Acceptable Work

In evaluating tree quality, a threshold of acceptable planting quality is established. Using the general planting quality equation, a quality level of at least 90 percent is generally considered acceptable. Your contract may require a higher quality level, but even excellent planting will not be consistently higher than 95 percent quality. A quality level of 90 to 95 percent allows for a few errors, but not many. Belowground errors have the biggest effect on quality. Because belowground quality is not sampled on all trees inspected for aboveground quality, each belowground sample has more effect on the final quality determination than each aboveground sample.

In force account planting, there is no pay adjustment for violations. Good supervision is critical to assure that planters are planting correctly. Resolve problems early.

If work is unacceptable, rework may be allowed if the problem can be corrected. Redoing the scalps or moving transportable shade are examples of corrections that can improve the quality level and increase tree survival. If additional trees are available, more trees can be planted to supplement the existing trees in hopes of increasing the quality level. In either case, the unit must be reinspected. It is far better to work out performance problems while planting is in progress than to rely on rework.