Wisconsin WisDOT Standard Specifications (within FDM) — Section 631

Effective with the December 2018 Letting 401 2019 Standard Spec ifications Section 631 Sodding

631.1Description

(1)This section describes furnis hing and laying live sod on the s houlders, slopes, ditches, or at other

designated locations, and constructing sod ditch checks or simi lar structures as the plans show, the contract specifies or as the engineer directs.

631.2Materials

631.2.1 Sod

(1)The sod shall consist of a dense , well-rooted growth of perman ent and desirable grasses, indigenous

to the general locality it is to be placed, that is practicably free from weeds or undesirable grasses. When cutting the sod, the grass should be approximately 2 inches long. If longer, cut the grass to approximately this length and ra ke the sod free of debris.

(2)Cut the sod in uniform commercial size strips.

(3)Make the sod thickness as uniform as possible, approximately 3/4 inch or more, depending on the

nature of the sod, so that pract icably all of the dense root sy stem is retained, but exposed, in the sod strip and so that handling the so d causes no undue tearing or breaking.

(4)If the sod is in a dry condition such that cutting it causes c rumbling or breaking, the contractor shall, at

least 12 hours before cutting, apply water to it in sufficient quantities to provide a well-moistened sod throughout the depth it is cut.

(5)Sod provided under the Sod Lawn bi d item shall have a lush app earance, be dense, have a uniform

texture, and be bright in color throughout. The sod shall not c ontain blade widths of 1/4 inch or greater. Provide a weed free sod that cont ains no more than 3/8 inch of thatch over the base soil. The sod shall consist of a blend or mix of at least 4 fine-leafed turf grasses. At least 2/3 of the grasses by weight, as determined by initial seeding proportions, consists of improved/elite type Kentucky bluegrass varieties.

(6)Under the Sod Erosion Control bid item, provide a low maintena nce type, dense, and of uniform

texture. Provide a sod free of noxious weeds and that contains a combined total of 3 percent or less grassy weeds, sedges, broadleaf weeds, or coarse grasses. The s od shall consist of a blend or mix of at least 4 fine-leafed turf gra sses. At least 70 percent of the grasses by weight, as determined by initial seeding proportions, shall consist of acceptable low maintenanc e varieties or species as listed by the UW Extension. The contractor may obtain this list from the UW Madison, horticulture department, turf grass extension.

(7)The Sod Erosion Control SandyS oil bid item shall conform to a ll requirements for Sod Erosion Control

and shall be commercially produced on soil having 10 percent or less organic matter by mass. 631.2.2 Water

(1)When watering sodded areas, use clean water, free of impurities or substances that might injure the

sod.

631.3Construction

(1)The contractor shall provide the type of sod the plan designates or the engineer directs consistent with

the following criteria:

1.Under the Sod Lawn bid item , use in areas where the property owner provides all necessary maintenance,

including mowing, fertilizing, a nd watering, and where the primary objective is for aesthetics. Do not use in urban or suburban areas where main tenance is limited to mowing by the property owner or municipality.

2.Under the Sod Erosion Cont rol bid item, use on limited areas of a project wher e a quick stand of

vegetation is needed for erosion control purposes, or in urban or suburban areas where the primary objective is aesthetics, but wher e maintenance is limited to mo wing.

3.Under the Sod Erosion Contro l Sandy Soil bid item, use in t he same areas as SodEr osion Control, but

where sandy or gravelly soils predominate. 631.3.1 Preparing the Earth Bed

(1)Before sodding, construct the proposed area to the required cross-section and contour, and round the

tops and bottoms of the slopes to a minimum 4-foot radius curve . Ensure that the sodded areas are free from stones, roots, or other undesirable foreign material. Loosen the soil on the sodded area to at least one inch deep and bring it to a reasonably fine granular texture by equipment or hand methods adapted to the purpose. 631.3.2 Placing the Sod

(1)Moisten the earth bed that the sod is being placed on to the l oosened depth, if not naturally sufficiently

moist. Do not place frozen sod, n or place sod on frozen soil. P lace the sod on the bed within

Effective with the December 2018 Letting 402 2019 Standard Spec ifications approximately 24 hours after cutti ng. Lay the sod so that the j oints at abutting ends of sod strips are not continuous. Lay eac h sod strip to abut snugly against the p reviously laid strip.

(2)Lay sod in strips of commercial size where possible. Do not la y partial-size strips of sod smaller than

18 inches by 24 inches. When laying the sod, roll it or firmly but lightly tamp with suitable wooden or metal tampers to set or press the sod into the underlying soil.

(3)At points where water will flow over a sodded area, turn the u pper edges of the sod strips into the soil

below the adjacent area and place a layer of earth over this juncture. Compact the earth thoroughly so surface water flows over the upper edge of the sod.

(4)At the limits of sodded areas, if possible, place the end stri ps to achieve a broken line, and turn the

ends of the strips in and treat as described above. 631.3.3 Staking and Cleanup

(1)On all slopes steeper than one unit vertical to 4 units horizo ntal (1:4), stake the sod, or peg with pieces

of plasterers’ lath or equival ent stakes, at least 6 inches lon g, spaced as the soil nature and slope steepness dictate, from 18 to 36 inches apart a long the length of the sod strip. If possible, place stakes near the top edge of the s od strip and drive plumb throu gh the sod. After in stalling, stakes should hold the sod firmly in place and present no danger to pe destrians or mowing crews.

(2)Stake all sod placed in ditches , flumes, or other drainage components, where a concentrated flow of

water is expected, regardless of the slope. After completing th e surface staking, c lear the surface of loose sod, excess soil, or other foreign material. 631.3.4 Fertilizer

(1)If the contract contains the bi d item Fertilizer, then fertilize areas receiving sod according to 629.3.1.1

unless otherwise specified. 631.3.5 Watering

(1)Under the Sod Water bid item, fu rnish and apply water to sodde d areas. After staking and cleanup,

moisten the sod thoroughly by s prinkling with water. Keep all s odded areas thoroughly moist by watering or sprinkli ng if rainfall is not sufficient to achieve sod rooting to the earth bed. Water for 30 days after placement or as the engineer directs. Apply water in a manner to preclude washing or erosion. 631.4 Measurement

(1)The department will measure Sod Lawn, Sod Erosion Control, and Sod Erosion Control Sandy Soil by

the square yard acceptably completed.

(2)The department will measure Sod Water by volume in gallons acc eptably completed. The department

will determine volume by engineer-approved meters or from tanks of known capacity.

631.5Payment

(1)The department will pay for measured quantities at the contrac t unit price under the following bid

items: ITEM NUMBER DESCRIPTION UNIT

631.0300 Sod Water MGAL

631.1000 Sod Lawn SY

631.1100 Sod Erosion Control SY

631.1200 Sod Erosion C ontrol Sandy Soil SY

(2)Payment for Sod Lawn, Sod Erosi on Control, and Sod Erosion Control Sandy Soil is full compensation

for preparing the earth bed; and for furnishing, placing, staki ng, and rolling the sod. Payment also includes watering if the contra ct does not contain the Sod Wate r bid item.

(3)Payment for Sod Water is full compensation for providing, hauling, and applying the water.

Effective with the December 2018 Letting 403 2019 Standard Spec ifications Section 632 Furnishing and Planting Plant Materials

632.1Description

(1)This section describes furnis hing and planting plants of the s pecies, varieties and sizes specified, and

includes furnishing all necessary materials, excavating plant h oles, salvaging topsoil, transplanting, backfilling, pruning, mulching, w atering, heeling in, fertilizi ng, wrapping, guying and bracing, protecting against rodents and applying anti- desiccant, disposing of surpl us and waste materials, and necessary care and required replacements pending acceptance.

632.2Materials

632.2.1 General

(1)Unless specified otherwise, or the engineer approves, use mate rials conforming to the requirements

below. 632.2.2 Plant Materials 632.2.2.1 General

(1)Unless specified otherwise, for all plants use nursery growns tock, transplanted or root-trimmed 2 or

more times according to the kind and size of plants.

(2)Ensure all plants are typical of their species, have well formed tops and root systems, and are free

from injurious insects, plant diseases, or other plant pests. U se plants hardy unde r the climatic conditions at the work site. Fur nish plants free from the follo wing defects:

1.Damage to top, branches , trunk, bark, or roots.

2.Dried out roots.

3.Prematurely opened buds.

4.Thin or poor tops or root systems.

5.Evidence of mold.

6.Dry, loose, or broken ba ll of earth in B&B stock.

7.Dried out or damaged so il mass in B&P or CG stock.

632.2.2.2 Collected and Plantation Grown Stock

(1)Collected and plantation grown stock shall conform to the curr ent edition of the American Standard for

Nursery Stock recommended for gen eral use and adoption by the American Association of Nurserymen, Inc.

(2)The contractor shall furnish co llected and plantation grown plant stock only if specified. If the contract

allows collected plant stock, the contractor shall notify the e ngineer of the source of supply or growing site at least 10 days before digging the plants. Dig all collec ted plants with a ro ot spread, or ball of earth, at least 1/3 greater than t hat required for nursery-grow n plants of the same species, variety, and size.

(3)If collected stock is furnished, leave at least 50 percent of the species undisturbed at the collection site

unless the engineer approves otherwise. 632.2.2.3 Lining Out Stock

(1)Lining out stock and seedling tr ees shall conform to the curre nt edition of the American Standard for

Nursery Stock. 632.2.2.4 Substitution

(1)If the contractor submits written documentation that a specified plant is not obtainable it may make

substitution, only with the engineer’s approval. The engineer may approve the use of larger plants than those specified. The ball or container size or the root sp read of the larger size shall be increased proportionally, relative to the specified size. 632.2.2.5 Grading Standards

(1)Plant stock shall conform to t he current edition of the Americ an Standard for Nursery Stock.

632.2.2.6 Plant Inspection and Legal Requirements

(1)All plant material shipments and deliveries shall comply with State and Federal laws and regulations

including Wisconsin administra tive code, chapter ATCP 21 governing the inspection, shipping, selling, and handling of plant stock. Attach a tag or label bearing the name and address of the licensed dealer or nurseryman and a certification that the material is from an officially inspected source to each shipment or delivery of plant material. File it with the engineer upon arrival of the plant material at the project site.

Source: Wisconsin Standard Specifications for Highway and Structure Construction, 2019 Edition. Pages 410–411 of 601.

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630 Seeding

632 Furnishing and Planting Plant Materials