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Seedling procurement and care

Seedling procurement and care. AG-FS-6. The student will demonstrate and understanding of forest regeneration principles and practices. c. Identify the procedure to follow when ordering seedlings.

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Seedling procurement and care

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  1. Seedling procurement and care AG-FS-6. The student will demonstrate and understanding of forest regeneration principles and practices. c. Identify the procedure to follow when ordering seedlings. d. Determine the optimum planting date for specific sites and explain how to handle and store the seedling properly. 3. Demonstrate the proper planting procedure. f. Evaluate the results of planting.

  2. Steps to Planting seedlings • Choose the species to be planted and order the seedlings from a nursery. • Georgia Forestry Service takes applications for seedling orders on July 1 for following planting season • Determine the acreage • Either measure field, estimate from maps or aerial photos • Determine spacing of seedlings • Most pine plantations are started with 600-700 seedlings per acre • Best for managing trees for multiple products such as pulpwood, chip-n-saw, saw timber, and poles

  3. Determine the number of seedlings required for any spacing using this formula • 43560/desired spacing = # of seedlings per acre • # of seedlings to be planted x # of acres= total # of seedlings • EX. How many seedlings would be needed to plant 12 acres with a spacing of 6x12 feet? • 6x12 feet = 72 square feet • 43560 square feet per acre/72 square feet = 605 seedlings per acre • 605 x 12 acres = 7260 total seedlings needed • Make allowance for cull seedlings- seedlings that have to be thrown out because they are too small or damaged during shipping (@10%) • 7260 seedlings x .10 = 726 • 726 + 7260 = 7986 seedlings needed to plant so order 8000 seedlings (shipped in bundles of 1000)

  4. What factors should be considered in regard to seedling care? • Planting season • Plant seedlings within a 2-week period of receiving them • Plant when soil is moist • Plant bare-root seedlings during cooler temperatures as they are more conductive to seedling survival and healthy growth (B/t Dec.1-Mar. 1)

  5. Seedling storage and care • Seedlings packed in open-end bales, kraft-polyethylene line bags, or wax-coated boxes to protect seedling during transport and storage. • Proper storage condition must be provided before planting to maintain seedling quality. • Plant seedlings as soon as possible after lifting. • DO NOT STORE non-dormant seedlings lifted after early or late in the planting season- plant immediately • Plant bareroot longleaf seedlings within 1 week of lifting • Protect seedlings from • Direct sunlight • High temperatures • Freezing temps • Wind

  6. Grading seedlings • Seedlings should be graded before planting to get rid of ones that are too large, too small or damaged • Keep seedlings- • Thick sturdy stems 6-12 inches long, well developed root system 6-8 inches long with 5-7 or more lateral roots that are at least 3 inches long • Cull seedlings • Root systems less than 5 inches long and with less than 3 strong lateral roots

  7. Seedling care in the field • Take only as many seedlings to the planting site as can be planted in a day • Store seedlings in the shade at planting site • Open only one package at a time for the planters • Planters should carry seedlings in bags or buckets • Never carry seedlings with their roots exposed while planting • Cover roots in the bag or bucket with moist material like clay or synthetic gels

  8. Methods of transplanting • Planting depth • Dibble bar and hoedad blades should be 8-10” long • Place seedlings in the holes up to the root collar of the seedling • Shallow planting holes result in early seedling mortality • Improper planting depth can result in “J” rooting which slows seedling growth

  9. Planting using a Dibble Bar

  10. Planting using a hoedad

  11. Machine planting • 7000-9000 seedling can be planted in a day • Two methods • Manual system where the seedling is placed into a trench by hand • Automated system where seedlings are placed in “fingers” that then place the seedling into the planting trench

  12. Planting conditions • Temperatures between 35-60 degree F • Relative humidity greater than 40% • Wind speeds less than 10 mph • Adequate soil moisture

  13. Evaluating the planting • Check survival rate at end of first growing season • Count seedlings and compare to initial number of seedlings planted • If your survival check shows you have at least 300 seedlings per acre growing and they are well distributed, then do not replant.

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