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REFORESTATION RELEASE NO. 4

SEPTEMBER 1958

REFORESTATION TECHNIQUES
By Roy Cole and S. P. Darby

GEORGIA FORESTRY COMMISSION
P. O. BOX 1183
Macon, Georgia

CONTENTS

Page

1--INTRODUCTION

3

2--METHODS OF ESTABLISHING NEW FORESTS

3

3--RECOMMENDED SPECIES TO PLANT

4

4--SITE PREPARATION ..

6

5--SPACING OF SEEDLINGS

.

8

6--PLANTING TIME

9

7--PURCHASING SEEDLINGS

10

8--CARE OF PLANTING STOCK

10

9--PLANTING

16

10--DIRECT SEEDING

17

11--SEED TREATMENT

,,

17

12--PLANTATION CARE

18

13--SUMMARY

19

14--SELECTED READING

20

I
1. INTRODUCTION
Georgia's forests, aggregating 23,973,300 acres, constitute her most valu-
able and extensive crop. These forests are growing basic material for new products and in many instances, products of increasing value. Increased value of forest products makes it essential that landowners become better acquainted with good forestry practices. Under stocked timber stands and non-productive sites must be managed so as to obtain maximum production.
The planting of forest trees is not new in Georgia, having its beginning early during the twentieth century. Reforestation by artificial means has mushroomed into a very large business in the last few years, reaching an alltime high during the current decade. Only through the practice of proper forestry techniques can landowners meet today's demand for wood. Our supply of trees is dependent upon the establishment of new forests. The Georgia Forestry Commission has available a staff of well-trained foresters who can give assistance regarding forest management problems. In addition, the State Extension Service, as well as consultant foresters and private industry will render aid. The primary object of this publication is to assist
interested landowners in establishing tree crops on areas in need of reforesta-
tion.
It is the landowners' responsibility to seek advice from a technically trained forester as to what species of trees to establish, the spacing, and other
related information.

2. METHODS OF ESTABLISHING NEW FORESTS

Landowners are concerned primarily with three methods of establishing

new forests, (1) natural reproduction, (2) planting of tree seedlings, and
(3) direct seeding. When using the natural reproduction method, timber

stands are so managed that new crops commence when mature trees are

harvested. One such system known as the seed tree method yields satisfactory

results in many instances and is a relatively inexpensive method, however,

it is dependent on good seed years. In addition, all sites are not adapted to

On this method of establishing forest crops.

many sites artificial stocking

is required. In such cases, landowners resort to planting tree seedlings or

direct seeding. Direct seeding, as the name implies, is the planting of seed

on the site to be reforested. It has given inconsistent results but is being re-
viewed by many landowners with renewed interest. This method shows

promise, but is still in the experimental stage and should not be attempted

without expert supervision.

A landowner must decide whether natural reproduction or other means
will be used when establishing new tree crops. In determining which method
is to be used, the landowner should take into consideration cost involved
with each type operation and weigh it against the product he intends to produce to determine if the investment being made is sound. The question
of how to manage timber land to obtain specific results is complex. Like-

wise, the method to be employed in establishing a new tree crop is not simple. As previously stated, a landowner should obtain the services of a technically trained forester to assist in making this decision. The site should be visited by both the landowner and forester to see existing conditions. Only then can an intelligent answer be obtained as to how a new tree crop should be
established.

3. RECOMMENDED SPECIES TO PLANT

Successful plantation establishment is largely dependent upon selection

When of the correct species of tree to plant.

selecting the species best suited

for an area the following factors should be considered; site, climate, and

desired product. Each landowner must determine the type product or crop

to be grown. This will depend on financial return expected, crop rotation,
local markets, and many other factors. To assist in making this selection as

to climate and site, information presented in Figure 1 will be of assistance.

Advice should be obtained from local authoritative sources as to specific

species for a given site. As previously stated, the area to be reforested

should be visited and local site conditions thoroughly investigated prior to

the species selection. Major trees used in Georgia for planting include slash

pine, loblolly pine, longleaf pine, eastern white pine, yellow poplar, eastern

red cedar, and Arizona cypress.

Longleaf (Pinus palustris Mill) is generally confined to the lower areas

of the state and the sandy, well drained type soils. Best development is

attained on sandy soils that have a heavier subsoil. Usually it is excluded

from the better sites by more aggressive and faster growing species. Longleaf

is used primarily for construction lumber, poles, piling, interior finish, naval

stores, and pulpwood. It is more resistant to fire, insects, and fusiform rust

than other southern pines. This species is most susceptible to damage from

On hogs and brown spot needle blight.

better soils of the coastal plain, slash

and loblolly pine are generally preferred to longleaf. When planted north

of its natural range, longleaf suffers heavy damage from ice or snow storms.

Slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelmann) grows well on heavier type moist soils. It does best on low moist ground, hammocks, in swamps, and in places where the water table is within a few feet of the ground surface. It has been observed that it is least productive on the deep, well drained, pure sands, where scrub oak is mixed with pine. This species is very susceptible
to fusiform rust. Slash pine is used extensively for piling, poles, cross-ties, general construction, pulpwood, and naval stores. Its northern range in the
state is limited, as is longleaf, by its susceptability to ice damage. As a gum producer, it yields more gum than longleaf and of a better grade because
there is less scrap. In most respects it is superior to longleaf on flatwoods
soils.

Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) is not restricted to strictly dry sites nor
strictly damp sites but will grow from the foothills of North Georgia to
the lower extreme of the state. It grows in a variety of sites except the

Fig. 1. Recommended species to plant in Georgia.
highest, wettest, and driest. It is a large size tree and on good sites grows fast. Loblolly is used in general construction work, for railroad ties, poles, piling, and pulpwood. Loblolly has no commercial value for naval stores. In some localities, loblolly is extremely susceptible to southern fusiform rust.
Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) is found on many different sites including dry rocky ridges. Best growth however is made on moist sandy
loam soils or those with a mixture of clay. It is used for general construction, interior finish, cabinets, and as an ornamental shade tree. In Georgia, white pine is grown commercially only in the mountain section.
Yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) prefers deep, rich, moist soil, along streams, bottom lands, and moist slopes. This species is used for construction, furniture, veneering, shingles, and woodenware.
Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) and Arizona cypress (Cupressus arizonica Greene) are used primarily for Christmas trees. Red cedar is adapted to a variety of soils such as abandoned fields and limestone soils.

:

When using eastern red cedar and Arizona cypress for Christmas trees, the
best planting site would be a gently rolling, well drained area with a moderate amount of ground cover, a good workable soil and no brush. Sharply rolling to hilly land is also suited but more difficult to manage. Soil fertility is not a limiting factor. Normally, trees can be marketed in three to six years.

In conclusion, it should be pointed out that species selection is determined

A largely by the product desired, site, and climate.

safe rule to follow is to

plant the species that originally occupied the site or to plant the species

showing the best performance on nearby similar sites.

4. SITE PREPARATION
Once the planting site and species has been chosen the next point to consider is what to do about preparing the soil. The kind and amount of ground preparation will vary with the individual site. The main purpose in
site preparation is to assure good survival. Two important factors that great-
ly influence seedling survival and hence plantation establishment are: (a) type soil and (b) amount and kind of natural vegetation present. Natural vegetation can be harmful to newly planted trees in two ways. First, a heavy mat of low herbaceous plants such as grass and weeds, can rob the young trees of soil moisture and nutrients. This is especially true if dry periods occur during the first year. Secondly, the taller woody plants deprive them of light. If this over topping vegetation is tall enough and dense enough, it can shade the young trees out entirely. The following three kinds of planting sites are likely to be encountered

(a) Old fields

Some planting sites need no preparation. These include old fields

covered sparsely with grass or herbaceous plants, and recently cultivated

A fields with stubble from the last crop remaining.

field completely

bare of any vegetation makes for easy planting, but such land is sub-

jected to erosion during the spring, summer, and fall and to frost

heaving during the early spring. Therefore, it is better to have a light
low cover of some kind, whether it be new grass or old stubble. When

this condition exists no site preparation is needed. It is unwise to plant

on freshly harrowed land. Cultivated land should be allowed to settle

thoroughly before planting.

(b) Heavy sod
Sites covered with a heavy sod need some preparation before being planted. If planting is to be done by hand there are two alternatives,
(a) scalping or (b) furrowing^ If the site to be planted is a large area, furrowing with a plow at intervals equal to the intended spacing is a wise practice to follow (Fig. 2). Trees should be planted in the furrow.
On hilly land the furrow should be plowed parallel to the contour,
the slices being thrown down hill. This prevents excessive erosion and forms little irrigation channels that help water the trees. Plow depth

should be shallow, just deep enough to remove the vegetation and the main mass of roots. Deep furrowing has proved very beneficial to sur-
vival on dry, sandy sites where longleaf is planted. Deep planting may
also be beneficial for slash on dry, sandy sites. Furrowing should be
*5&'y**
Fig. 2. Site preparation on heavy sodded area, showing furrows and newly planted
seedlings.
done several months before planting so that a firm soil will exist at planting time. Furrowing not only destroys natural vegetation and assists in the control of runoff, but it also breaks up compacted soils, thus improving drainage. If the site to be planted is subject to dry periods, it would be better to plow the furrows a little deeper in order
to conserve moisture. Brushy land
If the site is covered with brush or small trees, it should be cleared
before planting. It is almost useless to try to remove woody plants by cutting because nearly all of them sprout a great deal, thus creating an endless maintenance job of cutting sprout growth.
One of the simplest ways to control undesirable trees and shrubs is to kill them by the use of chemicals. The common chemicals used to kill woody plants are called "brush killers" and may be applied before or immediately after planting. They may be applied to the foliage as a

spray or to the base of the tree in crystalline form or as a solution (Fig. 3 and 4) . Usually foliage spraying on large areas is done by aerial
means. Several commercial agencies and the Georgia Forestry Commission are equipped to do this work. The Commission, however, limits
A spraying to relatively small tracts. trained forester should be consulted
before using poisons since erratic results are frequently experienced.
Fig. 3. Elimination of undesirable hard-
wood tree by spraying. The lower 18 inches of weed trees are sprayed with oil mixes of growth regulating brush killers. An efficient garden sprayer is equipped
with a pressure gauge.

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: JJP1I1 |f

I

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4-A. Ammate Crystals are put in 'cups" made at the base of the tree.

4-B. Chemical is poured into the frill made with an axe. The frill must be continuous around the tree.

Land can be cleared with a bulldozer but this is expensive and may
disturb the soil excessively. Fire should be used very carefully in any land-clearing operation. It is hazardous to use and there is always a chance that a "controlled" fire will escape beyond its intended limits and destroy valuable crops or property on adjacent lands. Moreover, fire consumes organic matter on or near the surface of the ground, thus robbing the soil of fertility. Finally, fire only temporarily eliminates unwanted vegetation, unless several controlled burns are carried out.
The roots of perennial plants are very rarely damaged by fire. Hence, the next year after burning these plants will sprout more prolificacy
than ever.
5. SPACING OF SEEDLINGS
The spacing of trees in the plantation is dependent upon the landowner's need, that is, the desired products, the site and other factors. The choice of a spacing at which to plant a given species is almost as important as the choice of species for a particular site. The idea spacing is that which gives the most trees per acre and yet yields ample space for each tree to grow and develop into the desired product. To plant trees too far apart is not making full use of the area available, and if planted too close they become stagnated at an early age. In either case, land involved is not producing its maximum and consequently money is lost. Very close spacing of species other than long-
leaf is likely to result in stagnation soon after the crowns close. For this rea-
son, a close spacing might be permissible for longleaf when it would not be so for slash and loblolly pine. The southern pines' rapid growth insures that even when spaced rather widely, they will close their crowns at an early age and thus prune themselves naturally. Wide spacing has the following advantages; (a) it reduces the cost of establishing a plantation. The cost of planting stock and labor is reduced in direct proportion to the number of
trees planted per acre, (b) It reduces the need of early thinning to prevent stagnation and frequently makes it possible to postpone the first thinning until the trees to be removed are large enough for some merchantable product, (c) Wider spacings will facilitate loading and the use of trucks
when making thinnings, (d) It results in rapid crown development and
diameter growth. This is very important in trees to be used for naval stores. Close spacing has these advantages, (a) it raises the quality of the product by causing earlier self-pruning, smaller knots, and better recovery from attacks by insects and diseases and (b) it decreases the probability that replacements or replanting will be necessary.
Table 1 shows the number of trees per acre for various spacings. For good pulpwood growth, spacing of 6' x 10', 6' x 12', 7' x 10', 7' x 12', and 8' x 8', which give 500 to 700 trees per acre, are considered advisable. Spacings for naval stores operations may vary from 7' x 12' to 15' x 15'.
When growing Christmas trees, the rows should be far enough apart to permit cultivation with a tractor the first growing season. The spacing in the row should not be less than three feet. The maximum spacing should be based on the expected size of the tree when it is ready for harvest.

TABLE 1. NUMBER OF TREES FOR VARIOUS SPACING

Spacing in feet
4x6 6x6 6x8
6 x 10 6 x 12 6 x 14

Trees per acre
1815 1210
908 726 605 519

Spacing in feet
7x8
7 x 10 7 x 12
8x8
8 x 10
8x1^

Trees per acre
778 622 519 681 545 454

Prescription planting is a relatively new concept of plantation establishment. Basically it consists of going into each area to be planted and making
an appraisal of the conditions affecting water relations, especially the depth to a water holding layer, the soil type, topography, cover, and species characteristics. Adjacent natural stands are surveyed and an objective of 500 - 700 trees per acre at pulpwood size is set as the desired goal. Data obtained is used in establishing a certain number of seedlings to plant per acre depend-
ing on the various factors outlined. For example, one site may require 1450 seedlings per acre, while another may require only 700. This technique in-
sures the most economical use of seedlings on all sites.

6. PLANTING TIME

The planting of forests with transplants must of course coincide with lift-

ing operations at the nursery where seedlings are obtained. In Georgia,

seedlings are not lifted until about two weeks after the first heavy frost has

A occurred, which usually is the early part of November.

good heavy frost

is necessary before lifting to harden the seedling properly and prepare it for

the initial shock of transplanting. Normally, lifting will occur in North

Georgia nurseries a few days earlier than in nurseries located in South Geor-
gia. Forest tree seedlings may be planted safely through early March, how-

ever nursery shipments are normally completed by February 15th of each

year.

7. PURCHASING SEEDLINGS
The majority of nursery stock grown in Georgia is 1 - stock. Seedlings are graded for defects and diseases before leaving the nursery and only good
trees of high quality are distributed. For detailed information on ordering seedlings, your local county forest Ranger should be contacted. In addition, Reforestation Release No. 1, should be consulted. In counties where there
is no Ranger, ordering may be done through the Soil Conservation Service
or County Agents.

10

8. CARE OF PLANTING STOCK
(a) During delivery After lifting, seedlings are delivered to the landowner as rapidly as possible.
Often trees are lifted, graded, baled (Fig. 5), and delivered to the landowner

Allow for ventilation

Keep moist

A. Permanent Storage Racks. B. Temporary Storage Racks.

in one day. After being loaded on the delivery trucks, they should be carried to the planting site as rapidly as possible to prevent "heating". Heating is caused by the process of respiration occurring in the bales in which carbon
dioxide and heat are released. An accumulation of either, in tightly packed bales, can do much damage to seedlings, especially in hot weather. Adequate
ventilation during transit will assist in eliminating this hazard.

(b) Prior to planting

As soon as bales are received they should be placed in a cool place and

out of the direct rays of the sun. They should be stacked with the ends at a

A slight angle to insure that excess water may drain properly.

spacer of

some form, usually a 2 x 4 or 4 x 4 should be used between each layer as

shown in Figure 5, especially if it is necessary to stack over two layers high.

This is done to prevent heating.

11

The bales should be watered every two or three days. A small per-
forated metal pipe having one end plugged, with the other attached to a garden hose and quick acting cut-off valve, makes an excellent watering tool. It can be inserted into the end of the bale and the trees thus watered (Fig. 6). The object is to keep the moss wet which in turn keeps the roots from drying out. Seedlings should not be left in bales for over three weeks. If seedlings are to be held over three weeks prior to
Hose connection
*\
Garden hose
Quick acting cutoff valve 1/4" copper tubing
Fig. 6. Syringe type tool for use in watering planting stock, Constructed from copper tubing and connected to standard garden hose.
planting, it is wise to have them "heeled in" (Fig. 7). This means extra work where a large number of seedlings are involved. The site selected should have friable, easily worked soil and never located where flooding
may occur. To heel in seedlings, dig a "V" shaped trench, deep enough to put the roots in a slanting position. Remove the seedlings from the bales
and spread them along the wall of the trench so that they are not stacked more than three or four deep. Replace the dirt and pack it firmly against the roots. If the soil is not moist, water the roots before covering them.
Fig. 7. Heel-in ground. Prepare trench in loose moist soil. Spread seedlings evenly. Pack firmly and water.
12

Dig the trench as wide as necessary and place each succeeding layer of seedlings against the first, making sure to cover the roots of each layer with soil before starting the next. You, as a landowner, should keep constant check on the seedlings and their condition. The best assurance against loss is to plant the seedlings as soon after arrival as possible.
Seedlings may be kept for short periods of time in cold storage or under
refrigeration. Temperature should be between 33 and 36 F. Freezing of seedlings should be prevented if possible. Should they freeze in the bale, they should be allowed to thaw out naturally as frozen trees should not be handled or moved.

(c) Care during planting

The care given trees after they are removed from storage until they are

Two planted is very important.

things are involved, that is, transporting

the stock from the place of storage to the planting site, and handling the

stock during the planting operation. In transporting stock to the plant-

ing site, regardless of distance, the bundles of trees or loose trees as the

case may be, must be kept moist. Too often, careless handlers throw seed-

lings into an open truck and haul them miles to a planting site. During

the trip, trees may be exposed to drying winds. Loose trees should be

thoroughly watered and covered in the truck with a tarpaulin or other

protective cover when being moved. Planting stock involved should be

unloaded in a shaded spot near the planting site. It is essential to keep
the stock thoroughly moist throughout the entire planting operation. One

method that has been used to keep the roots from drying out is to dip
them in a solution of mud. The mud drys on the roots and thus a pro-

tective layer is formed which prevents drying out. Do not leave seedling

roots submerged in water for over. an hour. If a bucket is used, sprinkle

an inch or two of dirt in the bottom and then half fill with water. If a

planting tray is used, pack the roots in wet sphagnum moss or similar

material and cover with well moistened burlap. It is important, of course,

to keep seedlings moist if a mechanical planter is used. Such planters

are designed with metal trays into which seedlings can be placed. Care

should be taken to avoid water-logging these trays. The importance of

keeping the roots moist and protected at all times cannot be over em-

phasized. Failure to do this can result in greatly increased mortality of

seedlings during the first year. Experience has shown that exposing seed-

lings to sun and wind for as short a period of time as ten minutes is likely

to reduce survival by ten per cent. Leaving seedlings exposed to the weather

for as long as two hours will result in two-thirds or more of them dying the

first year. Those that do survive may yield slow growth for several years.

9. PLANTING
(a) Machine The majority of forest tree seedlings planted in Georgia are planted with
mechanical transplanters. This method is faster and cheaper than hand
planting. Two men operating a mechanical planter can set from 8,000
INSERT SEEDLING WELL -ORWARD IKI OPEN TRENCH
Incorrectly planted-seedling draped alond in+rench-rtekJ too Torvg by planter- causes poor root development and loss
-9-
Fig. 8. Mechanical Tree Planting. Mechanical Tree Planters are usually available
from several sources. 1. Many counties have planters which can be rented from the
county ranger at a nominal cost. 2. Private industries and individuals have machines
which may be rented. 3. Consulting forester and others will do contract planting.
14

to 20,000 seedlings in an eight to nine-hour day. There are several models of transplanters but all work on the same principle (Fig. 8).
A rolling coulter cuts the surface layer and a double plow follows the same cut, throwing the sod and soil to both sides. The seedlings are set in the slit made by the double plow and the planter wheels roll on either side
packing the soil. For all practical use, a transplanter can be obtained
that is drawn by an ordinary farm tractor. One man rides the transplanter and sets the seedlings and the other man operates the tractor.
The individual riding the transplanter should take care to place the seedling in the slit at exactly the right depth. They should be placed about one inch deeper than the ground line where they were grown in the nursery.
An exception may be made to this rule when planting longleaf and small
slash stock on deep sandy soils, where the seedlings should be set to
within 1" of the bud. The planter operator should also be instructed to
release the seedling at exactly the correct time. If released too quickly,
the seedling will have a tendency to fall backward and thus give the appearance of lying down. If the tree being planted is held too long, it will lean forward. Roots must be placed straight down in the slit. Most important of all the tap root should extend straight down to avoid a "U" shaped root.
Each time a transplanter is moved from one field to another, it should be checked and if necessary adjusted to insure a perfect job of planting. On rougher sites and extremely brushy land, a crawler type tractor may
be needed with a trailing type transplanter.
(b) Hand planting
Most hand planting is done by using a dibble or planting bar (Fig. 9). Hand planting is used on sites where it is not economical to use a tractor and transplanter, on small tracts, steep hillsides, land with high stumps, spot planting on wooded areas, and areas requiring replanting where
survival of previously established stands has been inadequate. When hand
planting, one seedling is removed from the tray or bucket at a time.
However, others may be pulled out accidentally. If a tray is being used, the uncovered trees may go unnoticed until they are planted, during which time they may dry out. If a bucket' is used, the ones pulled out accidentally will usually fall back into it. When using a dibble it should be
pushed into the ground with the foot to create a slit in which the seedling is placed. The seedling should be pushed to the bottom of the slit and then pulled up to the correct level. Spread the roots in the slit or
hole as much as possible and be especially sure that the roots aren't doubled back in a "U" shape. Next, the dibble should be pushed back into the ground about two inches from the seedling and worked back and forth to push the soil around the roots and stem, taking care to work out all air pockets. The bottom portion of the slit should be closed first. Care
should be taken to keep dry leaves, grass, and other litter out of the hole.
Following this, the foot may be used to firmly pack the soil.
15

!

Carry seedlings in bucket filled with
wet sawdust or mud
MATTOCK PLANTING
(Grub Hoe)

Do not carry seedlings with roots
exposed to sun and wind
Do not let roots dry out
CORRECT DEPTH

). Insert mattock- lift handle and pull back
2. Place seedling at correct depth
3. Push soil forward over roots

Seedlings with root col-
lar at ground level. Roots spread.
INCORRECT^
Root collar too low. Cramped roots may develop into poor root system
INCORRECT

A. Firm soil around seedlin*g with feef

Root collar too high survival chance poor-
may dry out.

Fig. 9. Hand Planting. Forest tree seedlings are planted best by a two-man crew. Trees should be carried in a bucket and the roots kept moist at all times. Hand planting is most commonly done with a dibble or mattock.

16

1

DIBBLE
or

PLANTING BAR

I. Insert dibbtestraight
down as shown. Pull backward to open hole.
3 Insert dibble straigrrr aown behind last hole

&'fe5V'*v%'-' ; '-

r
.

;,'
." 'Vr'-' :V

2.Remove dibbleand place seedling at correct depth

\*
Pi

4-. To hold Seedling
pulj dibble backward closing bottom of
slit

r .'v



5.Push forward and backward packing soil firmly against root

V g^5IS :..; v' ; 2 'i^v V- v. h fi .vl
6. Fill in last hole by firming with heel.

17

A good test to determine if the ground around the seedling is packed
tight enough is to grasp two or three needles and pull upward with the hand. If the needles pull off before the seedling comes up, the soil around
the tree is packed properly. One man using a dibble can average 700 to
800 seedlings in an eight-hour day.

10. DIRECT SEEDING

Direct seeding is the practice of planting seed of a desired species directly

A on the site to be reforested.

great deal of experimental work has been

done on direct seeding. Results obtained have been erratic and for this

reason large scale operations are not recommended. Direct seeding may

be done with a hand seeder, regular seed planter, by airplane, or broad-

casting by hand. Seed must be placed in contact with mineral soil. Cov-

ering is not necessary as long as contact with the mineral soil exists.

When contemplating direct seeding, several things should be considered. Birds and rodents may take a heavy toll of exposed seed. Rains can bury the seed too deep for germination. The stand density or the exact num-
ber of trees per acre, and spacing, cannot be predetermined. Costs average from $6.00 per acre for loblolly to $9.10 per acre for longleaf, which in
many cases compares favorably with planting. The biggest single cost is
seed. Another item that must be considered is seed treatment cost for protection against birds and rodents. This amounts to about $0.20 per pound. Basic principles for direct seeding are about the same for all southern pines. Best results have been obtained using longleaf seed. Sowing should be done in the fall as soon as moisture is adequate for prompt germination. This is usually from late October to early December.
As for seedbed preparation, it is a must if there is very much ground cover.
This is necessary to bring the seed into contact with mineral soil. Burning in the spring of the year before seeding will also accomplish this.
A light grass rough improves germination by holding soil moisture. On
dry sandy sites, it may be wise to disk in the late summer.

The seeding rate for longleaf is 10,000 viable seed per acre. This amounts to three pounds of cleaned seed. Loblolly should be seeded at the rate of 28,000 to 38,000 viable seed per acre which amounts to IV2 to 2 pounds of cleaned seed. Slash pine should be sown at a rate of 13,000 viable seed per acre or 1 to 1% pounds of cleaned seed.

11. SEED TREATMENT FOR BIRD AND RODENT CONTROL
For seed treatment against birds, sublimed Anthraquinone or Winthrop
repellent as it is known commercially, gives best results. Arasan may
also be used but is injurious to seed unless applied properly. Arasan is also very irritating to the eyes, nose, and throat. Caution should be taken
when using this chemical. The recommended dosage for Arasan is fifteen pounds to 100 pounds of seed, while Anthraquinone is applied at the rate of 25 pounds per 100 pounds of seed.

18

When applying a repellent to the seed it is necessary to use some type adhesive, for a sticker. Flintkote asphalt emulsion, C 13-HPC, or Dow Latex, 512-R, may be used. Seed should be weighed into lots of 20-25
pounds and placed into large burlap bags. They should then be dipped in the sticker and worked around until all seed are thoroughly covered. Following this, they should be poured onto a screen wire frame and excess sticker allowed to drain from the seed. Next they should be poured into a drum or any other container suitable for stirring and the repellent mixed thoroughly with the seed before the sticker has dried. The seed should then again be placed on a screen and allowed to dry.
% For treatment against rodents, Endrin should be used at the rate of
pound per 100 pounds of seed. It should be blended thoroughly with other repellents before application to the seed. Endrin is extremely toxic whether inhaled, swallowed, or allowed to remain on the skin. Extreme care should be used in handling this material. Research has shown that it also may slow germination.
Experimental work thus far with seed treatments and repellents indicates a lower germination per cent when they are used, especially if Arasan is allowed to contact the seed directly. This can be avoided by obtaining a thorough coating of the sticker which acts as a protective coating to the
seed.
12. PLANTATION CARE
Newly established tree crops should be cared for very carefully. All the effort that has been put into a planting will be in vain unless a few simple rules are observed. Consult someone who is familiar with disease and insect problems which you don't know how to handle or control.
Some damage has been done to new plantations by rabbits. As cold weather kills all green foliage and grass, rabbits run out of green vegeation to eat and frequently turn to newly established pine plantations. For protection from rabbits and deer, chemical repellents may be used. It may be sprayed on or the seedlings dipped prior to planting. Caution
should be exercised to keep cattle out of newly established plantations since they trample seedlings.
In closing, the fire situation should be considered. Controlled fires can
serve a very useful purpose in keeping certain diseases to a minimum when used properly and under the guidance of trained personnel. The
State of Georgia has the best possible fire control facilities available, but the largest responsibility rests with you as a landowner to keep wild fires
out of your plantation. One moment of carelessness can wipe out an
entire plantation, along with your financial investment. This hazard can be eliminated by observing good fire prevention practices. Establishing and
maintaining fire breaks should be taken into consideration when establish-
ing a plantation.
19

13. SUMMARY
Although an attempt has been made to include as much basic informa-
tion as possible about reforestation, no publication along this line could
be all inclusive. Many landowners will encounter problems that are peculiar to his specific lands. Answers to these in many instances must be obtained locally. Detailed information regarding a specific problem may
be obtained from 'the Georgia Forestry Commission through your District Forester, whose address is shown on the back cover page of this publication. In addition, a list of useful reference material is included in the appendix for your convenience in event further details are desired. The writers are indebted to the authors of the publications listed in the appendix
to which we have freely referred.
SELECTED READING
1. Planting the Southern Pines, by Philip C. Wakeley, 1954, Agriculture Monograph No. 18, for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C.
2. Prescription Planting for Forest Trees, by Phil Archibald, December 15, 1957, reprinted from Southern Lumberman.
3. Prescription Planting, by John B. Hatcher, February 1957, reprinted from Forest Farmer.
4. Planting Small Slash Pine Seedlings, by R. D. Shipman, and John B. Hatcher, February 1957, reprinted from Forest Farmer.
5. Growing Loblolly Pine, by Thomas Lotti, February 1956, Farmers' Bulletin No. 2097, for sale by Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C.
6. Growing Loblolly and Shortleaf Pine in the Mid-South, by Charles X. Grano, December 1956, Farmers' Bulletin No. 2102, for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C.
7. Natural Regeneration of Loblolly Pine in the Southeastern Coastal Plain, by Robert D. McCulley, August 1953, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, North Carolina.
8. Loblolly Pine Seed Trees: Selection Fruitfulness, and Mortality, by Kenneth B. Pomeroy, September 1949, Station Paper No. 5, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, North Carolina.
9. Loblolly Pine Seed Tree Mortality, by Kenneth B. Trousdell, December 1955, Station Paper No. 61 2 , Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, North Carolina.
10. Seed and Seedbed Requirements to Regenerate Loblolly Pine, by Kenneth B. Trousdell, November 1950, Station Paper No. 8, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, North Carolina.
11. Peak Population of Seed-Eating Rodents, by Kenneth B. Trousdell, October 1954, Number 68, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, North Carolina.
12. Growth, Mortality, and Regeneration After Cutting in Loblolly Pine Pulpwood Stands, by T. A. McClay, September 1953, Station Paper No. 28, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, North Carolina.
13. Growth and Prospective Development of Hardwoods and Loblolly Pine Seedlings on Clearcut Areas, by Karl F. Wenger, July 1955, Station Paper No. 55, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, North Carolina.
14. Influence of Loblolly Pine Overwood on Advance Reproduction, by E. V. Brender and John C. Barber, January 1956, Station Paper No. 62, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, North Carolina.
15. The Behavior and Control of Understory Hardwoods in Loblolly Pine Stands, by L. E. Chaiken, April 1949, Technical Note No. 72, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, North Caro-
lina.
16. Controlling Undesirable Hardwoods, by Laurence C. Walker, 1956, Report No. 3, Georgia Forest Research Council, Athens, Georgia.
20

17. How to Grow Longleaf Pine, by H. H. Muntz, January 1954, Farmers' Bulletin No. 2061, for sale
by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. 18. Furrow Old Fields to Plant Longleaf in the Sandhills, by R. D. Shipman, October 1956, Number
98, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, North Carolina. 19. Survival and Growth of Planted Slash and Longleaf Pines, by G. I. Garin, and K. W. Livingston,
Circular No. 97, May 1950, Agricultural Experiment Station of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute,
Auburn, Alabama. 20. Management of Natural Slash Pine Stands in the Flatwoods of South Georgia and North Florida,
by R. D. McCulley, June 1950, Circular No. 845, for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. 21. Growth of Slash Pine Plantations on the George Walton Experimental Forest, by Frank A. Bennett, April 1956, Station Paper No. 66, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, North Caro-
lina.
22. Shortleaf Pine, by Wilbur R. Mattoon, October 1940, Farmers' Bulletin No. 1671, for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C.
23. Recent Developments in Planting and Direct Seeding in the Southern Pine Region, M. B. Apple-
quist, April 8-9, 1954, School of Forestry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 24. Direct-Seeding the Southern Pines, by William F. Mann, Jr., November 1957, Volume 13-No. 2,
Forestry Newsletter Southeastern Section, Society of American Foresters. 25. Preliminary Test of Direct Seeding of Longleaf Pine in the South Carolina Sandhills, Robert D.
Shipman, January 1955, Number 72, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, North
Carolina. 26. Preliminary Test of Direct Longleaf Seeding, Robert D. Shipman, February 1955, Naval Stores
Review. 27. Christmas Tree Production, G. I. Garin, and J. C. Moore, December 1951, Circular No. 92, Agri-
cultural Experiment Station of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Auburn, Alabama. 28. Arizona Cypress A Christmas Tree for the South, by G. I. Garin, December 1952, reprinted from
The Forest Farmer. 29. Planting and Growing Cottonwood on Bottomlands, by Louis C. Maisenhelder, October 1951,
Bulletin 485, Mississippi State College Agricultural Experiment Station. 30. Silvical Characteristics of Black Walnut, by Kenneth A. Brinkman, December 1957, Miscellaneous
Release 22, Central States Forest Experiment Station, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, 111 Old Federal Building, Columbus 15, Ohio. 31. Silvical Characteristics of Yellow Poplar, by James F. Renshaw and Warren T. Doolittle, January 1958, Station Paper No. 89, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, North Carolina. 32. Progress in Development of Efficient Turpentining Methods, by Albert G. Snow, Jr., January 1954, Station Paper No. 32, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, North Carolina. 33. Forest Diseases and Insects of Georgia's Trees, by L. W. R. Jackson, School of Forestry, University of Georgia, G. E. Thompson, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, H. O. Lund, Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, 1957. Georgia Forestry Commission, P. O. Box 1183, Macon, Georgia.
21

NOTES

NOTES

ASSISTANCE

From The Georgia Forestry Commission

Assistance in establishing your tree plantation can be obtained from your county ranger or district forester. Inquiries should be directed to your county ranger or to the nearest district forester.

DISTRICT 1 DISTRICT 2 DISTRICT 3 DISTRICT 4 DISTRICT 5 DISTRICT 6 DISTRICT 7 DISTRICT 8 DISTRICT 9 DISTRICT 10

Statesboro Camilla Americus
Newnan McRae
Milledgeville
Rome
Waycross
Gainesville
Washington

Rte. No. 2 Box 26 P. O. Box 169 Box 333 P. O. Box 96 Box 505 Rte. No. 1 P. O. Box 1160 P. O. Box 416 Rte. No. 3

Phone: Poplar 4-2311
2741 2217
720 7611 8766 6004 Atlas 3-5464 Lenox 4-5454 Osborne 8-2015

*f