SECTION 917 – LANDSCAPING MATERIALS
917.01 Topsoil
Provide approved topsoil containing no stones, lumps, roots, or similar objects larger than 2 inches in any dimension. Ensure that topsoil meets the following quality standards:
1.Unacceptable Topsoil Sources. Do not obtain topsoil from the following sources:
a.Areas containing chemically contaminated soils.
b.Areas from which the original surface has been stripped or covered over, such as borrow pits, open mines, demolition sites, dumps, and landfills.
c.Wet excavation.
d.Acid producing soils.
2.pH. Provide topsoil that conforms to the pH requirements specified in Table 917.01-1 when tested according to ASTM D 4972. Table 917.01-1 Requirements for pH of Topsoil pH Range Acceptability/Remediation pH < 4.1 Topsoil is unacceptable. 4.1 ≤ pH < 5.8 Add pulverized lime to increase the pH to 6.5 before use. 5.8 ≤ pH < 7.0 Topsoil is acceptable. No remediation needed. 7.0 ≤ pH < 7.2 Decrease pH to at least 6.8 before use.1 pH ≥ 7.2 Topsoil is unacceptable.2
1.Obtain Departmental approval of remediation method to lower pH.
2.The Department may approve the use of existing topsoil stripped from the Project.
3.Organic Content. Ensure that topsoil has a minimum organic content of 2.75 percent by weight. If the organic content is less than 2.75 percent, increase the organic content by adding soil additives, as specified in 917.02, at a rate necessary to attain the minimum organic content. The Department will determine the organic content of soils according to AASHTO T 194, e xcept that the sample is to be taken fro m oven-dried soil passing a No. 10 sieve.
4.Gradation/Particle Size. Provide topsoil conforming to the particle size requirements in Table 917.01-2 and that has no more than 20 percent retained on a No. 10 sieve when mechanically graded. The Department will determine the particle size distribution for the portion of the topsoil passing the No. 10 sieve using hydrometer analysis according to AASHTO T 88. Table 917.01-2 Particle Size Distribution for Topsoil Particle Size Percent Sand (2.0 mm to 0.05 mm) 40 – 80 Silt (0.05 mm to 0.005 mm) 0 – 30 Clay (0.005 mm and smaller) 10 – 301
1.If more than 50 percent of the sand portion is larger than 0.5 millimeters, the allowable range for clay is 15 to 30 percent. The Department will sample all topsoil sources at a rate of at least 1 sample per source to ensure conformance to the requirements. The Department may approve topsoil obtained from stripping even when it does not pass all of the testing quality requirements.
917.02 Soil Additives
917.02.01 Compost
Use compost that is a stable, humus -like organic material produced by the biological and biochemical decomposition of source-separated compostable materials. Materials used in producing compost may include leaves, yard trimmings, food scraps, food processing residuals, manure, other agricultural residuals, forest residues, bark, and paper. Do not add non-organic materials such as sand, soil, or glass to the compost. Ensure that the compost contains no heavy metals or substances toxic to plants and has no objectionable odor. Ensure that the raw materials have decomposed sufficiently to be unrecognizable and that the compost meets the requirements of Table 917.02.01-1. Table 917.02.01-1 Requirements for Compost Property Test Method Requirement Organic Content, minimum ASTM D 2974 30 % Moisture Content ASTM D 2974 35 – 60 % Particle Size (percent passing the 1" sieve) AASHTO T 27 100 % pH TMECC 04.1111 5.5 – 8.0 Maturity Solvita Maturity Test 6 or higher Soluble Salt, maximum Determined using 1 part compost to 1 part distilled water 4.0 mmhos/cm
1.Electrometric pH determination according to the Test Methods for the Examination of Composting and Compost (TMECC) by the US Composting Council Provide compost that is either commercially packaged or in bulk form. Obtain compost material from NJDEP regulated, permitted or approved facilities. For shipments of compost, provide delivery tickets with the certified weight and the name of the producer or supplier. The Department may take samples to verify the organic content, pH, and water content.
917.02.02 Fertilizer
Use fertilizer for establishing tu rf and sod that is a minimum 20 percent slow release nitrogen that matches the needs determined by soil testing in accordance with P.L 2010, Chapter 112. If the fertilizer is to be applied with mechanical spreader in dry form, ensure that a minimum of 75 percent passes a No. 8 sieve, a minimum of 75 percent is retained on a No. 16 sieve, and the maximum free moisture content is 2 percent. With each delivery of fertilizer, provide a delivery ticket showing the weight and a certified chemical analysis of the composition of the fertilizer from the manufacturer.
917.02.03 Pulverized Limestone
Use pulverized limestone composed of more than 85 percent calcium and magnesium carbonates equivalent to more than 40 percent calcium and magnesium oxides. With each delivery of pulverized limestone, provide a delivery ticket indicating its weight and a certified analysis of the chemical composition and gradation, including calcium and magnesium oxide equivalents.
917.03 Seed Mixtures
917.03.01 Grass Seed Mixtures
Provide grass seed mixtures that are not older than the sell by date and that conform to the requirements specified in Table 917.03.01-1 through Table 917.03.01-7. Table 917.03.01-1 Type A Grass Seed Mixture Kind of Seed Minimum Purity, Percent Minimum Germination, Percent Percent of Total Weight of Mixture Kentucky Bluegrass 85 75 20 Red Fescues (Creeping or Chewings) 95 80 35 Kentucky 31 95 80 20 Redtop 92 85 10 Perennial Ryegrass 98 85 10 White Clover 97 90 5 Table 917.03.01-2 Type A-3 Grass Seed Mixture Kind of Seed Minimum Purity, Percent Minimum Germination, Percent Percent of Total Weight of Mixture Tall Fescue 95 80 60 Kentucky Bluegrass 85 75 10 Chewing or Hard Fescue 95 85 20 Perennial Ryegrass 98 85 10 Table 917.03.01-3 Type A-4 Grass Seed Mixture Kind of Seed Minimum Purity, Percent Minimum Germination, Percent Percent of Total Weight of Mixture Spreading Fescue 95 80 30 Chewing or Hard Fescue 95 85 30 Kentucky Bluegrass 85 75 30 Perennial Rye 98 85 10 Table 917.03.01-4 Type B Grass Seed Mixture Kind of Seed Minimum Purity, Percent Minimum Germination, Percent Percent of Total Weight of Mixture Redtop 92 85 10 Red Fescues (Creeping or Chewings) 95 80 55 Blackwells Switchgrass 95 85 15 Perennial Ryegrass 98 85 5 Kentucky 31 95 80 15 Table 917.03.01-5 Type D Grass Seed Mixture Kind of Seed Minimum Purity, Percent Minimum Germination, Percent Percent of Total Weight of Mixture Kentucky Bluegrass 85 75 50 Red Fescues (Creeping or Chewings) 95 85 35 Redtop 92 85 5 Perennial Ryegrass 95 80 10 Table 917.03.01-6 Type F Grass Seed Mixture Kind of Seed Minimum Purity, Percent Minimum Germination, Percent Perennial Ryegrass 95 90 Table 917.03.01-7 Type W Wetland Grass Seed Mixture Kind of Seed Minimum Purity, Percent Minimum Germination, Percent Percent of Total Weight of Mixture Blackwell Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) 95 85 25 Virginia Wildrye (Elymus virginicus) 95 85 25 Red Top (Agrostis alba) 92 85 25 Annual Rye (Lolium multiflorum) 85 85 25
917.03.02 Wildflower Seed Mixture
Provide a wildflower seed mix prepared by an established and reputable seed company employing professional seed consultants that conforms to the following requirements:
1.Contains a mixture of 15 - 20 predominantly native species suitable for the appropriate geological region and specific site conditions.
2.Contains a combination of annuals (minimum 1, maximum 5 species) and perennials (fall se eding will not require annuals).
3.Contains species providing a food source for pollinators.
4.Has a purity of 95 - 99 percent and a minimum germination rate of 85 percent.
5.Has an application rate of 8 - 24 pounds per acre depending on actual seed mixture composition and as recommended by the seed consultant.
6.Contains sheep fescue at the rate of 1/4 pound per 1/2 pound of wildflower.
917.03.03 Shipment and Certification
With each shipment of seed mixture, provide a certified weigh ticket and an analysis of the composition, purity, germination, germination test date, and sell by date of the seed mixture, certified by the seed house. The Department may sample and test seed according to the New Jersey State Seed Law and with the Rules and Regulations for Testing Seeds adopted by the Association of Official Seed Analysts.
917.04 Mulch
917.04.01 Straw
Use straw that is derived from threshed, unrotted stalks of oat, wheat, rye, or barley and that is relatively free from seeds, noxious weeds, and other foreign material.
917.04.02 Wood Cellulose Fiber
Use wood cellulose fiber containing no growth or germination inhibiting materials. With each shipment, provide a manufacturer’s certification indicating composition and weight.
917.04.03 Shredded Wood and Wood Chip
Use shredded wood mulch produced by a shredding machine that produces a wood particl e varying in size from 5/8 to 3 inches, or use wood chip mulch produced by a wood chipping machine that produces a wood particle varying in size from 5/8 to 3 inches. Ensure that the shredded wood mulch and wood chip mulch are clean, hard, and not decomposed and contain no leaves, twigs, wood shavings, dirt, stones, toxic material, or other foreign material. Do not use wood pallets, chemically treated wood, or materials from building demolition to produce mulch. Ensure that the pH is above 3.0. Submit samples of shredded or wood chip mulch before delivery to the Project. The Department will visually inspect each shipment of shredded or wood chip mulch. Obtain the Department’s approval before using wood mulch that is produced within the Project Limits. With each shipment, provide a delivery ticket and a certification that the material was not derived from wood pallets, chemically treated wood, or material from building demolition.
917.04.04 Shredded Hardwood Bark
Use shredded hardwood bark mulch derived from the bark of hardwood trees. Ensure that it contains no leaves, twigs, wood shavings, dirt, stones, weed seeds, toxic material, or other foreign material. With each shipment, provide a delivery ticket indicating source and weight of the shredded hardwood bark.
917.04.05 Stone
For stone mulch, use coarse aggregate No. 4, as specified in 901.03.01. Before use, submit a sample for the Department’s approval of size and color. With each shipment, provide a delivery ticket indicating source and weight of the stone mulch.
917.04.06 Gravel
For gravel mulch, use an uncrushed washed gravel No. 4, as specified in 901.03.02. Before use, submit a sample for the Department’s approval of size and color. With each shipment, provide a delivery ticket indicating source and weight of the gravel mulch.
917.05 Tackifiers
Provide one of the following tackifiers for straw mulch:
1.Synthetic Plastic Emulsion. Use synthetic plastic emulsion that is miscible with all normally available water when diluted to any proportions, is not soluble or dispersible in water after drying, and remains tacky until the grass seed has germinated. Ensure that the plastic binder is physiologically harmless and does not have phytotoxic or crop-damaging properties.
2.Vegetable Based Gels. Vegetable based gels are naturally occurring powder -based hydrophilic additives formulated to produce gels and form membrane networks of water insoluble polymers after curing. Ensure that the vegetable gel is physiologically harmless and does not have phytotoxic or crop-damaging properties.
917.06 Topsoil Stabilization Matting
917.06.01 Type 1 Mat
Provide Type 1 Mats conforming to the following:
1.Excelsior Mat. Provide wood excelsior, 48 ± 1 inch in width and weighing 0.8 po unds per square yard ±5 percent that is covered on both sides wi th a biodegradable netting to facilitate handling and to increase strength.
2.Jute or Coconut Fiber (Coir) Mat. Provide a cloth of a uniform plain weave of undyed and unbleached single jute or coir yarn, 48 ± 1 inch in width and weighing an average of 1. 2 pounds per linear yard of cloth with a tolerance of ±5 percent, with approximately 78 warp ends per width of cloth and 41 weft ends per linear yard of cloth. Ensure that the yarn is of a loosely twisted construction having an ave rage twist of not less t han 1.6 turns per inch and does not vary in thickness by more than one-half its normal diameter.
917.06.02 Type 2 Mat – Erosion Control Mulch Blanket
Provide a machine-produced mat of organic, biodegradable mulch material, such as straw, coconut fiber, or other approved materials that is covered on both sides with a 1/2 × 1/2 inch photodegradable polypropylene mesh netting. Ensure that the mesh contains an accelerant that will cause breakdown of the mesh within 6 months. Ensure that the Type 2 mat conforms to the property values specified in Table 917.06.02-1. Table 917.06.02-1 Requirements for Type 2 Mat Property Test Method Minimum Requirement Mass per Unit Area of Blanket ASTM D 5261 0.5 lb/yd2 Performance @ shear stress of 1.75 lb/ft2 ASTM D 6460 acceptable Breaking Force ASTM D 5035 75 lb/ft
917.06.03 Type 3 Mat – Turf Reinforcement Mat (TRM)
Provide a machine -produced, 3 dimensional matrix of UV stabilized, pre - or post-consumer, non-degradable synthetic fibers, filaments, nettings, and/or wire mesh designed for permanent and critical hydraulic applications where design discharge velocities and shear stresses exceed the li mits of mature, natural vegetation. Ensure that the TRM provides sufficient thickness, strength and void space to allow soil filling or retention and the development of vegetation within the matrix. Ensure that the TRM conforms to the property values specified in Table 917.06.03-1. Table 917.06.03-1 Requirements for TRM Property Test Method Minimum Requirement Thickness ASTM D 6525 0.25 in. Performance @ shear stress of 10.0 lb/ft2 ASTM D 6460 acceptable Breaking Force ASTM D 6818 175 lb/ft UV Stability @ 500 hours ASTM D 4355 80 %
917.06.04 Type 4 Mat – Mechanically Bonded Fiber Matrix (MBFM)
Provide a hydraulically applied, flexible erosion control blanket composed of long strand, thermally processed wood fibers, crimped, interlocking fibers, and performance enhancing additives. Ensure that the MBFM requires no curing period, and upon application, forms an intimate bond with the soil surface, creating a continuous, porous, absorbent erosion resistant blanket that allows for rapid germination and accelerated plant growth. Ensure that the MBFM conforms to the property values specified in Table 917.06.04-1. Table 917.06.04-1 Requirements for MBFM Property Test Method Minimum Requirement Physical Mass Per Unit Area ASTM D 6566 11.5 oz/yd2 Thickness ASTM D 6525 0.19 in Percent Light Penetration ASTM D 6567 99 % Water Holding Capacity ASTM WK 2652 1,500 % Color (fugitive dye) Observed Green Endurance Functional Longevity Observed 1 yr Performance Cover Factor (6 in/hr event) ECTC Test Method No. 2 0.0066 Percent Effectiveness ECTC Test Method No. 2 99.34 % Shear Stress ECTC Test Method No. 3 1 lb/ft2
917.07 Sod
Machine cut sod at a uniform soil thickness of 5/8 - 3/4 inch at the time of cutting. Exclude top growth and thatch when measuring for thickness. Ensure that individual strips of sod are of a uniform width. The Department may reject broken strips and torn or uneven strips. If using strip sod, ensure that the strips of sod are strong enough to support their own weight and retain their size and shape when suspended vertically from the upper 10 percent of the strip. If using rolled sod, ensure that the sod is strong enough to be mechanically laid and adjusted without tearing. Use sod that is Kentucky Bluegrass blend or Kentucky Bluegrass-fescue blend, fescue blend or as specified in the Special Provisions, inspected and certified by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. Fasten sod on slopes using pegs of wood lath or similar pieces of wood that are at least 9 inches long. Submit certification at the time of delivery that lists the blend of grass seed used.
917.08 Plant Materials
A.Nomenclature. Plant materials are trees, shrubs, vines, seedlings, ground covers, perennials, bulbs, corms, tubers, ornamental grasses, and other plants conforming to the Amer ican Standard for Nursery Stock (ANSI Z60.1) sponsored by the American Nursery and Landscape Association. Hortus III is the authority for all plant names. Ensure that all plants are legibly labeled with their botanical names, including English name, genus, species, variety, and cultivar.
B.Quality Requirements. All plant material shall be grown in the same Plant Hardiness Zone as the project location according to the 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Ensure that the plant materials are healthy, vigorous, and true to species, variety, and cultivar, with well -developed branch and root systems typical of the genus, species, variety, and cultivar. Use plant materials that are free from disfiguring knots, gall, sun scald injuries, bark abrasions, fresh or healed mechanical wounds, or other objectionable disfigurements. Ensure that the average plant size falls within the middle of the allowable size range. The Department will reject plant materials that are weak or thin or that have been cut back from larger grades. Ensure that container-grown plants are well established in the container and have a root mass that will retain its shape and hold together when removed from the container, but that does not exhibit circling or kinked roots. Do not use collect ed or salvaged plant material except as specified. Provide certifications to the RE that the plant materials were inspected for diseases and infestation according to the applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules and regulations.
1.Trees. Ensure that the following quality standards are met:
a.Tree crowns are well balanced, symmetrical, and typical for the genus, species, and cultivar.
b.Trees have a single, relatively straight, central leader and tapered trunks and are free of co-dominant stems and vigorous upright branches that compete with the central leader. Ensure that if the original leader has been headed, a new leader at least 1/2 the diameter of the original leader is present.
c.Main branches exhibit uniform scaffoldin g both radially around and vertically along the trunk, are well spaced with diameters no greater than 2/3 the diameter of the trunk measured 1 inch above the branch, and are free of included bark.
d.Trunk diameters and tapers are sufficient so that the tr ees will remain vertical without the support of a nursery stake.
e.Root collars (root crowns) and large roots are free of circling or kinked roots.
2.Shrubs. Ensure that the following quality standards are met:
a.Shrubs have the correct number of canes for the genus, species, cultivar and size, and are not several individual plants combined to appear as one plant.
b.Branches and canes are strong enough to support themselves.
c.Roots are well developed and free of circling or kinks.
d.Container grown plants are transplanted and grown in the same container for a sufficient period of time so that new fibrous roots have developed and the root mass will retain its shape and hold together when removed from the container.
3.Perennial Plants. Ensure that the following quality standards are met:
a.Provide bulbs, corms, and tubers that are firm, free of rot and disease, and were not previously frozen.
b.For Hemerocallis, provide plants that are established and have 1 to 2 fan divisions with a heavy root system. Ensure that container grown plants were transplanted and grown in the same container for a sufficient period of time so that new fibrous roots have developed and the root mass will retain its shape and hold together when removed from the container.
c.For Narcissus, provide bulbs that are, at a minimum, large size grade designated as DNII or RDII.
d.For other perennials , flowers, and ornamental grasses, provide plants according to the supplier’s recommendations for each individual cultivar. Ensure th at plants are established plants and are a single species plant grown, or transplanted and grown, in the same container for a sufficient period of time so that fibrous roots have developed and so that the root mass will retain its shape and hold together w hen removed from the container.
C.Substitutions. To request substitutions, provide written verification to the Department that an attempt was made to locate the contract item at a minimum of 9 different nursery sources that would normally supply the item , but that the item was found to be unavailable for planting for each available optimum planting season before the Completion. Upon receipt of the documentation, the Department may allow alternates for unavailable plant materials. Do not make substitutions without the Department’s approval.
D.Ball Sizes for Nursery Grown Trees and Shrubs. Ensure that the ball sizes of nursery grown trees and shrubs conform to the requirements specified in Table 917.08-1 through Table 917.08-5. Table 917.08-1 Required Ball Sizes of Shade Trees and Deciduous Shrubs Shade Trees Deciduous Shrubs Caliper (inches) Minimum Diameter (inches) Height (feet) Minimum Diameter (inches) 1/2 – 3/4 12 1 – 1 1/2 8 3/4 – 1 14 1 1/2 – 2 9 1 – 1 1/4 16 2 – 3 10 1 1/4 – 1 1/2 18 3 – 4 12 1 1/2 – 1 3/4 20 4 – 5 14 1 3/4 – 2 22 5 – 6 16 2 – 2 1/2 24 6 – 7 18 2 1/2 – 3 28 7 – 8 20 3 – 3 1/2 32 8 – 9 22 3 1/2 – 4 38 9 – 10 24 4 – 4 1/2 42 10 – 11 26 4 1/2 – 5 48 – – 5 – 5 1/2 54 – – Table 917.08-2 Required Ball Sizes of Small Trees Height (feet) Minimum Diameter (inches) Caliper (inches) Minimum Diameter (inches) 1 1/2 – 2 10 3/4 – 1 16 2 – 3 12 1 – `1 1/2 18 3 – 4 13 1 1/2 – 1 20 4 – 5 15 3/4 22 5 – 6 16 1 3/4 – 2 24 6 – 7 18 2 – 2 1/2 28 7 – 8 20 2 1/2 – 3 32 8 – 9 22 3 – 3 1/2 38 9 – 10 24 3 1/2 – 4 42 10 – 12 26 4 – 4 1/2 48 – – 4 1/2 – 5 54 – – 5 – 5 1/2 – Table 917.08-3 Required Ball Sizes of Columnar Conifers Regular Growing Type Rapid Growing Type Height (feet) Minimum Diameter (inches) Height (feet) Minimum Diameter (inches) 1 – 1 1/2 10 1 – 2 8 1 1/2 – 2 10 2 – 3 9 2 – 3 12 3 – 4 11 3 – 4 13 4 – 5 12 4 – 5 14 5 – 6 14 5 – 6 16 6 – 7 16 6 – 7 18 – – 7 – 8 20 – – 8 – 9 22 – – 9 – 10 24 – – 10 – 12 27 – – 12 – 14 30 – – 14 – 16 33 – – 16 – 18 36 – – 18 – 20 40 – – Table 917.08-4 Required Ball Sizes of Conifers and Broadleaf Evergreens Spreading, Semi-Spreading, and Globe or Dwarf Type Conical and Broad Upright Type Height (feet) Minimum Diameter (inches) Height (feet) Minimum Diameter (inches) 3/4 – 1 8 1 1/2 – 2 10 1 – 1 1/4 9 2 – 3 12 1 1/4 – 1 1/2 10 3 – 4 14 1 1/2 – 2 10 4 – 5 16 2 – 2 1/2 12 5 – 6 20 2 1/2 – 3 14 6 – 7 22 3 – 3 1/2 16 7 – 8 24 3 1/2 – 4 18 8 – 9 27 4 – 5 21 9 – 10 30 5 – 6 24 10 – 12 34 6 – 7 28 12 – 14 38 7 – 8 32 14 – 16 42 8 – 9 36 16 – 18 46 – – 18 – 20 50 Table 917.08-5 Container Sizes Container Minimum Diameter (inches) Minimum Depth (inches) 4 " 4 4 No. 1 7 7 No. 2 8 9 No. 3 10 10 No. 5 11 10 No. 7 12 14 No. 10 15 15 No. 15 17 15
E.Ball Sizes for Collected Trees and Shrubs. Ensure that the ball sizes of collected trees and shrubs are greater than or equal to that specified for the next larger size for nursery grown trees and shrubs. Consider trees grown in plantations, reforestation plantations, or without the benefit of root pruning as collected material, and ball and burlap the trees as specified for collected trees.
F.Ball Depths. Ensure that balls are of sufficient depth to encompass the fibrous and feeding root system necessary for the full recovery of the plant and conform to the requirements specified in Table 917.08-6. Table 917.08-6 Required Ball Depths Diameter of ball1, inches Up to 20 Over 20 to 30 Over 30 to 48 Minimum depth of ball1, percentage of diameter 75 67 60
1.Dimensions may vary according to site and type of plant material as provided in the American Standard for Nursery Stock.
G.Plant Support Materials. Provide the following materials, as necessary, to support plants during the establishment period:
1.Posts. Use white cedar posts that have a diameter of not less than 2 or more than 3 inches at the thinner end, or use wooden posts that have a nominal size of 2 × 2 inches, of solid, reasonably knot free lumber. Ensure that the length of either post is one-half the height of the plant to be supported, plus a minimum of 2 feet for setting in the ground, except the maximum overall length of any post is 8 feet.
2.Wood Guy Stakes. Use wood guy stakes with a nominal size 2 × 4 inch lumber with a minimum length of 2 feet of solid and reasonably knot free wood, or use 2 1/2 inch diameter white cedar with a minimum length of 2 feet. Measure the diameter of the cedar stakes at the thinner end. Ensure that the stakes are pointed on the thinner end. Notch guy stakes 4 inches from the top for fastening the guy wires.
3.Guy Wire. Use 14 gauge steel wire for guy wire.
4.Hose. Use 1/2 inch OD black corded-rubber hose.
5.Tree Protectors. Use one of the following tree protectors:
a.Plastic, wrap-around-the-trunk type, dark brown, dark gray, or dark green in color.
b.Wire mesh, 1/4 × 1/4 inch m esh, forming a 6 inch diameter cylinder around the trunk, with the abutting edges fastened together with wire.
H.Inspection. Inspect and seal all plants with serialized cargo seals in the nursery before they are shipped. If requested by the Department, make the following available for inspection:
1.Containerized plants before shipping and in-ground plants before digging.
2.Delivered plants.
3.Plants during installation. The Department may inspect plant materials b efore delivery to the Project Limits and upon delivery to the Project Limits before installation. The Department may seal the inspected plant materials. For plant material originating from nurseries further than 100 miles from the Project Limits, stock plant material at a Contractor-provided holding yard that is acceptable to the Department. The Department may inspect plant material originating from nurseries within 100 miles of the Project Limits at the nursery. Ensure that all plant material is untied and located so that trunk or stem and branch structure can be easily inspected. Provide sufficient notice to allow Department inspection at the nursery or holding yard and to allow time for Contractor reordering of rejected material. Notify the RE at le ast 72 hours, unless otherwise specified in the Special Provisions, in advance of delivery to the Project Limits for installation. The Department may reject materials arriving with broken or missing seals, broken or loose balls, broken or pruned leaders, insufficient protection, or that have been damaged in transit. The Department may randomly inspect the root system of the plant material by breaking open the earth balls. Provide necessary assistance during Department inspections.
I.Shipment. Ensure that deciduous materials have sufficient root systems for the size and species and are completely dormant (this varies by species) when they are dug. To prevent injury to fibrous roots, carefully dig plant materials immediately before shipment. Ball and burlap plant material marked “B&B” on the Plans. Ensure that the following plant materials are drum laced or machine dug with wire baskets:
1.Shade trees – 1 1/4 inch caliper and larger.
2.Small trees – 1 1/2 inch caliper and larger.
3.Columnar conifers – 6 feet and taller.
4.Spreading, semi-spreading, and globe or dwarf type conifers – 42 inches in diameter and larger.
5.Conical and broad upright type conifers – 5 feet and taller.
6.Spreading, semi-spreading, and globe or dwarf type broadleaf evergreens – 42 inches spread and larger.
7.Conical and broad upright type broadleaf evergreens – 42 inches and taller. Use biodegradable materials for burlapping and tying. Do not use non -biodegradable materials such as plastic or nylon. Wire baskets will be removed during planting. Protect material that is shipped in open vehicles to prevent desiccation from exposure to the wind and sun. Adequately ventilate material shipped in enclosed vans or boxcars. At time of delivery, provi de a delivery ticket indicating the date and origin of shipment, and the botanical names, sizes, grades, and the quantities of plants. Provide a nursery certification that the plants are true to specified genus, species, and variety, and are of the specif ied size and quality. For Hemerocallis, Narcissus, bulbs, corms, tubers, roots, rhizomes, and other perennials, provide supplier’s certification of botanical name, including genus, species, variety, and cultivar. The Department will verify the variety and cultivar before use on location.
917.09 Miscellaneous Landscape Materials
917.09.01 Disinfectant
Use methyl alcohol at 70 percent (denatured wood alcohol diluted appropriately with water) or commercial bleach.
917.09.02 Antidesiccant
Use a polyvinyl antidesiccant.
917.09.03 Herbicides
Use a glyphosate based herbicide. Apply herbicides according to N.J.A.C 7:30-1 et seq.
917.09.04 Water Retaining Polymer
Provide water retaining polymers comprised of polyacrylamide polymer granules intended to be used as a planting backfill or topsoil amendment to absorb and release water to reduce the frequency of watering.
Referenced in this section
Landscaping Materials in other states
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Source: Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2019 (rev. 2022-12-21) Edition. Pages 533–544 of 651. View official source ↗