On this page:

	Standards
	Procedures and Coordination
	Materials
	Fine Grading and Soil Preparation
	Planting and Mulching

  

STANDARDS

A. Furnish plant material native to site, propagated from cuttings or seeds collected from natural plant stands within ____mile of the site or ___ miles within the same or an adjacent watershed, and full size plants salvaged from the site during clearing and grading operations.

B. Plants salvaged from the site shall be pruned to a size which the root mass will support, and their root mass protected by planting in nursery containers or by mulch or burlap covering. Cuttings and seeds shall be grown at Native Here Nursery, a licensed wholesale nursery in Contra Costa County.

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PROCEDURES AND COORDINATION

A. Native Here Nursery shall provide a native plant specialist who shall coordinate with contractor responsible for grading to ensure protection of appropriate trees and supervise removal of specimen plants for salvage and storage.

B. Native Here Nursery shall provide a native plant specialist who will supervise collection of seeds and cuttings which will be grown at Native Here Nursery facility.C. Planting shall be performed by ______crew including a qualified planting foreman, with supervision by a native plant specialist or plant ecologist.D. All work shall be in strict accordance with sound restoration practices for California native plants and shall include watering and maintenance of all materials installed in this contract until final acceptance by the Owner’s Representative.E. No chemical weed control will be employed during or after planting. Any pre-planting chemical control must be approved by the Native Here Nursery before application.

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MATERIALS

A. Plant Materials

(1) Plant materials salvaged from the site shall be pruned and retained in suitable size containers, or shall have the roots protected by mulch or burlap, and watered until planted. They shall be monitored for diseases and pests. Depending on their size, they will be retained on site, or at Native Here Nursery.(2) Seeds and cuttings will be collected in compliance with permits issued by the owners of the property where collected, and the laws of the State of California. Plants grown from cuttings or seeds will be provided in "Container Super Cells", flats with a minimum of 3 inches soil depth, 4 1/8" Anderson containers, "Long Ones", or regular gallon cans, or containers of sufficient width and depth to accommodate the species of plant.(3) Collection and care of materials for live staking will be performed by _____ under the supervision of a native plant specialist.(4) All plant materials delivered to the site must conform to the specifications of Federal, State and County laws, requiring inspection for plant diseases and insect infestations. (Plants grown specifically to attract beneficial, typical or endangered insects are exempted). Any inspection certificates required by law must accompany each shipment when plant materials arrive at the site.(5) Plants delivered to the site shall be adequately protected from the sun and wind during delivery and when stockpiled on the site prior to planting. They shall be watered adequately. Containers shall be free of weeds.(6) Substitution of plant materials propagated from sources outside of area specified in section A of STANDARDS is not permitted.(7) The Owner’s Representative shall be notified in writing one week prior to planting to inspect all or major portions of the plant materials to be used in the project.(8) The Owner’s Representative shall have the right to reject plants prior to and during progress of work for size, conditions of top structure, condition of root structure, defects or injuries, or nonconformity to Specifications.

B. Fertilizer

(1) Plants may be fertilized at planting with timed release fertilizer only after approval by a native plant specialist, and only to correct for soil modifications.(2) Stakes are to be used only for support and protection of larger salvaged specimens, and are to be 2" x 2" redwood.(3) Soil amendment or mulch shall be used sparingly, and should consist of soil conditioner appropriate to the plant community, forest litter collected from adjacent to the site, or rock chips retained from the site,(4) Topsoil shall be free of viable seeds of noxious weeds, particularly Vinca major, Hedera sp., Cytisus sp., Genista sp., Cortaderia sp., Acacia sp., or Eucalyptus sp. Rocks comparable to and compatible with site rock material is acceptable, as is live plant root material, sticks and duff of native plant materials.

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FINE GRADING AND SOIL PREPARATION

A. Spread and spade in topsoil as needed to bring planting beds to required grade.B. Rake and tamp to smooth all areas to even finished grade to insure proper surface drainage with ridges and depressions removed. Maintain drainage patterns and drainage swales.

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PLANTING AND MULCHING

A. Do not begin work until all demolition earthwork, topsoil placement and irrigation work has been completed and approved by the Owner’s Representative.B. Planting shall take place only after all soil preparation has taken place.C. Installation of container stock-

(1) Planting holes or pits should be approximately twice the volume of the plant and soil in container or root ball. They should be angular with roughened sides and loose soil on the bottom.(2) Prune any damaged, broken or dead roots so that ends are clean before planting. Prune back top growth as need to balance size of plant related to root mass.(3) Large stock should be set on a layer of several inches of topsoil with loosened soil beneath, stock from "Containers" and flats shall be set on a few inches of topsoil. Plants are to be placed so that the root crown will not be below the soil surface or greatly elevated when filling is completed. Tamp soil occasionally while backfilling with soil which is well broken up and well mixed (if of different types or including conditioners).(4) If pellet fertilizer is to be used, apply while backfilling. All roots shall be covered with backfill soil.(5) Tamp lightly around the outside of backfill, holding plant at correct level, then tamp closer to plant. Water thoroughly. Large specimens will require watering midway through the backfill process as well as when backfill is completed.(6) Water the entire planted area before leaving the worksite and at the close of each planting day.(7) Trees and shrubs taller than four feet may require staking, although it is currently believed that unstaked trees gain strength and flexibility. If required, drive stakes two to three feet into ground, outside of root area, upwind of tree. Stakes should extend to just below the lower limbs of the tree. Wire run through rubber hose is placed around the tree, then wrapped around the stake and secured firmly. Tree should be able to move a few inches, but wire should be secure and not touch the tree directly. Stakes must be removed after one year. (This section could deal with Tubex or other tree protection).