0–20% 0–25% 25–40% ASTM D6913 Silt 30–50% 0–30% 50–90% 15–55% ASTM D6913 Sand 25–65% 45–85% 0–50% 20–50% ASTM D6913 Organic matter 3–10% 3–10% 3–10% 3–10% ASTM D2974 pH 5.5–7.5 5.5–7.5 5.5–7.5 5.5–7.5 ASTM G51
917.07 Compost
The Engineer will review the compost test results to determine whether they meet the U.S. Composting Council ’s requirements . The Engineer will also visually inspect and approve the compost at the composting site for physical contaminants. MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 917 9-135 Compost must be mature, stabilized, humus like, and dark brown or black compost derived from the aerobic decomposition of yard clippings or other compostable materials as defined in the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Part 115, Solid Waste Management, MCL 324.11501 et seq., and federal laws . Compost must be certified through the US Composting Council ’s Seal of Testing Assurance Program and meet the following requirements:
A.Must be capable of supporting plant growth;
B.Must be free of object ionable odor, plastic, glass, metal, and other physical contaminants;
C.Must not contain viable weed seeds or other plant parts capable of reproducing with the exception of airborne weed species; and
D.Must not produce visible free water or dust during handling.
917.08 Peat Moss
Peat moss must consist of finely shredded sphagnum or fibrous peat moss of a Department -approved commercial grade, free of woody substance.
917.09 Fertilizers
Provide standard, commercial, packaged, or bulk product fertilizers in granular or liquid form . Each container of packaged fertilizer must be marked with the content analysis showing the minimum percentages of total nitrogen, available phosphoric acid, and soluble potash. If providing bulk fertilizer, provide an invoice with each shipment indicating the minimum percentages of total nitrogen, available phosphoric acid, and soluble potash.
A.Landscape Fertilizers
1.Planting Fertilizers . For mixing with peat moss and tops oil, provide ready -mixed granular fertilizer containing equal amounts of phosphorus and potassium by weight . Each cubic yard of prepared soil must contain chemical fertilizer to provide 1 pound of available phosphorus and 1 pound of available soluble potas sium.
2.Watering Fertilizers. For application during watering, provide water soluble, nitrogen-enriched fertilizer containing 8.3 pounds of available nitrogen per 1, 000 gallons of water.
B.Seeding and Sodding Fertilizers . Fertilizers in each class must contain a water -insoluble and water -soluble component.
1.Class A . Provide and apply as specified by this subsection and as indicated by soil tests : MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 917 9-136 a. Water -Insoluble Fertilizer . Apply 32 pounds of water -insoluble nitrogen per acre (e. g., 128 pounds of u reaform , 115 pounds of isobutylidene diurea). Provide the water -insoluble nitrogen from ureaformaldehydes, coarse grade isobutylidene diurea, or both.
b.Water -Soluble Fertilizer . Apply 48 pounds of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium nutrient per acre (e. g., 253 po unds of 19-19 -19, 400 pounds of 12- 12-12). Provide water -soluble fertilizer containing a 1:1:1 ratio of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium . Ensure that the fertilizer components include urea, diammonium phosphate, and potassium chloride.
2.Class B . Provide and apply as specified by this subsection and as indicated by soil tests:
a.Water -Insoluble Fertilizer . Apply 32 pounds of water -insoluble nitrogen per acre. Provide the water -insoluble nitrogen from ureaformaldehydes, coarse grade isobutylidene diure a, or both.
b.Water -Soluble Fertilizer . Apply nitrogen at a rate of 48 pounds of nutrient per acre and 40 pounds of potassium per acre. Ensure that fertilizer components include urea and potassium chloride.
3.Class C . Provide and apply as specified by this subsection and as indicated by soil tests:
a.Water -Insoluble Fertilizer . Apply 32 pounds of water -insoluble nitrogen per acre. Provide water -insoluble nitrogen from ureaformaldehydes, coarse grade isobutylidene diurea, or both.
b.Water -Soluble Fertilizer . Apply nitrogen at a rate of 48 pounds of nutrient per acre. Ensure that the fertilize r components include urea.
917.10 Water
Use water that meets the requirements of section 911.
917.11 Seed
Provide the required certified seed mixture as specified in Table 917-2 . Select each species of seed from the Qualified Products List . Supply seed in durable bags with a tag marked by the manufacturer and supplier of the blended mix showing the species and variety name, lot number, net weight of contents, purity, and germination. MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 917 9-137 Table 917- 2: Seed Mixtures Species Minimum Purity (%) Germination (%) Seed Mixture Proportions (% by weight) TDS THV TUF TGM THM CR TSM 6–24 months TSM >24 months Kentucky blue grass 98 85 5 15 10 10 30 — — — Perennial ryegrass 96 85 25 30 20 20 20 — 50 50 Hard fescue 97 85 25 — 20 30 — — — — Creeping red fescue 97 85 45 45 40 40 50 — — — Fults salt grass 98 85 — 10 10 — — — — — Cereal rye 85 85 — — — — — 100 — — Spring oats 85 85 — — — — — — 50 50 CR = cereal rye TDS = t urf dry sandy TGM = t urf medium to heavy soil THM = t urf loamy to h eavy THV = t urf heavy soil TSM = t emporary seeding (months) TUF = t urf urban freeway MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 917 9-138 Seed must be tested in accordance with the AOSA [Association of Official Seed Analysts] Rules for Testing Seeds . The Engineer will evaluate deficiencies below the percentage required for purity and germination to determine acceptability .
917.12 Sod
Provide sod consisting of a densely rooted blend of at least two bluegrass varieties with at least 30% creep ing red fescue content, free of weeds, and grown on the same or similar soil as the topsoil on the project . Obtain the Engineer ’s approval of the sod in the sod field before harvesting. Before cutting the sod, mow the grass to 3 to 4 inches above the groun d surface. Cut the sod from ½ to ¾ inch thick. If cutting sod into strips, cut in small uniform units of approximately 10 square feet per roll to ensure ease of handling of the sod without tearing or breaking. The sod may be cut, transported, and laid in l arge rolls with machinery designed for that purpose.
A.Pegs for Sodding . Provide pegs of sound wood, at least 10 inches long, with a cross -sectional area of at least 0.75 square inch for pegging sod. Use longer pegs in sandy or similar soils.
917.13 Mulching Materials for Nursery Stock
A.Shredded Bark . Provide shredded hardwood bark mulch consisting of tree bark stripped and shredded from saw logs with a debarking machine. Shredded hardwood bark mulch must be capable of passing through a conventional mulch blower . Do not use wood chips or recycled construction material .
917.14 Mulch for Seed
A.Loose Mulch . Provide clean, undamaged, and rot -free straw in an air -dry condition for loose mulch. Loose mulch must be free of weed seeds and other deleterious material.
B.Turf Mulch Blankets. Select turf mulch blankets from the Qualified Products List . Anchor according to the manufacturer ’s specifications . No metal stakes or staples are allowed.
1.High -Velocity Mulch Blankets. High-velocity mulch blankets must have net covering on two sides . The net must meet the requirements of subsection 917. 14.D and be capable of reinforcing the blanket to prevent damage during shipping, handling, and installation.
a.High -Velocity Excelsior Mulch Blankets. Provide high-velocity excelsior mulch blankets that meet the following requirements: MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 917 9-139 Blanket must consist of a uniform layer of interlocking excelsior fibers cut from sound, green timber; The average roll weight for an entire shipment must be 12 ounces per square yard ±10% ; Blankets must be shipped in tightly compressed rolls; and Each roll must have the roll weig ht and the manufacturer ’s name written or stenciled on the roll wrapper or on an attached tag.
b.High -Velocity Straw Mulch Blankets. Provide high-velocity straw mulch blankets that meet the following requirements: Blankets must consist of a uniform layer of clean wheat straw that is free of weeds and weed seed; When dry, the blankets must weigh 8 ounces per square yard ±10%; The straw and net must be stitched together to create a uniform mat; Blankets must be shipped in tightly compressed rolls; and Each rol l must have the roll weight and the manufacturer ’s name written or stenciled on the roll wrapper or on an attached tag.
2.Mulch Blankets
a.Excelsior Mulch Blankets. Provide excelsior mulch blankets meeting the requirements of high-velocity excelsior mulch blan kets except that the blankets must weigh from 8 to 12 ounces per square yard and have netting on one side.
b.Straw Mulch Blankets. Provide straw mulch blankets meeting the requirements of high-velocity straw mulch blankets except that the blankets must have netting on one side.
C.Mulch Anchoring . Select mulch anchoring material from the Qualified Products List.
1.Latex-Base. Provide latex -base mulch -anchoring material composed of 48% styrene, 50 % butadiene, and 2% additive by weight . The mulch -anchoring material must contain from 42.0 to 46.0% solids and a pH, as shipped, from 8.5 to 10.0. Protect the emulsion from freezing and prolonged exposure to sunlight. MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 917 9-140 2. Recycled Newsprint . Provide recycled newsprint mulch consisting of specially prepared, biodegradable, shredded, recycled newsprint fibers . The recycled newsprint fiber must:
a.Have a moisture content (total weight) no greater than 12% ;
b.Have a high-grade newsprint content of at least 96% by weight (oven- dry);
c.Include tackifier content from 1.5 to 3% by weight;
d.Have a water -holding capacity of at least 32 ounces per 3.5 ounces of fiber;
e.Contain a wetting agent and a defoaming agent; and
f.Contain a nontoxic bright green or blue dyestuff that adheres to the fiber to minimize leaching of the color after appl ication.
3.Wood Fiber . Provide specially prepared, biodegradable, air -dried, virgin wood fibers manufactured from 100 % whole wood chips . Do not use recycled materials . The wood fiber must:
a.Have a moisture content (total weight) no greater than 12% ;
b.Have an organic wood fiber content of at least 95% by weight (oven- dry);
c.Include tackifier content from 3 to 5% by weight;
d.Have a water -holding capacity of at least 35 ounces per 3.5 ounces of fiber;
e.Be dyed with a green or blue biodegradable dye; and
f.Contain no growth - or germination- inhibiting materials.
4.Guar Gum . Provide guar gum tackifiers consisting of at least 95% guar gum by weight with the remaining 5% by weight consisting of dispersing and crosslinking additives.
5.Other Tackifiers. Provide water -soluble natural vegetable gums, guar gums blended with gelling and hardening agents, or a water -soluble blend of hydrophilic polymers, viscosifiers, sticking aids, and other gums as tackifiers.
D.Mulch Netting
1.Netting . Provide mulch net with a m esh size from ½ by ½ inch to 1½ by 2 inches, formulated from or treated with a chemical that promotes the breakdown of the net within the first growing season MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 917 9-141 after placement . Mulch netting must be strong enough to hold the mulch in place and still deterio rate when exposed to sunlight.
2.Net Anchors . Provide wood or other biodegradable net anchors at least 6 inches in length. Do not use steel wire staples or pins to anchor mulch blankets or netting.
917.15 Weed Control
Provide herbicides registered for use on highway right -of-way by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development and the United States Environmental Protection Agency . Obtain the Engineer ’s approval of herbicides prior to use. Do not use restricted -use herbicides.
917.16 Growth Preventive Material
Provide cut stump herbicide composed of the ingredients and nominal concentrations as appropriate.
A.Upland Location
1.83% paraffin oil, surface active compounds , and coupling agents with blue colorant 17% triclopyr, butoxyethyl ester
2.82% paraffin oil, surfac e active compounds , and coupling agents with blue colorant 15% triclopyr, butoxyethyl ester 3% isopropylamine salt of imazapyr
B.Wetland or Aquatic Location
1.100% triclopyr choline salt with blue colorant
Source: Michigan Standard Specifications for Construction, 2020 Edition. Pages 942–951 of 1,146.