Part 2 Packaging and Transporting
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Good handling and packaging between the nursery bed and final planting are essential if damage to plants is to be minimised. This Specification should be incorporated as an integral part of any invitation to tender for and contract to supply trees and shrubs.
1.2 With high unit value plants the purchaser may wish to specify additional packaging – but this may increase the cost of the plants (see para 4.7 below).
1.3 Throughout this document the use of black plastic bags is specified as the basic minimum requirement for the packaging of bare roots. However, as an alternative, it is recommended that the purchase should specify the use of co-extruded black and white plastic bags as the best practical means of protecting against drying out and heating up in sunlight. This is particularly important for late season planting say from early March onwards.
1.4 On receipt of a delivery, the purchaser should check that each requirement of this specification has been complied with by the supplier.
2.0 BUNDLING
2.1 General
Bundles of bare rooted plants shall consist of graded plants of one species with all shoots facing the same direction. Quantities of any item shall be bundled into equal numbers of plants; any remaining part-bundle shall be clearly marked. A bundle shall be of such a size that one person can handle it on receipt, unless the supplier has ascertained, in advance and in writing from the purchaser, that mechanical handling will be available at the place and time of delivery. Bundles shall be tied securely with string, twine, plastic strip or other supple material which will not, by its nature or tension, cause damage to the plants, or each bundle may be enclosed in a securely tied bag.
2.2 Bare-root Trees
Do not exceed the following quantities in each bundle. The quantity shall be reduced where larger heads or roots may be subject to damage.
a. Seedlings & transplants
|
Up to 20cm high |
100 per bundle |
|
20 – 60 cm high |
75 per bundle |
|
60 – 100 cm high |
50 per bundle |
b. Whips & Feathered Trees
|
1 - 1.5m high |
25 per bundle |
|
1.5 - 1.75m high |
15 per bundle |
|
1.75 - 2.5m high |
5 per bundle |
c. Standard Trees
|
4 - 8cm girth |
5 per bundle |
|
8 - 10cm girth |
3 per bundle |
|
10 - 12cm girth |
2 per bundle |
|
12cm plus girth |
not bundled |
2.3 Root-balled and Container Grown Plants
These plants shall not be bundled but may be packed in crates or packages to ease handling and prevent damage or deterioration in transit.
2.4 Cell-grown Plants (i.e. plants grown in a variety of ways with a cylinder or block of rooting material attached).
These can be packed in a variety of trays or flatpacks; normally with a maximum of 50 plants in each pack.
3.0 LABELLING
3.1 General
Each individual or plant bundle, bag or lot of one species of plants shall be labelled by the supplier with a securely attached and durable primary label.
The PLANT NAME, SIZE and QUANTITY in the bundle or bag, and the TOTAL QUANTITY in the consignment shall be clearly and durably displayed on every label, and if requested, together with the SUPPLIER’S NAME. A reasonable proportion of a large consignment of distinct plants shall bear a durably written secondary label easily related to the primary label.
3.2 EU Regulations & Plant Health Regulations
Species requiring plant passports that are the subject of the Plant Health (Great Britain) Order 1993 and forestry species specified under the EU Forest Reproductive Materials Regulations (1977) shall be documented in accordance with those Regulations.
4.0 PACKAGING
4.1 Bare-root Plants up to 60cm tall
Bare-root plants up to 60cm tall shall be entirely enclosed in black plastic bags (150 gauge minimum) securely tied at the top. Plants shall be loosely bundled within the bag, which shall be of an adequate size. All shoots must face in the same direction so that roots and shoots are not in contact. Thorny or very bushy plants may be dealt with as in 4.2 below.
4.2 Bare-root Plants 60cm tall and above up to standard trees with 14cm girth
If total enclosure is not practicable as in 4.1 above, the roots of bundles of plants shall be enclosed in a black plastic bag which shall be securely tied around the stems.
4.3 Bare-root Trees 14 – 18cm girth
To be supplied mainly free from soil adhering to the roots unless otherwise specified, but with the roots packed with a pre-wetted moisture- retentive granular or fibrous material, enclosed in either black polythene bags, or in a porous material such as hessian, and firmly secured.
4.4 Root-balled Plants
Trees over 14cm girth, and certain other trees and shrubs which by their nature require balling at smaller sizes, shall be root wrapped or root-balled (See BS 3936 part 1 1992 and National Plant Specification).
Root-balls shall be supported by twine or stronger material, where the root-ball so requires to prevent collapse, and kept moist by wrapping firmly with moisture-retentive porous material such as sacking.
Packing shall be firmly secured over the top of the root ball. Where wire netting is used to support the ball, any moisture-retentive material such as sacking shall be wrapped inside the wire netting. (See Part III 6.4).
4.5 Container and Cell-Grown Plants
Container grown plants will not normally receive additional packaging but degradable pots or cells that are likely to disintegrate in transit shall be enclosed in polythene film (250 gauge) and firmly secured. They should never be stacked or put together in a way likely to damage one another, e.g. through weight or overheating.
4.6 Variations in Packaging
Variations from the above packaging may be appropriate in certain circumstances.
The purchaser shall state such revised specification in the tender conditions for the purchase and supply of plants, or the requirements shall be otherwise agreed in writing between the purchaser and supplier prior to submission of tenders.
For example, exceptionally, and only if agreed by the purchaser, plants may be supplied bare-root, without root wrapping, for bulk deliveries. If so the roots shall be kept moist at all times preferably by packing with suitable moisture retentive material. The plants must also be protected from draughts and be sheeted over in transit. Alternatively, pallets or bins sealed with polythene and shrink wrapped are suitable for bulk delivery of bare root transplants.
5.0 TRANSPORT
5.1 Open Lorries
All plants shall be loaded, stacked and unloaded in such a way that breakage or crushing by the weight of plants above, or the security ropes, will not occur. The consignment shall be completely and firmly covered with opaque sheeting in such a way that there is the minimum draught under the sheet from the direction of travel.
5.2 Closed Lorries or Containers
All plant material shall be loaded in such a way that breakage or crushing by the weight of plants above is avoided during loading, transit and unloading. Provision shall also be made to ensure that the load remains cool and moist at all times.
5.3 Transit by Third Parties (e.g. Post, rail, road, etc)
Where transport is entrusted to others, not under the control of the supplier or the purchaser, the sender must ensure that the packaging is adequate to protect the plants whilst in the third party’s charge.
Consignments shall be clearly addressed, manageable units, securely crated or packaged to withstand mechanical damage. The packaging must also include sufficient moisture retentive material around the roots to ensure that they remain cool and moist until they are delivered to the purchaser.