COLTS NECK TOWNSHIP SHADE TREE COMMISSION PLANTING SPECIFICATIONS

A. GENERAL

These specifications shall be adhered to throughout the planting operation.

B. INSPECTION OF SITE

1. The developer shall visit the site so as to familiarize himself with existing conditions, i.e., soil, drainage, topography, buildings, towers, poles and overhead and underground utilities and services, etc.

2. If a developer finds any site condition at variance with the plans or specifications, he shall notify the Shade Tree Commission and obtain clarification and approval of changes required.

C. SELECTION OF PLANT MATERIAL

All plant materials are be planted in accordance with these specifications.

1. All trees and shrubs shall conform to the latest edition of the American Standard for Nursery Stock as published by the American Association of Nurserymen. They shall be "nursery grown," balled and burlapped, or container grown, unless otherwise specified. No plant shall have a "man made" ball. Bare root shrubs or shade trees may be used where specifically permitted on approved plans. All deciduous street trees shall be free of branches to 6 ft. above ground unless prior specific written permission is given.

2. All plant material and sizes shall be as specified on the approved landscaping plan(s). No substitutes shall be made without written specific prior permission of the Colts Neck Township Shade Tree Commission. The landscaper must provide proof of variety for any plant that is questionable.

3. All plants shall have a growth habit normal for the species and variety, and shall be healthy vigorous and free of insects, disease and mechanical injury. The Shade Tree Commission reserves the right to inspect plant material at any time prior to acceptance, and to reject any plants that do not meet the specifications.

D. SOIL

Topsoil used in planting pits and for backfilling for trees and shrubs shall be fertile agricultural soil capable to sustaining vigorous plant growth and have a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. It shall have uniform composition, be free from large stones, wood and other foreign objects and shall not contain substances toxic to plant growth. Planting pit and backfilling material not meeting this requirement will be rejected and must be removed and replaced with material meeting the above specifications. Poor or sandy soils may be used upon prior approval of the Shade Tree Commission if supplemented by a minimum of 50% by volume of peat moss.

E. PLANTING SEASON

Planting shall be undertaken during September 1 to December 20 and March 20 to May 20. Should it be necessary to alter the aforementioned time spans, written permission should be requested from the Shade Tree Commission prior to planting. No planting shall be done during abnormally hot weather or when the ground is frozen.

F. PLANT INSTALLATION - See Tree Planting and Staking Diagram.

1. The diameter of all plant pits shall be at least 2/3 greater than the ball diameter. Top soil meeting the requirements of Section "D" above shall be provided at a minimum depth of 3" and maximum of 6" below ball or root system. Soil beneath the roots must be tamped prior to installation. The pit for bare root trees and shrubs must be at least 6" deeper than existing roots and 12" wider.

2. Plants shall be planted at exactly the same depth as previously grown. All soil in the planting pits shall be firmed to prevent air pockets and settling.

3. After balled and burlapped plants are set at the proper level in the holes all cord and burlap shall be untied from the trunk base. For drumlaced plants, retie the ball by tightening the top cinch cord. All plants shall be backfilled with top soil which meets the requirements of Section "D". All plants shall be thoroughly watered at the time of planting to prevent air pockets and settling.

4. After materials are planted, all damaged branches shall be removed by pruning. All nursery tags shall also be removed.

5. All plastic material (including synthetic burlap), string, and containers shall be removed at time of planting. The wire baskets and plastic liners of container grown trees and shrubs must be completely removed.

6. No container grown material will be accepted if it is root bound. The ball of container material shall be vertically cut to a depth of 1" in three-places.

7. At the time of planting, trees and shrubs shall be pruned using generally accepted horticultural methods.

G. STAKING - See the Tree Planting and Staking Diagram

Trees shall be staked at planting time in accordance with the following:

Trees shall be secured to hardwood/cedar stakes, 8 to 10 ft. in length, 2-2-1/2" square or round diameter, or approved equivalent using galvanized steel wire, minimum 14 gauge encased in rubber hose or plastic chain link material which should be affixed to post to prevent vertical travel. Stakes shall be installed so as to present a uniform appearance, i.e., all stakes shall be approximately the same height above grade. See Fig. No. 1 for additional staking requirements. Stakes, wire or plastic shall be removed 12 months after planting. The developer has the responsibility for this.

H. FERTILIZER AND LIME

Turf fertilizer shall be 10-6-4 (50% organic), applied at 3 pounds per 100 sq. ft. or equivalent, unless otherwise specified. A slow release tablet or packet of 20-10-5 should be applied to trees and shrubs. One tablet per shrub, two tablets for trees up to 2" and three tablets 2-4". Turf area should be limed 50 lbs per 100 sq.ft.

I. MULCHING

Mulch shall be applied around all plants to a minimum depth of 4" over entire plant pit. Aged shredded hardwood bark, licorice root or aged wood chips can be used. Any mulch containing preservatives is unacceptable. Any variation must be approved by the Shade Tree Commission prior to application.

J. INSPECTION

Plant material will be inspected no sooner than two weeks after installation. Application for inspections shall be made at Town Hall. Inspections will only be made on deciduous material when it is in full leaf unless special written permission is made. All permanent and temporary property markers must be in place.

K. MAINTENANCE

Maintenance of planted material shall be the responsibility of the developer during the performance and maintenance bond guarantee periods. No mowing shall be done in any greenway area. Maintenance shall include watering, and any other work necessary to assure satisfactory growth.

L. GUARANTEE

All plant material shall be guaranteed for the period covered by the performance and maintenance bonds. The developer shall replace, according to original specifications any plants, sod or seeded turf that are determined unacceptable at the time of inspection.

AMENDMENT - Planting Specifications

Certification of plant material must be provided prior to planting. Proof of correct variety should be provided.