Tree Planting: It's That Time of Year Again!
Dateline: 10/30/98
Trees effect a tremendous influence on society. Trees influence our environment, effect our pocket book, enhance our quality of life, improve our health. I can't think of many things that touch us so completely...well, maybe food and water; but my point is we need trees!
A "feel good" reason for planting and caring for trees is provided by CREST, a national environmental organization. Trees do conjure warm, fuzzy feelings and I miss trees when they are absent. Trees make this planet more comfortable.
There are a multitude of ways to plant trees and have some help in doing so. This can mean financial assistance and in some cases volunteer help. For the private landowner who would like help, many states and the federal government have programs that will assist you. You can even get free trees from the National Arbor Day Foundation.
Planting a tree -
There are many reasons for planting trees. For simplicity, I want to divide planting into two categories - horticultural and wildland planting. Horticultural tree planting is geared toward urban situations where landscaping is of primary concern. Higher valued seedlings, saplings, and trees are planted to enhance property; more effort is spent on each individual tree. Kim Powell, Extension Horticultural Specialist, explores the types of trees available for transplanting and gives tips on purchasing, planting, and maintaining tree transplants.
Wildland planting, however, is done over a much broader area. Even though this type of planting is cheaper on a per tree basis, it can be very expensive in total and should be done correctly. A plan can make your effort more effective and your plan can be created from sites I have included in this feature.
Reforestation using "bare-root" seedlings is done by government, industry, and private individuals. The plantings are most often made using coniferous species. Hardwood wildland planting is also a viable practice, but hardwood regeneration techniques also include sprouting and dormant seeds. Many times these non-planting techniques are the preferred methods of regeneration. Also, federal and state cost-share programs have historically supported funding pine, spruce, and fir planting over hardwood planting.
Coniferous planting techniques are similar for most species. I have included planting guides for the western United States created by Colorado State Forest Service and for the southern United Sates created by South Carolina Forestry Commission. These sources give you a good overview on how to deliver, handle, store, and transplant seedlings. You must use proper care with a big emphasis on the correct temperature range and moisture level.
Five crucial phases in planting trees are as follows:
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So, your tree is in the ground...
Things are pretty much out of your hands after the trees are planted. You have to leave things to Mother Nature. My experience has been, even considering a freeze, insects, or fire, that moisture is the most critical element in seedling survival for the first year or two.
Forest Management Strategies to Minimize Drought Damage is a North Carolina Cooperative Extension Web site developed to help tree farmers plan and prepare for a long dry spell that can destroy complete stands of newly planted trees. It also gives some valuable information on established stand management.
Where can I get trees?
By now you have either decided to plant some trees, or have chucked the whole idea. If you are not too discouraged, let me help you get in touch with a nursery that can provide you with trees, and suggest a company that can supply you with equipment necessary to the task of tree planting.
For trees around the house or in an urban setting check out Virtual Garden's tree and shrub source database. They offer sources for purchasing trees and shrubs listed by various criteria. Finding wildland seedlings can be a little more complicated.
An excellent forest nursery directory providing most wildland tree species and covering the entire United States is maintained by the U.S. Forest Service. The Ben Meadows Company supplies equipment for natural resource managers. They have a variety of planting equipment as well as other forestry equipment.
For more information on tree planting go to:
The International Society of Arboriculture
The National Arbor Day Foundation
