Almost 20 years ago, the Maine Landscape and Nursery Association (MLNA) and the Maine Section of the Boston Society of Landscape Architects (MSLA) initiated a collaborative effort to review details and specifications for lawns and planting then in use. This effort arose from a concern that the many different approaches taken and interpretations made by landscape architects, landscape designers, and landscape installers in specifying and detailing planting and installation methods were causing confusion and conflict in the industry.  This confusion was causing delays, additional costs, adversarial relations, and ultimately translated into a reduced level of service to clients. A group of concerned individuals representing both groups met periodically during the course of almost a year to review industry practices and standards, and draft a revised set of specifications and details.

Much has changed in 20 years, and now seemed like a good time to update the work performed earlier in light of current environmental concerns and advances in installation and design practices. In December 2008, a Task Force was formed and began meeting to dust off the “standard” specifications, installation details, and practices using the AIA MasterSpec in CSI format as a common reference. The group includes municipal arborists, landscape designers and landscape architects, landscape installers and persons in the nursery trades. The basic sections covering planting, grasses, and irrigation are of principal concern, and topics of research include warranties, soil testing and fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides, pruning, staking and guying, ASTM standards, and mycorrhizal fungi.

When the process is complete (anticipated to be later in 2010) the group plans to issue a model set of specifications, details, and general drawing notes, that may be used to guide or augment individual practitioner’s standards. The information will be made available through the participating organizations (details for which will be released as the project concludes). It is hoped that this effort will serve to facilitate a common understanding and approach to planting throughout Maine, for those in state, municipal, and private sector practice.

Specification Task Force - SECTION 329300 - PLANTS - pdf

Specifications Task Force Meeting Notes for December 17, 2009 pdf