Rate of Progress

The tree planting window established in the contract should be based on the condition of the trees and on the expected weather and soil conditions. Planting windows vary throughout the Nation and may vary within the same district, based on elevation. Although contractors and crews should have some flexibility to plan their work schedules, the biological needs of the seedlings must not be compromised.

Establish the planting window and contract period based on experience and on the weather forecast. For example, if it typically becomes hot and dry by a certain date at a certain site, plan to finish planting at least 2 weeks before then. During contract administration do not agree to planting outside the established period unless conditions differ from those that were predicted.

Contract crews usually have numerous planting jobs. Typically, the jobs do not end up being completed exactly as planned. For instance, a late snowfall may have delayed planting in one area, while other areas may be hot and dry earlier than normal. The CORs should be in contact with the contractor and allow flexibility as long as the health of the trees is not compromised. Keep the end result—tree survival—in mind.