ITEM 661 PLANTING TREES, SHRUBS, PERENNIALS AND VINES
661.01 Description. This work consists of furnishing, planting and maintaining trees, shrubs,
perennials, and vines, described in the plans. Additionally, provide landscape watering according to Item 662.
661.02 Plant Materials. Plant materials include all trees, shrubs, perennial and vines, and plants
required as part of the Work. Provide plant materials that are sourced from nurseries licensed by the Ohio Department of Agriculture or state equivalent, healthy specimens, typical of their speci es or variety, and that exhibit a normal habit of growth as set forth in the most current edition of the American Standard for Nursery Stock (ANSI Z60).
661.03 Location and Source of Supply . Supply the Engineer with complete and detailed
information concerning the source of supply for each item of required plant material within 15 days after receiving the notice of award of the Contract. Ensure that all plant materials have been grown in the same hardiness zone or 1 zone colder than the project.
661.04 Transportation, Storage, and Handling . Transport all plants from nursery sources to
the project site with the entire load completely covered for protection from drying winds. Thoroughly water all plants that cannot be immediately planted so as to keep the roots in a continually moist and protected condition. The Engineer may reject plants that are not adequately protected during transportation and storage. Immediately remove all rejected plant materials from the project site. Handle all plant materials by the root ball or container.
661.05 Labeling. Attach legible labels to all specimens, or boxes, bundles, and other containers,
indicating detailed information including, but not limited to, the botanical genus and the species name, the common name, the size or age of each species or variety and the quantity contained in the individual bundles or boxes. Remove all labels no more than two weeks prior to the completion of the establishment period. Notify the Engineer prior to removing the plant material labels.
661.06 Acceptance. Prior to acceptance by the Engineer , notify the Engineer when plant
materials are delivered to the project site. Ensure that the plant species delivered are as described in the plans and are healthy, vigorous, and free from harmful plant diseases, and insect pests. Stockpiled materials can be inspected by ODA with advanced notice. Species substitutions must have written approval from the project engineer prior to delivery to the project. Do not install any plant materials until the Engineer provides the Contractor with notification that the plant materials have been accepted.
661.07 Scheduling. Install all plant materials after March 15 and before June 1 or after
September 15 and before November 30. Do not install plant materials in frozen or saturated soil conditions. Ensure a sufficient water supply is available to satisfy the requirements of the plant materials and Item 662.
661.08 Layout of Plant Materials . Before installation, use suitable staking to lay out the
locations of all planting holes and beds. Provide the Engineer with a scaled drawing that indicates the location, species, and size of plant materials required in the plan. Obtain the Engineer’s approval of these locations before installation.
661.09 Soil Recipe. Till soil with backhoe or chisel plow to 2 feet deep. Topdress 10% of the
vertical tillable inches (see Table 661.09-01 below) to at least an eight (8) foot diameter (50 ft2 ) around where each plant will be located. Vertical tillable inches will vary with equipment availability and constraints as well as soil composition. Rototill EPA rated Class IV compost (preferably pine compost) into the soil to appropriate depth. Disking may be necessary to level soil and to incorporate compost. Table 661.09-1 Soil Amendments Depth Of Tillable Soil (Inches) Amount Of Compost (Inches Topdress) 8 0.8 9 0.9 10 1.0 11 1.1 12 1.2 Topdress with EPA rated Class IV compost (preferably pine compost) at one inch depth to at least an eight (8) foot diameter (50 ft2) around each plant.
661.10 Planting.
A.Planting Holes: Dig planting holes that have sloping side walls and are ‘bowl shaped’. Slope the side walls to approximately 45 degrees. Dig the planting hole so that the diameter at the top is at least two times the diameter of the root ball. Dig the planting hole to the same depth as the root ball structure. Planting hole depth shall result in the base of the tree flare being at or slightly above final grade. The soil directly beneath the root ball should be undisturbed or prepared to minimize settling. Dig planting holes for vines and perennials to a minimum depth and diameter of 6 inches (150 mm). Make planting holes for rooted cuttings and tree seedlings large enough to accommodate the root system.
B.Planting Beds: One month before cultivation, treat all planting beds that are to be developed in areas of existing turf with pre -emergent and post -emergent type herbicides. Use a State -licensed pesticide applicator to apply the herbicide according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Before planting, top dress all planting beds with a minimum of 2 inches (50 mm) of backfill mix, then cultivate it to a depth of 6 inches (150 mm) using a plow, disc, or roto-tiller.
C.Planting Trees & Shrubs: Set each plant in the center of the planting hole, plumb, and straight at a level such that the top of the root structure (i.e., trunk flare or root collar) is 1 inch (25 mm) above the surrounding soil. Set the root ball on compacted or unexcavated soil t o prevent settlement. Prior to backfilling the hole, remove all twine, bags, and roping. For trees shipped with wire baskets supporting the root structure, remove the top two-third of the wire basket from root balls. Remove all rot-proof burlap. Remove or fold down the top one -third of standard (biodegradable) burlap. Take care not to separate the soil of the root ball from the plant’s root system. Cut or remove circling roots before planting. Backfill the planting hole with the similar soil. Fill the hole gradually and settle the backfill with water to the top of the root structure. Do not place backfill in direct contact with the trunks or stems. Add backfill around the root structure up to the plant’s root collar at the soil surface. Do not plant groundcovers, vines, or perennials closer than 12 inches (300 mm) to tree trunks and shrub stems or within 6 inches (150 mm) of the edge of planting beds.
D.Planting Seedlings, Groundcovers, Vines or Perennials: For seedlings, groundcovers, vines, or perennials that are not in a planting bed, , remove all grass and weeds by scalping an area that has a minimum diameter of 12 inches (300 mm). Plant seedlings or perennials in the center of the scalped area using a spade or planting bar.
661.11 Mulch.
A.Tree Mulching. Use composted bark / wood mulch with various sized pieces of wood and bark. Finely ground or dyed mulches are unacceptable. Do not use ground pallets or processed wood. Provide mulch that is free of soil, rocks, weeds, and that has been aged at least six months to one year. Mulch should be 2-4inches deep with a 3–4-foot radius around newly planted trees. Do not volcano mulch around the tree. Mulch should be in a doughnut shape leaving four inches adjacent to the tree trunk free of mulch.
B.Plant Mulching. Provide plant mulch that consists of shredded bark and shredded wood. The length of any individual component cannot exceed 2 inches (50 mm). Ensure that at least 75 percent of the mulch can pass a 1 inch (25 mm) screen. Landscape mulch may contain up to 50 percent shredded wood. Wood chips are not acceptable. Provide mulch that is free of soil, rocks, and weeds, and that has been aged at least one year before installation. Smooth and shape the backfill mix to form a shallow basin slightly larger than the planting hole. Mulch these areas with a 4 inch (100 mm) layer of landscape mulch uniform in texture and size. Do not place mulch in direct contact with the trunks of any trees. Rake and smooth all planting beds upon completion of work.
661.13 Bracing. Use only flexible, biodegradable ties when bracing trees. Use bracing only in
areas where mower damage, vandalism, or windy conditions are a concern or as directed by the Engineer. Install loose fitting ties that will not girdle the trunk. Ensure that the tie will allow trunk movement and growth. Install all bracing as shown on the standard construction drawing.
661.14 Period of Establishment. Before final inspection, install all plants and care for them for
a period of establishment. The period of establishment begins immediately upon completion of the planting operations and continues until October 1. The minimum period of establishment is one complete growing season, beginning June 1 and ending the following October 1. During the period of establishment, follow standard horticultural practices to ensure the vigor and growth of the transplanted material including watering (according to Item 662), re -mulching, re - staking, and cultivating as necessary. Prune branches of deciduous plants to preserve the natural characteristics of the species according to ANSI Pruning Standards ( ANSI A300). Remove broken, damaged, and dead branches. Do not trim the central leader of trees. Completely remove weeds and grasses from the planted and mulched areas by weeding and mowing (around trees, shrubs, and bed edges) at least two times during the growing season. Weed and mow the first time on or about June 15 and again approximately 8 weeks later.
661.15 Final Acceptance. On or about October 1 at the end of the establishment period, the
Engineer, in coordination with the Department’s Office of Environmental Services, will inspect the plantings and supply the Contractor with a list of plant materials that do not comply with the contract requirements. Install all replacement plantings in accordance with the contract requirements. Replacement plants are subject to a new establishment period. Care for, water and maintain the replacement plant materials throughout the new establishment period at no additional cost to the State.
661.16 Removal of Stakes and Wrapping . After receiving notification from the Department
of the date of the final inspection, remove all stakes and wrapping material from all plants not more than 14 days before the final inspection, with the exception of the replacement plantings that have no t been in place for a full growing season.
661.17 Method of Measurement . The Department will measure the number of healthy plant
materials that exhibit typical growth habit for the species and variety. The Department will measure each species and size, completed and accepted in place. The cost associated with wrapping, bracing, mulching and staking is included in the unit price bid for Item 661 Planting Trees, Shrubs, Perennials and Vines. If the Contract does not include an estimated quantity for Item 662 Landscape Watering , the Department will not pay for landscape watering separately. In this case, include the cost of landscape watering in the unit price bid for Item 661 Planting Trees, Shrubs, Perennials and Vines.
661.18 Basis of Payment . The Department will pay 40 percent of the bid price for plant
materials delivered and accepted at the project site. The Department will pay 40 percent of the bid price when the plant materials have been installed. The Department will pay the remaining 20 percent of the bid price at the end of the establishment period following final acceptance. If for each pay item, less than or equal to 5% of the installed plants require replacement at the time of Project Completion, the Engineer may waive the establishment period for the replacement plantings, provided that the replacement plantings are installed in accordance with this specification and in the presence of the Engineer or Inspector. If for each pay item, more than 5% of the installed plants require replacement at the time of Project Completion, the Contractor is required to install the replacement plantings in accordance with this specification. The Department will pay the remaining percentage of the bid price at the time of Project Completion. The replacement plantings are subject to the one year establishment period regardless of the Project Completion date . After the replacement plantings complete the one year establishment period, the Department will inspect the replacement plantings and notify the Contractor of the Departments’ findings. As final remedy under the contract, the Contractor is required to install replacement plants for all plantings that did not survive the establishment period at no additional cost to the State. The Department will pay for accepted quantities at the contract prices as follows: Item Unit Description 661 Each Tree Seedling, (Size), (Species) 661 Each Perennials, (Size), (Species) 661 Each Groundcover and Vines, (Size), (Species) 661 Each Deciduous Shrub, (Size), (Species) 661 Each Evergreen Shrub, (Size), (Species) 661 Each Deciduous Tree, (Size), (Species) 661 Each Evergreen Tree, (Size), (Species)
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Source: Construction and Material Specifications, 2023 (rev. 7/17/2026) Edition. Pages 642–646 of 892. View official source ↗