B.3.6.1.1 Basic Planting GuideThese DECAM Agronomy design guidelines are intended for application to landscape improvements at sites throughout Fort Carson. Their primary purpose is to assist in the design of responsible, aesthetically pleasing landscapes, and in the achievement of the overall landscape goals for all of Fort Carson. For more information, contact the DECAM Agronomy Branch. Scope To establish basic instructions for planting trees, shrubs, ground covers, and vines on Fort Carson and the Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site (PCMS). References The Fort Carson Directorate of Environmental Compliance and Management (DECAM) Agronomy Branch and the Fort Carson Installation Design Guide (IDG). For additional information, access the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension web site called Planttalk Colorado® at www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/PTLK/ptlkmenu.html or by phone at 1-888-666-3063. Requirements All project work must be approved by the Directorate of Public Works (DPW) prior to the start of the work. Work Orders All requestors must complete a Work Order Request, Form 4283. Contact DPW, Bldg. 304, Customer Service Branch for information. Dig Permits Once the work order has been approved, a dig permit is required before the plants are installed. Contact the DPW Customer Service Branch for current information regarding dig permits. Selecting The Right Plant When planting trees, shrubs, ground covers or vines, imagine first what they will look like in ten to fifteen years. Trees and shrubs planted as small trees, shrubs or seedlings close to buildings, sidewalks and corners will reach maturity and cause considerable damage and create safety hazards. Select plants that are compatible with local conditions. Trees and shrubs need to be watered just as much as other plants until established, which usually requires two growing seasons. Once established, watering frequency can be gradually reduced. It's important to know the maximum growth of a plant. Allow proper spacing to prevent overcrowding. Plants. Buy all plant materials from local nurseries. Grocery stores and hardware stores sell plants cheaper, but the quality may be questionable. Buy only "Colorado Grown" or "Northern Grown" plants that are adapted to the dry, harsh winters in Colorado. Site Preparation And Installation Of The Plants. CLEARING AND GRADING. Once the plants are bought, an area will need to be prepared for planting. Clear, remove and dispose of brush, snags, and rubbish within 5 feet of the planting hole. Grade the area to meet the existing landscape unless planting on a slope. Slopes require special precautions to ensure the plant survives. Contact the DECAM Agronomy branch for assistance if you plan on planting on a difficult site. PROTECTION OF EXISTING VEGETATION. If planting on an existing lawn, the surrounding turf should be covered before excavations are made in a manner that will protect the existing turf. Existing trees, shrubs and planting beds should not be disturbed. No mechanical equipment should be operated within 5 feet of the base of an existing tree. PLANTING PITS (Holes). Dig all planting pits (or holes) with vertical sides and flat bottoms. The width of the planting pit should allow a minimum distance between the ball and the sides of the pit of 18 to 24" for trees and shrubs. In digging, all topsoil shall be retained. All other excavated material should be removed and replaced with a good topsoil or planting soil mixture. Installation Of The Plants. PLANTING SEASON. Plants survive the shock of transplanting when the weather is cool. Spring planting should be accomplished beginning April 1 and completed prior to May 30. Fall planting shall be accomplished beginning September 1 and completed prior to October 30, depending on weather conditions. SETTING PLANTS. Plants should be set plumb and held in position until sufficient soil has been firmly placed around the roots or ball. Plants should be set at ground level or no more than 2" above the existing grade. The will allow the roots to receive enough oxygen and moisture to survive. BALLED AND BURLAPPED PLANTS. Some plants are sold with the roots balled and burlapped. These plants should be backfilled with a planting soil mixture to approximately half the depth of the ball and then tamped and watered. Remove the top of the wire mesh or basket if it can be done without disturbing the root ball. If not, leave the basket or wire on. Fold back the burlap and remove all tying materials. The remainder of the backfill planting soil mixture should be tamped and watered in at this time. Do not disturb the rootball during tamping operations. CONTAINER GROWN STOCK. Some plants are sold with the roots growing in a container. These plants should be removed from the containers without damaging the plant or root system prior to placement in the hole. If a plant is rood bound, slice the roots 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep every 3 inches around the planting ball. Planting should be completed as specified for balled and burlapped plants. WATERING. All plants should be "watered in" by flooding the backfilled hole within the same working day upon which they were planted. During and immediately after watering, all plants should be adjusted as necessary to insure correct depth of planting, vertical alignment and/or to compensate for settling. Soil should be firmed around each plant as final adjustments are made. SAUCERS. The saucer, required for holding mulch and water, should be formed at the time of watering in. Use the excess soil from the planting pit to form a saucer 2" to 4" high around the plant. Saucers should be the same diameter as the root ball, i.e. 18" diameter for a 1 1/2" caliper deciduous or 6 ft. coniferous evergreen tree. MULCHING. Mulching should be completed within 48 hours after planting. Woodchips or rock mulch, as specified by the DECAM Agronomy Branch, should be spread to a depth of 2 to 3 inches for individually planted trees and should cover the entire saucer area of each plant. STAKING AND GUYING. Deciduous trees with a 2" caliper or less and evergreen trees 6' in height or less should be staked using two metal fence posts, No. 14 gauge wire and nylon webbing or indoor-outdoor carpet. Trees larger than above should be staked with three metal fence posts driven in the ground at a 45° angle and with approximately 6" of the post exposed. Wire should not be attached directly to the trees. Wire should be kept tight enough to allow a swaying movement of the tree within the confines of the guying. Tee posts should be located to the northwest and southeast of the trees. Trees should be staked immediately after planting. Additional Information This pamphlet provides basic guidance for planting trees, shrubs, ground covers and vines on Fort Carson. For additional information contact, DECAM Agronomy Branch.
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Appendix b |