The Rural Voice, 2005-03, Page 46Woodlot Management
Getting seedlings off to a good •start a matter of management
Steve Bowers
is a forester
and forest
owner, a
member of
the Huron -
Perth
Chapter of
the Ontario
Woodlot
Association
and
Stewardship
Co-ordinator with the Huron
Stewardship Council.
Last month's column dealt with
the importance of seed source when
purchasing tree seedlings. There are
numerous other factors that can
influence the success of a tree
planting project, many that can be
controlled by the landowner to
improve success.
Do your best to buy good quality
tree seedlings. While it is not always
possible to identify good, healthy
seedlings by their appearance, there
are visual clues that can be used to
rate seedling quality. Look for
seedlings that have a good root to top
ratio, i.e. sufficient healthy fibrous
roots to provide for the above ground
portion of the tree. Stems and roots
should be free of injury and conifers
should have healthy, vigorous
foliage.
Seedlings should be large enough
that their vigour and energy stores
will allow them to become
successfully established and compete
with other vegetation on the planting
site. However, beyond a certain
point, bigger stock may not always be
better. As stock size increases, so
also does purchase cost, planting cost
and planting shock (stresses due to
transplanting). Often good quality
seedling stock that is carefully
handled and tended will catch up to
or surpass larger nursery stock after
several years of growth. Appropriate
stock size should be 3etermined on a
site specific basis and will depend on
economics, the availability of stock
types and help available to do the
planting. Sometimes a mixture of
large and small stock may be a
reasonable choice.
Select tree species that will meet
your objectives and do well on your
site. The species you choose must be
able to thrive on the soil texture and
drainage of your planting site. Some
kpecies perform well on heavier soil
textures or poorly drained sites, while
others may prefer lighter textures and
better drainage. Ask a forester or
nursery grower, or do your own
research to ensure the species you
select is suited to your property.
Similarly, the tree species you
chose must be capable of meeting
your objectives, whether timber
production, wildlife habitat, wind
protection, shade, aesthetics, site
protection or other purposes. Spend
some time thinking about objectives
before selecting a species.
Minimize stress for the seedlings
during storage, transport and
planting. Remember that seedlings
are living organisms and must rely on
energy stored in their roots and stems
to maintain life and re-establish
themselves in their new location.
Between lifting and planting,
seedlings continue to respire and
42 THE RURAL VOICE
Check out our
great selection of books
from the
Rural Reading Room at
the back of the book
deplete stored carbohydrates and
water. Obviously the sooner they are
planted after you get them, the better.
Since respiration is slower at cool
temperatures and increases as
temperature rises (thus increasing
energy depletion), it is important to
store seedlings in a cool location,
possibly even in a refrigerated
storage.
Careful handling is also very
important. Energy required to
replace tissues injured during rough
handling further depletes stored
energy. The more stored energy trees
have available after planting, the
more likely they will be able to
survive and do well.
Make sure the seedlings are
planted properly. It is important to
ensure they are planted at the correct
depth, i.e. planting depth should be as
close as possible to the root collar,
which is the point where the stem
would meet the soil in an undisturbed
situation. Regardless of planting
method, the planting hole should be
large enough and deep enough to
accommodate the entire root system
in as natural an arrangement as
possible. It has been demonstrated
that improper planting depth or root
position can impact tree vigour and
stability throughout the life of the
tree. Soil should be firmly packed
around the seedling to eliminate air
pockets.
Other factors such as weather,
competing vegetation, rodent injury,
etc. can impact seedling survival, but
if seedlings are put in the ground in
the best possible condition, they will
be better able to overcome other
stresses that may be beyond a tree
planter's control.
One source of information on tree
planting and other forestry topics is
the MNR Extension Note Series,
available online at
http://ontariosforests.mnr.gov.on.ca/s
pectrasites/internet/ontarioforests/pub
lications.cfm.
If you have questions about
woodlot management or ideas for
topics you would like to see covered
in a future column, please contact
Steve Bowers at 519-482-3661 or
steve.bowers @ mnr.gov.on.ca.0