Specifications include, but are not limited to: 4.1.1 Shrubs and Trees for Planting 4.1.1.1 Trees and Shrubs provided for planting must be a minimum 2-0 stock, with a minimum height of fifteen (15) inches, with verification of nursery or supplier provided to West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection/Office of Special Reclamation. 4.1.1.2 Trees and Shrubs provided for planting must be in good viable condition. Good viable condition is the appearance that the tree or shrub provided is free of defect, disease, improper storage or other flaws that would prevent it from being able to establish itself and grow upon planting. Rooting and pruning is unacceptable without prior approval of West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection/Office of Special Reclamation. Trees and shrubs being prepared for planting will be visually inspected by WVDEP/OSR staff on site. 4.1.1.3 Trees and Shrubs provided for planting must be planted in an upright/vertical position, at an appropriate depth, and properly compacted, by use of either tree planting mattock or tree planting dibble. 4.1.1.4 Trees and Shrubs provided for planting must be one of the species listed by common name, as indicated on the commodity line description. Substitution of one species for another shall not be permitted without prior approval from the Agency. 4.1.2 Mats 4.1.2.1 Mats must be a minimum of eighteen (18) inches diameter circle tree mats placed around the species to be planted. 4.1.2.2 Mats must be fastened to the ground with a minimum of four (4) fasteners (or per manufacturer’s instructions) to assure good ground contact and minimal light penetration. 4.1.2.3 Mats shall be put in place in an area previously scalped at the time of planting. 4.1.2.4 Mats shall be made of biodegradable material. 4.1.3 Herbicide 4.1.3.1 Herbicide must be applied at a saturation rate per manufacturers’ recommendations, and to a minimum eighteen (18) inch diameter in the area that the species shall be planted. 4.1.3.2 Herbicide must not be detrimental to the planting stock and shall be appropriate for the vegetation it shall be used upon. 4.1.3.3 Herbicide application must take place at least fourteen (14) days prior to planting. 4.1.4 Scalping 4.1.4.1 Scalping must remove all vegetation to a minimum eighteen (18) inch diameter around the planted species. 4.1.4.2 Scalping must take place at the time of planting. 4.1.5 Tree Protection Tubes 4.1.5.1 Tree protection tubes must be Tubex brand Standard Tree Shelters or equivalent with a minimum height of four (4) feet and a minimum diameter of eighty (80) millimeters. 4.1.5.2 Tree protection tubes must be installed with a 4-foot white oak stake secured to the tree protection tube in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications. 4.1.5.3 Tree protection tube installation must take place at the time of planting. 4.1.6 Moisture Retaining Gel Root Treatment 4.1.6.1 Moisture Retaining Polymer Gel Root Treatment must be Broadleaf Root Dip or equivalent, applied per manufacturer’s specifications at the time of planting. 4.1.6.2 Moisture Retaining Gel Root Treatment shall be suitable for coating roots of bare-root transplants for protection of desiccation to extend the time they may remain out of the ground.
