763SECTION 605 – PLANTING
605.01 Description
This work shall consist of furnishing and planting trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, and other plants of the kinds, sizes, qualities, and quantities specified on the plans or by the Engineer and maintaining and replacing plants as specified herein. The fulfillment of the work is divided into two phases, the Installation Phase and the Establishment Period. The Installation Phase will begin with the start of landscaping operations by the Contractor after the Planting Operations Coordination Meeting and will terminate with Installation Phase Acceptance by the Department. The Establishment Period will begin once all plantings are accepted by the Department in accordance with Section 605.07 The Engineer will consult with the VDOT Landscape Architect (VLA) or the representative designated by the VLA on all plant identifications, phase inspections, discretionary actions, approvals, and acceptance or rejection decisions. For purposes of this Section, references to the Engineer shall include the VLA as a “duly authorized representative” as specified in the definitions in Section 101.02. The VLA is granted the authority of the Engineer specified in Section 105.03(a) in administering this specification. The representative designated by the VLA is granted the authority of the Inspector specified in Section 105.03(b) in administering this specification. The authority of the VLA and VLA representative to reject or suspend work is limited to safety issues and work covered by this specification.
605.02 Materials
a.Herbicide shall conform to Section 244.02(a).
b.Topsoil shall conform to Section 244.02(b).
c.Seed shall conform to Section 244.02(c).
d.Fertilizer shall conform to Section 244.02(d).
e.Lime and Iron Sulfate shall conform to Section 244.02(e).
f.Mulch shall conform to Section 244.02(g).
g.Trees, Shrubs, Vines, Perennials, and Other Plants shall conform to Section 244.02(i).
h.Compost shall conform to Section 244.02(j).
i.Horticultural Grade Perlite shall conform to Section 244.02(k).
j.All other Misc. Planting Ma terials shall conform to Section 244.02(k).
605.03 Qualifications of Personnel
a.Contractor and Equipment Qualifications: The Contractor shall be personally experienced or arrange to furnish a subcontractor who is personally experienced in all aspects of landscape prepa - ration, planting operations, arboriculture, and landscape maintenance operations as required by the work described in the Contract, including these Specifications. Workers and equipment shall con -605.03 764form to Section 105.05. The Contractor shall submit documentation of equipment proposed for use on the project to the Engineer. On independent landscape projects, the Contractor is also required to have or to furnish personnel possessing appropriate Traffic Control and Erosion and Siltation Control certifications to control the work according to Sections 105.14, 107.16 and Section 512 as appropriate.
b.Landscape Operations Crew and Crew Manager Qualifications: The Contractor shall furnish the following personnel to supervise landscape field operations:
1.Work Crew - The majority of crew personnel must have at least two years continuous experience working on a commercial landscaping crew.
2.The Crew Manager - Crew Manager must have at least three years continuous experience working as a Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association (VNLA) Certified Horticulturalist, or approved equivalent from a neighboring state. This individual shall be proficient in areas of worker safety, environmental regulations, and efficient landscape management in conformance with accepted horticultural practice and methodologies.
c.Herbicide/Pesticide Applicators must be Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) certified or a registered technician to perform all applications of pesticides, her - bicides, or fungicides as required herein. Certified applicators shall have at least 5 years continuous experience in the commercial application of pesticides and herbicides required for the establishment and maintenance of trees, plant materials, and grasses specified in this Section and on the Plans.
d.Pruning shall be performed by personnel certified by the International Society of Arboriculture. Copies of current certifications shall be furnished to the Engineer prior to the start of work requiring the specific certifications. The Contractor will not be allowed to begin the specific work until the Engineer receives such certifications.
605.04 Procedures
a.Confirmed Order Documentation: The Contractor shall submit documentation to the Engineer of a confirmed order of all plant materials required for the contract at least 30 days in advance of the start of the proposed planting operations. This documentation shall list the source(s) of supply, all species by common and botanical name, specific variety, and cultivar in the sizes, and quantities reserved. When special requirements are listed on the planting summary sheet, such as “Specimen Quality,” or “Specimen Street Tree”, etc., the documentation shall certify that the species reserved meets those specific requirements. The Engineer may require sample photographs of materials to be supplied and/or to inspect and approve the selection of plant materials at the source of supply prior to delivery, once the documentation of confirmed order is received. If specific plant materials are not available, the Contractor shall submit a request for substitutions in accordance with paragraph
g.herein.
b.Contractor’s Installation Plan: The Contractor shall follow the Contract phasing plan (if applicable) or submit to the Engineer a plan for executing the planting operations for the project at least one week prior to the date of the Planting Operations Coordination Meeting (paragraph (c) herein). The plan shall be submitted in an 11x17 inch format with color coding for each phase of the installation planting plan. The plan shall include, but not be limited to, the anticipated date of delivery of specif - ic planting materials per phase, staging of materials (as necessary), phasing of site preparation and 605.03 765the phased installation of plant materials that can be completed in three to five days of continuous work, barring any delays due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Very large planting op - erations, such as those entailing interchange plantings, may be staged by selected quadrants (areas) as necessary.
c.Planting Operations Coordination Meeting: At least 2 weeks prior to the beginning of any landscaping operations, the Contractor shall arrange for a meeting between the Contractor, the Contractor’ s Landscape Operations Advanced Crew Managers, the Engineer, the VDOT Traffic Operations Engineer (as necessary), and the VLA. This meeting shall be for the purpose of reviewing the proposed phasing of various operations detailed in the Contractor’ s Installation Plan, to review proper planting and landscaping procedures, to review and discuss general and project specific requirements, and to ensure proper safety measures and traffic control are employed while prosecuting the work. This meeting shall also serve as a forum to answer any questions that the Contractor or VDOT may have prior to the start of landscaping operations.
d.Planting: The Contractor shall adhere to the following seasonal schedule for planting unless the Engineer, with the written approval of the Landscape Architect, directs otherwise. PLANTING SEASON SCHEDULE DECIDUOUS MATERIAL EVERGREEN MATERIAL Balled and Burlapped Container Seedling Balled and Container Seedling & Bare Root Grown Stock Burlapped Grown Stock REGION Season Dates Dates Dates Dates Dates Dates Bristol, Spring 3/1- 3/1- 3/15- 3/15- 3/15- 3/15- Culpepper 4/30 6/15 4/15 4/30 6/15 4/15 NOV A, Salem, Staunton, Fall 10/15- 8/15- 9/1- 8/15- 10/1- Lynchburg 12/15 12/15 11/15 11/15 10/31 Fredericksburg, Spring 2/15- 2/15- 2/15- 2/15- 2/15- 2/15- Richmond, 4/15 4/15 4/15 4/15 4/15 4/15 Hampton Roads Fall/ 10/15- 10/15- 10/15- 10/15- 10/1- Winter 1/31 1/31 1/31 1/31 1/31 CONTAINER/FIELD GROWN PERENNIALS AND ORNAMENTAL GRASSES BULBS REGION Season Dates Dates Bristol, Spring 4/14-6/30 Culpepper NOV A, Salem Staunton, Fall 9/1-10/30 10/1-11/30Lynchburg Fredericksburg, Spring 3/15-5/15 Richmond, Hampton Roads Fall/ 10/15-12/15 10/1-11/30 Winter605.04 766(e) Sources of Supply: All plants shall be obtained from a nursery certified by the VDACS with a “Certificate of Registration”, or certified by a comparable agency responsible for nursery inspection and issuance of a “Certificate of Registration” from the State of origin. The Contractor shall supply the Engineer with a copy of this certification with each separate delivery of plant materials to the project site. Failure to supply this certification will result in rejection of the plant delivery.
f.Inspecting and Identifying Plants: Plants will be inspected and identified by the Engineer in accordance with the Standardized Plant Names prepared by the Editorial Committee of the American Joint Committee on Horticultural Nomenclature. The Engineer may inspect plants at any time and place. Plants will be inspected immediately prior to being planted. If plants are installed prior to inspection and found to be noncompliant, they shall be replaced with Department approved plants at the Contractor’ s expense.
g.Substitutions: The Engineer will not allow any changes in the quantity, size, kind, or quality of plants from those specified in the Contract unless otherwise authorized in writing by the VLA or VLA representative. When requesting permission to substitute, the Contractor shall submit to the Engineer written evidence in accordance with paragraph (a) herein of the Contractor contacting at least 3 certified nurseries in search of specified plants, verifying their unavailability, and provide the Engineer with the nursery contact information including date, time, and contact name and title. The Engineer may direct the Contractor to contact additional nurseries to confirm that the specified plants are unavailable from those sources as well. After ascertaining that the specified plants are not available the Contractor shall suggest substitute plants that best conform to the Contract. If the Engineer approves the substitution, the Contractor shall indicate the reduced cost, if any, that will accrue to the Department as a result of the substitution. Substitute plant materials shall conform to the same requirements as plant materials originally designated in the Contract. As an option, the Engineer may also delete plants from the Contract in lieu of approving substitutions.
h.Plant Acclimation: The Contractor shall ensure that container grown plants are acclimated to prevailing weather conditions before their installation. Any plants originating from greenhouse storage shall be acclimated prior to shipping. Generally, acclimation can be satisfied by placing plants outdoors for a period of at least 1 week prior to shipment. Install bare root plants while dormant when soil and air temperatures are above freezing.
i.Delivery: The Contractor shall notify the Engineer at least 48 hours in advance of the anticipated delivery date for plants. The Contractor shall submit a legible copy of the invoice showing the sources of supply, all species by common and botanical name, specific variety, and cultivar in the sizes amount, and quality (if applicable) reserved in each shipment to the Engineer. A copy of the current Certificate of Nursery Inspection from the State of origin must accompany each shipment of plants for acceptance.
j.Labeling: Plant material delivered to the project shall be legibly identified with a waterproof label as to the genus, species (common and botanical name), cultivar, quality (where applicable), and size of the plants. When plants are in bales, bundles, boxes, or other containers, a legible label indicating the genus, species (common and botanical name), size, and quantity of the plants shall be attached to each container. A minimum of 10 percent of each species in each shipment shall be so labeled. The Engineer will reject plants that do not comply with this identification labeling requirement.
k.Transporting and Protecting: Plants transported to the project in open vehicles shall be covered with suitable covers securely fastened to the body of the vehicle for protection. Closed vehicles shall be adequately ventilated to prevent overheating or dehydration of plants. Plants shall be kept moist, fresh, and protected at all times.605.04 767(l) Storing: When plants are to be stored prior to installation, they shall be stored at a location approved by the Engineer. The Engineer will reject any plants stored for more than 30 days. Unless the Engineer approves other methods of storage, bare-root plants that are not planted within 24 hours after delivery shall be heeled-in in a moist trench dug in the ground. Bundled plants shall be opened, and the plants shall be carefully separated and placed singularly in the trench with the roots spread in a natural position. Roots of each layer of plants shall be immediately covered with moist, pulverized soil; moist sawdust; or other approved material in a manner satisfactory to the Engineer. The Contractor shall ensure root-covering materials are kept moist at all times. The Contractor shall provide shade for plants when and as directed by the Engineer. Balled material, container-grown plants, and plants in plantable pots that are not installed within 48 hours of delivery shall be grouped together according to the method of containment they are delivered in, and shall have their root zones protected by covering their root balls or containers with wet sawdust, mulch or other approved material. Plants rejected by the Engineer and the VLA for non-compliance to these requirements shall be removed from the storage area within 24 hours of rejection or, with the written approval of the Engineer, may be marked with yellow paint or otherwise made readily identifiable for later disposal. If the Contractor has not removed rejected plants or acceptably marked such material within 24 hours of rejection, the Engineer will not permit the use of other plants from the storage area until the rejected plants have been removed or properly identified as “Rejected” by marking.
m.Preparation: The Contractor shall inspect all areas designated on the plans for planting to ensure that final grade has been met. Planting operations shall not proceed in any area that has not reached final grade. Plantings that have been installed prior to establishment of final grade shall be reinstalled at the Contractor’ s expense or are subject to rejection upon review by the Engineer and the VLA.
n.Marking Underground and Aboveground Conditions: The Contractor shall arrange for the marking of the location of all underground utilities with Ticket Information Exchange (TIE) or Miss Utility and all other applicable underground utility providers such as sewer and water service, and VDOT Regional Traffic Control Centers (for Intelligent Transportation System assets, traffic signal cable, or other facilities) prior to digging. The Contractor shall locate and work around aboveground utilities. If underground obstructions or any other unforeseen sub¬surface or aboveground condi - tions are encountered that could interfere with a utility, prohibit plant installation, or be detrimental to acceptable plant installation or sustainable growth, the Engineer may require the Contractor to enlarge or relocate the plant pits or to delete the plants from the contract.
o.Layout: The Contractor shall stake or mark plant locations and outlines of plant bed areas designated to receive plants. The Engineer will inspect and approve plant locations and planting beds prior to the start of plant installation. The Contractor shall notify the Engineer a minimum of 48 hours prior to scheduling the layout inspection. Planting will not be permitted until the Engineer has approved the staking layout. Unforeseen or unintended conditions such as the location of traffic signs, utilities, and drainage items, etc. may necessitate adjustments in proposed plant locations; however, such adjustments will only be permitted when approved by the Engineer.
p.Pruning:
1.Limbs: The Engineer will reject any plants that have been freshly pruned before delivery. If necessary, plants shall be pruned either immediately before or within 48 hours after they are planted. In the case of trees, while laying tree on its side, inspect the tree crown, and make clean pruning cuts as necessary to remove co-dominant leaders, dead or broken branches, and basal suckers. Pruning of trees and shrubs shall consist of removing dead, diseased, broken, or other branches and removing sprouts and sucker growth deemed injurious to the health of the plant. 605.04 768Care shall be taken to preserve the natural character of the plant. Pruning shall be performed with tools and equipment in excellent working and sharpened condition that are specifically designed for the appropriate work. All pruning shall be performed in accordance with the current ANSI A300 and as directed by the Engineer. The Contractor shall remove and dispose of all debris from the pruning operations in accordance with Section 106.04. All above ground pruning shall be made just outside the branch collar and all basal suckers shall be pruned back to the point of origin, even if from the root system. Trees having co-dominate leaders within the lower two-thirds of the crown will be rejected. Reduction pruning of co-dominate leaders shall be limited to limbs less than 1.5” inches in diameter.
2.Roots: The Contractor shall inspect root zones for potential stem girdling roots (SGRs), “J” roots, or any roots starting to encircle the trunk, stem or root system and prune away dead, detrimental, or defective roots back to live tissue.
q.Planting
1.Slopes Steeper than 3H:1V: When designated in the Planting Summary General Notes to test for pit drainage on slopes, the Contractor shall determine drainage requirements for trees or shrubs on slopes steeper than 3H:1V by percolation tests, with no more than 3 tests per slope, at specific locations as determined by the Engineer. Slopes requiring this test are determined by the Department from cut and fill slopes shown on the cross sections. Percolation testing shall consist of the following: The Contractor shall auger holes that are 12 inches in diameter and 24 inches in depth. Three holes shall be distributed across the slopes vertically and horizontally. The Contractor shall fill the holes with water and allow them to drain. If soil is extremely dry, the Contractor shall fill holes twice and allow them to drain. The holes shall be filled again and the rate measured at which water percolates into the soil. Water in holes should recede at the rate of 2 inches per hour (minimum). If not, the Engineer will require the Contractor to perform planting pit modification to improve drainage quality.
2.Preparing Planting Pits for Trees and Shrubs: Planting pits shall be excavated to at least meet the minimum requirements of the planting details of the Standard Drawings unless otherwise indicated on the plans by specific detailed drawings. The Contractor shall scarify the sides of pits that are plastered or glazed. Surplus excavation and unsuitable material shall not be piled on top of the root ball or used to make tree rings but shall be disposed of in accordance with Section 106.04. Existing soil excavated from individual planting pits shall be used as standard backfill material for planting except as otherwise indicated in the planting plan details and notes. The Contractor shall take care in reviewing all plan details and notes that may include a specific backfill soil mix, oversize planting pits, linear planting pits, etc.
3.Oversize Planting Pits: The Contractor shall prepare oversize planting pits according to the plan details at the locations indicated on the plans. Backfill shall consist of two-thirds part native soil excavated from the planting pit, and one-third part compost unless otherwise indicated in the Contract or approved by the Engineer. The Contractor shall add additional soil mix at the direction of the Engineer if settlement occurs prior to planting. The planting pit shall be neatly edged in a 4 foot diameter around the tree after planting and the remaining disturbed soil shall be reseeded in accordance with requirements listed on the Roadside Development Sheet except when the planting pit falls within a larger planting bed area.
4.Linear Planting Pits: The Contractor shall excavate areas labeled on the plans and details as “Linear Planting Pit” to the horizontal and vertical dimensions indicated to receive soil mixture. The soil mixture shall consist of 1 part compost, 1 part horticultural grade perlite, 605.04 769and 1 part topsoil unless otherwise indicated in the Contract or approved by the Engineer. Construction of linear planting pits shall also include any necessary excavation required for installation of plant underdrain systems, if indicated. The inclusion of plant underdrain systems, as applicable, will be indicated on the plans. Soil mix for linear planting pits shall be installed in 6 inch lifts, lightly compacted by foot or other approved methods, and moistened prior to proceeding with the next lift. If settlement occurs prior to planting, the Contractor shall furnish and install additional soil mix as directed by the Engineer. Following installation of the linear planting pit, remaining disturbed soil that falls outside of tree rings shall be reseeded in accordance with the Roadside Development Sheet except when the linear planting pit falls within a larger planting bed area. If the linear planting pit is used as a plant bed, the Contractor shall till the linear planting pit to a depth of 4 inches prior to planting and shall hand rake the area and adjust the grade adjacent to curb, sidewalk or “V” cut edge as necessary to receive 3 inches of mulch.
5.Preparing Plant Beds: The Contractor shall prepare plant beds in accordance with the following:
a.The Engineer will only require plant bed preparation on 3H:1V or flatter slopes. Where grass and weeds are present, the Contractor shall treat the designated bed areas with a broad spectrum grass and weed killing herbicide at least 14 days prior to beginning plant bed preparation, or shall physically remove all turf and weeds immediately before bed preparation. Apply non-selective herbicide in water with wetting agent and dye as follows: NON-SELECTIVE HERBICIDE APPLICATION MATERIAL RATE PER ACRE Glyphosate Herbicide 5 lbs. of active ingredient Marking Dye 6 to 15 oz. Water 40 to 50 gal Following removal or elimination of grass and weeds, the entire area of the plant bed shall be cultivated to a depth of 4 inches by a rotary cultivator or other method approved by the Engineer. The Contractor shall then apply compost to a depth of three inches over the entire plant bed and re-till the area to form a homogenous soil medium. Soil shall be cultivated so that there are no clods larger than 2 inches in diameter.
b.The Contractor shall remove any remaining grass, sod, and weeds from the bed. Rocks over 3 inches in diameter, clods, roots, and other objectionable material remaining on the surface shall be removed and disposed of in accordance with Section 106.04 or as approved in writing by the Engineer. Individual planting pits within the bed shall not be dug until after the bed is prepared to the satisfaction of the Engineer.
c.Upon completion of planting, the bed shall be hand raked to an even surface and neatly edged with a “V” cut edge located a minimum of 12 inches from the root ball of any plants located along the outer edge of the bed. The Contractor shall then apply mulch to the entire bed area. On certain projects where mulched beds around large quantities of plant materials are used to control weed growth and are not intended as a prepared soil medium or are located on slopes steeper than 3H:1V , tilling and application of compost throughout the plant bed may not be necessary. The addition of compost to individual 605.04 770plant pits within beds in such cases will be required when designated on plan details or in accompanying plan notes.
6.Installing Trees and Shrubs: Balled and burlapped and containerized plant materials shall be installed in plant pits in accordance with the details and requirements of the Standard Draw - ings unless otherwise indicated on the plans. Bare roots of plants shall be spread out in a natural position. Broken, dead, or bruised roots shall be carefully pruned. The Contractor shall cut and remove root ball wrapping materials and cages from the planting pits after positioning plants in the planting pit and prior to backfilling. All other wrapping or identifying materials such as tags, twine and colored marking ribbon shall be removed from the plant unless otherwise directed by the Engineer. The soil mixture shall then be filled in around the roots and lightly tamped. Light tamping around root balls shall be performed using a method approved by the Engineer. The Engineer will allow foot tamping in the bottom of pits before plants are installed, around root balls when there is ample room to accommodate the foot without damage to the root ball, and in the planting of bare-root plants after roots have been covered with the soil. The Engineer will not permit the use of saturated or frozen backfill material. Backfill material in pits shall be saturated with water. The amount of water applied and method of application shall be approved by the Engineer. Failure to water properly at the time each plant is installed will be cause for rejection of the plant. The Contractor shall be responsible for continuing to water as frequently as is necessary to maintain an adequate supply of moisture within the root zone of all plantings at all times and especially whenever there is less than 1 inch of rainfall in a seven day period until the start of the Establishment Period. Potted plants shall not be removed from their container until immediately before planting. Plants in containers shall be removed by Department approved methods that will not damage roots or loosen soil balls. The sides of containerized plants shall be scarified prior to planting. When planted, watered, and fully settled, plants shall be vertical and shall stand at a height flush with the height they were growing prior to installation.
7.Handling Plants during Planting: Roots of bare-root plants shall be kept covered with moist burlap, moist soil, moist sawdust, or other approved material prior to planting. Forest tree seedlings and forest tree transplants shall be carried in a container filled with sufficient mud to puddle roots. When seedling roots have been coated with a protective material, the seedlings shall be protected in accordance with the U.S. Forest Service’ s recommendations relative to treatment of seedling roots while seedlings are being planted. The Engineer will reject any plants if their roots are exposed to drying conditions at any time prior to planting.
8.Fertilizer: The Contractor shall top dress each planting pit and all plant beds with a granular, slow release fertilizer at the manufacturer’ s specified rate per square foot of surface area, prior to mulching.
9.Mulch shall be applied uniformly to a 3-inch depth over the entire area of the plant pit or plant bed within 48 hours after completion of all planting. The Contractor shall apply mulch at the terminus of the Establishment Period at a depth of 1-1/2 inches. Mulch shall be anchored in a manner satisfactory to the Engineer. Mulch shall not be required for wetland trees and shrubs except as stated herein or upland forest tree seedlings unless specified on the plans. Mulch shall be applied to wetland trees and shrubs on slopes and upland areas adjacent to the wetland.
10.Staking, Guying, Anchoring: Each tree shall be staked with two or three stakes, guyed or secured with below ground tree anchors the same day trees are planted. Staking and guying of trees shall be performed as detailed herein and in the Standard Drawings. The Contractor 605.04 771shall use below ground tree anchors when specified on detailed drawings in the plans. The Contractor shall stake deciduous trees 3” in caliper and greater, and evergreen trees 8’ or taller, with three stakes. When two or three stakes are used, install two stakes parallel to traffic. Drive stakes vertically to a depth of 10 inches minimum below the bot¬tom of the tree pit and at least 6 inches from the root ball or container.
11.Pre-emergent Herbicide Application: 14 days after mulching, the Contractor shall top dress each planting pit and all plant beds with a granular, pre-emergent herbicide at the manufacturer’ s specified rate per square foot of surface area. Thoroughly water in herbicide according to the manufacturer’ s recommendations.
r.Pit Drains: : Pit drains or plant underdrain systems shall be installed according to the manufacturer’ s recommendations and as shown on the Plans.
s.Tree Tubes: Tree tubes shall be installed on all seedling trees in accordance with the manufacturer’ s instructions, the Plans, and product details and specifications.
605.05 Completion of Installation Phase
a.Installation Phase Plant Replacements: Between the beginning and ending dates of the Installation Phase, plants that are dead, defective, or otherwise not in a healthy growing condition as determined by the Engineer shall be removed immediately and replaced as soon as viably feasible within the appropriate planting season at the Contractor’ s expense. Plant replacements shall be made once in the spring, if required, and once in the fall, if required (See Planting Season), as necessary to replace unacceptable plant materials as directed by the Engineer. The criteria in Table VI-2 will be used to identify plants that are unacceptable that the Contractor shall replace at the spring or fall planting times indicated above. Replacement plants shall be true to species, cultivar, size, root condition, and quality as specified in the Contract unless a request for substitution has been approved, in which case, the replacement may be the substitution or if now available, the originally specified plant as directed by the Engineer.
b.Installation Phase Inspection: The Contractor shall request an Installation Phase Acceptance inspection be performed by the Engineer to confirm completion of all planting operations in ac - cordance with this Section and the Contract, and to verify all plants are living, healthy and in a viable growing condition. The Installation Phase Acceptance Inspection will be performed on a mutually agreeable date following completion of the appropriate planting season (spring or fall), but in no case, less than 14 days before the end date of the appropriate planting season. Plants that are replaced in order to meet the initial specification requirements to begin the Establishment Period are not considered as “plant replacements” and, therefore, are to be replaced at the Contractor’ s expense. The Engineer will schedule the Installation Phase Acceptance Inspection with the Contractor, the VLA (or VLA representative) and any other affected parties at a mutually agreeable time and place on the project site.
c.Installation Phase Punch List: The Engineer, in consultation with the Contractor, will develop an Installation Phase Punch List of unfulfilled requirements to be met and any deficiencies, including a list of plants to be replaced prior to acceptance of this phase of the planting operation. The Contractor shall complete the Punch List requirements and replace plants as indicated. The criteria for plants that are unacceptable and are to be replaced shall be as indicated in paragraph (a) herein.605.05 772 TABLE VI-2 CRITERIA OF UNACCEPTABLE PLANTS Item Plant Name Condition Unacceptable 1 Tree, Shrub, Vine, Death or Any dead or missing Perennial, Grass Absence plant, any cause. 2 Tree, Shrub, Vine, Defoliation More than 25% of leaf area Perennial, Grass dead, lost, or dropped 3 Tree, Shrub, Bark More than 15% of bark Vine Wound or circumference or 2 in. Exfoliation length, whichever is less 4 Shrub or Vine Height More than 25% of the Die-back shrub or vine height. 5 Tree Leader Die- More than 10% of tree back/missing height or central leader dead or missing 6 Tree Branch More than 6 in. on Die-back 50% of branches 7 Tree Vertical Tree is bending over Rotation (bowed) more than 3’ off center from trunk base 8 Shrub, Perennial, Weed Root Ball or Container Grass infestation infested with weeds across the surface
d.Installation Phase Acceptance: The Engineer will perform re-inspection with the Contractor as needed until the Installation Phase planting is accepted. The Engineer will approve and issue Installation Phase Acceptance when all items on the Installation Phase Punch List are completed, replacement plants are properly installed, and all Installation Phase requirements for Acceptance listed in Table VI-3 have been met.
605.06 Plant Care and Maintenance
Plant care and maintenance shall begin immediately after each plant is satisfactorily installed and shall continue until the end of the Establishment Period. Care and maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, replacing displaced mulch, repairing and reshaping water rings or saucers, maintaining stakes and guys as originally installed, watering when needed as required by the specifications or as directed by the Engineer, pruning as needed, applications of pesticides, herbicides or fungicides as required, and performing any other work required to keep plants in a healthy growing condition. Dead, defective, or rejected plants shall be immediately removed and replaced in accordance with of Section 605.05(a). 605.05 773 TABLE VI-3 REQUIREMENTS FOR INSTALLATION PHASE ACCEPTANCE Item Requirement 1 Source of Supply and Submittals are accepted and Inspections are completed 2 All species are correct for the variety, cultivar, size and root condition specified 3 Damaging pests are controlled 4 Layouts are inspected and approved. 5 Oversize and Linear Planting pits are the correct size. 6 Planting pits and planting beds are weed free. 7 Trees and shrubs are pruned 8 Trees are installed vertically and at the proper elevation. 9 Planting pits and beds are neatly edged with a 3 inch “V” cut edge 10 Mulch is uniformly spread to the specified depth 11 Washouts in planting pits and beds are repaired 12 Plants are watered and fertilized 13 Clean up is completed, plant tags and ribbons and other debris are removed 14 Unacceptable plants are replaced. 15 Shrubs and Herbaceous Plants are properly installed 16 Tree Rings and beds have been top dressed with Pre-emergent herbicide 17 Establishment Phase Schedule is accepted. 18 Damage repairs and Installation Punch List is completed.
605.07 Establishment Period
The Contractor shall submit an Establishment Period Phased Maintenance Schedule to the Engineer for review and approval at least one week prior to the start of the Establishment Period. The Establishment Period shall begin on a date, determined by the Engineer, following completion of the appropriate planting season (spring or fall) and acceptance of the Installation Phase by the Department. The Establishment Period shall continue through a minimum of one calendar year (or for the time period established in the Contract), and shall terminate on the date determined in writing by the Engineer in accordance with Section 605.08. In order to satisfy the Establishment Period requirements and provide for Final Accep - tance of the Contract in accordance with Section 108.09(c), the Contractor shall provide the Department a minimum one year (or as necessary to cover the Establishment Period duration) separate performance bond in the full amount of the Landscaping section of the contract applicable for the duration of the Establishment Period. The Contractor shall do all work necessary to keep the plants in a healthy growing condition, including, but not limited to the following:
a.Watering: The Contractor’ s watering schedule shall be in accordance with the frequency listed on the project’ s summary sheet general notes and in accordance with the Contractor’ s approved Estab - lishment Period Phased Maintenance Schedule. That schedule withstanding, the Contractor shall be responsible for watering as frequently as is necessary to maintain an adequate supply of moisture within the root zone of all plantings at all times and especially whenever there is less than 1 inch of rainfall in a seven day period during the months of April through September. Water shall not be applied at a force that displaces soil or mulch. Quantities and frequency of watering shown on the plans are the minimum for estimating purposes only.
1.The Engineer may require the use of watering needles or other approved watering methods to prevent displacement of soil, mulch and the runoff of water. The Engineer may make periodic inspections to ascertain the adequacy of the Contractor’ s watering efforts and the moisture 605.07 774content of the soil in the root zone of plantings. If it is determined from the Department’ s inspection the Contractor’ s watering efforts are not adequate to continuously maintain moisture in the root zone of plantings the Contractor will be notified that additional watering is required and shall respond as detailed herein.
2.The quantity of water supplied shall not be in excess of that normally required to ensure optimum growing conditions. Watering shall not commence until methods and equipment have been approved by the Engineer. The Engineer may require or suspend watering at any time. Notification and Scheduling: When notified by the Engineer that additional watering is required (in addition to watering scheduled in the Contractor’ s approved Establishment Period Phased Main - tenance Schedule), the Contractor shall begin watering within 48 hours of such notification with sufficient water, labor, materials, and equipment as required and shall continue to water daily where and as directed, without delays or interruptions, to ensure that the root zones of plantings do not become dry at any time. If the Contractor fails to begin watering operations within 48 hours after notification, the Engineer may proceed with adequate water, forces, equipment, and materials to perform the needed watering and the entire cost of the Department’ s watering operations will be deducted from monies due the Contractor.
b.All Establishment Period maintenance work shall begin within 7 working days after the Engineer notifies the Contractor that the Establishment Period has begun. Establishment Period Plant Replacements: Between the beginning and ending dates of the Estab- lishment Period, plants that are dead, defective, or otherwise not in a healthy growing condition as determined by the Engineer shall be removed immediately and replaced as soon as viably feasible within the appropriate growing season at the monetary replacement amounts listed below. Plant replacements shall be made once in the spring, if required (Between March 1 and April 15), and once in the fall, if required (Between October 15 and December 31), as necessary to replace dead, damaged, or defective plant materials unless otherwise directed by the Engineer. For each plant replaced, the first replacement shall be at the Contractor’ s expense. The second replacement, if required, will be paid at 35 percent of the original contract unit price for each plant replaced. The criteria used to identify plants that are unacceptable during the Installation Phase and which shall be replaced at the spring or fall times as indicated in Section 605.05 (a) above shall be used to determine acceptability during the Establishment Phase. Replacement plants shall be true to species, cultivar, size, root condition, and quality as specified in the Contract unless a request for substitution is submitted and approved by the Engineer, in which cases substitutions shall conform to Section 605.04 (g).
c.Stakes, and Guys, and/or Below Ground Tree Anchors shall be repaired or replaced immediately as needed. Replacements shall take place when units are no longer functional as intended for use. Stakes and Guys shall be removed when no longer required as directed by the Engineer. Below ground tree anchors shall remain in place.
d.Mulch shall be redressed as needed and/or as directed by the Engineer throughout the Establishment Period. Beds shall be re-edged as necessary.
e.Re-mulching: When established as a separate pay item, remulching shall be applied to all indi- vidual plants and plant beds prior to the end of the Establishment Period at a rate of approximately 1-1/2 inch depth uniformly over all individual plant pits and plant beds, or as directed by the Engineer.605.07 775(f) V egetation Control shall consist of the control and removal of weeds, grasses (except ornamental varieties identified in the Contract) and root growth from plant beds and mulched areas around individual plants. The Contractor shall perform such weeding once in the months of May, June, July, August, and September for a total of five weeding operations over the duration of the Establishment Period (unless a different schedule is specified in the Planting Summary Sheet and Notes) in accor - dance with the Contractor’ s approved Establishment Period Phased Maintenance Schedule.
1.Removal of weeds, grass and root growth shall be performed by the application of broad spectrum and selective “post emergent” herbicides as approved by the Engineer. All herbicide applications shall be performed or supervised by certified pesticide applicators in accordance with the requirements herein and Section 607. Selective hand weeding may be performed where weeds and vines are growing through plants or where selective herbicide treatment has not proven effective or successful. The Contractor shall be responsible for replacing plants that are damaged or that die due to the application of herbicide, pesticide, or fungicide treatments. When beds and plantings therein become inundated with weeds due to a lack of weed control, the Contractor shall remove all plants in the bed (except for trees) within the area of weed infestation as determined by the Engineer. Plants whose root systems are inundated with weeds to the point that plant viability is threatened in the opinion of the VLA shall be replaced at the Contractor’ s expense. Salvageable plants from the plant beds shall be stored on site in accordance with Section 605.04 (l). The Contractor shall then protect the removed plants root zones from drying out, physically remove all weed growth from the affected areas, replace any excavated soil mix, reinstall plants, fertilize, re-mulch, water, and reapply pre-emergent herbicide in accordance with these provision, all at the Contractor’ s expense.
2.When herbicides are used for post emergent weed control, the weeds shall be cut to a height of 6 inches or as recommended by the herbicide manufacturer, if necessary, prior to applying the herbicide. The Engineer reserves the right to change the frequency or delete specific areas scheduled for weed control. Other pesticides, adjuvants and plant growth regulators may be used when approved by the Engineer.
3.Vegetation Control shall also include turf management and maintenance, which includes mowing grass and other vegetation to a height of 3 inches around individual plant pits, between groups of plant pits that are 15 feet on center or less, and around the perimeter of plant beds. For each individual plant pit, group of plant pits, and plant beds, a perimeter extending 2-1/2 feet in width shall be maintained around the outermost plant pits and 5 feet around the perimeter of beds where grass and other vegetation is present, and where such areas exist within the right-of-way or construction easement. The Contractor shall perform mowing once each month from May and to September, inclusive. Additional mowing may be required when requested by the Engineer. If requested and authorized by the Engineer additional mowing will be paid for as shown in the contract. The Engineer may delete individual mowing cycles when deemed appropriate.
g.Additional Plant Maintenance: : The Contractor shall also perform plant maintenance operations including pruning of dead, broken, or diseased branches, and seasonal spraying with approved insec - ticides and fungicides as approved or directed by the Engineer to ensure plant health and survival.
605.08 Termination of Establishment Period
a.Establishment Period Final Inspection: The Engineer will schedule the Establishment Period Final Inspection with the Contractor, VLA (or VLA representative), and any other affected parties 605.08 776on a mutually agreeable date at least one year, or as otherwise required by the duration of the Establishment Period stated in the Contract, following the start date of the Establishment Period. During this inspection an Establishment Phase Terminal Punch List will be developed, if necessary, to address deficiencies, repairs, replacements, and other work as specified in the Contract. The Establishment Period Final Inspection will be performed on a mutually agreeable date at least one year following the start date of the Establishment Period and 1 year completion of the appro - priate planting season (spring or fall) but in no case less than 14 days before the end date of the appropriate planting season. Any dead, missing, or defective plants shall be replaced as directed by the Engineer prior to the termination of the Establishment Period.
b.Establishment Period Final Inspection Punch List: The Engineer will develop an Establishment Period Punch List based on the requirements listed below of any unfulfilled requirements or deficiencies, including a list of plants to be replaced prior to acceptance of this phase of the planting operations. The Contractor shall perform repairs, replacements and other work as required to finalize conformance to Punch List items and any other unfulfilled requirements specified in the Contract.
c.Final Acceptance of the Establishment Period shall end on a date established by the Engineer, when the Contractor receives written notification from the Engineer that confirms all the requirements of this Section have been satisfactorily completed and the following list of key Establishment Period requirements have been satisfied: ESTABLISHMENT PERIOD FINAL INSPECTION & ACCEPTANCE Item Requirement 1 Water sprouts (suckers) are manually pruned and removed up to the height of the first branch 2 Trees are vertical in position 3 Staking and guying are removed (except for trees replaced to terminate the Establishment Period) 4 Washouts in planting pits and beds are repaired 5 Tree rings and plant beds are remulched and neatly edged 6 Any abandoned planting pits are filled, leveled, and seeded. 7 Accepted plants are successfully established for 12 months 8 Damaging pests are controlled. 9 Planting pits and planting beds are weed and trash free. 10 Unacceptable plants are replaced with replacement stock in the correct position and in accordance with these Specifications 11 Annual foliage dieback of perennials and grasses is cut and removed. 12 Plants are fertilized again 13 All ribbons, flags, labels, tags, containers, cages, burlap and other waste materials are removed and sidewalks and paved medians are clean swept 14 Damaged or dead limbs/branches are pruned from accepted trees and shrubs 15 Damage repairs and Establishment Punch List are completed.
605.09 Guarantee
The Contractor shall provide the Department a minimum one-year separate performance bond in the full amount of the Landscaping section of the contract applicable for the duration of the Establishment 605.08 777Period. The 1 year landscape performance bond shall begin on the start date of the Establishment Period as described in Section 605.07. The Contractor’ s separate performance bond for the landscaping portion of the Contract as specified in Section 605.07 shall provide for necessary maintenance during the Establishment Period. Among other things this bond shall ensure plant replacements in kind (or with a substitute acceptable to the Engineer) for plants that are not in a healthy growing condition or that have died back to the crown or beyond the normal pruning limit and for all associated maintenance as required by these specifications and the Contractor’ s approved Establishment Period Phased Maintenance Schedule.
605.10 Measurement and Payment
Plants will be measured in units of each, on an actual count of living plants in a healthy growing condition, and will be paid for at the contract unit price per each as described in the Contract for the size (and, if specified, quality) designated. Plants that the Engineer deleted from the Contract will not be measured for payment. This price shall include furnishing and installing plants and miscellaneous planting materials; preparing planting pits, except when established as a separate pay item; initial watering when planting; watering during the Installation Phase and the Establishment Period; furnishing and applying fertilizer; backfilling with approved soil mixture, except when linear or oversize planting pits are established as a separate pay item; staking; guying; anchoring; pruning; applying mulch, except to areas designated on the plans as plant beds; applying pre-emergent herbicide to beds and individual plant pits; pest management; controlling weeds in plant beds and tree rings (vegetation control) throughout the Establishment Period; replacing dead or damaged plants; repairing, replacing and removing stakes and guys when no longer needed; and maintaining plants in a healthy growing condition until final acceptance.
a.Trees or shrubs planted on a slope steeper than 3H:1V with pit modification as indicated in the Standard Drawings, Section 1201.06 will be paid for at 125 percent of the contract unit price. Such price shall also include the cost of pit modification, stone, and geotextile filter fabric. Percolation tests shall be included in the contract unit price of these plants.
b.Replacements for plants lost during the Establishment Period due to damage or destruction caused by non-Contract personnel or equipment, or damage or destruction caused by wild or domestic animals will be paid for at the rate of 35 percent the contract unit price per each. If the Engineer determines the cause of damage, destruction, or loss to be theft, vandalism, or public vehicular damage, the rate will be 50 percent of the contract unit price per each. This price shall include all costs associated with furnishing and installing the replacement plant. Replacements for plants that die due to other reasons shall be replaced and paid for in accordance with Section 605.07 (l).
c.Tree, shrub, vine, ornamental grass, perennial or aquatic plant installation and establishment will be paid for in monthly pro-rated payments based upon the approved list of these items and their contract unit prices. Payment will be made according to the following schedule of project inspec - tions when construction requirements are met (adjustments to this schedule will be made, when required, as approved by the Engineer.605.10 778PLANT P AYMENT SCHEDULE————————————————————————————————————— PERCENTAGE OF PRORATED TOTAL CONTRACT MONTHL Y FOR PRICE COMPLETED WORK————————————————————————————————————— PHASE COMPLETION Part of Stand Alone Subject to adjustment based Roadway Landscaping on site conditions and duration Contract Contract of Installation Phase————————————————————————————————————— Installation Phase 50 65————————————————————————————————————— 3 4 April Inspection*** 7 {10} 5 {7} May Inspection Establishment Phase Care & 10 5 {7} June Inspection Maintenance in growing 7 5 July Inspection 7 3 August Inspection 6 3 September Inspection————————————————————————————————————— Establishment Phase 10 10 At Final Acceptance Removal & Replacement and Final—————————————————————————————————————Total Payment 100 100————————————————————————————————————— *** April Inspections for projects planted the previous fall. For project s planted in the spring, inspec- tions will begin in May with the percentage of payment indicated in brackets beginning in May.
d.The Contractor shall notify the Engineer within 48 hours if vegetation control for a specific month is changed from the Contractor’ s approved Establishment Period Phased Maintenance Schedule. Following maintenance operations for that month, the VLA (representative, consultant, or VDOT inspector) will make an inspection of the project and report to the Engineer for approving work or will submit a “punch list” for additional work to be completed prior to approval and payment being made.
e.Watering during the Installation Period shall be applied at the rates and frequencies designated on the Plans and, during the Establishment Period, in accordance with the Contractor’ s approved Establishment Period Phased Maintenance Schedule.
f.Vegetation Control for weeding and turf maintenance shall include removing and disposing of unwanted vegetation, applying pesticides, herbicides, and mowing around and in between individual plant pits in accordance with the Contractor’ s approved Establishment Period Phased Maintenance Schedule.
g.Forfeiture: failure to complete operations required or directed in conformance with the Plant Payment Schedule will result in delay of that percentage of payment based upon the list of Contract Prices until the work is completed or, in the absence of completion, forfeiture of that percentage. Bed Preparation will be measured in units of 100 square feet of surface area and will be paid for at the contract unit price per unit. This price shall include herbicide spraying of areas to be prepared for planting or physically removing turf and weeds, restoring low areas to original grade with topsoil (as applicable) as directed by the Engineer, tilling soil, furnishing, delivering, and applying composted yard waste to the specified depth, tilling in composted yard waste, hand raking, neatly edging bed, and all incidentals necessary to prepare a healthy growing medium for planting.605.10 779Pit drains, when detailed and established as a separate pay item on the plans, will be measured in units of each, complete-in-place, and will be paid for at the contract unit price per each. This price shall include furnishing and installing drainage stone, pipe, pipe grate, prefabricated drainage core, drainage and aeration cloth, and geotextile drainage fabric as designated on the Plans. Linear Planting Pit will be measured in cubic yards of excavated material required to achieve the horizontal and vertical dimensions indicated on the plans to receive soil mixture and will be paid for at the contract unit price per square yard. This price shall include furnishing, and storing soil mixture materials to be used, and the disposing of surplus or unsuitable excavated materials. This price shall also include mixing and installing of all components of the soil mix (horticultural grade perlite and compost), preparing bed, hand raking and adjusting planting pit surface to receive mulch, and furnishing and installing underdrain systems if indicated on the plans, including drainage stone, drainage and aeration cloth, prefabricated drainage core, geotextile drainage fabric, pipe, and pipe grate in accordance with the Plans and detailed drawings, and all necessary incidentals, complete-in-place. Oversize Planting Pit will be measured in units of each and will be paid for at the contract unit price per each. This price shall include excavating and disposing of unsuitable or surplus material, furnishing and installing pit drain materials if shown as part of the plan details, furnishing, installation, and mixing of approved backfill material and composted yard waste. Surplus material may be disposed of onsite if approved by the Engineer. Mulching for plant beds at the time of initial installation will be measured in cubic yards and will be paid for at the contract unit price per cubic yard. This price shall include furnishing, and applying mulch. No separate payment will be made for initial application or maintenance of mulch around plants that are not in continuous mulched plant beds, the cost thereof shall be included in the price for the plant. Remulching, when established as a separate pay item, will be measured in cubic yards and will be paid for at the contract unit price per cubic yard. This price shall include furnishing, and applying mulch to plant beds and to plants in individual saucer rings prior to the end of the Establishment Period. Remulching does not include regular maintenance of individually mulched plants or plant beds for the duration of the Establishment Period. Tree Tubes will be measured and paid for at the contract unit price per each which shall include furnishing and installing the tube and all incidentals necessary to complete the work. This price shall also include removing and disposing of the tree tube at the end of the Establishment Period. Payment will be made under: ———————————————————————————————— Pay Item Pay Unit———————————————————————————————— (Name of) Plant (Size) Each Bed Preparation Unit (100 square feet) Pit Drain Each Linear Planting Pit Cubic Y ard Oversize Planting Pit Each Mulching Cubic Y ard Re-mulching Cubic Y ard Tree Tube Each—————— —————————————————————————— 605.10 780SECTION 606—ROLLED EROSION CONTROL PRODUCTS (RECP)
606.01 Description
This work shall consist of furnishing and placing Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECP) (Standard EC-2 or EC-3 protective coverings) on construction slopes, in drainage channels or concentrated flow areas to facilitate vegetation establishment according to these Specifications and in conformity to the dimensions, lines, and grades shown on the Plans or as established by the Engineer.
606.02 Materials
Materials shall conform to Section 244.02(l). Determination of the type of RECP will be as designated in the Contract and installation shall be at the locations shown on the Plans in accordance with the usage criteria shown in Section 244 and Section 603.
606.03 Procedures
a.Drainage Channel Installation
1.Preparing Areas: Drainage channels shall be shaped in accordance with the cross sections shown on the Plans and then rolled or tamped to compact soil in place before final shaping. During shaping operations, the Contractor shall prepare a seedbed approximately 3/4 inch in depth over the areas to be covered by the RECP . Stones, roots, and other objects that will pre - vent the protective covering from making consistently firm contact with the seedbed shall be removed before covering is installed.
2.Applying Seed: Seed, lime, fertilizer and Hydraulic Erosion Control Product (HECP), type 3 shall be applied at a rate of 1000 pounds per acre (23 pounds per 1000 square feet) in accordance with Section 603 prior to installation of RECP . Seeded areas adjacent to the channel or ditch that are disturbed during installation of covering shall be uniformly reshaped, reseeded, and mulched for seeding at the Contractor’ s expense.
3.Installing RECP: RECP shall be installed in accordance with the Standard Drawings and the manufacturer’ s instructions. A copy of the manufacturer’ s installation instructions shall be furnished to the Engineer prior to the start of installation.
4.Watering: After coverings are installed, seeded areas shall be watered sufficiently to saturate the seedbed. Water shall be applied in a spray, after which no additional watering will be required.
b.Slope Installation RECP on slopes shall be installed at the locations shown on the Plans in accordance with the manufacturer’ s instructions, Standard Drawings, and the Roadside Development Sheets in the Plans and the following:
1.Preparing Areas: Seed bed shall be prepared in accordance with Section 603.606.01
Source: Virginia Road and Bridge Specifications, 2020 Edition. Pages 791–807 of 1,065.