Service Baltimore National Cemetery Tree Pruning & Removal Requirement - M&R Project #802-M&R20-08

The cemetery which is located in the southwest section of Baltimore was established as a national cemetery in 1936. There isMay a total of 36,620 gravesites maintained over 72 acres. The following locations which borders the cemetery along a fence line, contains many areas where large branches are growing over the fence onto the cemetery and present a very unkempt appearance. The Contractor will remove as much overgrowth as possible on trees that are on the other side of the fence and growing over into the cemetery as well as trees and branches that are within the cemetery. All trees shall be removed and or pruned in accordance with all terms, conditions, specifications and requirements provided herein: SECTION NEAREST HEADSTONE WORK TO BE PERFORMED R 845 Remove Tree & Grind Stump R 745 Remove Tree & Grind Stump L 2981 Remove Tree & Grind Stump K (at the end of Taylor Avenue, outside of cemetery fence line) N/A Remove Tree K 1688 / 1690 Remove Two (2) Trees & Grind Stumps K (outside cemetery fence line) 2718 Remove Tree B & F (all trees outside cemetery fence line) 6242C & 6278B / section B stone 915 Remove Four (4) Trees Behind cemetery maintenance yard (outside cemetery fence line) N/A Remove Tree B (adjacent to maintenance yard) 406 / 527 / 648-A Remove Three (3) Trees & Grind Stumps B (adjacent to employee parking lot & spoils area) 797 Remove Tree & Grind Stump P 2983 Prune Tree / Thin Crown Between Lodge & Administration Building N/A Prune Branch that hangs over roof Fence Line Behind Columbarium Adjacent to Apartment Complex Trees are identified with paint # 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14 Remove Behind Columbarium Tree #15 Remove Between Maintenance Yard & Section R Vicinity of 797B Remove Four (4) trees & Grind Stumps H Vicinity of 1529, 1698, 1893 & 2006 Remove Four (4) Trees & Grind Stumps N 218, 472,1012, & 1400 Remove Four (4) Trees & Grind Stumps M Vicinity of 1271, 1393 & 1424 Remove Three (3) Trees & Grind Stumps M 1831 Remove Tree & Grind Stump M Vicinity of 2001 & 2091 Remove Two (2) Trees & Grind Stumps L Vicinity of 3210, 3227, 3256, 3268 & 3288 Remove Five (5) Trees & Grind Stumps J 1482 Prune Tree I 14516A Prune Tree C 27 Grind Existing Tree Stump CERTIFIED ARBORIST / SITE MANAGER & TREE CREW A Certified Arborist shall serve as the site manager for this contract and will be provided by the Contractor for not less than eight (8) hours a day whenever work is being performed other than trash and debris pick-up. The Certified Arborist must have not less than three (3) years experience as a direct supervisor of a commercial tree maintenance operation that included tree removal, pruning, and stump removal in industrial, commercial or public sites and must be certified by International Society of Arboriculture. The Certified Arborist will ensure all pruning specifications are performed according to ANSI A300 standards for tree pruning, ensure contract work does not conflict with ceremonies and funerals, and insure employees are adequately supervised and proper conduct is maintained. ISA certification document must be provided by the Contractor when bidding on the contract. SITE MANAGER Responsible for overall management of all on site activities related to the contract Instructs and assigns crew duties to foreman, tree trimmers and grounds men Manages work schedule with the COR to ensure that all activities are performed in a non-intrusive manner with limited disruption to cemetery operations Supervises and assists in pruning, tree removal, operation of boom trucks, loaders, stump grinders, brush chippers, tractors, chainsaws and trucks Defines the staging area and safe zones by placing proper barriers and signage in visible locations throughout the defined areas of work FOREMAN Must have a thorough knowledge of principles and practices of tree pruning & removal along with a good knowledge of all safety precautions that are associated with this type of work Must be proficient in the use of equipment of the trade, including power saws & brush chippers Must have the ability to safely climb trees and work in high places along with the ability to plan, and supervise the work of others TREE CLIMBER Perform all required ground, climbing, and aerial lift duties as directed by the Foreman. Assist in the performance of specialized pruning and removal operations Safely operate all necessary equipment (chainsaw, chipper, trucks, hand tools) Demonstrate and perform proper climbing and removal techniques and procedures, pruning skills, and application of approved climbing knots. GROUNDSMAN Must be able to lift heavy tree branches and have the dexterity for manipulating / moving heavy tools Must be able to operate chainsaws, brush chippers, stump grinders, trucks and other equipment necessary to perform tree pruning and removal services. PERFORMANCE The Contractor shall complete all pruning / removal services within a period of forty-five (45) working days from start to finish (without exception). All services described in the Work Statement, including technical specifications, schedules, addenda, clauses, terms and conditions of the contract shall form the complete scope of work. TREE PRUNING, REMOVAL / STUMP GRINDING Pruning and removal of all trees shall be accomplished under the direction and guidance of an ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) Certified Arborist provided by the Contractor. All pruning will be performed according to the Tree Pruning Guidelines developed by the ISA and the Tree Maintenance and Safety Standards (ANSI Z133.1 & ANSI A300) developed by the American National Standards Institute. These standards are the accepted standards of the tree care industry. Pruning will consist of crown cleaning /deadwood pruning which includes the removal of all dead, dying, diseased or broken branches 1/2 in diameter or larger throughout the tree. Pruning will also include the removal of crossing / rubbing, weak branches that may compromise the structural integrity of the tree. All portions of the trunk and any tree limbs or branches over 3 ½ inches in diameter must be lowered to the ground by crane or ropes and may not be dropped. Any headstones that may have to be removed in order to obtain access to a particular tree must be correctly replaced by the Contractor after the tree removal has been completed. At no time may the contractor drop any branches onto cemetery headstones or. To insure protection of headstones that are in close proximity to trees being pruned or removed, the Contractor will use covers to place over the headstones while the work is being performed. The Contractor will be responsible for any damage to the turf, roads or headstones caused by dropping parts of the tree. All wood chip particles and debris from the tree removal shall be cleaned up thoroughly and removed from the cemetery daily. The Contractor shall take every precaution to prevent any falling branches or trees from damaging any headstones, adjacent plant material or cemetery structures. All stumps shall be removed using stump-grinding equipment with the stump grinder making repeated passes over the stump. Stumps and all surface FboNotices shall be ground to at least 4 below the soil surface and all stump/FboNotice grindings shall be removed. Stump site will be leveled and graded out to the drip line. The stump cavity shall be filled with topsoil, compacted, and then seeded with a blend of Turf Type Tall Fescue grass seed. All wood chips and debris from stump removal shall be taken offsite the same day of the work and shall be properly disposed of. The Contractor shall be responsible for repair and or replacement to any damaged turf, headstones or other property. Contractor must board vehicles and other wheeled equipment in and out of the burial sections. The Contractor is responsible to ensure that all pruning cuts shall be made just outside the collar or shoulder ring (branch bark ridge/swollen trunk collar) close to parent stem so that healing can readily start under normal conditions. The Contractor is responsible to ensure that when reducing the tree height and spread, he/she shall retain the natural shape of the tree by removing the entire lateral branches back to their point of origin. The Contractor is responsible to ensure that all limbs one inch in diameter or over must be undercut to prevent tearing of the bark. All branches 3 1/2" in diameter or larger shall be lowered to the ground using proper lowering devices such as ropes. The Contractor is responsible to ensure that all trees shall be pruned to retain the tree s natural crown characteristics and growth patterns. The Contractor is responsible to ensure that all trees shall have branches removed to permit the sufficient penetration of sunlight and circulation of air through the canopy in conjunction to the aesthetic appearance, natural crown characteristics and growth patterns of the tree. This process is also known as thinning. The Contractor is responsible to ensure care when removing living and/or dead crossing or rubbing branches, where practicable, so the removal will not leave large holes in the canopy of the tree natural crown characteristics and growth patterns of the tree. The Contractor is responsible to ensure that, when pruning trees known to be diseased or susceptible to diseases, tools are disinfected with alcohol after each cut and between trees, where there is known to be danger of transmitting the disease on the tools. The Contractor is responsible for reporting to the COR all of the following conditions: when old scars are not healing properly; where callus growth is not already established; visible girdling FboNotices, and when there are any structural weaknesses; decayed trunk or branches; and split crotches, or branch exists. The following methods of pruning are NOT acceptable therefore, the contractor is responsible to ensure that these methods are never performed: topping, stubbing, de-horning, and pollarding. Equipment that may damage the tree bark or cambium layer should not be used on or in the tree. Unless removing the tree altogether, the Contractor is not permitted to use climbing spikes or spurs to climb any live tree scheduled for pruning. The Contractor is responsible to ensure that in lifting the bottom branches of the trees for under clearance, care shall be given to symmetrical appearance, aesthetic appearance, natural crown characteristics and growth patterns of the trees. In general, the Contractor shall ensure when reducing the size of a tree and with respect to retaining the tree s natural crown characteristics and patterns, not more than 1/4 of the total area shall be reduced at a single operation. UTILITY LINES COMPLIANCE: Where pruning, stump grinding, or tree removal conflicts with existing utility service lines (above or below ground), cemetery personnel and the appropriate utility company shall be notified by the Contractor. The Contractor shall obtain all necessary permits and cooperate with the utility company to avoid any damage or liability. SAFETY: All equipment to be used and work to be performed will be in full compliance with the most current revision of the American National Standards Institute Z-133.1-2000 and A300-1995. These guidelines provide safety standards for workers engaged in pruning, repairing, maintaining or removing trees. Tree care personnel will be sure not to position equipment that blocks any roads or walkways unless prior arrangements have been made with the COR. Tree care personnel will also make sure to provide adequate barricades, flag person, signs and or warning devices during the performance of tree work. DEBRIS & WASTE REMOVAL: Removal of debris and waste away from the cemetery grounds shall be the responsibility of the Contractor. At the end of each day, the Contractor will remove all tree limbs, dead branches, bush / shrub / hedge clippings and other debris from the cemetery site resulting from the work. The Contractor shall ensure at all times that debris and waste generated by the Contractor is kept clear of vehicular and pedestrian traffic throughout the site.

Division 32 -

Exterior Improvements, Operation and Maintenance of Exterior Improvements, Irrigation, Planting Irrigation, Planting, Planting Preparation, Soil Preparation, Landscape Grading.