SECTION 611 - PLANTING, TRANSPLANTING AND POST PLANTING CARE
611-1 Description.
611-1.01 General. Vacant
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3
611-1.02 Planting. This work consists of furnishing, and planting trees, shrubs, vines, groundcovers and
other plants in accordance with the contract documents and as directed by the Engineer.
611-1.03 Transplanting. This work consists of transplanting existing plants from existing locations to
new locations in accordance with the contract documents and as directed by the Engineer.
611-1.04 Portable Drip Irrigation System. This work shall consist of furnishing, delivering, placing
and removing Portable Drip Irrigation System (PDIS) for watering around newly planted trees and other vegetation in accordance with the contract documents and as directed by the Engineer.
611-1.05 Post-Planting Care. This work consists of the care of newly planted and transplanted trees,
shrubs, vines, groundcovers and other plants in accordance with the contract documents and as directed by the Engineer.
611-1.06 Rodent Guards. This work shall consist of furnishing, delivering and placing rodent guards
around newly planted trees and other vegetation in accordance with the contract documents and as directed by the Engineer.
611-2 Materials
611-2.01 General. Materials shall meet the requirements of the following subsections of Section 700
Materials and Manufacturing. Water 712-01 Topsoil 713-01 Mulch for Landscape Bedding 713-05 Materials for the Protection of Plants 713-08 Compost 713-15
611-2.02 Planting. Trees, shrubs, vines, groundcovers and other plants shall be as specified under
§713-06 and as further specified in the contract documents.
611-2.03 Transplanting. Plants shall be existing plants in accordance with §713-06.
611-2.04 Portable Drip Irrigation System. The materials shall meet the requirements of the following
subsections of Section 700 Materials and Manufacturing. Materials may be new or previously used that meet the following material requirements. Materials for the Protection of Plants 713-08
611-2.05 Post Planting Care. Materials shall meet the requirements of the following subsections of
Section 700 Materials and Manufacturing. Pesticides 713-13
611-2.06 Rodent Guards. Materials shall meet the requirements of the following subsections of Section
700 Materials and Manufacturing. Materials for the Protection of Plants 713-08
611-3 Construction
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3
611-3.01 General. Locations for plants shall be as specified in the contract documents. All plants for
planting and transplanting shall be protected from damage and drying out, including during transportation, handling or while in temporary storage. No planting or transplanting shall be done when the soil is frozen, saturated (except in wetland conditions) or otherwise in an unsatisfactory condition for working. Planting seasons represent average times of suitable conditions between weather extremes. In general, planting or transplanting shall occur during these seasons. The Contractor may request an extension of the planting seasons. TABLE 611-1 PLANTING SEASONS Planting Seasons Spring Fall Geographic locations (NYSDOT Regions and Counties) Deciduous & Evergreen B&B Deciduous & Evergreen Container Grown Evergreen B&B Deciduous B&B Deciduous & Evergreen Container Grown (USDA 3b-4a) R1- Essex, Warren (north of towns of Warrensburg & Bolton) R2-Hamilton, Herkimer (towns of Ohio & Webb) R7-Lewis, St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, Jefferson (east of Route 81) 4/15-5/31 4/15-5/31 8/15-9/30 9/15-10/31 8/15 - 10/31 (USDA 4a-5a) R1–Greene, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Saratoga, Washington, Albany, Warren (towns of Bolton & Warrensburg & south) R2- Montgomery, Fulton, Oneida, Madison, Herkimer (south of town of Ohio) R3,6,9 – All counties R7- Jefferson (west of Route 81) 4/1-5/15 4/1 – 5/31 8/15-9/30 9/15-11/15 8/15-11/15 (USDA 5a-6a) R4, 5 & 8- All counties 3/15-5/15 3/15 – 5/31 8/15-10/15 9/15-11/30 8/15-11/30 (USDA 6b-7a) R10, 11- All counties 3/1-5/15 3/1 – 5/31 8/15-10/31 10/1-12/15 8/15-12/15 All Locations Bare Root stock shall be planted while dormant Locations for plants and outlines of areas to be planted shall be staked or marked out on the ground by the Contractor and approved by the Engineer before any plant pits or plant beds are dug. Where non- movable underground obstructions are encountered, the plant pits shall be relocated as approved by the Engineer. Existing vegetation shall be removed from all new planting beds. Where an impervious layer of soil (hardpan, fragipan and soils with greater than 20% clay content) is encountered during the excavation of plant pits or beds, all such soil shall be removed up to a depth of one foot beyond required plant pit depth in order to provide adequate drainage for the plant. The pits or
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3 beds shall be backfilled with topsoil. Any additional excavation required to properly plant or transplant in impervious soils will be considered extra work. Planting soil shall be unamended existing soil excavated from the plant pit unless otherwise specified. Watering shall accompany backfilling of plant. The Contractor shall perform the initial watering for backfilling plant so that no voids occur in the plant pit. No tree shall be staked, guyed or anchored unless otherwise specified in the contract documents. Mulch shall Type A or B unless otherwise specified in the contract documents and shall be placed at the time of planting or transplanting. The Contractor shall water, weed and maintain mulch at no cost to the state until the newly planted or transplanted material is accepted. Plants will be accepted when all specified plants meet the following conditions:
A.Species has been verified and plant is in its designated location
B.Planted or transplanted in accordance with ANSI A 300, Part 1, 2 , 3 and 6 Standard Practices
C.Planted or transplanted in accordance with 611 Standard sheets
D.living, healthy, unimpaired and in an undamaged condition Watering, if specified, shall begin upon acceptance of the planting or transplanting and unless otherwise specified continue for one year or the duration of the contract, which ever is later. Watering after acceptance shall be performed as required in Section 610-3.09 Watering Vegetation and paid for separately. Installation of rodent guards if specified are paid for separately. Plants that die after acceptance at any time during the contract duration shall be removed and unless otherwise specified, the surface area shall be restored to the condition of the adjacent surface at no additional cost to the state.
611-3.02 Planting. The Contractor shall notify the Engineer at least four calendar days before intended
delivery of plants or planting materials to the site. The Contractor shall furnish the Engineer legible copies of the certificates of inspection of plant materials and documentation for each shipment showing point of origin, sizes, scientific names, quantities, and kinds of materials supplied. Planting shall be in accordance with ANSI A300 Part 1, 2 and 3 Standard Practices. Pruning at the time of planting shall be limited to the removal of dead, conflicting and broken branches; and to other pruning consistent with good horticultural practice in accordance with ANSI A300 Part 1 Standard Practices.
611-3.03 Transplanting. Transplanting shall be in accordance with ANSI A300 Part 1, 2, 3 and 6
Standard Practices and accomplished by a digging method intended to preserve the root system intact to the extent practicable. Planting soil shall be unamended existing soil excavated from the plant pit unless otherwise specified. Transplanted stock shall be pruned prior to transplanting in accordance with ANSI A300 Part 1 Standard Practices. The Contractor shall take appropriate measures to avoid damage to plant during the transplanting operation including:
A.Provide trunk and branch Protection.
B.Treat plant with an anti-desiccant prior to being dug up
C.Protect all roots from drying out.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3
D.Prune damaged plant roots greater than 1 inch in diameter Plants shall be set in a vertical position. Where the contract duration allows plants greater than 6 inch DBH shall be root pruned up to one year prior to transplanting.
611-3.04 Portable Drip Irrigation System (PDIS). After the requirements for planting under Section
611 Planting, Transplanting and Post Planting Care are completed; the Contractor shall supply and install the required number and size of PDIS as recommended by the manufacturer for the trees planted. Watering shall be performed as required in Section 610-3.09 Watering Vegetation and paid for separately. All PDIS that are damaged and or missing shall be replaced at no added cost to the State. The Contractor shall remove PDIS in the fall prior to the first frost. The PDIS shall remain the property of the Contractor.
611-3.05 Post-Planting Care. If specified, the Contractor shall care for planting as needed for one year
following the satisfactory completion of all of the planting and/or transplanting or for the duration of the contract, which ever is later. The contractor shall prepare and submit a post-planting care work schedule for approval. Post-planting care shall consist of:
A.Mulching – with materials to match those used in initial planting, twice to maintain a depth of 3 inches.
B.Weeding – twice
C.Integrated vegetation and pest management- in the event of threat of serious damage from insects or diseases the plants shall be treated by preventative or remedial measures.
D.Pruning (ANSI A300 Part 1) - once to prune dead or damaged branches.
E.Maintenance/Replacement/of tree support system if present – once every six months
F.Removal of tree support system if present at the end of the post-planting care period.
G.Removal of rodent guards if present at the end of the post-planting care period
611-3.06 Rodent Guards. Vacant
611-4 Method of Measurement.
611-4.01 Planting. The quantity to be measured for payment will be the number of plants placed.
611-4.02 Transplanting. The quantity to be measured for payment will be the number of plants placed.
611-4.03 Portable Drip Irrigation System (PDIS). The quantity of PDIS to be measured for payment
will be the number of PDIS placed. The quantity of Removal of Portable Drip Irrigation System to be measured for payment will be the number of PDIS removed.
611-4.04 Post-Planting Care. The quantity to be measured for payment will be the number of plants
cared for or nearest whole square yard on slope of plants cared for.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3
611-4.05 Rodent Guards. The quantity to be measured for payment will be the number of rodent guards
placed.
611-5 Basis of Payment.
611-5.01 Planting. The unit price bid for each plant shall include the cost of all labor, materials, and
equipment, including initial watering and mulch, compost, plants and plant protection materials and topsoil necessary to satisfactorily complete the work.
611-5.02 Transplanting. The unit price bid for each plant shall include the cost of all labor, materials,
and equipment, including initial watering, mulch, compost, plant and plant protection materials and topsoil necessary to satisfactorily complete the work.
611-5.03 Portable Drip Irrigation System. The unit price bid shall include the cost of all labor,
materials, and equipment, necessary to satisfactorily complete the work.
611-5.04 Post-Planting Care. The unit price bid for each plant shall include the cost of all labor,
materials, and equipment necessary to satisfactorily complete the work. Progress payments for work satisfactorily performed may be paid at the mid point of the post-planting care in amounts not to exceed forty percent (40%) of the unit price bid for the respective work.
611-5.05 Rodent Guards. The unit price bid shall include the cost of all labor, materials, and equipment,
necessary to satisfactorily complete the work. Payment will be made under: Item No. Item Pay Unit 611.011x Planting - Major Deciduous Trees – size as specified Each 611.012x Planting - Major Deciduous Trees – 1 ¼ inch Caliper Each 611.013x Planting - Major Deciduous Trees – 1 ½ inch Caliper Each 611.014x Planting - Major Deciduous Trees – 1 ¾ inch Caliper Each 611.015x Planting - Major Deciduous Trees – 2 inch Caliper Each 611.016x Planting - Major Deciduous Trees – 2 ½ inch Caliper Each 611.017x Planting - Major Deciduous Trees – 3 inch Caliper Each 611.018x Planting - Major Deciduous Trees – 3 ½ inch Caliper Each 611.019x Planting - Major Deciduous Trees – 4 inch Caliper Each 611.021x Planting - Minor Deciduous Trees – size as specified Each 611.022x Planting - Minor Deciduous Trees – 3 foot height Each 611.023x Planting - Minor Deciduous Trees – 4 foot height Each 611.024x Planting - Minor Deciduous Trees – 5 foot height Each 611.025x Planting - Minor Deciduous Trees – ¾ inch Caliper Each 611.026x Planting - Minor Deciduous Trees – 1 inch Caliper Each 611.027x Planting - Minor Deciduous Trees – 1 ¼ inch Caliper Each 611.028x Planting - Minor Deciduous Trees – 1 ½ inch Caliper Each 611.029x Planting - Minor Deciduous Trees – 1 ¾ inch Caliper Each 611.020x Planting - Minor Deciduous Trees – 2 inch Caliper Each 611.031x Planting - Coniferous Trees – size as specified Each 611.032x Planting - Coniferous Trees – 2 ½ foot height Each 611.033x Planting - Coniferous Trees – 3 foot height Each 611.034x Planting - Coniferous Trees – 4 foot height Each 611.035x Planting - Coniferous Trees – 5 foot height Each 611.036x Planting - Coniferous Trees – 6 foot height Each
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3 611.037x Planting - Coniferous Trees – 7 foot height Each 611.038x Planting - Coniferous Trees – 8 foot height Each 611.039x Planting - Coniferous Trees – 9 foot height Each 611.041x Planting - Deciduous Shrubs –As Specified Each 611.042x Planting - Deciduous Shrubs – 15 inch Height/Spread Each 611.043x Planting - Deciduous Shrubs – 18 inch Height/Spread Each 611.044x Planting - Deciduous Shrubs – 2 foot Height/Spread Each 611.045x Planting - Deciduous Shrubs – 3 foot Height/Spread Each 611.046x Planting - Deciduous Shrubs – 4 foot Height/Spread Each 611.047x Planting - Deciduous Shrubs – 5 foot Height/Spread Each 611.048x Planting - Deciduous Shrubs – 6 foot Height/Spread Each 611.051x Planting - Evergreen Shrubs – As Specified Each 611.052x Planting - Evergreen Shrubs – 15 inch Height/Spread Each 611.053x Planting - Evergreen Shrubs – 18 inch Height/Spread Each 611.054x Planting - Evergreen Shrubs – 2 foot Height/Spread Each 611.055x Planting - Evergreen Shrubs – 2 ½ foot Height/Spread Each 611.056x Planting - Evergreen Shrubs – 3 foot Height/Spread Each 611.057x Planting - Evergreen Shrubs – 3 ½ foot Height/Spread Each 611.058x Planting - Evergreen Shrubs – 4 foot Height/Spread Each 611.059x Planting - Evergreen Shrubs – 5 foot Height/Spread Each x= Root Specification 1= Ball & Burlap, Field Potted or Field Boxed, 2 = Container or Box Grown, 3 = Bare Root, 4 = In Ground Fabric Bag Grown 611.061y Planting – Vines, Groundcovers – As Specified Each 611.062y Planting – Vines, Groundcovers – Number SP3 Container Each 611.063y Planting – Vines, Groundcovers – Number SP4 Container Each 611.064y Planting – Vines, Groundcovers – Number SP5 Container Each 611.065y Planting – Vines, Groundcovers – Number 1 Container Each 611.066y Planting – Vines, Groundcovers – Number 2 Container Each 611.071y Planting - Herbaceous Plants – As Specified Each 611.072y Planting - Herbaceous Plants – Number SP4 Container Each 611.073y Planting - Herbaceous Plants – Number SP5 Container Each 611.074y Planting - Herbaceous Plants – Number 1 Container Each 611.075y Planting - Herbaceous Plants – Number 2 Container Each y = Type Specification 1 = Container Grown, 2 = Bare Root 3 = Field Potted 611.10 Transplanting 0 to 48 inch in height Each 611.11 Transplanting over 48 inch to 72 inches in height Each 611.12 Transplanting, over ¾ inch to 3 inches Diameter at Breast Height Each 611.13 Transplanting, over 3 inches to 6 inches Diameter at Breast Height Each 611.14 Transplanting over 6 inches to 12 inches Diameter at Breast Height Each 611.15 Transplanting Vines, Groundcovers, Each 611.16 Transplanting Herbaceous Plants Each 611.17 Portable Drip Irrigation System Each 611.18 Removal of Portable Drip Irrigation System Each 611.19 Post-Planting Care Each
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3 611.20 Post-Planting Care Square yard 611.21 Rodent Guard Each Refer to the Contract Proposal for full item number and full description SECTION 612 (VACANT)
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Source: Standard Specifications (US Customary Units), 2026 (Jan) Edition. Pages 748–755 of 1,489. View official source ↗