212Landscape and Aesthetics

212.01.01 General. The work consists of constructing landscape and aesthetic features.

MATERIALS

212.02.01 General. Material shall conform to the following Section:

Roadside Materials ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. Section 726

212.02.02 Nomenclature. Nomenclature for plant names and varieties shall be according to the latest edition

of “Standardized Plant Names” as prepared by the American Joint Committee on Horticultural Nomenclature. Plants will be grouped as follows: Plants , Group A ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............. containerized plant material Plants, Group B ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. balled and burla pped plant material Plants, Group C ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... ground cover * The size of containerized plant material will be indicated in the description of the particular bid item. For example, Plants (Group A -2) denotes a #2 Container Size, Plants (Group A -5) a #5 Container Size, and so on.

212.02.03 Quality of Plant Materials. Provide plant material meeting the standards as set forth herein.

During inspections plant material will be judged and rejections will be based upon these standards. Plants shall comply with Federal and State laws requiring inspection for plant diseases and infestations. Inspection certificates required by law shall accompany each shipment of plants. Submit inspection certificates upon plant delivery. Plant material shall be per the standards of the American Standards for Nursery Stock and shall be symme trical, typical for variety and species, sound, healthy, vigorous, free from plant disease, insect pests or their eggs, mechanical injury (trunk or bark wounds), excessive abrasions, or other disfigurements, and shall have healthy, normal root systems, wel l fitting their containers, but not to the point of being root bound. Roots that are kinked girdling, circling or J roots will be rejected. Plant material shall be sturdy and well hardened off. Trees and shrubs shall not be pruned prior to delivery. Trees with damaged, cut , or topped central leaders will not be accepted. P lant material shall have normally well developed branch systems with undamaged straight central leader and well balanced tops. Trees grown staked in a nursery will not be accepted unless stakes have been removed for a minimum of two years before the trees are dug from the nursery. A certification of this condition shall be provided at or before delivery of trees to the site. Plant nomenclature shall be defined by the Plant Schedule or Pla nt Legend located on the plans. Plants shall be the variety and size shown . Plants shall be tagged with their botanical and common plant name. Plants shall be grown under climate conditions similar to those in the locality of the project, including USDA Zo ne. Plants will be evaluated for root condition , size (above ground) , insects, insect eggs, larva , disease free condition , general appearance (color, shape, prior pruning) , damage from shipping including broken branches , and i dentifi cation tags. A deficie ncy in any one of these elements will be sufficient reason to reject selectively or by lot.

212.02.04 Handling and Shipping. Pack plants for shipment according to standard practice for the type of

plant being shipped. Do not allow the root system of plant s to dry out at any time. Protect plants at all times against heat, freezing temperatures, sun, winds, climatic, and seasonal conditions during transit. Furnish plant material in containers unless otherwise specified. Handle all plants specified balled and burlapped (B&B) by the ball of earth and not the plant. Broken or “made” balls , or balled and burlapped plants placed in a larger container will not be accepted. Supply container grown plants well developed with sufficient root development to hold the earth intact after removal from the container without being root bound. 212 LANDSCAPE AND AESTHETICS 114 Plant material, except bareroot plants, shall be hardened material. Accomplish this by storing plants in a local licensed commercial nursery or by providing equivalent storage and care w ith written approval, for not less than 2 weeks before planting. Before moving plants from nursery or storage area to the site, thoroughly spray them with a solution of an anti-desiccant/anti -transpirant conforming to the following requirements:

212.02.05 I nspection of Plant Material. Provide notification within 60 days following award of the contract, of

the source of plant material. Include a statement from the supplier that the order was received and accepted by said supplier. Include in this statement , plant species, container sizes , and estimated of delivery dates . Inspection of plant materials at the source may be required before shipping of plants from the nursery. This inspection shall coordinate the judgment areas regarding size and quality of plant material between the Department, the Contractor, and the Nursery. However, there will be no acceptance of any plant material during this inspection. Plant material will be inspected on arrival at the storage area. Give notification at least 48 hours prior to plant material delivery to arrange for inspection. This inspection will determine the acceptance or rejection of the plant material based on quality as specified in Subsection s 212.02.03 and 212.02.04 . This inspection is for quality of plant material a nd does not constitute final acceptance. Immediately remove rejected plants from the holding area and supply replace ments .

212.02.06 Substitution of Plants. Do not substitute plant material unless evidence is submitted in writing

from at least 3 suppliers that a specified plant cannot be obtained and has been unobtainable since the award of the contract. Substitutions will only be allowed with written approval prior to shipment and at no additional cost to the Departm ent.

212.02.07 Temporary Storage. Imme diately plant the material delivered and accepted. “Heel -in” plants that

cannot be planted within one day after arrival according to accepted horticultural practice, and as follows:

212.02.08 Pre -emergent. Pre-emergent herbicide shall be a non -selective pre -emergent herbicide,

appropriate for the season. Apply pre -emergent herbicide before and after installation of decorative rock. For existing weed growth, treat areas with an approved herbicide. Use pre -emergent products that s hall control the growth and spreading of the Russian Thistle (Salsola species). Submit product data for approval prior to using in the areas specified herein.

212.02.09 Lumber. Lumber for header boards and plant boxes shall conform to Section 718.

CONSTR UCTION

212.03.01 Site Preparation. Complete work on roadway construction, drainage facilities, cleaning , and

grading before beginning preparation of the planting areas. LANDSCAPE AND AESTHETICS 212 115 After final grading operations have been completed and prior to planting , add fertiliz ers and amendments at the rates specified in the Special Provisions .

212.03.02 Layout of Planting and M ulch. Designate by means of stakes or other approved markings, the

ground location of each random plant and edge location of planting beds and mulch areas. Mark areas of massed or uniform solid plantings at their outer extremes only. Allow 48 hours for review, modification, and approval of layout prior to commencement of the preparation of planting areas. M ake revisions to layout as directed.

212.03.03 Preparation of Planting Areas. Remove clods, rocks, or other debris over 25 mm (1 in.) in largest

dimension from both cultivated areas and backfill material, and dispose of according to Subsection 107.14. Load, haul, and dispose of any unsuitable material. The cost of disposing unsuitable material will be paid as extra work as provided in Subsection 104.03.

212.03.04 Planting. Do not plant any area until receiving written approval that the area concerned has been

satisfactorily prepared. Submit a schedule for plant installation for approval. Submit a monthly summary o f completed plant installation. In mixed planting areas, plant tree s first, then follow with larger shrubs, low shrubs, and ground covers last. Do not distribute more plants in the project area on any one day than can be planted and watered on that day. Planting done in soil that is too wet, too dry, or not properly con ditioned as provided herein will not be accepted. Planting work shall be suspended until the soil is satisfactory. Gently remove plants from the container and loosen compacted roots. Place plant in the hole. Set plants upright, plumb, and faced to give th e best appearance or relationship to each other or adjacent structure. Orient plant graft unions to face north. Trees shall stand vertical prior to staking. Set p lants so that each plant bear s the same relation to soil level when planted as it did when in container or with root crown or flare 10% above finished grade. Place each plant in the center of the plant pit. Handle canned, boxed , and ball and burlap plants by container, root ball , or wire basket only. Use straps or hooks connected to container, roo t ball , or wire basket to lower trees into hole. Do not allow metal objects from construction equipment to come in contact with tree trunks at any time. Set and plumb tree first, then using bolt cutters and utility knife, remove wire basket and burlap. Maintain intact root ball. Do not plant material s if the root ball is broken or cracked either before or during the process of planting. Once set, the root ball shall be scored to a depth of 2 5 mm (1 in.) to prevent circling roots. Do not use frozen or muddy mixtures for backfilling. Tamp soil at 50% total backfill depth and water before adding more soil. Bring plant pit to grade with soil mix and form a water basin 100 mm (4 in.) in height of soil around the edge of each planting pit to retain water. Tree water basins shall be 1 m (3 ft) in diameter. Shrub water basins shall be 0.3 m (1 ft) in diameter. Grade basin s so that water collects at the edge of the basin. Water soil within water basin and fill all voids. Cover basin with wood chip mulch as show n and specified. Keep bark 100 mm (4 in.) away from trunk. Do not cover trunk collar with mulch. Furnish and install paper tree wrap on all deciduous trees and w rap from trunk collar to first branch if showing sun or trunk damage. Plants that show signs of failure to grow normally or which are so injured or damaged as to render them unsuitable for the purpose intended will be rejected. Immediately remove and replace rejected plants with approved plants. Apply pre -emergent herbicide to all areas after pl anting is completed.

212.03.05 Staking and Guying. Perform staking and guying concurrently with the planting operation .

Fabricate stakes from cedar, redwood , lodgepole pine , or as approved.

212.03.06 Pruning . Perform pruning as directed before plant materials are brought to the jobsite and planting

areas. Do not prune evergreen coniferous plants except as directed. Perform removal of dead leaves from ground cover plants before these plants are brought to the planting areas. While retaining natural growth shape characteristics of species , remove all damaged branches after planting. Do not remove or cut central leader. Prune according to Standard of the National Arborists Association. Exercise extreme caution while pruning trees to prevent spread of vascular diseases. Dip pruning tools in sterilizing agent before beginning pruning and before m oving from one tree to another.

212.03.07 Watering. If water is available from a new or existing State -owned irrigation system within the

limits of the project, it may be obtained from such system free of charge. Where water is not available from such State -owned facility, furnish and apply water and pay all costs involved. Keep valves at meters closed at all times, except while the irrigation system is actually in use. Prevent water from wetting vehicles, pedestrians, and pavement. Repair any erosion, slippage, or settlement of the soil caused by watering. 212 LANDSCAPE AND AESTHETICS 118 Water shall be free of oil, acid, salts or other substances which are harmful to plants. The source shall be as approved prior to use. Water all existing and proposed plants during construction to keep plants in a healthy, thriving condition.

212.03.0 8 Fertilizers and Additives . When fertilizers or additives are called for, apply them at the rates and

as speci fied in the contract documents.

212.03.09 Plant Establishment Work. This work consists of replacement of plants, fertilizing, pruning,

edging, mulching , weeding, trash removal, and watering all of the landscape areas, plant materials , and seeded or hydro -seeded areas in a vigorous and healthy condition in accordance with generally accepted horticultural practices and general main tenance as specified herein. The plant establishment period will begin at such time as all landscaping, planting , and seeding operations have been accomplished, all other work has been completed, and the project is in a neat and clean condition . The Engi neer may establish separate dates for the start of the plant establishment periods based on acceptance of portions of the landscape installation. The plant establishment period shall run from the beginning date established by the Engineer for a period of one year. Submit a schedule of plant establishment activities, manpower , and equipment for approval before starting establishment activities. Provide monthly , a summary of plant establishment activities completed, including man hours expended. Notificat ion will be given in writing of the start of the plant establishment period and statements will be furnished regarding days credited to the plant establishment period after said notification. Failure on any day to adequately perform required plant establishment work will not be credited as one of the plant establishment days. No extension of contract time will be granted beyond the final completion date by reason of failing to perform plant establishment work on days when such work is necessary. All plants and seeded or hydro -seeded areas shall be watered regularly, as needed, through the end of the plant establishment period using clean potable water from a portable or temporary source to hand apply water to plants. Individually water all plants avoiding over -spray and erosion onto adjacent mulched areas. Keep all plants watered as provided in Subsection 212.03.07. Make irrigation adjustments as directed. Prune or head back trees and shrubs when directed. Use pruning standards accepted by the In ternational Society of Arboriculture or the National Arborist Association. Remove and replace in kind all plants that show signs of failure to grow normally or which are so injured or damaged as to render them unsuitable for the purpose intended, as direc ted. Work will be inspected on the first or second working day of each week during the plant establishment period, and all plants to be replaced will be marked or otherwise indicated. Complete replacement of such plants within 2 weeks of notification. Use plants pre-approved for replacements. LANDSCAPE AND AESTHETICS 212 119 Maintain the entire area within the project limits free of weeds. Implement the noxious weed abatement plan which conforms to the Nevada Revised Statu te (NRS 555). Do not allow any noxious weeds and/or Cheatgrass (Brom us tectorum), Russian Thistle or Tumbleweed (Salsola sp.) and Tall Whitetop (Lepidium sp.) to flower or set seed within the project area. Remove weeds by hand or with herbicides approved for use on the QPL and apply accord ing to the manufacturer’s directio ns. The only vegetation to remain shall be seeded or planted material and existing native vegetation identified to remain. Maintain water basins, rake rivulets and gullies, check trees for vertical alignment, adjust or replace stakes, guys, bracing , and t ies as necessary. Spray or dust with appropriate insecticides, miticides, and fungicides as necessary to maintain plants in healthy and vigorous growing condition. Have pest, disease, and weed control chemicals applied according to their manufacturer’s in structions by licensed applicators and as required by authorities having jurisdiction over such activity. Remove and dispose of surplus earth, papers, trash, and debris, which accumulate in the planted areas according to Subsection 107.14. Care for the p lanted areas as to present a neat and clean condition at all times. Remove the staking & guys for plants as directed at the end of the plant establishment period. Liquidated damages will be assessed for each day the plant establishment work is inadequate ly performed. See Subsection 10 8.09 of the Special Provisions. METHOD OF MEASUREMENT

212.04.01 Measurement. Preparing soil will be measured by the square meter (square foot).

Header boards will be measured by the linear meter (linear foot). Plants and planter boxes will be measured by the each. Plant establishment work will be measured by the lump sum. BASIS OF PAYMENT

212.05.01 Payment. The accepted quantities, measured as provided above, will be paid for at the contract

price per unit of measu rement for the pay items listed below that are shown in the proposal. Payment will be full compensation for the work prescribed in this Section. Payment will be made under: Pay Item Pay Unit Preparing Soil (type) ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... Square Meter (Square Foot) Planter Boxes (type, size) ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. Each Header Boards ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................. Linear Meter ( Linear Foot ) Plants ( group ) ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................... Each Plant Establishment Work ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................... Lump Sum 121 SECTION 213 IRRIGATION SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION

213.01.01 General. This work consists of furnishing and installing irrigation systems.

213.01.02 Submittals. Within 30 days after award of contract, submit 3 sets of three ring binders, with

brochures or shop drawings for each accessory or fixture, and clearly identify each item of hardware or equipment to be installed, before ordering. The submittal shall include the manufacturer installation instructions for all equipment and materials used with pertinent dimensions , finish, proper placement, operation, maintenance data, and MSDS. If approved, one stamped three ring binder will be returned to the Contractor. Do not install equipment or materials until given approval. MATERIALS

213.02.01 General. Material shall conform to the following Section:

Roadside Materials .................................................................................................................................................................. Section 726 Portland cement concrete shall be Class A or Class AA unless otherwise provided, and shall conform to Section 501.

213.02.02 Bedding and Backfilling. Backfill polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe to be used as conduit for future

irrigation systems with native soil backfill which has been screened to remove rocks that are 12 .5 mm (1/2 in.) o r larger. Bed and backfill PVC pipe supply lines as shown on the plans. Material for sand bedding of pipe supply lines shall conform to the sieve size requirements for fine aggregate specified in Subsection 706.03.03.

213.02.03 Automatic Controllers. Controllers shall be coordinated to tie into Department adopted central

irrigation control system located at District headquarters or function as stand alone systems compatible with Department adopted central irrigation control system. Controllers shall be an electrically timed device for automatically opening and closing control valves for predetermined periods of time and mounted so that all normal adjustments will be conveniently located for use by the operator. The controller shall be programmable for irrigation schedule including the time of day, the number of watering times per week, and the length of time each valve operates. When called for on the plans, controller installation shall include sensors to detect changes in soil, wind, and precipitation conditions. Enclose controllers in a weatherproof steel housing with hasp and lock or locking device. Master key locks or locking devices and provide 3 sets of keys. Equip the controller to adjustably operate each valve in the circuit for setting to remain open for any desired period of time from 1 minute to 4 hours to provide adequate watering within an approved water window. The controllers shall require a communication link for connection to a central control computer. Equip the controller to operate on 110 - 117 V and with a circuit breaker or fusible connection to protect the controller from overloads. Provide the controller with a master on-off switch to turn all stations off without disturbing the clock settings or automatic timing sequences. Provide controls to allow any position to be operated manually both on and off whenever desired. Provide controls for resetting the start of the irrigation cycle at any time and advancing from one position to another. Irrigation control conductors shall be copper, UL approved, type UF direct burial cable of the gage indicated in the contract documents. Make splices in direct burial cable with a UL approved kit for that purpose and install in a traffic rated valve box.