650PLANTING - GENERAL

New Hampshire Department of Transportation Standard Specifications – 2016 Description

1.1This specification includes general requirements that are applicable to all types of planting, including trees, shrubs, vines and

ground cover plants, irrespective of type. Deviations from these general requirements will be indicated in the specific requirements for each type.

1.2This work a lso includes furnishing and installing landscaping materials, including all layout, fertilizing, soil conditioning,

staking, guying, watering, excavating, weeding, herbicides, fungicides, pesticides, refertilizing as necessary, replanting as needed, and stake and guy removal after the establishment period, as shown on the plans or as ordered. Materials

2.1Plants.

2.1.1 General. 2.1.1.1 Plant material shall meet the current specifications of the “ American Standard for NurseryS tock” as published by the American Association of Nurserymen unless otherwise specified. 2.1.1.2 All plants shall be first class and shall be representative of their normal species or varieties. All plants must have a good, healthy, well-formed upper growth and a large, fibrous, compact root system. 2.1.1.3 All plants shall be nursery grown stock that has been transplanted unless indicated as “ seedlings”, or root pruned at least once every 4 years. Plant hardiness shall be determined acceptable by the Engineer as specified relative to the zone of origin. A sworn affidavit as to region of growth shall be furnished when ordered. 2.1.1.4 Unless otherwise specified, so-called exposed or “ bare-root” material will be accepted. Container grown plants may be furnished in lieu of balled and burlapped plants, provided they meet the current specifications in the American Standard for Nursery Stock. 2.1.1.5 Any non-bid substitution of plant material shall be acceptable only if the bid item(s) is unavailable. Reque sts for plant substitutions and proof of unavailability shall be furnished to the Engineer in writing one month prior to the beginning of the planting season. 2.1.2 Names and Marking. 2.1.2.1 All scientific and common plant names of the items specified sha ll conform with the current edition of “ Hortus Third” compiled by the staff of the L. H. Bailey Hortorium, Cornell University. All plants delivered shall be true to name. 2.1.2.2 Each bundle, or each plant, when not tied in bundles, shall be legibly and properly labeled. Care shall be taken throughout the operation to keep each plant species or variety segregated and labeled. The Engineer may reject at any time a ny plant material of questionable nomenclature. 2.1.3 Inspection. 2.1.3.1 All plants shall b e free from plant diseases and insect pests, and shall comply with all applicable State and Federal laws with respect to inspection for plant diseases and infestations. 2.1.3.2 Plant material may be inspected in the nursery or collecting fields before it is dug. The Contractor shall provide a list of suppliers in sufficient time so the Engineer may inspect nurseries on a timely bases. Approval to move nursery mater ial to the project site shall not be considered as Acceptance. The Contractor shall notify the Engineer not less than 48 hours in advance of delivery of plants. 2.1.3.3 All planting stock shall conform to the laws of New Hampshire and shall be inspected before removal from the nursery, by authorized Federal, State or other authorities as may be required in the area where the nursery is located. The invoice or order for each shipment of plants shall contain the project name and number and the quantity and variety of plant material delivered. An inspection certificate shall certify that the plants are free of disease and insect pests of all kinds and shall accompany each shipment. Disease certificates and delivery slips shall be given to the Engineer upon arrival of the plant material at the point of delivery. 2.1.3.4 For purchase of material fr om nurseries within New Hampshire, information regarding inspection for plant disease and pest infestations is available from the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture. Inspection of plants from outside New Hampshire is controlled by the United States D epartment of Agriculture and information is available from the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service.

New Hampshire Department of Transportation Standard Specifications – 2016 2.1.4 Digging, Handling, and Packing. 2.1.4.1 General. Plants shall be dug with care and skill. Special precautions shall be taken to avoid any unnecessary injury to, or removal of fibrous roots from the plants. Each species or variety shall be handled and packed in the approved manner for that particular plant. All precautions shall be taken to ensure the arr ival of the plants at the project site in good condition for successful growth. 2.1.4.2 Balled and burlapped plants. The ball shall be firm and, unless a manufactured ball is allowed, shall be composed of the original and undisturbed soil in which the pl ant has been grown. The plant shall be handled in such a manner that the soil in the ball will not drop away from the roots and will not cause stripping of the small, fine-feeding roots. The ball shall be wrapped with burlap or other approved material and tightly laced to hold the desired shape. Plastic ball wrap material shall not be allowed. No balled plants will be accepted if the ball is cracked or broken. A substitute for burlap may be approved provided it can be demonstrated that the material is tight enough to retain the soil ball securely. During planting operations material which will not readily disintegrate in the ground shall be removed or extensively cut to allow the roots to grow through freely. 2.1.4.3 Bare-root plants. The roots of bare-rooted stock shall be carefully packed in sphagnum moss, moist straw, or other suitable material that will ensure the arrival of plants in an acceptable condition. 2.1.5 Shipment. 2.1.5.1 Arrangements shall be made as far as practicable to have plants delivered as the planting pits or beds are ready for them. 2.1.5.2 Plants which have heated or sweated at any time, or have been broken, fractured, scraped, or bruised, will be rejected. 2.1.5.3 All local, state, or federal laws relative to the shipping of plants shall be strictly complied with. 2.1.6 Measurement. 2.1.6.1 Measurement will be made in accordance with the practice prescribed in the current edition of the “ American Standard for Nursery Stock” published by the American Association of Nurserymen.

2.2Blank.

2.3Blank.

2.4Layout marking material shall be clean 1 ” x 1” x 4 ft. high hardwood lumber stakes, wire type flagging, 1” minimum width

plastic flagging or other approved material.

2.5Plant support materials shall conform to the following unless otherwise specified.

2.5.1 Vertical stakes shall be hardwood lumber stakes or posts 2” x 2” minimum square or 1-1/2” diameter minimum round of the length required as shown on the plans. Hub stakes shall be 2” x 2” x 30” minimum square hardwood lumber. 2.5.2 Guy material for vertically staked trees shall be double str and 3/32” minimum diameter galvanized wire with wide, smooth and flexible approved tree guying material. 2.5.3 Guy material for hub staked trees shall be 3/16” minimum diameter galvanized wire with hose sleeves.

2.6Rodenticides, herbicides, and pesticides shall be those approved for use by the New Hampshire Pesticide Control Board.

2.7Water used in the planting or care of vegetation shall be free from any substance injurious to plant life.

2.8Antidesiccant shall be of an approved emulsion which will provide a film over plant surfaces, permeable enough to permit

the exchange of gases but inhibit the passage of water vapor.

2.9Fertilizer.

2.9.1 Fertilizer shall be a standard commercial grade fertilizer conforming to all State and Federal regulations and to the standards of the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists. The analysis shall represent respective percentages of nitro gen, phosphoric acid, and potash. 2.9.1.1 All fertilizer shall be identified by labels and shall show the following:

New Hampshire Department of Transportation Standard Specifications – 2016 2.9.1.2 Dry fertilizer for other than acid-loving plants shall have an analysis of 10-6-4 (preferred), 10-3-6, or 10-5-5, or with written permission, a substitute may be furnished. In any case, a minimum of 50 percent of the nitrogen shall be water -insoluble (50 percent WIN). 2.9.1.3 Water-soluble fertilizer shall be co mpletely water soluble. Fertilizer for other than acid -loving plants shall contain the following minimum percentages of available elements by weight: nitrogen, 16 percent, phosphoric acid, 19 percent, potash , 16 percent. The total available nutrients shall be at least 55 percent by weight. 2.9.1.4 Fertilizer for acid -loving plants shall be formulated for acid -loving plants such as rhododendrons, azaleas, and blueberries. Dry fertilizer for such plants shall have a minimum analysis of 7-7-7 or as approved. Water-soluble fertilizer for such plants shall have an analysis in the range of 21-7-7 or as approved.

2.10Soil Conditioners.

2.10.1 Peat moss shall be air-dried, granulated, sphagnum peat moss, nearly free from woody substances, consisting of at least 75 percent of partially decomposed stems and leaves of sphagnum, and essentially brown in color. The texture may vary from porous fibrous to spongy fibrous and shall be free of sticks, stones, and mineral matter. Peat moss shall not show an acid reaction of less than 3.5 pH. 2.10.2 Peat humus shall be natural peat or peat humus from fresh water saturated areas, consisting of sedge, sphagnum, or reed peat, and shall be of such physical condition that it will pass through a 1/2 ” mesh screen. The humus sh all be free from sticks, stones, roots, and other objectionable materials. Samples taken at the source of supply shall meet the following requirements: Acidity: not less than 4.0 pH. Minimum water absorbing ability: 200 percent by weight on oven-dry basis. Minimum organic content: 60 percent when dried at 221 °F.

2.10.2.1 Freshly excavated peat, if saturated with water, shall be stored for a sufficient length of time to condition it for workability. 2.10.3 Humus material other than peat humus shall conform to 647.2.

2.11Mulches.

2.11.1 Wood chips shall be obtained primarily from disease -free green hardwood, shall be 1/4 ” in nominal thickness, and 50 percent shall have an area of not less than 1 sq. in. nor more than 6 sq. in. Not more than 2 percent shal l consist of leaves, twigs, or shavings, and it shall be free of materials injurious to plant growth. Wood chip mulch must be approved prior to use. Wh ere wood chips are specified, bark may only be used when permitted. 2.11.2 Bark mulch shall be bark chippings graded to be approximately 3/8 to 2” in width. The chippings shall not have been stored so long and under such conditions that the material has decomposed sufficiently so that it has lost its fibrous textur e. Bark mulch must be approved as to grading and condition prior to its use. Where bark mulch is specified, wood chips may only be used when permitted. 2.11.3 Other mulch material may be used upon approval.

2.12Loam Backfill.

2.12.1 Loam backfill, when existing soils are not acceptable, shall b e relatively free of roots or rhizomes of witchgrass. No sticks, sods, clods or other material which would tend to form large air pockets in the soil shall be included. The use of muck will not be permitted around any plantings. 2.12.2 Loam backfill shall have minimum and maximum pH values of 6.0 and 7.6, respectively. Organic matter, as determined by loss by ignition, shall be from 6 percent to 20 percent. Natural topsoil with a pH over 4.5 and over 4 percent organic may be amended to meet these specifications. 2.12.3 A loam source will be sampled and tested by the Engineer so that the results are obtained at least three days prior to planting and prior to the addition of soil amendments. Planting shall not begin prior to loam approval. 2.12.4 After the test results are known, amendments shall be made, when necessary to meet the minimum pH and organic standards. 2.12.5 To each cubic yard of accepted loam, the following shall be added and thoroughly mixed to produce loam backfill: 2 to 3 cubic feet of well-rotted cow manure (dehydrated cow manure at a rate specified by the Engineer); 4 cubic feet of sphagnum peat moss; 15 lb. of 10-6-4 fertilizer minimum 50 percent water insoluble (WIN); and 20 lb. of ground agricultural limestone.

New Hampshire Department of Transportation Standard Specifications – 2016 2.12.5.1 When permitted, compost or individual components of the loam backfill may be added directly to the approved plant pits. 2.12.5.2 Batch size for mixing shall be determined by the Engineer, typically 15 cubic yards. Construction Requirements

3.1Planting Seasons.

3.1.1 Unless otherwise directed, seasons for planting shall be within the following dates: Deciduous/Evergreen Material: Spring - April 1 to June 30 Fall - August 15 to November 15

3.1.2 Preparations for planting may begin earlier than the specified season, and if approved, planting work may continue beyond the specified time limits. Permission to extend planting dates shall be requested in writing to the Engineer at least 10 working days before the end of the planting season. The request shall include a legitimate reason for the extension. Any anticipated shortages of plant material shall be brought to the attention of the Engineer upon discovery. However, the Engineer may require that all plants planted out of season, except deciduous material planted pri or to April 1 and after November 15, shall be balled, burlapped, and dead or damaged branches removed. 3.1.3 No planting shall be done when the site or weather is unsatisfactory for planting, unless permitted.

3.2Delivery and Inspection.

3.2.1 A preliminary check will be made of all plants at the time of delivery for condition of the plants and general conformity to the specifications. A more thorough inspection of individual plants will be made just prior to planting. No plants shall be planted which have not received this inspection. In order to facilitate this inspection, the Contractor shall inform the Engineer, at least 24 hours in advance, as to what plants are to be planted and in what location. Any plants planted without receiving th is inspection will be rejected and if rejected must be removed and replaced with inspected stock. 3.2.2 Due to the difficulty of identifying dormant plants and to the effect of handling on the health and vigor of plants, only conditional approval will be given to plants in preliminary and intermediate inspections. Inspection will continue throughout the life of the Contract up to the time of Acceptance. Plants discovered at any time which are not true to name, do not conform to the specifications, show evidence of improper handling or lack of proper care, or which appear to be in a seriously unhealthy condition for any other reason must be removed from the project site at once and replaced by acceptable plants as soon as the planting season allows. 3.2.2.1 Subject to approval of the Engineer, plants which show minor infestations of insects or disease appearing after planting may be treated in lieu of being replaced. 3.2.3 At least 3 working days before digging any collected or plantation -grown material, the Contractor shall notify the Engineer of the time and place of digging so that inspection of the work and of the material may be made by the Engineer.

3.3Protection and Temporary Storage.

3.3.1 The Contractor shall keep all plant material moist and protected from dr ying out. Protection shall be provided during the time the plants are in transit, in temporary storage, or on the project site awaiting planting. 3.3.2 Unless otherwise approved by the Engineer, plants delivered, but not scheduled for immediate planting, shall be protected as follows:

by the Contractor until planted.

in a moist condition. 3.3.3 The Contractor shall exercise the utmost care in loading, unloading, or handling of plants to prevent injuries to the branches or to the roots of the plants. The solidity of balled and burlapped plants shall be carefully preserved. 3.3.4 While plants with exposed roots are being transported to and from heeled -in beds, or are being distributed in planting beds, or are awaiting planting after distribution, the Contractor shall protect the roots from drying out by means of wet canvas, burlap, or straw, and watering, if necessary. The means employed shall be satisfactory and shall depend on weather conditions and the length of time the roots must remain out of the ground.

New Hampshire Department of Transportation Standard Specifications – 2016

3.4Layout.

3.4.1 The Engineer may adjust plant material locations to meet field conditions. Project plant material locations and bed outlines shall be delineated (flagged, marked, staked, etc.) on site by the Contractor , per the plan, for review an d approval by the Engineer. Plant locations may be adjusted by the Engineer to meet local site conditions. All layout marking material required shall be furnished by the Contractor. 3.4.2 Ten working days prior to the start of planting work on the projec t, the Contractor shall provide a planting schedule to be used in establishing priorities in laying out plant locations. The Contractor shall give at least 2 working days’ notice of any deviations from this schedule. The Engineer will not be responsible for any delays or inconvenience resulting from the Contractor’s failure to follow the above procedure. 3.4.3 An artificial appearance in the layout scheme is generally not desired. Except where uniform spacing may be required, as in the case of snow-control planting and the like, some variation in spacing is essential and care must be taken to avoid straight lines and uniform spacing unless directed otherwise.

3.5Excavation.

3.5.1 Excavation for plant pits shall not begin before the approved loam backfill is available on the project. 3.5.2 Holes for plant material shall be excavated at the indicated locations and shall be a minimum width or 2 times the root ball diameter. The width of planting pit shall be double that of the root system or ball. Plant pit requirements are shown on the planting detail sheet. 3.5.2.1 Trenching may be ordered for special sites such as long narrow medians. Trenches shall be the same depth of the root ball/potted container. The width of the trench shall be double of the root system or ball. 3.5.3 Surplus excavated material or material unsuitable for backfill or saucer construction shall be removed from the site as soon as practicable or disposed of as ordered. 3.5.4 When rock or boulders over 1/3 cubic yard in size are encountered in digging plant pits, the Contractor shall notify the Engineer, who will change the location of the plants. No excavation of rock or boulders over 1/3 cubic yard in volume will be required. 3.5.5 If topsoil on the planting site is acceptable as loa m, the topsoil encountered in the excavation may be used for loam backfill when it is kept separate from the subsoil. Soil amendments may be required. See 2.12.4. 3.5.6 In certain areas of poor drainage or heavy soil, the Engineer may require that the so il excavated from the plant pit be spread on the ground adjacent to the pit and neatly distributed so as to raise the grade of the area to provide better surface drainage. Where shown on the plans or directed, such pits may also require ditches. When dit ches are required, they shall be included as a part of the cost of the plant. Beds constructed by trench method must be raised sufficiently to permit drainage to flow alon gside and not into the bed. 3.5.7 Where permitted, bare-root evergreens such as seedlings or transplants may be planted in the existing soil. Plant holes must be deep enough to allow room for the full depth of the root without doubling, folding, or pruning, and wide enough to al low room for its normal spread. Plants must be set straight and at the same depth at which they were previously growing. Soil must be firmly compacted around the roots, leaving no air pockets. In heavy grass the Engineer may require that the sod be removed or folded back to a distance of 4 to 6” from the main stem of each plant, or require herbicide treatment in advance of planting.

3.6Setting Plants.

3.6.1 General. 3.6.1.1 Plants shall be set to depths appropriate to the various types of material, local drainage, and the special requirements of each. In general, plants shall be placed on undisturbed soil so that the root crown is even with or slightly higher than the ground level. Roses and budded or grafted plants shall be set at least 3” below their previous earth line or as directed. 3.6.1.2 All trees and shrubs shall be planted plumb. 3.6.1.3 As shown on the planting detail sheets, the ground around the plants shall be graded and rims shall be constructed at the edge of the plant pit for each plant, forming a saucer capable of holding sufficient water to give the root system a good soaking. Saucer rims shall be tamped so as to be durable enough to allow several years of watering if necessary. To prevent the growt h of weeds and noxious grasses, the rims shall be constructed from soil removed from the plant pits. Imported loam for backfill shall not be used in the construction of the plant saucer rims and every effort shall be made to prevent spillage of loam in the pl anting area. 3.6.1.3.1 Saucers shall be inspected and approved by the Engineer prior to placement of mulch.

New Hampshire Department of Transportation Standard Specifications – 2016 3.6.2 Planting and Backfilling Bare-Root Plants. 3.6.2.1 Prepared backfill soil shall be placed in the plant pit to the required minimum depth and very slightly tamped. Plants shall then be placed in the center of the pit and roots properly spread out in a natural position. All broken or damaged roots shall be cleanly cut back to healthy root growth. 3.6.2.2 Backfill soil shall then be carefully worked around and over the roots, with thorough watering. Care shall be taken to avoid the bruising or breaking of roots. 3.6.3 Planting and Backfilling Balled and Burlapped Plants. 3.6.3.1 Plants of this type shall be handled and placed in holes in such a manner that the soil of the ball will not be loosened. After the hole has been partly backf illed and the soil watered under and around the ball, the burlap and ties at the top of the root ball shall be cut away and removed to avoid girdling, and the remaining burlap slit on the sides and adjusted to prevent the formation of air pockets and the b asket cut and loosened. Backfilling and watering shall then be completed in a manner to avoid loosening the soil of the root ball. 3.6.4 Planting and Backfilling Potted Plants. 3.6.4.1 All containers shall be carefully removed prior to planting. Pot-bound material shall be subject to rejection if proper root pruning cannot be accomplished in a manner acceptable to the Engineer.

3.7Fertilizing.

3.7.1 Initial fertilization shall consist of the use of dry fertilizer, water-soluble fertilizer, or a combination of both as permitted. 3.7.1.1 Dry fertilizer, when not included in the loam backfill, including fertilizer for acid -loving plants as appropriate, shall be uniformly mixed with the loam used as backfill about the plants at the following rates:

3.7.1.2 Water-soluble fertilizer, when ordered by the Engineer, including fertilizer for acid-loving plants as appropriate, shall be dissolved in water at the rate recommended by the manufacturer. The thoroughly mixed solution shall be applied at the time of initial planting after the water used for backfill soaking has leached away. Care shall be taken to prevent washing plant saucers away either during the original watering or while applying water-soluble fertilizer. 3.7.1.2.1 The fertilizer solution shall be applied at the following rates:

3.7.2 Refertilization. 3.7.2.1 Unless otherwise ordered, up to two refertilizations sh all be done using a water -soluble fertilizer applied in conjunction with watering or by itself. No refertilization will be allowed between August 1 and plant dorm ancy and between frozen ground and April 1. 3.7.2.2 All plants except seedlings and root plan tings shall be fertilized at least once between April 1 and August 1 with water-soluble fertilizer mixed and applied in accordance with 3.7.1.2 or as directed when applied with a watering. Dry fertilizer for acid-loving plants may be used for such plants provided it is dissolved in sufficient water to make a workable solution and the solution is applied around the outside drip line of the branches at the rate of 1/4 lb/ft. of height of shrub. 3.7.2.3 When the Contract period extends spring to spring, all plants except seedlings and root cuttings shall receive an additional application of fertilizer in the spring prior to Acceptance.

3.8Watering.

3.8.1 Watering equipment shall be on the project prior to planting and shall be available at any time during the life of the project. This equipment shall provide enough water to thoroughly soak the plant material root systems for the entire project within 48 hours. Watering equipment shall be equipped with a regulating device on the end of the hose to provide the operator with the ability to control the flow and pressure of water. Plants shall be watered immediately following planting, preferably when t wo- thirds of the backfill has been placed so all air pockets are removed and the plant properly set. Then a later watering to thoroughly soak the root system shall be performed within 24 hours of planting. Thereafter, watering shall be done every week throughout the growing season unless otherwise directed.

New Hampshire Department of Transportation Standard Specifications – 2016

3.9Guying and Staking.

3.9.1 When required or ordered by the Engineer all trees shall be staked and guyed in a taut manner in accordance with the details shown on the plans as soon as the plant is in place. Guy material shall be loosely secured to the tree to provide fo r growth of the trunk and allow approximately 1” sway in the tree. Hub stakes shall not protrude more than 8” above the ground. 3.9.2 All stakes and guys shall be removed after the establishment period unless otherwise directed .

3.10Antidesiccant Spray.

3.10.1 Antidesiccant spray shall be used when directed.

3.11Pruning.

3.11.1 Pruning of dead or damaged branches shall be done preferably before or immediately after planting in such a manner as to preserve the natural character of each plant. All pruning shall be done by experienced personnel w ith properly conditioned equipment and in keeping with accepted horticultural practice.

3.12Mulching.

3.12.1 Within 48 hours of planting a plant, unless a longer period is allowed, mulch material shall be furnished and placed over all pit or saucer areas of individual trees, shrubs, and vines, and over the entire area of shrub beds to the depth indicated on the plans. Mulch material shall either be bark mulch or wood chips. Saucers shall be inspected prior to placement of mulch or chips.

3.13Restoration and Cleanup.

3.13.1 Where existing grass areas have been damaged or scarred during planting operations, the disturbed areas shall be restored to their original conditions as directed at no additional cost to the Department. Mowing may be required when directed by the Engineer to ensure complete slope restoration. All debris, spoil piles, containers and the like shall be cleaned up and the project left in an acceptable condition after each planting season. All slopes shall be left in a smooth condition with ruts and excavated soils removed and areas regraded as required.

3.14Establishment Period.

3.14.1 The acceptability of the plant material furnished and planted as specified will be determined at the end of the establishment period. The period of establishment shall begin as soon as all plants are planted and shall extend for 1 year or until the date of Acceptance, whichever date is later. During this period, the Contractor shall continuously monitor the condition and general health of the plantings and initiate all horticultural practices necessary to maintain plants in a healthy condition including watering, fertilization, weeding, pesticide application, rodent control, pruning, repairing saucers, adding mulch, adjusting guys and stakes, and replacement of unacceptable plants, together with such other work as may be ordered. At the end of the establishment period, all guys, stakes, and hubs shall be removed, unless otherwise directed. 3.14.1.1 Weeding shall be a minimum of 1 ft. beyond the limit of the saucers. Planting beds shall be weeded in their entirety. 3.14.2 An inspection will be made by the Contractor and the Engineer immediately prior to or early in the planting season following the original planting season to determine the condition of the plant material. Dead plants, diseased plants, plants lacking sufficient vigor, or plants showing evidence of sizable die -back shall be replaced. Unacceptable plant material must be removed promptly from the project. 3.14.3 The Engineer may require that replacement plants that are not dormant or that are planted late in the planting season shall be sprayed as directed with an approved Antidesiccant. 3.14.4 Except as provided in 2.1.1.5, all replacement plantings shall be of the same kind and size as originally specified. The use of more loam and more initial fertilizer may be waived by the Engineer; otherwise, replacement plantings shall be handled , planted, and maintained in the same manner specified for the original plantings.

3.15Herbicides, Insecticides, and Fungicides.

3.15.1 The Engineer may order, or the Contractor may request, the use of an approved herbicide at planting locations when it is determined that the chemical control of weeds is necessary. 3.15.2 The Engineer may order, or the Cont ractor may request, the use of a suitable insecticide or fungicide when it is determined that infestations of insects or plant disease require the use of such material. 3.15.3 All herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides shall be applied as prescribed by their manufacturer and in accordance with New Hampshire laws. The Contractor shall either possess from the New Hampshire Pesticide Control Board the proper registrations and permits for the application of such materials or have the applications made by an approved, qualified firm holding

New Hampshire Department of Transportation Standard Specifications – 2016 such registrations and permits. Copies of all permits in connection with such materials shall be furnished to the Engineer. All pesticide application within the right- of-way or project limits will require a special permit from the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Division of Pesticide Control.

3.16Protection Against Rodents.

3.16.1 Rodent protection is a required part of plant care during the life of the Contract. An approved rodenticide shall be used on all plants that are susceptible to rodent damage. Approval for the proposed rodenticide and for the method of application must be obtained from the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Division of Pesticide Control and copies of the approval shall be furnished to the Engineer. A mixture of wood alcohol and rosin may be used in the absence of an approved rodenticide. Method of Measurement

4.1Plant material will be measured by the number of units of plants in healthy condition, of the specified sizes and species,

furnished and planted.

4.2Landscaping will be measured as a unit. A unit will include furnishing and installing landscaping materials, including all

layout, fertilizing, soil conditioning, staking, guying, watering, excavating, weeding, herbicides, fungicides, pesticides, refertilizing as necessary, replanting as needed, and stake and guy removal after the establishment period, as shown on the plans or as ordered. Basis of Payment

5.1All work performed will be paid for as provided under the appropria te Sections 651 through 659.

5.2When substitutions are approved, payment will be by supplementary agreement.

5.2.1 Any non-bid substitution of collected stock as described in 2.1.1.5 will be subject to a price reduction of 25%.

5.3Excessive damage due to heavy insect infestations, if all reasonable precautions are taken by the Contractor , will be reason

for consideration of extra payment for approved replacements.

5.4The accepted quantity of landscaping unit will be paid for at the Contract lump sum pric e complete in place.

5.4.1 The Contractor shall submit a “ Bill of Materials” for approval in accordance with 105.02 at least three weeks prior to starting the landscaping item. The “ Bill of Materials” shall include a unit price breakdown of planting materials. Once approved, this list will be used as a basis to adjust the landscaping item if substitution of plant material is required. 5.4.1.1 Anticipated shortages in any particular plant material shall be brought to the attention of the Engineer and Roadside Development Section. Upon such discovery, the Contractor shall promptly request plant material substitution in writing. The request shall include at least ten (10) Certified Nursery sources that were contacted for confirmation. The Contractor shall also submit the price of the proposed substitute material. 5.4.1.2 Upon approval of the substitute plant material, the Engineer will adjust the unit price, either increase or decrease, by multiplying the number of substituted plants by the difference between the base plant price and the substituted plant price. The result will then be divided by the unit price to come up with the new adjusted unit. Pay Items and Units:

650.2Landscaping Unit

New Hampshire Department of Transportation Standard Specifications – 2016

Description

This work shall consist of furnishing and planting evergreen trees of the specified size and type at the locations shown or as

ordered. Materials

Materials shall conform to the requirements of 650.2.

Construction Requirements

Construction requirements shall be as prescribed in 650.3.

Method of Measurement

Evergreen trees will be measured as prescribed in 650.4.

Basis of Payment

The accepted quantities of evergreen trees will be paid for at the Contract unit price per each for trees of the specified sizes

and species complete in place. Pay item and unit: 651. (Specific Evergreen Tree) Each