201 - Clearing
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Definitions of Terms
Deciduous Tree: A deciduous tree is a type of tree that sheds its leaves annually as part of its natural growth cycle. Deciduous trees typically lose their leaves in the fall or autumn and remain leafless during the winter months. Common examples of deciduous trees include oak, maple, birch, and beech.
Drip Line: The drip line of a tree refers to the outermost circumference or boundary of the tree's canopy, where rainwater drips off the outermost branches and foliage. It represents the area where water is most likely to reach the ground and influences the extent of the tree's root system.
Easement: An easement is a legal right granted to an individual or entity to use or access a specific portion of another person's property for a specific purpose. Easements are often established to provide access to utility companies for maintenance or installation of utility lines, or for other purposes such as ingress and egress.
Growth Preventative Material: Growth preventative material refers to substances or treatments applied to vegetation or surfaces to inhibit or prevent the growth of unwanted plants or vegetation. These materials may include herbicides, mulches, or physical barriers designed to suppress plant growth and maintain desired landscaping or land use.
Peat: Peat is a type of organic soil material that forms in wetlands, bogs, fens, and marshes through the partial decomposition of plant matter under anaerobic conditions.
Shrub: A shrub is a small- to medium-sized woody plant characterized by multiple stems or branches arising from the base of the plant. Shrubs are generally shorter in height than trees and often have dense foliage or clusters of flowers.
Stub: A stub is the bottom portion of a tree remaining after it has been cut down; it consists of the stump left in the ground and a portion of the trunk. The trunk section is usually greater than a couple feet in length.
Stump Grinding: Stump grinding is a method used to remove tree stumps from the ground by grinding them into smaller wood chips or sawdust using a specialized stump grinder machine. This process effectively eliminates the visible portion of the stump, allowing for smoother reclamation of the area for landscaping or construction purposes.
Stump: A stump is the base or remaining portion of a tree trunk left in the ground after a tree has been cut down or removed. The stump generally does not extend more than a couple feet above ground level.
Tree: A tree is a tall, perennial woody plant characterized by a single main trunk or stem, with branches and foliage extending from the trunk.
Vegetation: Vegetation refers to all plants, including trees, shrubs, grasses, and other forms of plant life, growing in a particular area or ecosystem. Vegetation plays essential roles in regulating climate, preventing soil erosion, supporting wildlife habitats, and contributing to the overall health and biodiversity of ecosystems.
General Overview
Clearing is the process of removing and disposing of materials such as trees, bushes, shrubs, stumps, roots, grasses, weeds, and organics to create access for equipment delivery, movement, and any other construction activities to occur throughout the site. This process is a critical first step in preparing the construction site for the smooth operation of construction personnel, materials storage, and machinery for project delivery. This work involves removals, clearing for fence, selective thinning, and if needed, application and placement of growth preventative material to prevent the regrowth of unwanted vegetation in specific areas.
MATERIALS
Materials involved in the clearing process primarily include:
- Growth preventative material
Herbicides must be made of environmentally safe ingredients and approved by regulatory bodies. The person applying the material must be certified through the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and provide said certification to the Engineer before application of the material. Refer to Subsection 917.16 of the Standard Specifications for Construction for details on required ingredients and compounds for upland, wetland, or aquatic locations.
EQUIPMENT
The equipment required for clearing varies based on the scale and nature of the project, some commonly used equipment includes:
- Chain saw
- Hand tool
- Excavator
- Backhoe
- Bulldozer
- Mulchers and chippers
- Tools for the application of growth preventative materials
- Skid steer
- Stump grinder
- Forestry equipment
Pictures of Equipment
PRECONSTRUCTION
Clearing limits and restrictions due to environmentally sensitive areas are typically discussed at the preconstruction meeting; alternatively, they can be discussed at a site walkthrough. Topics to discuss prior to construction include:
- Verification that the limits have been staked prior to the start of work, including right-of-way (ROW) and easements.
- Special provision requirements.
- Methods of clearing to be used.
- Staging areas.
- Stockpile of materials and methods to dispose of materials.
- Ownership of salvaged timber.
- Protection of areas not called out to be cleared or selectively thinned.
- Maintenance of traffic for work activities
Clearing limits should be discussed during an onsite walkthrough as it is common to have trees or stumps outside the clearing limits that are also called out to be removed.
Most projects have a special provision for winter tree removal. Dates vary throughout the state depending on which animal species or active vegetative diseases are in the area. Typical restriction dates for clearing are from sometime in October until sometime in March of the following year.
Tree sizes typically vary from the plans due to the design survey being conducted several years prior to the project construction. Actual tree sizes must be agreed upon between the Contractor and Engineer at the time of construction.
When working near or in any government regulated area, such as state or federal parks or forests, notification to the appropriate government entity is required before work can begin. Regulations other than those set forth by MDOT may apply to these areas.
The Inspector should review the following before work begins onsite:
- Subsection 107.15 of the Standard Specifications for Construction for compliance with laws; environmental protection.
- Section 208 of the Standard Specifications for Construction for soil erosion and sedimentation control.
- Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Manual.
- EGLE permits found in the proposal.
- Special provisions.
- Other applicable supplemental specifications.
CONSTRUCTION
Protecting Plant Life
This is detailed under subsection 201.03 of the Standard Specifications for Construction. A note should be placed on the IDR indicating trees saved according to any special provisions on the plans, proposal or ROW agreements. Any damage and the reasons for damage to trees and shrubs not designated for removal should be noted.
Salvaging Marketable Timber
Subsection 201.03 of the Standard Specifications for Construction defines marketable timber as having at least a diameter of 6 inches (150 mm) at a point 4-1/2 feet (1.4 m) above ground. On easement ROW, this timber will be cut and piled outside the ROW limits for the adjacent property owner's use. The location and owner's name should be reported. Timber is not required to be cut in lengths less than 8 feet (2.4 m). Any discussion with adjacent property owners should be reported.
Selective Thinning
Type I - Stumps will be cut off at an elevation not more than 6 inches (150 mm) above the existing ground, and application of a growth preventive by a certified applicator must be made.
Type II - Stumps will be chipped or ground down to an elevation approximately 4 inches (100 mm) below the proposed ground level.
Clearing For Fence
The maximum clearing width is 8 feet (2.5 m) entirely within the ROW. Widths less than 8 feet (2.5 m) are to be used where possible. Trees, brush, shrubs, stumps and other vegetation will be cut flush, but roots need not be removed. Limb trimming is permissible to avoid cutting mature trees. Application of a preventive growth material by a certified applicator is also required with this item. Disposal methods and methods of reporting for Selective Thinning - Types I and II and Clearing for Fence will be the same as for the Clearing item.
Disposing Of Unsalvageable Material
- Burning - Report the following:
- Date and authority of burning permit.
- Location of fires (center of cleared area).
- Methods used to control the fires.
- Any injury to live trees.
- Note: Do not permit the use of tires, heavy distillates or plastics as kindling agents.
- By Chipping
- Chips will be disposed of outside the limits of the roadway or stored for use as mulching material.
- By Burying
- Allowed with prior approval of the Engineer at approved locations.
MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT
Daily Reports On Clearing
Measurements should be made according to the Standard Specifications for Construction. The horizontal distances should be definite as to the locations included. To avoid misinterpretation in the office, the distance shown on the report should always be to the outside line of the trunks of trees cut unless otherwise noted. The limits of the measurements should always be specified.
Inspectors' Daily Reports (IDR’s) should show the locations of work in progress, but a pay quantity should be shown on the report only when a definite area has been completed.
Example 1:
Station 1 + 20 to 1 + 40. Clearing in progress. Trees down but not removed.
Example 2:
Station 1 + 40 to 1 + 60. 4.1 acres (410 m2) of clearing completed. Sawlogs of 8 foot (2.4 m) lengths piled on Johnson property at 70 feet rt. of station 232 + 50, per ROW agreement.
IDRs should describe the disposal methods and locations of logs, brush, etc., that have been removed. In addition to stationing and horizontal distances showing clearing quantities, further documentation in the form of sketches for each area computed should accompany the daily reports.