Specifications include, but are not limited to: 1. General Pruning Specifications: A. Crown Cleaning shall include the removal of dead branches 1” in diameter and greater, as well as dying, diseased, weak and broken branches from a tree’s crown. B. Crown Thinning shall consist of the selective removal of branches to increase light penetration, air movement, and reduce weight. Branches should have an even distribution of foliage along their lengths in order to increase trunk taper and a more uniformly distributed branch weight and wind stress along the trunk. (no Lions tailing) C. Crown Raising shall consist of the removal of the lower branches of a tree in order to provide clearance. Lower branches shall be trimmed to minimum heights of 14’ above streets and alleys, 10’ above sidewalks and driveways and private yards. Each tree is to be trimmed to the same height to maintain balanced appearance. D. Crown Reduction shall be used when the objective is to reduce the height or spread of a tree. This method shall be used to provide a minimum of 12’ clearance around all buildings. A 10’ clearance shall be provided around signs and streetlights. E. Crown Restoration shall be used when a tree has been severely topped, vandalized, or storm damaged in order to improve the structure, form and appearance of the tree. F. Not more than one quarter of the live crown shall be removed during trimming operations. Notify the Director or his designee(village arborist) if clearance standards can not be obtained due to this restriction. This will likely occur when trees are adjacent to streetlight poles. G. Proper pruning cuts shall be made at the branch bark collar. Three step pruning cuts shall be made in order to prevent bark tearing. 2. Young Tree Pruning specifications (3”-12” DBH) A. A single straight trunk or central leader shall be maintained for most trees. Co-dominant or competing leads shall be reduced or removed. B. The development of a good, structurally sound scaffold branch system should be maintained by selective thinning of branches and removing dead, interfering, split and broken branches. Every effort shall be made to remove branches with narrow angles of attachment from thee trunk and canopy. C. Branches should have an even distribution of foliage along their lengths in order to increase trunk taper and a more uniformly distributed branch weight. D. Young trees may not meet clearance standards over the street and sidewalk, however the lowest branches shall be pruned. Total pruning shall not exceed one quarter of the live crown. 3. Under no circumstances shall any person working on trimming trees be permitted to wear spurs or climbing irons. 4. The contractor is responsible for distributing letters to notify residents and property owners of the tree trimming. The letter will be written and provided by the village. The contractor is also responsible for posting NO PARKING signs 48 hours in advance. If a parked vehicle has not been moved in a timely manner, inform the village designee for assistance with relocation of the vehicle. 5. As work proceeds, immediately clean up all debris resulting from the trimming operations so as to leave no hazards or nuisances. Streets must remain open and passable at all times. If a situation arises that requires temporary closure of a street, the contractor is to first inform the proper village staff. Proper signage must be used to alert motorists of tree work. Proper signage and cones must be placed on sidewalks to alert pedestrians of a closed sidewalk. Debris is to be removed at the end of each day. In the event that debris can not be removed, the proper village staff is to be informed and barricades and cones must be place around the debris. 6. Trimming work may be performed between January 1st - April 30th, and between October 1st – December 31st. 7. The contractor shall provide the workers and equipment required to perform the service safely and adequately. 8. An ISA CERTIFIED ARBORIST MUST BE PRESENT ON THE JOB AT ALL TIMES! The contractor must provide the name and certification number the certified arborist who will be on site at all times. Failure to meet this requirement may be grounds for termination of the contract. The village reserves the right to review employee records to verify employment. 9. Safety Standards- In the performance of this contract, the contractor shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, including the following: A. The contractor shall abide by all EPA and OSHA safety standards and regulations B. The contractor is required to follow the safety requirements for tree care operations as presented in the American National Standards Institute ANSI Z133.1, 2019 10. Work may begin at 7:00am and continue through 5:00pm Monday- Saturday. No work is to be performed on Sunday. A work schedule shall be given to the proper village staff before work begins. 11. Payment for this contract will be on a per tree basis in classes as listed in #13 and will include all associated costs to the contractor to perform required work and dispose of debris. 12. Diameter at Breast Height(DBH) for trees trimmed shall be measured with a standard diameter tape at 4 ½ feet above the ground. For forked trees below 4 ½ feet, each stem will be measured separately and then added together to achieve the correct measurement for that tree. If the fork or significant trunk swell begins at 4 ½ feet above the ground, then the measurement shall be taken below the start of the fork. 13. Payment for trimming of the assigned trees will be on a unit price per tree, based on DBH measurement checked by a representative of the Public Works Department, and classifies as follows: 0-6”( up to 6.4” DBH) 7-12” (6.5”-12.4” DBH) 13-24”(12.5”-24.4”) 25-36”(24.5”-36.4”) 37+” (36.5” and greater DBH)
