\$\$626.00A

######### Section 626.---PLANTS, TREES, SHRUBS, VINES, AND GROUND COVERS

Revised 8 May 2005

*[INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING IF REQUIRED]{.mark}*

\$\$626.02A

626.02. Add the following:

> Agricultural limestone 713.02
>
> Backfill 704.03

*[INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING FOR PLANTING SEASONS. REVISE SEASONS]{.mark}*

\$\$626.03A

626.03. Add the following:

Plant material during the following planting seasons:

Deciduous Material: [October 15 to April 30]{.mark}

Evergreen Material: [Spring - March 15 to May 15]{.mark}

[Fall - August 15 to November 15]{.mark}

The CO may extend or reduce the above periods according to weather and
soil conditions.

[]{.mark}

*[INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING FOR PLANTS/TREES ON NPS PROJECTS]{.mark}*

\$\$626.04A

626.04. Add the following:

Submit the following for approval:

> **(a) Fertilizer.** 1 sample packet of each type;
>
> **(c) Backfill.** 1-cubic foot [(0.03 cubic meter)]{.mark} sample,
> with testing certification that the material is weed free.

The CO may substitute or delete specified material subject to the soil
conditions encountered.

\$\$626.06A

626.06(b). Delete the text and substitute the following:

> Excavate planting pits to a depth such that the rootball rests on an
> undisturbed soil pedestal as shown on the plans and set so that the
> rootball is 2 to 3 inches [(5 to 7.5 centimeters)]{.mark} above the
> grade for trees and 1 to 2 inches [(2.5 to 5 centimeters)]{.mark}
> above grade for shrubs. Crown the bottom so that the bottom slopes
> away from the roots in all directions.
>
> Loosen soil at the sidewalls and bottom of the plant pit to a depth of
> 6 inches [(15 centimeters)]{.mark} before setting the plant.
>
> Do not leave any planting holes open overnight.

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626.07(b). Delete the fourth and fifth sentences and substitute the
following:

> Backfill around the plant ball to half the depth of the ball, tamping
> at 6-inch [(15-centimeter)]{.mark} intervals to fill voids around the
> ball and thoroughly water.

626.07(b). Delete the last sentence and substitute the following:

> Do not remove or pull the burlap and twine out from under the ball.
> Backfill the remainder of the pit and tamp around the root ball.

626.07(c) Add the following after the first sentence:

> Score the rootball to a depth of 1 inch [(2.5 centimeters)]{.mark}
> along the entire side equally on 4 sides.

\$\$626.08A

626.08. Delete the Subsection and substitute the following:

**626.08 Fertilizing.**

Apply fertilizer at the following rates:

> Trees 34 cubic inches [(550 cubic centimeters)]{.mark} per tree
>
> Shrubs 17 cubic inches [(275 cubic centimeters)]{.mark}per shrub
>
> Vine and Groundcovers 1.84 cubic inches [(330 cubic
> centimeters)]{.mark} dry fertilizer per square foot [(meter)]{.mark}
> of ground

When the pit is ½ full, place fertilizer according to the manufacturer's
recommendations.

\$\$626.09A

626.09. Delete the first paragraph and substitute the following:

Saucer shape the backfill 3 inches [(7.5 centimeters)]{.mark} above the
existing grade for shrubs and 6 inches [(15 centimeters)]{.mark} for
trees, for a diameter equal to that of the planting pit, to catch and
retain water. Build up the backfill in holes on a slope on the lower
side only to catch and hold water. Do not cover the tops of the
rootballs with backfill.

626.09. Delete the last sentence of the first paragraph and substitute
the following:

Saturate all backfill material in the pits at each watering.

Apply water only by open-end hose at a very low pressure to avoid
creating air pockets in the soil and injuring the roots.

\$\$626.10A

626.10. Delete the first sentence and substitute the following:

Support trees with stakes driven at equal spaces around the outside
perimeter of the tree pit and to sufficient depth to hold trees firmly.
Do not drive stakes through the rootball.

Cut pieces of hose long enough to extend 2 inches [(5
centimeters)]{.mark} past the trunk of the tree when wrapped around.
Place the hose around the trunk just below the first lateral branch for
deciduous trees and halfway up the height of evergreen trees as shown on
the plans. Thread a double strand of wire through the hose and pull both
ends horizontally beyond each stake by 3 feet [(1 meter)]{.mark}.

Provide approximately a 1 to 3-inches [(2.5 to 7.5-centimeters)]{.mark}
sway in the tree with the stakes in the vertical position after the
guying is attached.

Stake trees no later than 48 hours after planting.

\$\$626.11A

626.11. Delete the fourth sentence and substitute the following:

Do not cut the main leader. All cuts to side branches are to be just
outside the branch collar (the swollen base of the branch) to encourage
wound closure. Do not use tree wound dressing.

\$\$626.12A

626.12. Add the following:

Apply mulch to cover the limits of the individual saucer areas of each
individual plant to a loose measurement depth of 4 to 6 inches [(10 to
15 centimeters)]{.mark} at the limits of the saucer area. Feather the
depth back to 0 inches [(centimeters)]{.mark} at the trunk.

\$\$626.14A

626.14. Add the following:

Replace plants that have died back in the crown 25 percent beyond the
normal pruning line, or where the main leader has died back, with the
same size and species as the original.

Final acceptance for trees and shrubs will be given by the CO at the end
of the establishment period once the following items are completed:

> **(a)** All plant materials that have died or are determined to be
> unacceptable are replaced.
>
> **(b)** All deficiencies in work, and damage to structures and
> grounds, are corrected.
>
> **(c)** All stakes and guys are removed.