Sample Contract Provisions

To meet Tree Line USA Requirement 1.A and Trenching and Tunneling Practices

To Meet Tree Line USA Requirement 1A:

Pruning Practices

Where right-of-way clearing requirements call for pruning, the work practices described in “Pruning Trees Near Electric Utility Lines: A Field Guide for Qualified Line-Clearance Workers” by Dr. Alex L. Shigo and in compliance with ANSI A300 shall be followed. This Guide shall be read and understood by each worker who performs line clearance, and will be available at each work site as a quick reference. Specifically, the following practices shall be followed:

1. Techniques consistent with the practices of natural, lateral and drop crotch trimming shall be utilized.
2. Cuts are to be made back to the main stem or to a branch which is at least one third the diameter of the portion being removed. In no case shall deciduous tree limbs be stubbed off at the edge of the clearing limits.
3. Wherever possible, all trimming cuts shall be made to direct future growth and sprouting away from the conductors.
4. Conifers should be trimmed in a natural manner that allows them to retain as much of their natural shape as possible.
5. All dead branches overhanging primary conductors at any height shall be removed.
6. A minimum of cuts should be utilized to achieve required clearances.
7. Where practical, cuts should be primarily restricted to large diameter branches made well within the crown. Shaping through the use of many cuts of small diameter branches in the outer crown should be avoided.
8. Remove living branches by making cuts as close as possible to the branch collar. Remove dead branches by making cuts as close as possible to the living tissues that surround the dead branch at the base.
9. Precautions shall be taken to avoid stripping or tearing of bark when cutting large-diameter limbs.
10. When a tree owner requests wound dressings, inform the owner that research shows no benefits; dressings may even cause harm. If they insist, use a very thin coating of a dressing.
11. Where line-clearance trimming adversely alters the shape of a tree, additional trimming may be done to give the tree satisfactory shape and appearance.
12. Climbing irons or “hooks” should not be used except in cases involving tree removal work.

To Meet Trenching and Tunneling Practices Requirements:

(Although Requirement 1B is educational, the following is provided for utilities and developers that are able to contractually specify trenching and tunneling procedures.)

Where underground utility work will be conducted near trees, the following practices described in “Trenching and Tunneling Near Trees: A Field Guide for Qualified Utility Workers” by Dr. James R. Fazio shall be followed:

• Techniques that maximize the protection of tree roots will be utilized.
• When space allows, utility trenching will be routed outside the dripline of existing trees.
• When a root two inches in diameter or larger is accidentally or unavoidably cut, it will be sawed flush with the tree side of the trench.
• Whenever possible, soil from a trench will be piled on the side of the trench farthest from the tree. Soil that must be piled within a tree's dripline and on the side of the trench closest to the tree will be placed on plywood or a 4-inch bed of organic mulch such as wood chips.
• Trenches will be refilled as quickly as possible and compacted to no more than their original firmness. Backfill will be kept free of oil cans, wood scraps, chemicals, and other waste or debris.
• Backfilled soil will be watered as soon as the backfilling operation is completed.
• Trenching will be avoided (by tunneling or re-routing) within the dripline of any tree six inches DBH (diameter at breast height, or 4.5 feet above ground) or smaller.
• For trees over six inches DBH, tunneling will replace trenching at the following minimum distances from the face of the tree trunk in any direction:

Diameter	Minimum Distance to trench, access pit, or beginning/end of tunnel
6–9 inches	5 feet
10–14 inches	10 feet
15–19 inches	12 feet
20 inches or more	15 feet