Specifications include, but are not limited to: TREE PRUNING SPECIFICATIONS: a) All work will be billed at an hourly rate for this service. b) Trees must be trimmed to create a well-maintained ornamental appearance whenever possible and must adhere to all American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A300 Standards and practices. c) Maximum tree trimming-crown reduction, pruning top and sides to lighten and balance, removing deadwood and crossed branches, and raising to legal height. This pruning is t provide for public safety and the general health of the trees. However, at no time should reduction exceed ¼ of the overall size of any tree unless specified by the Tree Warden, Superintendent of Parks or Parks and Recreation Department designee. The finished trees shall have a symmetrical and aesthetic form with the weight evenly distributed d) In order to shorten the length of limbs, use the thin to lateral methods. Methods of pruning which may be called Topping, Heading Back, or Lions Tailing shall NOT be used. e) To lighten end weight where such overburden appears likely to cause breakage of limbs four inches (4”) or more in diameter, the only pruning method to be used is drop crotch. Remove cross limbs and epicormic growth (suckers) as required. Pruners will be used to complete final trimming processes. Any exceptions will be at the discretion of Tree Warden or Superintendent of Parks. All trimming will be done in a manner which will not injure or scar the tree. f) Final pruning cuts shall be made without leaving a stub. They shall be made in a manner to favor the earliest covering of the wound by callus growth. This requires that the wound be as small as possible and the cut be reasonably flush outside the branch bark ridge area and that the cambium tissues at the edge of the cut be alive and health. Extreme flush cuts that produce large wounds and weaken the tree at the cut shall not be made. . TREE REMOVAL SPECIFICATIONS a) This work will be billed at an hourly rate. b) Due to the various considerations that must be considered with a tree removal / take down, including variations in overall canopy volume, potential secondary involvement with other trees or methods of removal due to proximity of structures etc; tree removal (take down) will billed at an hourly rate and will be on a case by case basis c) The Contractor shall furnish all materials, equipment, tools, supplies, labor and transportation including fuel and power to perform all of the work necessary for the removal of trees designated during the life of the contract. d) Stumps must be flush cut to the ground. e) All grass and pavement areas are to be blown clean of all debris with a leaf blower. f) As much as is feasible, tree removal work will be scheduled for an eight (8) hour day between the hour of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. 3. EMERGENCY CLEARING SERVICES a) This work will be billed at an hourly rate b) The Contractor will be responsible for the clearing of any tree or tree debris that present road obstructions as well as all identified aerial hazards over Town roadways during and immediately following an inclement or adverse weather events as part of “Make Safe” operations c) All materials will be cut and put off the curb line in order to re-gain safe passage on public roadways as soon as possible. d) The emergency services crew will include a qualified English-speaking, experienced tree man (“crew chief”). e) The Town may require the Contractor to provide additional crews when deemed necessary to preserve public safety.
