Specifications include, but are not limited to: The work covered under this solicitation shall consist of the labor, equipment, materials, tools, transportation, and incidentals necessary to crop tree bud capping and pruning on State land in the Northeast Region of Minnesota during the late summer and early fall of 2022. This contract includes 86 tracts (sites) totaling approximately 1,751 acres.; Bud Capping: 1. Treatment will require the application of bud caps in accordance with the specifications outlined on the enclosed Silvicultural Field Tip No.6 and at the Project Supervisor’s direction. Bud cap paper size and weight shall be as specified herein or as directed by the Project Supervisor. Sites designated as “hardwoods” as predominant species shall be bud capped in accordance with the specifications outlined on the enclosed Silvicultural Field Tip No.13 and are in separate Bid Groups by Area.; 2. All crop trees under six feet in height on each site will be capped unless other specifications are indicated on the project proposals or by the Project Supervisor. When there is more than one leader on a seedling the dominant, healthiest leader shall be encased in the bud cap.; 3. Bud caps shall be fastened to the needles, so that they do not become displaced by the wind or snow. There shall be no damage to the terminal bud by the fastening process. A minimum of three (3) staple fasteners will be required so that weathering will not loosen the cap.; 4. Sufficient space shall be left around the stem and the fastened portion of the cap to provide for airflow. This will reduce mold formation during the spring.; 5. The bud cap shall extend between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch above the terminal bud on all sides.; Basal Pruning: 1. This treatment will require the pruning of selected white pine crop trees in accordance with the specifications outlined in the attached Silvicultural Field Tip No. 10 (pages 28-33), and at the direction of the Project Supervisor.; 2. All selected crop trees over 2.5' in height will be pruned on the lower 1/3 of the total tree height unless other specifications are indicated on the project proposal. Work may NOT be done through the winter with snow on the ground as it interferes with removal of the lowest, near ground level, limbs that are susceptible disease entry points. Area Project Supervisors will determine when the snow is too deep to complete the work within the specifications listed.; 3. By-pass shears must be used on all branches less than 1" in diameter. Shears must be sharp and in good repair. Anvil-style shears are NOT allowed for use on live wood. For larger branches lopping shears or pruning saws are allowed. Anvil type shears, chain saws, bow saws, Sandviks or hatchets are not allowed.; 4. The approximate number of trees per acre to prune on each site is indicated in the Site Data Tables.; 5. Unsatisfactory pruning practices must be avoided. Such practices include: • Branches not pruned on whorls near the ground; • Excessive damage to the bark on the bole of the tree. Complete the cut before removing the tool to avoid ripping bark.; • Branches pruned flush with the bole of the tree and/or branch-stubs left too long.
