3861Plant Stock

3861.1SCOPE

Provide species and varieties of trees, shrubs, vines, and perennials suitable for R oadside landscape planting. For the purpose of the Work specified in section 3861, “Plant Stock,” the Department defines the term “plant” to describe trees, shrubs, vines, or perennials.

3861.2REQUIREMENTS

Unless otherwise specified as collected stock (wild or grown in other than nursery conditions) or as Department-provided plants, provide plants grown in a nursery for at least 2 years and meeting the requirements of the current edition of the Inspection and Contract Administration Manual for MnDOT Landscape Projects (ICAMMLP) for grading and accepting plant stock. Provide a Certificate of Nursery Inspection from the Department of Agriculture of the state of plant origin in accordance with 2571.2A.2, ”Plant Stock and Materials Documentation.” A Classification of Plants The Department will classify trees, shrubs, vines, and perennials for landscaping purposes by species, variety, and size or age as required by the Contract. If the Contract requires a dimensional size, provide plants with the minimum range of height, stem caliper, or spread acceptable, meeting the requirements of the current edition of the ICAMMLP . B Plant Names The Department will specify the botanical and common names of plant Materials based on the requirements of Hortus Third. C Plant Hardiness Provide plant stock hardy to the Minnesota zone that includes the P roject and meeting any of the following requirements:

growing range limits as shown on the Standard Planting Detail (A) in the Plans

source or root and graft stock originating from within the acceptable growing range limits as shown on the Standard Planting Detail (A) in the Plans The Engineer will resolve questions regarding plant stock hardiness or botanical identification. D Quality and Condition Provide a Certificate of Nursery Inspection from the Department of Agriculture of the state of plant origin in accordance with 2571.2A.2, “Plant Stock and Materials Documentation.” Provide plant species or variety shown on the Plans, free of disease, disfiguring knots, sun scald, insect infestations, dead or broken branches, bark abrasions, and other unacceptable conditions as described in the current edition of ICAMMLP. Provide plants that meet all applicable criteria for plant type, size, and age as listed in the current edition of the ICAMMLP for each plant shown on the Plans. Provide container grown plants with root systems capable of holding the soil intact after removal from the container. The Engineer will reject nursery grown plants with root systems not consistent with criteria listed in the current edition of the ICAMMLP. The Engineer will reject plants delivered with broken or bruised branches, stems, or canes unless the Contractor prunes the damaged growth without affecting the size or symmetry . The Engineer will reject balled and burlapped plants delivered with broken or disturbed balls . Deliver and install bare root plants in a dormant condition unless otherwise approved by the Engineer . If installing plants that have broken dormancy as approved by the Engineer, the Department will withhold payment for the initial planting operations until the Engineer determines the plant acceptability after the first year of plant establishment. Provide coniferous trees meeting the dimensional requirements in the current edition of the ICAMMLP and containing buds or new growth at the terminal ends of the branches . During the spring planting season, the Contractor may plant coniferous plants with new growth during storage in a holding bin. The Engineer will reject coniferous plants dug after producing new growth. The Engineer will reject coniferous trees not fully branched from bottom to top. Provide pine trees with a terminal leader bud and terminal leaders no longer than 18 inches. Train a new central leader in conifers delivered with multiple or missing leaders. E Digging and Handling Dig and handle plants with reasonable care and skill to prevent damage to stems, roots, branches, and the trunk. For balled and burlapped plants, preserve a firm ball of undisturbed soil around the root system . Provide balled and burlapped plants meeting the requirements of the current edition of the ICAMMLP . Wrap and bind balled and burlapped plants to maintain an intact and solid soil ball during handling, shipment, and planting. Handle balled and burlapped plants by the soil ball and not by the branches or trunk. The Contractor may use wire baskets with balled and burlapped plants unless otherwise specified in 2571.3F, “Installation of Plants.”

F Packing and Shipping Ship plant Material meeting the requirements of the nursery inspection and plant quarantine regulations of the states of origin and destination and the Federal regulations governing interstate movement of nursery stock as administered through each state Department of Agriculture. Ship plants true to name. Legibly and securely label each bundle, bale, or individual plant with the following information for each species or variety:

Package and ship plants without damage. After digging the plants, cover the roots with a suitable moisture-holding Material to protect the roots from drying out. Do not remove the Material until delivery to the planting site. Protect roots from the sun, wind, and freezing temperatures. If transporting plants in closed vehicles, provide ventilation to prevent bud break.

3861.3SAMPLING AND TESTING

The Engineer will inspect plants at time of delivery of plants to the P roject Site. Acceptance requirements for each plant stock and form are described in the current edition of the ICAMMLP . The Engineer may randomly inspect no greater than three balled and burlapped or container plants, of each variety delivered to the planting site for condition and size of the root system . The Engineer may pull back the burlap and wire basket or remove plants from containers . Replace plants becoming unsuitable for planting from the inspection at no additional cost to the Department. The Engineer will reject plants not meeting dimensional requirements as described in the current edition of the ICAMMLP. The Engineer will measure the height of coniferous trees of the pine, spruce, and fir species to the upper limit at the midpoint of the terminal leader. Remove and replace rejected plants, unless otherwise directed by the Engineer.