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Tree Planting
Article #129, March 2008
By Bill Cook
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Getting trees to
grow involves much more than simply sticking them in the ground. Without some
thought, site preparation, and follow-up treatment, survival rates can be quite
disappointing.
Many well-meaning tree planters learn these lessons the hard way.
The notion of a
"nurturing nature" is largely mythical, at least if survival is any
measure. The odds of a tree naturally surviving the first year are in the magnitude
of billions to one. Humans can improve the odds dramatically through appropriate
planning or timber harvest.
The first step is
to select the correct tree species for the site and soil. Michigan has about
100 tree species and over 450 kinds of soil. Making an appropriate match is
essential to success. Rarely are tree seedlings available for free. Seedlings
can be purchased through County Conservation Districts or commercial nurseries.
When selecting seedlings,
you'll often encounter numerical labels such as "3-0" or "2-1".
These numbers refer to the total age of the seedling and, second, the number
of years since a seedling was "lifted" or "wrenched". Lifting
prunes the roots, concentrating root mass, so that transplanted seedlings have
a better, denser root system. This gives them an edge to better survive the
trauma of transplanting.
Time spent in preparing
the site will greatly increase the odds of survival. For the most part, that
means reducing the vegetation competition. Other plants typically out-compete
trees for both light and underground nutrients. Nature presents an incredibly
hostile environment.
Proper planting technique
is as essential as site preparation. Roots must have a hole of an appropriate
size. Long roots folded into the bottom of a hole will spell disaster down the
road. Sunny, warm weather will dry out the young rootlets in short order. So,
keeping seedlings shaded and cool at all times is important.
Proper spacing between
trees will vary with the species, soil, equipment, reason for planting, and
other factors. The closer the trees are planted, the sooner the canopy will
"close" and promote better form, and competing vegetation will be
shaded out earlier. However, thinning will likely be needed sooner than if the
trees are planted widely.
Once the trees are
in the ground, the job isn't over, unless high mortality rates are acceptable.
Planting a few hundred trees requires a fair amount of sweat equity. Protecting
that investment with follow-up treatment is a good idea. Keeping competing vegetation
at bay is essential. Good initial site preparation will help. However, within
the next five years, and until the tree is tall enough to stand above other
plants, the seedlings will usually require some assistance. Remember, competition
is not only above-ground for light, but also underground for nutrients.
In many parts of
Michigan, seedlings will also need to be protected from deer and rabbits. Sometimes,
a planting tube will work. Sometimes, a fence cage is best. Hardwoods (broad-leafed
trees) need to be protected year-round. Protecting the entire tree will be necessary.
Conifers are most vulnerable in the late winter and early spring. Usually, only
the terminal bud needs to be protected. This can be done with a variety of commercial
or home-made bud caps, or for longer-needled seedlings, a couple wraps of wide
masking tape in the fall will do.
Skipping any of these
steps will increase the amount of mortality. The money and effort of actually
planting the trees is usually considerably less than that for site preparation
and seedling protection. Remember that nature loves to kill trees.
The factor we have
no control over is weather. A well-planned and implemented planting can turn
to dust with a drought, or wilt from an excessively wet year. A cold, windy
winter with little snow can kill. Once the trees reach head-height, then a number
of insects and diseases can come into play.
It's true that planting
trees carries a fair amount of risk. There are no guarantees. However, following
planting guidelines and maintenance will greatly improve the odds for a successful
effort. It's a good thing so many people love trees enough to work at it.
- 30 -
Trailer
Bill Cook is an MSU
Extension forester providing educational programming for the entire Upper Peninsula.
His office is located at the MSU Upper Peninsula Tree Improvement Center near
Escanaba. The Center is the headquarters for three MSU Forestry properties in
the U.P., with a combined area of about 8,000 acres. He can be reached at cookwi@msu.edu
or 906-786-1575.
Prepared
by Bill Cook, Forester/Biologist, Michigan State University Extension, 6005
J Road, Escanaba, MI 49829
906-786-1575 (voice), 906-786-9370 (fax), e-mail: cookwi@msu.edu
Use
/ reprinting
of these articles is encouraged. Please notify Bill Cook.
By-line should read "Bill Cook, MSU Extension" Please use the article
trailer whenever possible.
Michigan State University is an affirmative action equal opportunity institution. The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital status or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
This website is maintained by Bill Cook, Michigan State University Extension
Forest in the Upper Peninsula. Comments, questions,
and suggestions are gratefully accepted.
Last
update of this page was
4 March, 2008