Specifications include, but are not limited to: • All trees shall be true to type or name as listed, with a minimum branch height of five feet (5’). The Tree Warden will measure branch height upon arrival and if height specifications are not met, reserves the right to reject the tree(s). • All bid submissions shall include photographs of all trees bid. • All trees must be conducive with roadside planting. • Trees must be tagged from their growing origin individually or in groups, by species, and cultivar (variety). Substituting similar species, when specified trees are not available, may be allowed upon approval and inspection by the Town Tree Warden. • Trees must be nursery field-grown by supplier from Zone 6, or hardier, and from the Northeastern Region or an agreed to alternate location by the Town Tree Warden. Bidders must specify in their proposal where the trees were grown. • All trees shall be healthy, have a form typical for the species or cultivar, and be well-rooted and properly trained. Trees shall be handled and shipped with care. Trees with windburn, chafing, bruised or broken bark, poorly tied burlap, “soft” balls, etc., will be rejected. • Root flair – shall be exposed upon receipt of the trees. • The root ball of all tress shall be moist throughout. The crown shall show no signs of moisture stress. Trees should have been root pruned annually and dug before bud breaks. Size of the ball shall be a minimum of 24” in diameter. • The Tree Warden reserves the right to inspect the roots by removing the soil from the trees shipped from each source. The trunk and the main roots shall be free of circling and kinked roots. Circling roots at the periphery of the root ball shall not be reason for rejecting a tree unless the circling roots are large for the species and shoot growth is not acceptable for the species. Digging the trees shall not sever any roots larger than one-half inch (1/2”) diameter. Severed roots larger than one-half (1/2”) diameter may be cause for rejection. • No payment for shipping and/or handling shall be made for any rejected trees. • The Town reserves the right to purchase additional trees and planting throughout the calendar year of the award at the unit prices under the base bid. Quantities may vary during this time. • All trees shall comply with Federal and State laws requiring inspection for plant diseases and pest infestations. • Trees should leaf out by Memorial Day. Trees not leafing out by this time will be rechecked July 1st, and if still not leafed out, the trees will be rejected. Rejected trees should be replaced in the fall of that growing season upon approval of the Tree Warden. Payment for these trees will be retained until the following spring
