City of Frisco Engineering Standards

C. Tree and Shrub Planting Pits:
1. Planting Pits: After scarifying, the planting pits shall be excavated. All shrub pits shall be
a minimum of six (6”) inches larger in diameter and three (3”) inches deeper than the
shrub ball or root spread. All tree pits shall be a minimum of twelve (12”) inches larger in
diameter and 2-3 inches less deep than the rootball. All tree pits shall be tested for
percolation. If water does not drain withing 24 hours, drainage or a more suitable species
or location shall be provided. sp.
2. Soil Mix: Soil mix for backfilling the tree and shrub planting pits shall be soil/compost
mix as specified for Groundcover and Vine Planting Areas.
D. Raised Planters:
1. Backfilling: Planters shall be backfilled with specified commercial soil mix.
3.04 DELIVERY OF PLANT MATERIALS
Plants shall be packed and protected during delivery and after arrival at the site, against climatic,
seasonal, wind damage, or other injuries, and at no time shall be allowed to dry out.
3.05 PROTECTION OF PLANT MATERIALS
All plants shall be handled so that roots are adequately protected at all times from drying out and
from other injury. The balls of balled plants which cannot be planted immediately on delivery
shall be “heeled in” for protection with soil mulch, straw, or other acceptable material.
3.06 SETTING THE PLANTS
All plants shall be planted in pits, centered, and set to touch such depth that the finished grade
level at the plant after settlement will be the same as that at which the plant was grown. Each
plant shall be planted upright and faced to give the best appearance or relationship to adjacent
plants or structures. No burlap shall be pulled out from under balls or balls broken when taken
from containers. All broken or frayed roots shall be cut off cleanly. Prepared soil shall be placed
and compacted carefully to avoid injury to roots and to fill all voids. When the hole is nearly
filled, add water and root activator, mixed per manufacturer’s recommendations, and allow it to
soak away. Fill the hole to finished grade and form a shallow saucer around each tree or shrub by
placing a ridge of topsoil around the edge of each pit after planting.
3.07 MULCHING
All plants will be mulched after planting with a three inch (3”) deep layer of mulch material
entirely covering the area around each plant except as noted. The root flare of trees shall not be
covered with much. In the groundcover and massed shrub areas, the entire area between the
plants is to be so treated, regardless of plant spacing.
3.08 GRADING
The surface of all planting areas shall slope as shown on the plans. Unless otherwise shown, slope
one-quarter (1/4”) inch per foot (two (2%) percent gradient) away from foundations and walk.
City of Frisco May 2012
Standard Technical Specification Tree, Shrub, and Groundcover Planting 329300-4