Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCherry Creek Estates Tree Clearing Spec 2003`! Vine & Branch Arhoricultural Consulting Tree Clearing Specifications Supplement to the Tree Preservation Plan For: Platinum Properties Re: Cherry Creek Estates 9551 Delegates Row Indianapolis, IN 46240 By: Judson R. Scott.' _- Registered Consulting Arborist #392 American Society of Consu[ting'•Arborists Vine & Branch Inc. 4721 E. 146t" Street Carmel, IN 46022 317.846.1935 January 30, 2003 Cherry Creek Estates Tree Preservation Specifications There is a Tree Preservation Zone at the West end of the property. Tree Preservation Zone. All specifications apply to this area. The boundaries of this area will be marked during the clearing phase to show where clearing should stop. After the clearing phase and before the construction phase, protection fencing will be installed with proper tree protection signage. There are 3 types of Tree Clearing Areas: 1. General Clearing Area. These areas are to be totally cleared. Machinery may be used to clear these areas. The only restriction in these areas is that trees being cleared from these areas may not be felled into adjacent Tree Preservation Zones and dragged out. 2. CtiStOm Clearing Areas. Trees may be selected to be preserved in these areas. After trees are selected, a Tree Preservation Zone boundary will be marked or fenced around the trees to be preserved. Trees to be removed within 100 feet of these areas should be done by professional arborists. Any trees beyond 100 feet from a Tree Preservtion Zone boundary may be cleared with machinery. 3. Individual Risk Trees. Trees within the Tree Preservation Zones that are determined to present a risk shall be cleared by professional Arborists to minimize damage to surrounding trees that will remain. Copyright © 2002 Vine & Branch, Inc. 1/30/2003 Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 Page 2 of 12 317.846.1424 Z:\]CM\Tree Preservation Plans\Platinum Properties\Cherry Cr. Est., specs.doc Cherry Creek Estates Tree Preservation Specifications: Summary This is a summary of the following guidelines. Refer to the Section number listed for more details on the subject. 1. The site contractor is required to meet with the consultant at the site prior to beginning work to review all work procedures, access and haul routes, and tree protection measures. (Section 1.) 2. Fencing shall be installed around all Tree Preservatioin Zones using the dripline method. Signage shall be placed on the fencing to designate a Tree Preservation Zone. There shall be no entry into a Tree Preservation Zone without written consent from the Consulting Arborist. (Section 2.) 3. There shall be no material, fuel, spoil, or equipment storage within the Tree Preservation areas. Fire -safe areas shall be maintained in and around fenced zones. (Section 2.) 4. Materials shall not be stockpiled within a Tree Protection Zone. (Section 2.) 5. If necessary, the contractors and the Consulting Arborist shall designate access roads and parking within any Tree Preservation Zone. c or gray sho Id be spread to. decrease soil 70 compaction on the access roads and park" g. (Section 6. There shall no changes to the soil grade within a Tree Protection Zone. 7. Drainage into or from a Tree Protection Zone shall not be altered unless specifically authorized by the Consulting Arborist. 8. All pruning shall be in accordance with ANSI standards and International Society of Arboriculture guidelines. Certified Arborists or Certified Treeworkers shall oversee all tree maintenance on this property. (Section 4.) 9. All tree removal inside of a Tree Protection Zone shall be completed under the direction of a Certified Arborist or Certified Treeworker so no damage is caused to remaining trees. (Section 4.6.) 10. Any damage to trees shall be reported to the Consulting Arborist within 6 hours. (Section 4.6.) 11. All underground utilities, downspouts, irrigation lines, and landscape lighting should be routed outside the ree Preservation zone. If utility lines must be routed through a Tree Preservation Zon , properAroper unneling or boring techniques shall be used. (Section 6.) 12. Any roots that are disturbed shall be properly root pruned. (Section 9.) 13. If it is necessary to work within a Tree Protectin Zone, methods to avoid soil compaction shall be employed. Vertical mulching or radial trenching should be considered to relieve soil compaction. (Section 10.) 14. Preserved trees shall be irrigated to receive one inch of water per week, wetting the soil to a depth of 30 inches. (Section 12.) 15. Trees to be preserved should be fertilized one year prior to the beginning construction. (Section 13) 16. Lightning protection installation shall be overseen by a Certified Arborist or Certified Treeworker. Installation shall follow ANSI standards. (Section 14) Copyright © 2002 Vine & Branch, Inc. 1/30/2003 Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 Page 3 of 12 317.846.1424 Z:\]CM\Tree Preservation Plans\Platinum Properties\Cherry Cr. Est., specs.doc Cherry Creek Estates Tree Preservation Specifications 1. Contractors meeting • The contractors must meet with the Consulting Arborist before the project begins. The contractor and Consulting Arborist are to discuss details of work procedures, access roads, stockpile locations, and equipment operation methods, as well as all tree preservation measures -being taken. 2. Fencing • Installing fencing around the trees to be preserved is a critical method of protecting the root zones. Fencing should protect the critical root area from disturbance during the construction processes. • The ideal fenced area would include the entire root zone and canopy area. There are four accepted methods for determining where to place the fence: ❑riplline Method: Places the fence at the dripline of the preserved tree, or beyond depending on the size of the crown. - Tree He hg t Method: The radius of the fenced area is calculated according to the height of the tree. - Trunk Diameter Method: The radius of the area is calculated according to diameter of the tree. - Site Occupangy Method: Calculates the radius of the area using the predicted future of the tree's root growth. • For this project, we recommend the fence be placed at a radial distance of 1.5 times the radius of the dripline. The minimum fencing distance shall be at the dripline of the tree. • For this project, orange construction fence must be placed at the dripline or beyond, as designated by the Consulting Arborist. Signage shall be placed with the fence designating each area as a tree preservation zone. The Consulting Arborist's direct phone number will be on the sign for emergency contact. There is to be no entry into the area without written consent from the Consulting Arborist. • There will be none of the following within the protection zones: • parking or material storage • fuel storage or filling of equipment • burn piles or debris pits ■ dumping or burying of ashes, debris, or garbage. • Maintain fire -safe areas around fenced zones. Heat sources, flames, ignition sources, and smoking are not allowed near mulch or tree protection zones. Spoil from the building foundation shall not be placed within the protection zone, either permanently or Copyright © 2002 Vine & Branch, Inc. 1/30/2003 Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 Page 4 of 12 317.846.1424 Z:\JCM\Tree Preservation Plans\Platinum Properties\Cherry Cr. Est., specs.doc temporarily. Any occurrence of these near/within a tree protection zone can lead to the destruction of the root system and death of the tree. Stockpiling materials and storing equipment near trees causes soil compaction and may cause physical damage to the branches and trunk. Materials to be stored for future use should be kept in a designated stockpile area. This area shall be agreed upon by the contractors and the Consulting Arborist and should be far from all preserved trees. The stockpile area should not interfere with either critical root zones or water flow to the trees. 3. Access Roads and Parking ■ To limit damage to the preserved trees, access roads and parking should be designated for all contractors. This will limit the amount of soil compaction and physical injury to the trees. Roads and parking areas should be installed where future utility lines, drives, etc will be placed after construction. To decrease the amount of compaction caused by the roads, mulch or gravel should be spread to a depth of 6 to 12 inches to disperse the weight of the equipment more evenly over the area. 4. Pruning Practices All pruning shall be in accordance with the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) A300 Pruning Standard and the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Tree Pruning Guidelines. Copies are available upon request. Certified Arborists or Certified Treeworkers who are familiar with the practices and hazards of arboriculture and the equipments used in such operations shall oversee all tree maintenance on this properly. Tree operations on this property shall comply with applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, ANSI Z133.1 safety requirements, as well as state and local regulations. ANSI regulations are available upon request. 4.2. Tree Inspection A Certified Arborist or Certified Treeworker shall visually inspect each tree before beginning work. Arborists shall look for potential hazards to themselves, the crew, and the general public. If a condition is observed requiring attention beyond the original scope of the work, the condition should be reported to an immediate supervisor, the owner, or the person responsible for authorizing the work. 4.3. Pruning ❑Wectives it No more than 25 percent of the foliage shall be removed. The percentage and distribution of foliage to be removed shall be adjusted according to the tree's species, age, health, and site.' Copyright © 2002 Vine & Branch, Inc. 1/30/2003 Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 Page 5 of 12 317.846.1424 Z:\]CM\Tree Preservation Plans\Platinum Properties\Cherry Cr. Est., specs.doc No more than 25 percent of the foliage of a branch or limb shall be removed when it is cut back to a lateral. That lateral should be large enough to assume apical dominance. If not, the limb should be removed." We do not imply nor recommend topping as an approved practice by these specifications. These are meant as objectives for proper pruning techniques such as thinning and limb reduction where necessary. 4.4. Pruning Cuts IN Limb Removal: a pruning cut removing a branch at its point of origin shall be made close to the trunk or parent limb, without cutting into the branch bark ridge or collar, or leaving a stub (see Figure 1"') Limb Reduction: a pruning cut reducing the length of a branch or parent stem should bisect the angle between its branch bark ridge and an imaginary line perpendicular to the branch or stem (see Figure 2"). • Crown Raise: stems shown to interfere with construction equipment and/or street shall be properly removed as shown so stems are not torn. • A final cut that removes a branch with a narrow angle of attachment should be made from the outside of the branch to prevent damage to the parent limb (see Figure 3" ). Branch Final � �` Mlle Branch 1. W Figure 1 Figure 2 Branch B ` *h Bark wdga Ridge Figure 3 Final Cut 4.5. Mil[Priming -: Overhead amines • The purpose of utility pruning is to prevent the loss of service, comply with mandated clearance laws, prevent damage to equipment, avoid access impairment, and uphold the intended usage of the facility/utility space. a Only a qualified line clearance arborist or line clearance arborist trainee shall be assigned to line clearance work in accordance with ANSI Z133.1, CFR 1910.331 — 335, 29 CFR 1910.268 or 29 CFR 1910.269. Copies are available upon request. 4.6. Tree Removal • As lot clearing can cause an extreme amount of harm, clearing to be completed should be performed under the direction of a Certified Arborist or Certified Treeworker, not by demolition or construction contractors. The arborists shall Copyright © 2002 Vine & Branch, Inc. 1/30/2003 Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 Page 6 of 12 317.846.1424 Z:\JCM\Tree Preservation Plans\Platinum Properties\Cherry Cr. Est., specs.doc remove the trees in a manner that causes no damage to the mature trees that are to remain. • No tree is to be felled so as to touch the trees that are to remain. Any limbs conflicting with the crown of the remaining trees should be pruned off by hand before felling. This will decrease breaking and tearing of limbs on the preserved trees. p Understory growth within the tree protection zone shall be removed by hand or with equipment placed outside the zone to decrease the amount of damage to the preserved trees. Care should be taken to not disturb the roots on the tree to be preserved. Stumps within or near protection zones left from the removed trees shall be ground out with a stump grinder. Pulling out stumps with other equipment will cause extensive damage to the trees being preserved, while stump grinding decreases the risk. • Any damage to trees due to site clearing activities shall be reported to the consulting arborist within 6 hours so that remedial action can be taken. Timeliness is critical to tree health. S. Demolition/Site Clearing • Large equipment should be downsized if it can not fit in the area. This is a very dangerous stage for the trees, so they must be fenced before demolition and site clearing begin. • Trees shall be root pruned as necessary prior to demolition and excavation. 6. Utilities and Trenching • Trenching from utilities causes a great amount of damage to tree roots. All underground utilities, downspouts, or irrigation lines and landscape lighting should be routed outside the tree protection zone. If utility lines must cross through the protection area, they should be tunneled or bored under the tree. Workers installing utilities underground should have read, understand, and use the information provided in The National Arbor Day Foundation's Trenching & Tunneling Near Trees, A Field Pocket Guide for Qualified Utility Workers Copies are available upon request. The trench route should be as far from the tree as possible, and never closer than the dripline. Alternative trench routes should be considered to avoid cutting roots. When avoiding roots is not possible, trench carefully by hand or machine near trees, hand pruning or sawing off roots over 1 inch in diameter. Make the cut flush with the side of the trench closest to the tree. When roots over 2 inches or larger are accidentally broken, dig out enough of the trench side to t r h an undamaged portion of the root. Refer to the Root Pruning Secti . page 15) Copyright © 2002 Vine & Branch, Inc. 1/30/2003 Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 Page 7 of 12 317.846.1424 Z:\JCM\Tree Preservation Plans\Platinum Properties\Cherry Cr. Est., specs.doc In trenches where roots have been cut, backfill with good quality soil as soon as possible or keep all root ends moist with wet burlap, peat moss or similar material. Debris and foreign objects must be kept out of the backfill. Compact the backfill to original firmness, but no more. Too much compaction removes pores and will prevent or slow root growth. Water the backfill to keep the roots moist and remove large air pockets that might retard growth of new roots. We do not recommend fertilization of the trenched area as fertilizer can burn the roots. r In an area where lines must go through a root zone, tunneling should be done instead of trenching as trenching can kill as much as 40% to 50% of a tree's roots. If done properly, a tunnel will cause very little damage to a root system. For tunnelling, work pits are dug on either end of the area. These should be located outside the dripline of the protected tree. If roots are found when digging the pits, be sure to follow the techniques in Root Pruning section (page 15). The tunnel should be dug one to two feet on either side of the tree's center in case there is a taproot. The tunnel should also be three to four feet deep to avoid roots. 7. Walls • The contractor and Consulting Arborist should discuss the equipment and process to be used prior to wall installation. Consulting Arborist shall make recommendations to keep the tree protected. a Retaining walls are good for areas of great grade transition, but the footings can cause a great deal of damage. Keep the grade around the tree as natural as possible. Continuous footings for walls need a large trench. Consider using discontinuous footings (i.e. using posts) to decrease the amount of injury to the root system where possible. • When using L-shaped footings at a fill, the footing should point towards the fill to lessen the injury to the roots. When it's at a cut, the L should go towards the cut. Roots should be properly pruned prior to wall installation. See Root Pruning section (page 15). 8. Pavement and Curbs A Some trees are tolerant of pavement. Individual species, its health, environmental conditions, soil type, and drainage are all factors contributing to the tree's chance of survival. When pavement is installed close to trees, root loss is great, leading to water stress and decreased stability. Soil compaction is also high due to the road installation. In residential areas, driveways, parking areas, etc, require less compaction and excavation because of lower load needs. However, pavement for streets and parking lots where traffic is higher needs more excavation and subsurface preparation, which can cause large amounts of damage to trees. Copyright © 2002 Vine & Branch, Inc. 1/30/2003 Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 Page 8 of 12 317.846.1424 Z:\ICM\Tree Preservation Plans\Platinum Properties\Cherry Cr. Est., specs.doc a Most concrete and asphalt already have expansion joints and cracks that form over time, allowing for air and water movement. For greater air and water movement, consider using aeration systems or impervious pavements. Aeration systems consist of gaps in the pavement filled with gravel. There are also some pavement designs that cause less tree stress, including: o Using the materials that require the thinnest sections. o Keeping heavy load areas away from critical root zones. o Increasing the strength of pavement sections so there is less compaction. As many types of curbs require excavation, designs which do not should be considered. Rolled curbs require less excavation. Curbs can also be placed on top of the pavement, using steel rods for reinforcement. 9. Root Pruning When excavation occurs near trees, roots should be cut with a saw, not broken with excavation equipment. The equipment pulls and tears roots, often severing the roots many feet from the excavation area. Torn roots are likely to decay, while cut roots are more likely to heal and re -grow smaller roots. a Prior to excavation and/or grading, trees should be root pruned at the edge of the construction to the required depth. When possible, pruning should be done 1 to 2 years in advance. In areas where excavation is to occur, either use root pruning equipment or hand dig with a shovel. The trench should be made six to twelve inches closer to the trunk of the tree than the construction excavation. • When digging the trench, soil should be piled on the opposite side as the tree for two main reasons. First, shovels returning the soil to the trench may cut into the surface, injuring surface roots. Also, any soil that may be left raises the grade, which will end up suffocating roots, decreasing the amount of oxygen they receive. • Exposed roots should be cut cleanly back to sound tissue on the side of the trench closest to the tree. If possible, cut the root back to a lateral root. Trenches should be backfilled or the roots covered as soon as possible to prevent them from drying out. 10. Soil Compaction For proper development, roots need adequate amount of water, nutrients, and oxygen. They receive these through the soil surface and from the pore space in the soil. When soil is compacted, common with many construction processes, the pore space greatly decreases. This adversely affects root growth as the amount of oxygen in the soil is reduced. To avoid soil compaction in the critical root zones, stay outside of the construction fencing. Temporary roads for access shall be designated and agreed upon by the Consulting Arborist. In areas of high traffic, spread mulch or gravel. See Access Roads and Parking section (page 10). Copyright © 2002 Vine & Branch, Inc. 1/30/2003 Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 Page 9 of 12 317.846.1424 Z:\JCM\Tree Preservation Plans\Platinum Properties\Cherry Cr. Est., specs.doc 10.2. Vertical Mulching is Vertical mulching is one method used to help relieve soil compaction. Holes are drilled into the compacted root zone of the tree. The holes should be at least twelve inches deep and one to three feet apart. The holes may then be filled with organic material, such as mulch. .10.3. Radial Trenching Radial trenching is another method used to relieve soil compaction. Trenches one half to one foot wide and one foot deep are cut in the soil in a spoke pattern within the root zone. Trenches should start far enough from the trunk so the buttress roots don not get damaged, and should extend at least to the dripline. Backfill with native soil and compost. 11. Mulching Organic Mulches, including bark and wood chips, are beneficial during the construction process in many ways. Mulch increases microbial activity and loosens soil, decreasing the need for fertilization and aeration. The combination of these leads to a more natural habitat for the trees. Mulch will also help decrease the amount of soil compaction when used properly. The main problem with Organic Mulch comes from over -mulching. Mulch is often piled too high around tree trunks. This can smother the roots, causing decreased water and nutrient absorption. Also, do not allow the mulch to touch the trunk, which can provide access for some insects and diseases and faster growth of adventitious roots. Mulch depth should be kept at 2 to 4", and about 6 to 12" away from the trunk. 12. Watering b To maintain health and vigor, trees and shrubs need 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. The best way to apply this is through one or two long, deep waterings rather than four or five, short waterings. Short, frequent waterings encourage shallow root systems, which makes plants more vulnerable to heat and drought. Deep waterings, on the other hand, encourage deep root growth, which helps plants withstand drought. Preserved trees should be irrigated to receive 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. This should be done using a 1 to 2 hour drip irrigation system. The irrigation system shall wet the soil within the tree protection zone to a depth of 30 inches. A tensiometer should be installed within the critical root zone to monitor the moisture during the construction process. 13. Fertilization • Urban soils are often depleted of nutrients as they are missing the decomposing organic matter found in natural settings. Deficiency or sufficiency depends on a few different factors, including the individual nutrient and how fast it moves through the soil, soil texture, and pH. Fertilization provides trees with the nutrients they need to maintain or improve their health and withstand or overcome stress. Copyright © 2002 Vine & Branch, Inc. 1/30/2003 Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 Page 10 of 12 317.846.1424 Z:\JCM\Tree Preservation Plans\Platinum Properties\Cherry Cr. Est., specs.doc • Complete fertilizers include the macronutrients nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Micronutrient deficiency is typically a problem with individual tree species. For example, pin oaks often have iron deficiency. The type of fertilizer needed by each preserved tree should be determined by the Consulting Arborist. • There are a few methods of applying fertilizers. All should be focused where the roots grow. This includes not only the area within the dripline, but also extending several feet out. Methods include: Surface application - dry or liquid may be used. Fertilizer should be spread evenly over the soil surface. Soil Injection - especially useful for nutrients that do not move as quickly through the soil and where there is compacted, poorly drained soil. Injections should be made in a grid pattern. Foliar - useful for micronutrients like iron, but the result is temporary. Trunk In - also mostly for micronutrients, but holes must be drilled into trunk at each application. Trees to be preserved should be fertilized one year prior to the beginning of construction. Fertilizer should then be applied for the first five years following construction. We recommend liquid injections or granular surface applications in most cases, depending on the landscape and its needs. Applications can be made in either the spring or the fall. Avoid fertilization through mid summer. 14. Lightning Protection • As lightning can be deadly to a tree, trees of great economic value, historic trees, and trees that may provide shelter (golf courses, parks, etc) may need to be protected. Lightning protection involves copper conductors (air terminals) that start at the top of the tree, extending down branches and the trunk. The cable should then run underground at a depth of eight to twelve inches to the ground rod, which should be eight to ten feet long and buried (see Figure 4v'). Lightning protection systems shall be inspected annually. All splices and connections should be checked, and terminals should be extended if the tree has grown. All hardware must be approved by the Lightning Protection Institute and/or the National Fire Protection Association. Installation must follow standards as set by ANSI 2001 standards and the National Arborist 1987 Guide. Copies are available upon request. Copyright © 2002 Vine & Branch Inc. Figure 4 Copyright © 2002 Vine & Branch, Inc. 1/30/2003 Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 Page 11 of 12 317.846.1424 Z:\]CM\Tree Preservation Plans\Platinum Properties\Cherry Cr. Est., specs.doc All rights reserved. 'ANSI A300 (Part 1)-2001. American National Standard for Tree Care Operations — Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Maintenance — Standard Practice (Pruning). 2001. National Arborist Association, Manchester NH. 11 ANSI A300 (Part 1)-2001. American National Standard for Tree Care Operations — Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Maintenance — Standard Practice (Pruning). 2001. National Arborist Association, Manchester NH. ANSI A300 Figure 5.3.2. ANSI A300 (Part 1)-2001. American National Standard for Tree Care Operations — Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Maintenance — Standard Practice (Pruning). 2001. National Arborist Association, Manchester NH. " ANSI A300 Figure 5.3.3. ANSI A300 (Part 1)-2001. American National Standard for Tree Care Operations — Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Maintenance — Standard Practice (Pruning). 2001. National Arborist Association, Manchester NH. ANSI A300 Figure 5.3.7. ANSI A300 (Part 1)-2001. American National Standard for Tree Care Operations — Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Maintenance — Standard Practice (Planing). 2001. National Arborist Association, Manchester NH. " Lilly, Sharon J. Ar6orrsts'CertiFcation Study Guide. 2001. International Society of Arboriculture. Champaign, IL. Vine & Branch would like to thank Nelda Matheny and James R. Clark for their guidelines which helped us develop our tree preservation specifications. Copyright © 2002 Vine & Branch, Inc. 1/30/2003 Judson R. Scott, RCA #392 Page 12 of 12 317.846.1424 Z:\JCM\Tree Preservation Plans\Platinum Properties\Cherry Cr. Est., specs.doc