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0 • 7, 1.; <br />to be a minimum of 1.25" caliper. Trees for collector and arterial streets or <br />trees abutting commercially zoned properties shall be a minimum of 1.35" <br />caliper. <br />I asked specifically during this meeting if the City ever wants to use larger trees. <br />I was told that the City prefers to use smaller trees as described in the <br />instructions to bidders because the mortality rate is less with smaller trees. <br />The reason for this letter is because I was told that I would be planting <br />approximately 200 trees for the City this year. I received my first order, to plant <br />nearly 100 trees along Chad drive. The order also states that the trees must be <br />2 caliper in size. <br />The problem is that there is a HUGE difference in size and cost between a 1.35" <br />caliper tree and a 2 "caliper tree. A 1.35" caliper tree Ball and Burlap weighs <br />about 125 pounds, easily carried between two men. A 2" caliper B and B in 24 " <br />wire basket weighs 305 pounds (we just weighed one) this requires equipment <br />to carry and install. A 28" wire basket which 30 of the trees came in weigh <br />closer to 400 pounds. The price for a 1.35" tree is $35 -60, the price for a 2" <br />caliper tree is $75 -120 depending on type of tree. My investment in these trees <br />has doubled from $4,000 -5,000 worth of trees at 1.35" to $9,000- 10,000 worth <br />of trees. <br />Next you have the issue of logistics. I can fit approximately 501.35" caliper <br />trees on my trailer, I can fit at last attempt, 24 2" caliper B and trees. Just <br />loading and unloading the trees onto the trailer requires use of a tractor. Trees <br />1.35" caliper can be loaded and unloaded by hand easily. <br />This list of trees to be planted along Chad drive was very difficult to fill in 2" <br />caliper trees that were not over priced. Not many nurseries grow several of the <br />requested trees. It took 3 days for my secretary to locate all of them. If the <br />trees were 1.35" caliper it could have been done in 1/2 a day and many of the <br />trees were available in pots which would have lowered the weight of the 1.35" <br />tree to about 40 -60 pounds. <br />