Specifications include, but are not limited to: A. General Specifications 1. All cuts shall be made so as to preserve the structure, health and aesthetic value of the tree. Preservation of the natural form of a tree shall be preserved. 2. Trees in close groups or clumps with interconnecting crowns, or trees in wooded strips are NOT to be pruned until inspected and approved for pruning by the City. 3. Tree trunks that have a union above ground level are to be considered as one-(1) tree. Trees with separate trunks formed at ground level are considered as separate trees and should be recorded as such. 4. Use of an aerial lift or manual climbing may be directed by the City Project Manager so as to affect efficiency in the work or to avoid damages on the property. 5. No spurs or climbers are permitted. Visible scars on trunks or use of spurs or climbers shall be considered adequate evidence to reject payment for any pruning on a tree. 6. Saw scars, tears in the bark or wood, splits, peeling or other damage caused by unskilled or improper pruning shall be considered adequate evidence to reject payment for any pruning on a tree and cause for damage appraisal. 7. All cuts shall be made close to the branch collar. No flush cuts are permitted. 8. Branches shall be so pruned that adequate understory is preserved, to avoid loss of crown structure, that the crown shape of the tree is preserved or enhanced and that the balance of the tree is improved. 9. No tree surgery, bracing, cabling, topping or lion tailing will be authorized. 10. Pruning will be done in accordance with the latest revision of the ANSI A300 Standard. Damage caused to trees by work performed by Contractor not in accordance with this standard shall be given a value assessment, in accordance with the International Society of Arboriculture’s guide for Tree Appraisal, by the Project Manager and charged against any compensation due the Contractor under this Contract. 11. Trees in need of removal, as determined by the Contractor’s supervisor, shall be documented and immediately reported to the Project Manager to determine if an immediate hazard is present and whether the tree should be removed. 12. Work shall be conducted under favorable weather conditions. Access into park areas may be limited or non-existent during or after wet weather conditions. B. Crown Cleaning Specifications 1. All dead, diseased, broken, visibly stressed fractured limbs, epicormic and basal sprouts shall be removed to 1” in diameter. 2. All dead stubs to 2” in diameter and 2’ in length shall be removed. 3. All rubbing cross branches shall be removed to 1” in diameter. C. Crown Raising Specifications 1. Generally a tree is not to be "raised" but branches that interfere with traffic, or are below fourteen (14) feet in height over the center of streets, or that are below eight (8) feet over sidewalks are to be eliminated. On smaller trees no more than 1/3 the crown height should be cut. Preservation of the natural form of a tree shall be preserved. 2. Branches of trees shall be cut to provide a minimum clearance of five-(5) feet from structures. D. Pruning of Young Trees (trees < 6” DBH) 1. Small trees shall be pruned to develop a strong scaffold structure. Contractor prunes to maintain or develop a strong central leader and prunes out crossing branches and limbs or stems with included bark. 2. Only manual tools shall be used on trees less than 6 inches in diameter.