3.1. Contractor shall provide high-quality plant materials and timely delivery services to support the County’s park maintenance and enhancement efforts. 3.2. Plant material shall adhere to the standards and conditions: 3.2.1. Trees must meet the specification, as listed within ANZI Z60.2, including, but not limited to: 3.2.1.1. A tree shall be true to name as ordered or shown in Exhibit B – Pricing Schedule and be labeled individually or in groups by species and cultivar. 3.2.1.2. All trees shall comply with federal and state laws and regulations requiring inspection for plant disease, pests and weeds. 3.2.1.3. As typical for the species/cultivar, trees shall be healthy and vigorous, as indicated by an inspection for the following: 3.2.1.3.1. Crown: the form and density of the crown shall be typical for a young specimen of the species or cultivar. Changes in form caused by wind, pruning practices, pests, or other factors shall not substantially alter the form for the species or cultivar. Trees shall have a single, relatively straight leader and shall be free of codominant stems and vigorous, upright branches that compete with the central leader. If the original leader has been headed, a new leader, at least one-half of the diameter of the original leader, shall be present. 3.2.1.3.2. Leaves: the size, color, and appearance of leaves shall be typical for the time of the year and stage of growth of the species or cultivar. Trees shall not show signs of prolonged moisture stress as indicated by wilted, shriveled, or dead leaves. 3.2.1.3.3. Branches: shoot growth (length and diameter) throughout the crown should be appropriate for the age and size of the species or cultivar. Trees shall not have dead, diseased, broken, distorted or otherwise injured branches. Branch diameter shall be no larger than twothirds (one-half is preferred) of the diameter of the central leader, measured one inch above the branch. The attachment of the largest branches (scaffold branches) shall be free of including bark (acute angles). Temporary branches, unless otherwise specified, should be present along the lower trunk below the lowest main (scaffold) branch, particularly for trees less than 1” in caliper. These branches should be no greater than 3/8-inch diameter. 3.2.1.3.4. Roots: the root system shall be substantially free of injury from biotic (e.g., insects and pathogens) and abiotic (e.g., herbicide toxicity and salt injury) agents. Root distribution shall be uniform throughout the container substrate, and growth shall be appropriate for the species or cultivar. When the container is removed, the root ball shall remain intact. When the trunk is lifted, both the trunk and roots shall move as one. At the time of inspection and delivery, the root ball must be moist throughout. Roots shall not show signs of excess moisture conditions as indicated by stunted, discolored, distorted or dead roots. The uppermost roots or root collar (root crown) shall be within the upper two inches of the soil media (substrate). The root collar and the inside portion of the root ball shall be free of defects, including circling, kinked, and stem girdling roots. Soil removed near the root collar may be necessary to inspect the aforementioned root defects. Roots on the periphery and bottom of the root ball shall be less than 1/4 inch in diameter (1/8 inch is preferred).
