Specifications include, but are not limited to: 1. SPECIFICATIONS FOR NURSERY STOCK PROVIDERS 1.1. Tree Species: Species should be chosen from the recommended list contained in the city’s recently completed Urban Forest Management Plan. Other species that are either native or proven to thrive in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 10A can be planted with approval from city officials. 1.2. Nursery Stock: All container grown or ball and burlap nursery stock should meet or exceed the Grade 1 standards for landscape trees established by the Florida Division of Plant Industry. Or, nursery stock may be in sufficient condition to prune the limb and/or root structure to meet this standard. 1.3. Transportation: During transport, the weight of the planting stock should always be supported from the root ball, never from the trunk. Trees that have compression wounds appear on the trunk within a year of planting need to be replaced at the vendor’s expense. 2. SPECIFICATIONS FOR TREE INSTALLATION & YOUNG-TREE CARE 2.1. Site Selection: 2.1.1. Planting sites must have adequate above ground clearance from nearby buildings, lighting fixtures, traffic signs, and other structures for when the tree reaches maturity. 2.1.2. In general, new plantings should have initial clearance of at least 20 feet from boundary fences or structures. 2.1.3. Plantings should be located at least 10 feet outside the drip line of existing trees, unless the species to be planted is known to be shade tolerant. 2.1.4. Roadside plantings need to be set forward by at least 20 feet from any wooded area unless the woods will be cleared in the near future. 2.1.5. Large maturing trees shall be planted at least 30 feet from power lines of any type and no trees shall be planted directly under power lines. 2.1.6. Rooting space of at least 250 square feet for large maturing tree species with planting strips at least 10 feet wide; 150 square feet for mid-story species with planting strips at least six feet wide; and 40 square feet for small maturing species with planting spaces at least four feet wide. 2.2. Soil Suitability: Soil in the planting area must be free of debris, including calcareous material (limerock) to a minimum depth of three feet. The width of the suitable soil area also needs to be a minimum of ten inches on either side of the root ball. Soil pH needs to be between 5.0 and 6.8. 2.3. Tree Spacing: Large maturing species need to be at least 30 feet apart; mid-story species at least 20 feet; and small maturing species at least 10 feet apart...
