Seedling care and planting instructions

SITE PREPARATION
Once the planting site and species have 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 and growth. Two important factors that greatly 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. 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.
OLD FIELDS
Some planting sites need little or no preparation. These include old fields covered sparsely with annual grasses or herbaceous weeds, and recently cultivated fields with stubble from the last crop. A field completely bare of any vegetation makes for easy planting, but such land is subject to erosion.Therefore, it is better to have a light low cover of some kind , whether it be new grass or old stubble. Subsoiling can be beneficial on fields where hard pans or plow pans have developed or where livestock or heavy equipment has caused soil compaction. Subsoiling will allow for proper planting depth of seedlings. It is recommended that subsoiling be done 60 to 90 days prior to planting the site.
HEAVY SOD AND WEEDS
Sites covered with a heavy sod such as fescue, bahaia, johnson grass, or coastal bermuda, need some preparation before planting, otherwise they w ill compete with the pine seedlings for moisture and nutrients. During dry periods, serious pine mortality may result due to this competition. There are two alternative methods of site preparation for these sites : (a) scalping or (b) chemical herbaceous control. Scalping at intervals equal to the intended spacing is recommended and should be done parallel to the contour.This prevents excessive erosion and seedling washout. Scalping depth should be shallow, just enough to remove the vegetation and main mass of roots . One disadvantage of scalping is the loss of topsoil held in the root mass. Chemical applications can also successfully control herbaceous competition before or after pine establishment. There are several chemicals registered depending on the species of grass to be controlled. In practice, a 3-5 foot band is sprayed over each intended or existing row, so only a portion of each acre is sprayed .
CUTOVER LAND
Most cutover sites are composed of undesirable, unmerchantable trees and shrubs after a commerc ial harvest. This form of competition must be dealt w ith before planting. Methods can be cheap or tremendously expensive. It can be as simple as prescribed burning or as involved as shearing, root raking, windrowing , burning plus disking and bedding. The best method depends upon the landowner's objectives. Soil, terrain, vegetation cover, method of regeneration , size of tract, equipment. and caprtal avarlable must be considered. Regardless, any operation should take into consideration EPA's concern with excessive soil movement and stream sedimentation.

SEEDLING CARE AND PLANTING INSTRUCTIONSj/

GEORGIA

FORESTRY

t:?

~

~~Miss"~

John W. Mixon Director
For More Information Contact Your Local Forester

Rovisod - Jonuory, 1918

CLASSIFICATION OF WEATHER CONDITIONS

Day Class ification Normal
Marg inal
Crit ica l

W eather Conditions
Temperature: 33 75 F Relative Humidity: 50%+ Wind : Less than 10 mph Available Soil Water:
75% to Field Capacity
Temperature: 76 85 F Relative Humidity: 30%-50% Wind: 10-15mph Available Soil Water:
5 0 %- 7 5 %
Temperature: 32 F or less, or 85 F+
Relative Humidity: 30% or less
W ind: 15 + mph Available Soil W ater:
Less than 50%

Reco m m end atio ns Excellent conditions for pl anting
Planti ng is O.K. Precautions to limit seedling exposure should be taken
Do not plant if any of these conditions exist.

SEEDLING EVALUATION
Seedlings should be inspected at time of pick up and during plant ing to determine their overall condition. If these indicators exist, contact district reforestation forester prior to planting!
1. Indicators of seedling deterioration : a. Sour smell - fermentation b. Yellow needles (in some instances) c. Trees warm to touch
Do not plant if these conditions exist. Contact your district reforestation forester!
2 . Indicator of dead seedlings: a. Bark, especially on roots, slips off easily b. Cambium layer has turned brown c. Trees hot to touch d. Mold developing

Transportation
(1 ). Veh icles used for transporting seedlings should have a light colored cover to shade and protect seedlings.
(2) . Do not transport seedlings in truck beds conta ining fertilizer, chemical or fuel residues.
(3) . Bags/ bales should not be stacked over two deep per layer unless spacers are used to provide air circulation between layers. Spacers should provide 2-4" of air space
(4) . At least 12" of air space should be left between the protective cover and the top of the bags/ bales to avoid heat build up.
(5) . Vehicles transport ing seedlings should not be parked in direct sunlight. In case of emergency stops or breakdowns when stops exceed 45 m inutes, seedlings should not be planted until their condition has been determined (refer to Seedling Evaluation) .
(6) . Unload seedlings immediately upon arrival at destination.
(7) . Inspect and repa ir torn bags/ bales immediately.
Storage
(1). Store seedlings in buildings, shed, etc. that will protect from freezing, heating, and direct sunlight--preferably in refrigerated coolers at temperatures of 33 F to 38 F.
(2) . Bags/ bales should be stacked on pallets or slats and should not be stacked over two deep without spacers to allow air circulat ion between layers.
(3) If temperatures. inside non-refrigerated unit are from 38 F to 50 F: (a) Storage bags can be kept up to three to four weeks. (b) Bales w ith seedlings whose roots have been coated will keep two to three weeks. No watering will be required. (c) Bales with seedlings packed in moss only w ill keep two to three weeks. but will require w atering at least two times per week.
(4) . If temperatures, inside storage area are between 50F to 70 F, seedlings should be removed and planted within three to five days.

Tree Planting Operations
1. Train all new personnel prior to allowing them to plant. (Follow-up training may be necessary if poor techniques are observed.) Do not assume labor is trained or skilled.
2. Organize hand tree planters into crews of 8 to 12 planters and one foreman . Foreman should monitor each planter's performance and take corrective action as needed to ensure seedlings are being properly cared for and planted.
3. While hand planting, carry seed lings in a canvas bag, bucket. etc. free of holes and contamination, containing wet moss, hydromulch, clay slurry, etc. to protect and keep seedling roots visibly moist.
4. Do not carry seedlings in hand with roots exposed. Wait until after the planting hole has been made before removing seedling from bag. Planting hole should be fairly straight and 8 to 10 inches deep. Do not use dibble or hoedad that will not make a hole or slit at least 8 inches in depth.
5. Leaves, litter, duff, etc. should be removed before planting tool is inserted.
6. Do not plant seedlings that happen to be carried "roots up" in the planting bag.
7. To avoid possible root damage, do not use the planting tool to maneuver roots or seedlings into hole.
8 . Insert root system to bottom of hole and lift seedling to proper planting depth. Be sure notto bend, ball or leave roots outside hole.
9 . Adjust planting depth according to drainage or soil type : (a) On well-drained soils (sandy loams and sandy soils) plant root collars two to three inches below ground line except for longleaf. Plant the longleaf root collars at ground level when hand planting and lightly cover bud to allow for soil washing away when machine planting . (b) On poorly drained soils (silt and clay soils) plant root collars one inch below ground line. (c) Seedlings should not be planted in excessively wet, sticky soils or in standing water. Allow site to dry before planting.
10. Close hole properly. (If soil is not tightly compressed around roots and collar, moisture cannot be taken up by the seedlings) .
11 . Plant containerized seedlings deep enough to allow tops of plugs to be covered with soil (prevents drying by wicking effect) .

12. Organize mechanical tree planters into crews of one tractor driver and two alternate tree planters. Foreman should monitor each crew's performance and take corrective action as needed .
13. When machine planting, be sure roots are visibly moist before placing in seedling hopper. Cover roots in hopper with wet material to protect from exposure.
14. Space seedlings as prescribed for the tract. Avoid planting seedlings in areas of loose soil that cannot be compressed around roots or closer than two to three feet of hardwood stumps and sprouts.
1 5. Plant seedlings just as near the edge of windrows as possible .

SPACING

FEET
5X10 5X12 6X8 6X9 6X10 6X12 7X9 8X8 8X9 8X10 8X12 10X10

SEEDLINGS/ACRE
871 726 908 807 726 605 691 680 605 545 454 436

*
WARNING SEEDLINGS ARE PERISHABLE
The Georgia Forestry Commission maintains tree nurseries and seed orchards to provide 11 wide range of pine and hardwood seedlings for landowners and other residents of the state. Although the quality of the trees has been greatly im,roved through research in recent years, survivability depends largely on care taken in storing, transporting and planting.

Dibble Bar or Hoedad Planting

Lq
8..1 0..

Dibble Bar

~
'1>'

Hoed ad

Do not use if blades are worn shorter than 8 inches

1. Insert blade straight down 8 to 10 inches as shown. Pull backward to open hole.

2. Remove dibble or hold soil back with hoedad. Place seedling at correct depth.

3.

4. Insert dibble or hoedad

straight down behind

last hole.

5 Push backward then forward packing soil firmly against root.

6 Fill in last hole by firming w ith heel.

Correct and Incorrect Planting Depths

CORRECT
Put seedhng well below ground hne. shake to spread roots, and rase seedling where root collar s 1 to 2'' below ground line.

INCORRECT

INCORRECT

Root collar too low. Seedhng J-rooted. Roots wll develop 1nto ~root system.

Root collar too hgh. l ateral roots exposed. Poor chance of suMval.

MECHANICAL PLANTING For safety, tractor and tree planting machines
should have protective canopies

(OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES)
1.It is important that the correct tractor be used with appropriate hp to pull planter. 2 . Drawbar hookup should be no more than 14 " from ground line. 3. Hitch arms for 3 pt hitch planter should be same length to assure straight planting line. 4 . Tractor should go no faster than 2-2 % mph. 5. Packer wheels should be adjusted out 4"-5 " for sandy soils and angled in 2"-3 " for clay soils.

Coulter should cut at least 9 " deep
~

PLANTING SEQUENCE

Ground line

Packing Wheels
Foot Trencher
(should make 9" deep trench)
1. Hold seedling horizontal at top of trencher. 2. Start downward arc motion. 3. Place seedling roots at maximum depth. 4. Start an upward motion to pull any J or L-root out of the seedling . 5. Hold seedling in vertical position where root collar is 1"-2" below ground line until soil closes around roots.