Specifications include, but are not limited to: Pruning Standards and Specifications: Pruning shall conform to specifications written in accordance with the techniques and standards in the current edition of ANSI A300 (Part 1) Pruning (Standard Practices for Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Maintenance), and in a manner consistent with current ISA Best Management Practices – Pruning. The general specifications listed below shall be complied with on all work completed. Further instruction for pruning specifications may be provided on a case-by-case basis. Pruning may require rope climbing or bucket work depending on the situation. The Contractor should bid price to cover both contingencies. 13.1. Pruning operations shall remove no more living material than what is necessary to achieve specified objectives. 13.2. The smallest diameter cut that meets the objective should be preferred. 13.3. Branches shall be precut when necessary to avoid splitting of the wood or tearing of the bark. 13.4. When removing a branch with a narrow angle of attachment, the cut should be made from the outside of the branch to prevent damage to the remaining branch or stem. 13.5. When removing a branch with included bark, the cut should be made as close as possible to the point where the wood of the stems join without damaging the remaining stem. 13.6. When removing a dead branch or stem, the final cut shall be made just outside the collar of the living tissue, without leaving a dead stub. 13.7. Interior and lower branches should be retained except when necessary to achieve pruning objectives. When removing live branches, the majority of cuts should be in the outer portion of the crown. 13.8. A pruning cut that removes a branch at its point of origin shall be made close to the trunk or parent branch without cutting into the branch bark ridge or branch collar or leaving a stub. 13.9. A reduction cut shall be made to a live lateral branch or codominant stem when it can be expected to sustain the remaining branch or stem. The remaining lateral branch shall be at least one-third the diameter of the stem or branch being removed.
