Improper maintenance or possible poor condition of any planting at the termination of the scheduled maintenance period may cause postponement of the final completion date of the Contract. Maintenance shall be continued until all work is acceptable to the Department. In order to carry out the plant establishment work, furnish sufficient personnel and adequate equipment to perform the work during the plant maintenance period. Maintenance period will be extended if the provisions required within specifications are not met.
3-15.1 SUBMITTALS-
Submittals for review with system confirmation: Not required.
Submittals for review during construction document phase: Not required. Submittals for review during construction phase:
Prior to being placed on maintenance, submit a schedule of all activities planned during the maintenance period. This shall be accepted by the Owner prior to the start of the maintenance period. Supply a monthly record of all herbicides, insecticides, fertilizers, and disease control chemicals with rates and amounts used noted. Soils report may adjust fertilizer rates and frequencies as noted herein.
Submittals for close out: 1.Record drawings.
2.All turnover items shall be delivered prior to the final walk-through. 3-15.2 QUALITY ASSURANCE-
3-15.3 TREE AND SHRUB CARE-
Watering: Maintain a large enough water basin around plants so that enough water can be applied to establish moisture through the major root zone. When hand-watering, use a water wand to break the water force.
Trees:
Prune trees to select and develop permanent scaffold branches that are smaller in diameter than the trunk or branch to which they are attached which have vertical spacing of from 18" to 48" and radial orientation so as not to over lay one another; to eliminate diseased or damaged growth; to eliminate narrow V-shaped branch forks that lack strength; to reduce toppling and wind damage by thinning out crowns; to maintain growth within space limitations; to maintain a natural appearance; to balance crown with roots. No stripping of lower branches ("raising-up") of young trees shall be permitted. Lower branches shall be retained in a "tipped back" or pinched condition with as much foliage as possible to promote caliper trunk growth (tapered trunk). Lower branches can be cut flush with the trunk only after the tree is able to stand erect without staking or other support. Sucker growth shall be removed if deemed appropriate by the Owner. Evergreen trees shall be thinned out and shaped when necessary to prevent wind and storm damage. The primary pruning of deciduous trees shall be done during the dormant season. Damaged trees or those that constitute health or safety hazards shall be pruned at any time of the year as required to eliminate these conditions.
Tree trunks shall be protected at all times from any damage by maintenance equipment. Do not allow weed whackers to touch tree trunks.
Shrubs:
The objectives of shrub pruning are the same as for trees. Shrubs shall not be clipped into balled or boxed forms unless such is required by the design, and directed by the Owner. All pruning cuts shall be made to lateral branches or buds or flush with the trunk. "Stubbing" will not be permitted.
Staking: Remove stakes as soon as they are no longer needed. Stakes are to be inspected to prevent girdling of trunks or branches and to prevent rubbing that causes bark wounds. Replace all broken stakes and ties with specified materials.
Weed control: Keep basins and areas between plants free of weeds. Use recommended legally approved herbicides. Avoid frequent soil cultivation that destroys shallow roots. Use mulches to help prevent weed seed germination. All shrub and tree beds shall be kept weed-free.
Insect and disease control: Maintain a reasonable control with approved materials. Fertilize all planting areas except lawn areas with the following:
At the end of the first 30 calendar days and at 30 calendar day intervals - 5 lb. per 1,000 square feet of on-grade maintenance fertilizer.
After application, irrigate thoroughly.
Replace dead, dying and missing plants with plants of a size, condition and variety acceptable to the Owner at the contractor’s expense.
3-15.4 Not used
3-15.5 GROUND COVER CARE-
Weed control: Control weeds with chemical systemic spray or by hand or mechanical means, so as to cause minimal damage to planted materials. All planted areas shall be kept weed-free.
Watering: Water enough so that moisture penetrates throughout root zone and only as frequently as necessary to maintain healthy growth. Do not over water.
Fertilizing: Fertilize as specified under tree and shrub care. Remove trash weekly.
Edge ground cover to keep in bounds and trim top growth as necessary to achieve an overall even appearance, unless directed by the Owner.
Replace dead and missing plants at the contractor’s expense. Repair all settlement conditions.
3-15.6 IRRIGATION SYSTEM CARE-
Check weekly all systems for proper operation. Lateral lines shall be flushed out after removing the last sprinkler head or two at each end of the lateral. All heads are to be adjusted as necessary for unimpeded coverage.
Set and program automatic controllers for seasonal water requirements. Give the Owner a key to controllers and written instructions on seasonal programming for project and how to turn off system in case of emergency.
Repair all damages to irrigation system. Repairs shall be made within one watering period.
3-15.7 GENERAL-
The maintenance period (90 calendar days) shall not start until all elements of construction, planting, and irrigation for the entire project is complete and there is certification of Substantial Completion. Project will not be segmented into maintenance phases, unless specifically authorized in writing by the Owner.
Continuously maintain all areas involved in this Contract during the progress of the work and during the maintenance period until final acceptance of the work by the Owner. All areas shall be kept free of debris and all planted areas shall be weeded and cultivated at intervals of not more than ten (10) calendar days. Watering, mowing, rolling, edging, trimming, fertilization, spraying and pest control, as may be required,
shall be included within the debris/siltation removal program. All area drains and drain pipes are to remain free of silt and debris.
Between the 15th calendar day and the 20th calendar day of the maintenance period, re-sod all spots or areas within the lawn where normal turf growth is not evident as determined by the Owner. After the 20th calendar day, all areas not acceptable to the Owner shall be sodded to match adjacent turf seed type. 100% turf coverage is required for maintenance release.
3-15.8 QUALITY CONTROL-
Normal progress observation shall requested be from the Owner at least seven (7) calendar days in advance of an anticipated observation. Observations shall be as follows:
Commencement of maintenance after certification of Substantial Completion (pre-maintenance).
At thirty (30) calendar day intervals through maintenance period.
Completion of maintenance period after certification of Substantial Completion (Final walk through). A ten (10) calendar day notice must be given prior to end of maintenance period.
Request an inspection to begin the plant maintenance period after all planting and related work has been completed in accordance with the contract documents. A prime requirement is that all groundcover and lawn areas are planted and irrigation system be operating fully and automatically. If such criteria are met to the satisfaction of the Owner, a field notification will be issued to the Owner to establish the effective beginning date of the period. Owner may extend maintenance period if landscape is not acceptable to owner.
3-15.9 WARRANTY- Plant Material:
Plant material shall be warranted in writing for a period of 2 years for 60” box and over specimen trees, 1 year for trees and 3 months for all other material, from the date of substantial completion for all material against improper installation and defective, unsound or diseased conditions that may appear. The expense of replacement shall be by the contractor if replacement is necessary after the maintenance period but during the warranty period. Replacement plant material shall be subject to the requirements of the plans and specifications.
3-15 MISCELLANEOUS METALS