SECTION 614 - PRUNING, IMPROVING AND REMOVING EXISTING VEGETATION
614-1 Description.
614-1.01 Pruning Existing Trees. This work shall consist of pruning existing trees as shown in the
contract documents and as directed by the Engineer.
614-1.02 Improvement of Vegetated Areas. This work shall consist of cutting, disposing of all wood
and debris, stump removal, or mechanical or chemical treatment of specified trees and woody vegetation within the area shown in the contract documents and as directed by the Engineer.
614-1.03 Tree Removal. The work shall consist of felling trees over 4 inch in diameter at breast height,
disposing of all wood and debris, and may require topping, stump removal and other work as shown in the contract documents and as directed by the Engineer.
614-1.04 Existing Stump Removal. The work shall consist of removing existing stumps, disposing of all
wood and debris, as shown in the contract documents and as directed by the Engineer.
614-1.05 Tree Root Zone Treatment (Vertical Mulching/Aeration). This work shall consist of treating
the root zone of trees through aeration and/or mulching of the roots as shown in the contract documents and as directed by the Engineer.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3
614-1.06 Tree Root Pruning. This work shall consist of cleanly pruning, existing tree roots severed
during construction operations, typically related to linear excavation, as shown in the contract documents and as directed by the Engineer.
614-2 Materials
614-2.01 Pruning Existing Trees. The materials shall meet the requirements of the following
subsections of Section 700 Materials and Manufacturing. Water 712-01
614-2.02 Improvement of Vegetated Areas. The materials shall meet the requirements of the following
subsections of Section 700 Materials and Manufacturing. Topsoil 713-01 Pesticides 713-13
614-2.03 Tree Removal. The materials shall meet the requirements of the following subsections of
Section 700 Materials and Manufacturing. Topsoil 713-01
614-2.04 Existing Stump Removal. The materials shall meet the requirements of the following
subsections of Section 700 Materials and Manufacturing. Topsoil 713-01
614-2.05 Tree Root Zone Treatment (Vertical Mulching/Aeration). The materials shall meet the
requirements of the following subsections of Section 700 Materials and Manufacturing. Mortar Sand 703-03 Mycorrhizal Fungi 713-09 Compost 713-15
614-2.06 Tree Root Pruning. The materials shall meet the requirements of the following subsections of
Section 700 Materials and Manufacturing. Water 712-01
614-3 Construction Details
614-3.01 Pruning Existing Trees
A.Equipment. Workers shall employ accepted tree climbing methods, and shall not climb trees with climbing spurs. All tools used and methods employed in accordance ANSI A300 Part 1 Standard Practices, except that no anvil type pruners will be permitted. The cutting surfaces of all tools, ladders, ropes, soles of workers shoes and other objects coming into contact with the tree shall be disinfected with a 2% bleach solution and dried completely prior to the start of any work on a tree to prevent the spread of plant diseases.
B.Pruning. Pruning shall be in accordance ANSI A300 Part 1 Standard Practices. When specified the quantity of trees as shown in the contract documents shall be pruned so the resulting crown retains the growth habit of the tree species. Any and all branches interfering with or hindering the healthy growth of the tree shall be removed. All diseased branches and all dead branches 1 inch or more in diameter shall be removed. Any branch which may be partly dead, yet has a healthy lateral branch at least one-third the diameter of the parent branch shall be removed beyond the healthy branch. All
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3 stubs or improper cuts resulting from former pruning shall be removed. All cuts shall be cleanly made with sharp tools as close to the parent trunk or limb as possible without disturbing the branch bark ridge or callus collar. All existing nails, spikes, wire, plastic or other materials found driven into or fastened to the trunk or branches shall be removed or if approved they shall be cut flush in a manner to permit complete healing over.
614-3.02 Improvement of Vegetated Areas. All trees and shrubs specified for removal will be
designated by the Engineer either by separate marking, marking in sample areas, or otherwise. Unless otherwise specified, all stumps shall be cut to a height of about 6 inches above the ground. Unless otherwise specified, an approved herbicide shall be applied to all live stumps in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. An approved dye shall be added to the herbicide mixture to identify treated stumps and stubble. Where stump removal is specified, all stump holes shall be backfilled with topsoil, unless otherwise specified in the contract documents, and backfill shall be compacted. Unless otherwise specified in the contract documents, grass shall be established on stump holes and will be paid for separately. Care shall be taken in the felling of trees and the operation of equipment to prevent injury to trees and shrubs which are to be preserved. All injuries to the limbs, bark and roots of such plants shall be repaired in accordance with ANSI A300 Part 1 Standard Practices Pruning and ANSI Z133.1 Arboricultural Operations Safety. Improvement of vegetated areas shall be completed in any area before any planting, seeding or other landscape work is begun in that area unless otherwise approved. All wood, stumps, brush and other debris resulting from the work shall be disposed of as specified in Section 201 Clearing and Grubbing.
614-3.03 Tree Removal. No tree shown in the contract documents or listed for removal shall be cut until
it is approved by the Engineer. The contractor shall be responsible to coordinate all work involving utilities with the respective utility company. All trees shall be topped and limbed before felling unless otherwise approved. All injuries to the limbs, bark and roots of plants to remain shall be repaired in accordance with ANSI A300 Standard Practices Pruning and ANSI Z133.1 Arboricultural Operations Safety. The Contractor shall field measure all trees at 4 ½ feet above the ground, commonly referred to as Diameter Breast Height (DBH) before they are cut. Stumps of trees removed under this item for removal shall be grubbed, cut, ground to the depth of six inches below grade or as specified in the contract documents. All stump holes shall be backfilled with topsoil, unless otherwise specified in the contract documents and backfill shall be compacted. Unless otherwise specified in the contract documents, grass shall be established on stump holes and will be paid for separately.
614-3.04 Existing Stump Removal. Existing stumps listed for removal in the contract documents shall
be ground to the depth of 6 inches below grade unless otherwise specified in the contract documents. Stumps shall include all visible wood and roots. Backfill to finished grade with topsoil, unless otherwise specified in the contract documents. The backfill shall be compacted. Unless otherwise specified in the contract documents, grass shall be established on stump holes and will be paid for separately.
614-3.05 Tree Root Zone Treatment (Vertical Mulching/Aeration). Locations of work shall include
areas within the dripline or wider root zone of existing trees to be preserved as shown on the contract documents. Appropriate drilling tools shall be used for drilling of holes for root zone restoration. Drilling equipment shall be hand held or light weight devices (no heavy machinery) so as to avoid further impact to tree roots through compaction.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3 Holes shall be drilled and existing soil removed within a zone beginning 3 feet from the trunk of the specified tree and extending to its dripline on an approximately 2 foot x 2 foot grid. Dimensions of holes or drill size shall be approximately 2 inches in diameter and a minimum of 12 inches deep. Efforts should be made to minimize drilling through large tree roots (especially near the trunk). When woody roots are encountered, the drill hole shall be moved to avoid root damage. The hole shall be completely filled to original grade as follows:
A.Method 1: with mortar sand
B.Method 2: with mortar sand amended with Mycorrhizal Fungi.
C.Method 3: with compost.
D.Method 4: with compost amended with Mycorrhizal Fungi. When mycorrhizal fungi are specified, they shall be a dry granular powder specifically designed for vertical mulching applications. Apply in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations at a rate of 3 ounces per hole or when pre-mixed in bulk 5 pounds per cubic yard of sand or compost.
614-3.06 Tree Root Pruning. Existing tree roots greater than 1 inch in diameter, measured at the edge of
excavation, shall be pruned within 24 hours of the time they have been damaged by construction activity. The severed root shall be pruned at the edge of excavation, or 1 inch beyond the entire damaged portion of the tree root if damaged root extends beyond the edge of excavation into undisturbed soil. Pruning shall be in accordance with ANSI A300 Part 1 Standard Practices Pruning and ANSI Z133.1 Arboricultural Operations Safety. All cuts shall be cleanly made with sharp tools. The cutting surfaces of all tools, ladders, ropes, soles of workers shoes and other objects coming into contact with the tree roots shall be washed with a disinfectant at the start of any work on a tree to prevent the spread of plant diseases. The excavated area around the existing tree roots shall be backfilled as soon as construction activities permit with the specified or approved materials. If the excavated area around the existing tree roots is not backfilled within 24 hours, all roots shall be kept moist, to prevent dessication.
614-4 Method of Measurement
614-4.01 Pruning Existing Trees. The quantity to be measured for payment will be the number of trees
pruned.
614-4.02 Improvement of Vegetated Areas. The quantity to be measured for payment will be in square
yards measured to the nearest whole square yard of area improved.
614-4.03 Tree Removal. The quantity to be measured for payment will be the number of trees, including
their stumps if specified.
614-4.04 Pre-Existing Stump Removal. The quantity to be measured for payment will be the number of
pre-existing stumps removed.
614-4.05 Tree Root Zone Treatment (Vertical Mulching/Aeration). The quantity to be measured for
payment will be in square yards treated within the zone, measured to the nearest square yard.
614-4.06 Tree Root Pruning. The quantity to be measured for payment will be in feet to the nearest
whole foot, along excavation line.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3
614-5 Basis of Payment
614-5.01 Pruning Existing Trees. The unit price bid shall include the cost of labor, materials, and
equipment necessary to satisfactorily complete the work.
614-5.02 Improvement of Vegetated Areas. The unit price bid shall include the cost of labor, materials,
and equipment necessary to satisfactorily complete the work.
614-5.03 Tree Removal. The unit price bid shall include the cost of labor, materials, and equipment
necessary to satisfactorily complete the work. When trees are specified in the contract documents for removal, payment for each tree removal will include removal of the stump.
614-5.04 Existing Stump Removal. The unit price bid shall include the cost of labor, materials, and
equipment necessary to satisfactorily complete the work.
614-5.05 Tree Root Zone Treatment. The unit price bid shall include the cost of labor, materials,
equipment and incidentals necessary to complete the work. Mycorrhizal Fungi and mulch will be paid for separately.
614-5.06 Tree Root Pruning. The unit price bid shall include the cost of labor, materials, equipment and
incidentals necessary to complete the work. Payment will be made under: Item No. Item Pay Unit 614.0411 Care of Trees up to 12” Diam. at Breast Height – Pruning Each 614.0421 Care of Trees Over 12” to 24” Diam. at Breast Height - Pruning Each 614.0431 Care of Trees Over 24” to 36” Diam. at Breast Height - Pruning Each 614.0441 Care of Trees Over 36” to 48” Diam. at Breast Height – Pruning Each 614.0451 Care of Trees Over 48” to 60” Diam. at Breast Height – Pruning Each 614.0461 Care of Trees Over 60” Diam. at Breast Height – Pruning Each 614.05 Improvement of Vegetated Areas Square Yard 614.0601nn Tree Removal Over 4” to 6” Diam. Breast Height Each 614.0602nn Tree Removal Over 6” to 12” at Breast Height Each 614.0603nn Tree Removal Over 12” to 18” at Breast Height Each 614.0604nn Tree Removal Over 18” to 24” at Breast Height Each 614.0605nn Tree Removal Over 24” to 36” at Breast Height Each 614.0606nn Tree Removal Over 36” to 48” at Breast Height Each 614.0607nn Tree Removal Over 48” to 60” at Breast Height Each 614.0608nn Tree Removal Over 60” to 72” at Breast Height Each nn = Stump Treatment 01 = Stumps Cut to Above Grade, 02 = Stumps Cut Flush, 03 = Stumps Cut to Below Grade, 04 = Stumps Grubbed 614.0701 Pre-Existing Stump Removal up to 24” diameter at 6 inches above grade Each 614.0702 Pre-Existing Stump Removal over 24” to 48” diameter at 6 inches above grade Each 614.0703 Pre-Existing Stump Removal over 48” diameter at 6 inches above grade Each 614.08 Tree Root Zone Treatment (Vertical Mulching/Aeration) Square Yard
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3 614.09 Tree Root Pruning Feet
Referenced in this section
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Source: Standard Specifications (US Customary Units), 2026 (Jan) Edition. Pages 755–760 of 1,489. View official source ↗