Specifications include, but are not limited to: Invasive tree and brush control at multiple sites in Northwest Illinois, up to 480 hours of work. Vendor shall cut target brush and tree species 5” DBH or less within the specified work areas indicated on attached maps. Chainsaws and brush cutters can be used as is appropriate to the size of targets and topography. Cut slash shall be stacked for future burning; Primary Job Coordinator will specify appropriate sites for stacking at each location. Cut stumps shall be treated with a solution of 20% triclopyr ester herbicide and 80% basal bark oil. Diesel and kerosine may not be used as basal bark oil. Herbicide can be brushed on to stumps 2” diameter or less; all larger stumps shall have herbicide applied with a low-pressure sprayer, hand-held or backpack. If encountered, bramble patches can be cut but do not need to be treated with herbicide. Cut bramble patches shall be marked with flagging tape and a GPS coordinate taken so the Primary Job Coordinator can coordinate follow-up foliar spraying as may be needed. Work will be conducted on gentle to steep slopes, with a majority of work to be done on gentle to moderate slopes. Primary Job Coordinator will determine the number of hours at each site based on work progress. While work can proceed year-round, the highest quality areas will be reserved for dormant season work. Most of these sites have limited accessibility during winter months. Vendor is responsible for making sure work is completed during windows of accessibility. Target tree species to be cut are primarily Acer saccharum (sugar maple), Carya cordiformis (bitternut hickory), Celtis occidentalis (hackberry), Juglans nigra (black walnut), Morus alba (white mulberry), Tilia americana (basswood), and Ulmus rubra (slippery elm). Target brush includes all exotic species plus Cornus racemosa (gray dogwood), Ribes sp. (gooseberries), and Zanthoxylum americanum (prickly ash). Non-target species, which are not to be cut or treated, with likely habitat occurrence (D=Dry, DM=Dry-Mesic, M=Mesic) are listed below. Not all species occur at each site. The Primary Job Coordinator will inform the Vendor of documented species for each location, but the Vendor should be aware that any of these species could be present at any work location.
