“Acero biellese” is the collective mark registered by the Province of Biella with D.G.P no. 208 of 29/05/2009 to support the demand of local nurseries to enhance the product, the cultivation area, and the knowledge of respecting a high standard of quality.
Here is the text of the specification:
The term “Acero Biellese” refers to Japanese Maple trees in the different varieties of Acer Japonicum, Acer Palmatum and Acer Palmatum Dissectum reproduced and grown according to this specification.
QUALITY REGULATIONS
The following specifications refer to the quality of nursery-grown maples and cover all the properties and characteristics of the product which together certify its suitability for sale as a “Acero Biellese”.
Quality control of the product examined focuses on the fact that the nursery production must correspond to the ornamental functions for which the trees are intended and to the characteristics prescribed in these specifications.
Maple trees not conforming to the following quality standards will not receive the appropriate certification and are not suitable for sale.
1.1 Internal quality
The following requisites are not externally apparent, and may often not be discernable immediately or without using destructive testing.
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The trees must be healthy and free of parasites.
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The root system must be well developed and in conformity with the type of tree, its age and the type of substrate. It must not show any spiralling of the main root near the collar.
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Container-grown trees must have been grown for long enough for the roots to have adequately permeated the substrate, without emerging from the holes in the bottom of the pot.
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The root ball of the plant must be compact and well permeated by the roots. The packing material used to wrap the root ball must biodegrade once the tree has been planted, and must not obstruct the development of the roots.
1.2 External quality
This refers to characteristics visibly apparent in the product, and which may be checked directly through an objective survey.
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The trees must be at least of the size (height, diameter) specified in the table below.
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The trunk, branches and leaves must not show any major physiological damage which might prejudice the appearance and/or the future development of the tree.
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The trees must have been grown with adequate space between them.
1.2.1 Acer palmatum dissectum
Height of trunk
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TYPE
Height in cm.
MINI STANDARD
40-50
HALF STANDARD
70-80; 80-90; 90-100; 100-110
Quality standards
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Crown diameter in cm.
Root ball diameter
Container
(litres)
Circumference half way up
trunk (cm)
30-40
/
5-7
4-6
40-50
/
9-12
6-8
50-60
30-35
18-25-30
6-8
60-70
70-80
30-35
30-35
6-8
80-100
35-40
50
8-10
100-120
45-50
90-100
12-14
120-140
55-60
125-130
14-16
The diameter of the crown must be measured to give the average measurement and not that of the longest branches.
1.2.2 Acer palmatum (shrub)
The plant must be bushy right from the base. In the first years after grafting the bush must be pruned at least once a year.
Height of plant
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TYPE
Height cm
SHRUB
60-80; 80-100; 100-120; 120-140; 140-160; 160-180; 180-200
Quality standards
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Height in cm
Root ball
diameter in cm.
Container (litres)
60-80
/
5
80-100
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7
100-120
/
12-25
120-140
35
30
140-160
40-45
35-50
160-180
45-50
75-90
180-200
45-50
75-90
The height must be measured to the top of the shrub as a whole and not on occasional longer branches.
1.3 Growing area and labelling
Only trees bred and grown on land located in the administrative district of the Province of Biella, in nurseries whose registered office is in the Province of Biella, may be sold as “Acero Biellese”.
Each tree must be labelled with its full botanical name, specifying the variety, diameter or height, the producer’s code number, and the declaration of conformity certifying that the tree corresponds to the quality standards set out in these specifications.
1.4 Quality control
The appearance of the products must correspond to the general requisites of EC regulation 316/68 and to the requisites set out in these specifications.
Quality Controllers will base their examination of the product on the above regulation and specifications, according to an evaluation checklist including:
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area of cultivation and origin;
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measurement categories (height, diameter, etc)
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overall appearance of the plant: healthy and vigorous, conformity to the different varieties and forms of cultivation;
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harmonious natural balance between container size and tree size;
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absence of serious damage;
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absence of broken or damaged branches;
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absence of evident signs of disease;
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absence of weeds in the container or the potting mix;
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inspection of the root system by taking samples from the container or the root ball.
The suitability for sale of “ACERO BIELLESE” trees, with consequent permission to use the trademark, will be controlled by consortia made up of producers, cooperatives and recognised producers’ associations in the flower-growing sector.