Tips for a Successful Tree Planting

So, you have made the decision to plant some trees but do not quite know where and how to begin.  Following some basic guidelines will ensure that your tree planting project is a success.  The most important part of any tree planting project is planning.  Planning begins with knowing why you want to plant trees and for what specific purpose.  Knowing this will often dictate the other aspects of your tree planting such as species, location, type and design.  Common tree planting projects include farmstead and field windbreaks, plantation establishment for the purpose of timber production and wildlife enhancement plantings.

Site Preparation

Site preparation is the most critical element in any successful tree planting project.  Protecting the small bare-root seedlings from the existing, competing vegetation cannot be overemphasized.  Consequently, creating a clean planting bed will reduce the competition that occurs from weeds, grasses, and other existing woody cover thus increasing the availability of both nutrients and water to the seedlings.  Site preparation can be done either mechanically, chemically, or usually with a combination of both.  Effective control depends on four factors including timing of application, herbicide selected, weather conditions, and application rates.

A good procedure is to mow the area to be planted in mid-August prior to the year of tree planting.  Two to three weeks later, when the plants become 4-6 inches tall, broadcast spray herbicides to prepare the planting bed.  Another option that could be used would be to mow 4-foot wide bands that are 8 to 9 feet on center.  Herbicide application would then be done only within the mowed strips thus leaving vegetation on one-half the area.  For smaller projects that will be hand planted, consider treating 2 to 4 foot diameter spots spaced approximately 8 feet apart.  These spots can be marked with wire flags for easier location the following spring.  For details on recommended application rates, please contact the DNR forester.

Tree and Shrub Ordering

Trees can be purchased through private nurseries, the Sauk County Land Resources and Environment Department’s annual tree sale, or through the state DNR nursery.  Trees selected for planting should be native and appropriate for windbreak or a pine plantation.  Resource professionals such as county foresters, private foresters, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), or staff in the Sauk County Land Resources and Environment Department can assist you.

Trees are normally planted in fields at 700-800 per acre.  Shrubs are planted at 600 per acre for most NRCS programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program.  They can, however, be planted as heavily as 900 per acre if not in an NRCS program. Contact your forester or the Sauk County Land Resources and Environment Department to be put on their mailing lists.

Proper Seedling Handling and Care 

Keeping your seedlings healthy requires minimizing any physical damage to the seedling’s fragile root systems by storing them in a cool, moist location.  Any drying or damage to these root systems will result in the tree never being able to uptake water and nutrients properly.  In addition, the seedlings must remain in a state of dormancy from the time they are lifted in the nursery to the time they are planted.  Do not remove the seedlings from their packaging until it is time to plant the trees.  When you go to pick up your seedlings, it is strongly recommended that some preventative measure be taken to ensure your seedlings stay moist and out of direct sunlight.  One possible solution is to cover your packages with a damp canvas tarp.

Remember that your seedlings have been “lifted” in the nursery while still in a dormant state, therefore, do not delay planting while waiting for either optimal soil conditions or “perfect weather.”  This could lead to your seedlings breaking their dormant state early and becoming severely stressed while adjusting to their new growing conditions.

Root pruning of seedlings is a necessary process for seedlings with long, fibrous root systems.  General root pruning recommendations for both hardwoods and conifers is to clip the root system off 8 to 10 inches below the root collar. In addition, lateral roots on hardwood seedlings can also be pruned at 4 inches.  It is best to conduct your root pruning in a controlled environment where exposure to the wind and sun is minimized.

Planting

Tree planting is done either through the use of a mechanical tree planter or by hand planting.  Tree planting season usually runs from mid-April until early May.  It is recommended that tree spacing be 8’ x 8’ or 9’ x 7’ to provide additional room between rows.  In either case, both yield approximately 700 trees per acre.  Shrubs, in general, should be planted at 9’ x 9’ which equals 600 per acre.  Avoid planting trees and shrubs within 15 feet of a forest edge, road, or under power lines.

Hand planting is accomplished either by using a shovel or planting bar. Planting bars are available upon request from the forester or land conservation department.  On average, a person can expect to plant approximately 500 seedlings per day.  Key points to remember when planting by hand include: keep seedlings shaded and cool until planting, minimize handling of the seedlings, carry seedlings in a bucket or planting bag along with wet burlap to keep seedlings moist (never carry seedlings exposed to the air or immersed in water), seedling roots should hang freely—straight up and down and just touch the bottom of the hole. The new soil line should be just above the old soil line. Lightly pack the soil after planting to eliminate any air pockets that might occur within the hole.

Mechanical tree planters are best suited for large plantings that are located on even terrain.  People can expect to plant around 5,000 trees per day in good conditions.  A tree planting machine is available for rent ($25/1000 trees) from the forester for projects that exceed 2,000 trees.  However, the landowner must provide the tractor (a minimum of 40-horsepower with hydraulics), a driver, and a crew of two to work on the machine.

Follow-up Treatments

A second application of herbicide should be applied in the late fall or early spring of that first year.  In addition, mowing between rows should be conducted three to five times a year until the seedlings have grown above the grass and weeds.  Mowing will serve to reduce the competition from grasses and weeds and minimize habitat for tree-gnawing rodents.  You might, however, consider allowing the grass and weeds to grow taller late in the growing season to “hide” the trees from winter deer browsing.  Herbicide sprayers are available for rent through the forester’s office.  Again, for details on recommended application rates, please contact the DNR forester.

Photo credit: Arbor Day Foundation