METHOD OF STATEMENT

For

LANDSCAPE
 This Arboricultural Method Statement is prepared in relation to the project: CADANGAN
1.0 Introduction PROJEK TEBATAN BANJIR Dl TAMAN BOTANI PERDANA, KUALA LUMPUR (SECARA "DESIGN
AND BUILD") UNTUK TETUAN DEWAN BANDARAYA KUALA LUMPUR. 160 numbers of trees has
been assessed by CA. Fariza Firdaus bte Mohd Salleh in December 2018.
The proposed recommendation for these trees as follows:

Preserved - 29 trees
Transplant-2
trees Remove-129 trees

1.1 Type of Plant i. Backhoe with V-shape bucket attachment

ii. Concrete Mixer
iii. Lorry as require
iv. Skilled worker
v. General worker

1.2 Sequence of These sequences shall follow:-

Works
1) Site contact made on arrival and induction undertaken
2) The team leader will complete an onsite risk assessment on the day to take
account of the weather and any change of circumstances during the
operations, brief the team and review daily or in the event of significant site
changes.
3) Work will be carried out from a mobile elevated work platform following
industry best practice
4) Arising from pruning operations will be lowered to ground level in a controlled
manner or allowed to free fall where safe to do so, where ground staff will
process into manageable sizes.
5) Branches will then be chipped onto the ground around the tree bases and
spread to an even thickness or chipped into the rear of the vehicle.
6) Trees to be felled will be section felled to ground level or clear felled as
appropriate with arising processed as above.
7) The stems cut up in to manageable pieces and loaded onto a lorry by hand.
8) The area will then be tidied and signage and bunting loaded onto vehicles.
9) Site contact made and informed of finish of job
2. TRANSPLANTING OF EXISTING TREE

2.1 General Requirement

The protection measures for transplanting trees shall apply to all trees within the project
boundary. The specific protection measures are a zone encompassing the tree along its drip
line projecting vertically from the tree canopy and extending 2m below the ground level and
2m above the top of the tree (or subject to the authority) should be designated as protection
zone. Construction works should be avoided as far as possible with in the protection zones.

2.1.1 Construction Requirements

Under close supervision of certified arborist and done by skilled workers transplant according
to the best arboricultural practices.

2.1.2 Equipment
Have tree transplanting equipment as detailed in the plans and specifications on the project
site and in satisfactory condition before construction begins.

2.1.3 Root Ball

Root ball size determine by trunk diameter and the drip line of a tree. Secure as many roots as
possible up to 70 % of its root system. The root ball should be calculated as 10 times on every
inch meter. All root balls should be wrapped with a gunny or woven jut burlap or hessian cloth
and tighten with wire and twine to make sure the soils do not separate from roots.
Figure 1 - Root Ball Detail

2.1.4 Digging Root Ball

When digging the root ball, no evacuation shall be done closer to 36" to the trunk at ground
level and excavation shall extend below the major root system to minimum depth of five (5)
feet. The bottom of the root ball shall be cut off square and perpendicular to the trunk below
the major root system. Under no conditions shall the Contractor cut down the size of the root
ball in width or depth.

The Contractor shall not free-fall, drag, roll or abuse the tree or put a strain on the crown at
any time. A protective device shall be used around the trunk of the tree while lifting and
relocating so as not to scar or skin the trunk in any way. This device shall consist of a nylon
sling or a sling sufficiently sized to withstand the cable/choker pressure. At no time will trees
be balled out and laid on the ground with root ball left exposed to direct sunlight and air. The
root ball shall be kept moist (Not extensive moist) and shaded at all time.

2.1.5 Transporting the tree

During transportation the tree crown should always be covered with tarp to protect the tree
from drying out and windburn. Tie the tree properly and firmly to avoid any movement during
transportation. Use pillow or any suitable materials or equivalent to support the trunk from
breaking during the transportation.
2.1.6 Planting
When the trees are replanted in the new location, trees shall be placed at grade making sure
not to plant tree deeper in the ground than the trees original stood. The tree shall be placed
with their vertical axis in a plumb position. Backfilling with soil to the space between the root
ball and the hole. Make sure to remove air pocket by gentle step over the soil. A water basin
shall be provided at each tree. Basin shall be extending a minimum of 18 inches from the trunk
all around and shall be minimum of six (6) inches high.

2.2 Transplanting Operations

These procedures will be followed to transplant trees:

2.2.5 Trunk and Branch Protection

Protect trunks and branches from breaks or bruises. Spray trees in leaf with an approve ant
desiccant before digging for certain species are applied.

2.2.6 Pruning
Prune trees before transplanting as directed by the certified arborist. Remove broken or badly
bruised branches with a clean cut. Avoid removal of more than 2"branches during
transplanting. Do not use chemical over any wounds. Under these big trees, crown reduction
will be used to reduce crown density in order to minimize water loss during excavation
process.

The total extent of pruning should be minimized and in any case should not exceed % of the
original crown on leaf removal. The height of tree shall not be reduced, unless crown
reduction, thinning are considered appropriate. Under No circumstances the central main
leader of the trees should be pruned or interfered. Should branch pruning is consider
necessary, this should aims specifically at the removal of dead, decayed, diseased, infested,
broken, crossed, competing or dangerous branches. The objective is to produce a clean, well-
spaced, well-shaped and balance head. Besides the above list of circumstances, all other
healthy wood should not be cut or removed. To reduce transpiration though leaves in
anticipation of root pruning, additional crown thinning will be implemented by means of leaf
picking. This minimum-impact approach will also prevent the loss of the original tree crown
form. All work shall be carried out in accordance with good horticultural practice and also
based on the latest arboricultural concepts and best international practices, and shall be
directed and supervised by the tree specialist or arborist.
Safety precautions shall be taken to protect those engaged in operations as well as people and
property in the vicinity. Pruning and removal of branches shall be done using sharp, clean
implements to give a single flat, sloping face. Ragged edges of bark or wood are to be trimmed
with a sharp knife. Large branches shall be removed in stages beginning with removal of the
main weight of the branch with the final cut as close to the main stem as possible without
damaging the bark. In the case of branch removal, the final cut should be aligned with the
branch collar and the midpoint of the crotch. All cuts shall be made to avoid splintering or
tearing of bark, which would catch water and encourage rot. Branches less than 15 mm
diameter may be cut with sharp secateurs. Cracks and cavities with rotten wood shall be cut
back to healthy tissue. If necessary, a cavity that may accumulate water could be drained by
drilling a small hole of 5 mm diameter into its bottom at an angle of about 45 degrees taking
as far as possible the shortest path and pointing downwards. If necessary, cracks would be
secured by rot bracing.

Trees requiring pruning or treatment will be categorized as follows.

a) No hard pruning on tree canopy is allowed.

b) Light prune - This shall include the removal of a few branches up to 75mm in
diameter.
c) Thin crown - This shall include the picking of leaves of the crown with the
extent not to exceed 1/4 of the original tree crown size.
3.2.3 Root Pruning
The width of root ball shall be 10 times the trunk diameter (DBH). Immediately upon
commencement of the contract, root pruning to the specified size of root ball shall be carried
out to ensure maximum new fibrous root growth prior to transplanting operations. The first
root pruning should be conducted at least 3 months in advance of transplanting.
The depth of the root ball varies from size and species, normally it shall be 1500mm for DBH of
700- 1200mm (large tree), 1200 mm for DBH of 300-700 mm (medium tree) and 700mm for
DBH below 300 (small tree).
Root cutting shall be done in three stages. Each root cutting stage shall be performed at equal
intervals (i.e. one month) throughout the designated root preparation period as mentioned
above.

The first stage shall involve cutting two parallel straight trenches on two sides of the proposed
root ball.

The second stage shall involve cutting trenches on the other two sides of the proposed root
ball

The last stage shall be the cutting of the underside of the root ball and the transplanting of the
tree to the final location.
Roots shall be cut free from ground, not pulled, using a suitable implement to give a clean cut.
3.2.4 Root Ball Preparation
The formed root ball should be wrapped with hessian burlap and on the outside with wire
mesh to ensure the soil is kept in full contact around the root system. The root ball shall then
be tied with stainless steel chain net with wooden spacer for lifting.

The trenches for the root ball shall be 500 mm wide and backfilled with a prepared soil mix
constituted of 3 parts by volume of decomposed granite thoroughly mixed with 1 part by
volume of moist peat and root activator. The prepared Root ball will be fill in with soil during
the acclimatization period for 2 month.

3.2.5 Preparation of the Receiving Site

At the receiving site, pits at pre-determined locations shall be dug in advance to appropriate
width and depth in preparation to receive the transplanted trees. The pit shall be of a saucer
shape, with a flat bottom in the centre and sloping sides. The flat bottom part shall be as wide
as the root ball width, and each sloping edge shall also be as wide as the root ball plus 300mm
on all sides.

3.2.6 Tree Uplifting

Maintain a tight, firm ball during the moving operations. This can be done through teeing with
ratchet latch kit or proper sewing and bur lapping material and method The lifting,
transplanting and planting of the trees shall be closely supervised on site by the arborist. The
logistics of the transplanting operation shall be properly organized and timed in advance so as
to enable transplanting of trees directly and promptly to the designated receiving sites of
planting.

The trees shall be lifted carefully to avoid damage to stem, foliage and roots. The lifting cables
and harnesses shall only be anchored to the root ball box or the chain net wrapping around
the root ball for the ball and burlap method. They should never be attached to the trunk or
branches. The upper part of the lifting cable should be spread out by frame spacer to prevent
the cable from touching the branch at the time of lifting. Guying rope should be tie to the
lifting cable to stabilize the tree at the time of lifting. The trunk and the branch should be
temporary protected by burlap wrapping and be removed once complete.

After root ball preparation and in the process of transplanting to the receiving site, root balls
are to be carefully protected against direct sunlight, wind, drought, mechanical, smoke,
artificial heat and other damages. Damaged branches shall be carefully pruned using a sharp
clean implement to give a single flat sloping face cut.

The transplanted trees shall be planted in an upright position and allowing adequate space for
future growth. A soil saucer of 150 mm high shall be formed on the soil surface around the
edge of the root ball to permit rain or irrigation water to be retained and to slowly infiltrate
into the root ball. Immediately thereafter the trees shall be watered to ensure a thorough
soaking of the root balls.

Securing and Staking Transplanted Trees

Wrap all trees to be staked or guyed above ground with pads of hessian or rubber to prevent
from chafing the trunk or branches. Stake transplanted tree with 3 nos cable from the trunk
with one end tie above the lowest branch of the trunk and the other end tie to the metal
stakes 1000mm long with 700 mm driven into ground

3.2.8 Applying Topsoil and Mulch Apply plant topsoil to the transplanted tree according to
Plan details. Mulch the pits with 3 in (75 mm) of mulching material.

3.2.9 Maintenance / Establishment works and Monitoring of Transplanted Trees

The transplanted trees shall be maintained immediately after transplanting and shall continue
until the completion of all construction work at the site, for a total period of 24 months. Such
maintenance shall include all measures necessary to establish and to recover from the
transplant shock and to permit an acceptable vigorous healthy growing condition. This to
include watering, fertilizing, weeding, apply root activator, staking, apply insecticide, etc.
Should weather condition is too dry or too hot, mist irrigation should be applied to each tree
to upgrade the micro climatic condition surrounding the tree. The performance of the
transplanted trees shall be monitored throughout the maintenance period on a monthly basis
by recording on a proforma report: tree growth condition with reference to trunk, branches,
foliage, soil and root, any arboricultural problems and associated remedial measures. Any
construction activities that may impact the trees negatively shall be reported well in advance
to the Arborist for planning of preventive tree work to avoid possible damages.

The contractor shall report to the management office before and after carrying out each days'
maintenance works on the transplanted trees and a countersigned record log book of the
work carried out shall be kept at the site office and made available for inspection. All non-
routine tree problems are to be promptly reported to the Landscape Architect. Photographs
will be taken at the following key junctures of the tree works:
i. Before commencement
ii. After crown thinning
iii. 1st root pruning
iv. 2nd root pruning
v. Final root pruning (under-cutting)
vi. Forming root ball
vii. Excavating tree pit at receiving site
viii. Transit to final location
ix. Planting at receiving site
x. Monthly record photo throughout the construction period
xi. Monthly record photo during 24 months establishment / maintenance period
xii.
Monthly progress report with progress photo on the status of the transplant trees including all
stages of transplanting works and their health condition will be supervised and prepared by
contractor for Arborist review and presented at the stage of Certificate of Completion
 4. TREE PLANTING OF NEW TREES:

4.1 The new trees are to be in plastic container and are to be planted in the morning or late
afternoon, watering occasionally as required. The trees are to be planted as per planting plan,
with the holes dug using a backhoe, with the hole being 3 times wider than the rootball of the
tree.

4.2 The soil should be loosened around the dug edges and the tree then placed in the hole and
the depth checked, with the collar (the mark on the tree from where it originally started to
grow above ground) level with the top of the soil.

4.3 The tree should be held upright and the soil gently pushed back in around the tree root
ball, pressing the soil gently around the root. The soil should not be compacted as this can
prevent water and air circulation and finally the turf should be placed back around the tree.

4.4 The newly planted trees should be protected from damage by the provision of a tree guard
and stake, with the stakes being upright and vertical and placed firmly in the ground.

4.5 The tree guards can be removed and disposed of once the trees have grown to 3m in
height. Any trees that become damaged or diseased and require removal within 24 months of
planting are to be replaced.
4 TREE PROTECTION FOR PRESERVED TREES

4.1 Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) - TPZ shall be established for the duration of any works near a
tree. The TPZ for individual trees is calculated based on trunk (stem) diameter (DBH),
measured at 1.4 metres up from ground level. The radius of the TPZ is calculated by
multiplying the tree's DBH by 12. The method provides a TPZ that addresses both tree stability
and growth requirements. TPZ distances are measured as a radius from the centre of the trunk
at ground level.

Tree Protection Zone Calculation Sample

Trunk Diameter Tree Protection

(DBH) Zone (TPZ)

85.5 cm 10.2 m

The following are not permitted within a tree protection zone:

 1. Mechanical excavation on the road, footpath or any public space
2. Stockpiling of building materials, debris or soil
3. Vehicular traffic except on existing paved surfaces
4. Installation of service pits or hatches
5. Vehicular crossings
6. Severing of tree roots with a diameter greater than 30mm
7. Alteration of soil levels and structure

5.2 Tree Protection Fences - TPZ must be surrounded by strong fences sturdy enough to
withstand impacts from the construction activities including vehicles and machinery at the
beginning of contract including site investigation works before the construction on site. The
fences should be rigid and complete and its foundation should avoid contact with the
structural roots. Weak fencing such as nylon netting is not appropriate for protecting trees

5.3 Plant Health Care - The following maintenance care should be taken into consideration.

Remove all hard surfaces under the tree, but carefully not to injure any main and fibrous
roots. Adequate but not excessive irrigation can help the trees to recover from stresses. A
long, slow soak over the entire root zone is preferred than frequent and shallow watering.
Mulch covering the root system can enhance root growth, moderate soil temperatures,
maintain moisture and reduce competition from weeds and grass.

5.4 Aeration for Compacted Soil - Heavily compacted soil can behave like concrete.

This makes it extremely difficult for tree roots to spread and grow. Using the Air Spade tool, it
can fracture compacted soil to introduce oxygen and create space for the tree's roots to
thrive. Vertical mulching and radial trenching can also be used to improve the conditions for
root growth.
5.5 Monitor health of tree - After all mitigation has taken place, comprehensive monitoring
should be done in order to ensure the health of the tree

6 CONTRACTOR WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE:

6.1 All planted trees will be maintained properly after planting works, establishment works
shall continue for a period of 12 months. Photos to record their conditions will be
submitted at 2 month interval.

6.2 Watering
Watering shall be carried out once a week during early part of the establishment period.

6.3 Weeding
To ensure free of weeds within the rootball area, weeding operation shall be at least once a
month. If necessary, replace any aggregate or soil disturbed or removed during this process.
Collect all weeds and rubbish during these operations and remove from the site to a properly
designated tip.

6.4 Firming up
Firming-up pf plants from time to time will be carried out during the maintenance period and
particularly after heavy rain and/or wind.

6.5 Tree Ties

Tighten, or slacken tree ties as necessary for the healthy growth of the tree, and adjust or
replace the protective pad as necessary to prevent chafing of the bark.

6.6 Pruning
Carry out pruning when instructed during the establishment period, to encourage bushy
growth good form. Remove dead, damaged or crossing branches.
6.7 Pest and Fungal Growth
Regular checking for any insect attack or fungus infestation particularly during known periods
of activity. Report any such occurrence and carry out remedial measures by use of sprayed
effective approved insecticide or fungicide in strict accordance with the manufacturer's
instruction.

6.8 Utilities damage

The Contractor shall protect all utilities from damage, shall immediately contact the
appropriate utility if damage should occur, and shall be responsible for all claims for damage
due to this operation.

6.9 Safety
Work conforms to policy of the Department of Occupational Safety and Health to provide a
safe and healthy work environment (Malaysia Standard). This is to maintain the workers and
public safety.