Forest Landowners Guide to Tree Planting Success
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Penn State Extension Forest Landowners Guide to Tree Planting Success 1 In many ways, planting trees is visionary. Imagine a forest where there was Most often, forests regenerate 15 to 20 years. It takes a dedi- once pasture, or wood land where and old fields grow up in trees cated landowner to plan decades there were once crops. Imagine a without our intervention. Some- ahead. Thankfully, many of us are, healthy, diverse forest, resistant times the best plan is simply to and our grandchildren and great to insects, fire, and disease, that monitor and support the natural grandchildren will benefit. will contribute to the property for growth of new trees. Some infor- This publication focuses on the generations. Planting trees has mation in this publication can values and methods of establish- many benefits: improved wildlife help you protect emerging and ing wooded areas on rural prop- habitat, high-quality trees for desired seedlings that have natu- erty. We’ll begin with suggestions timber or specialty wood prod- rally occurred. However, planting to help analyze the planting site ucts, revegetated buffers along trees can accelerate the natural and select appropriate tree spe- streams to protect water quality, progression or succession from cies, then provide guidelines for increased species diversity and field to forest or enrich a newly preparing the site and the planting resiliency, enhanced attractive- regenerating forest with an process, and finally, offer advice ness, and a more valuable estate uncommon species. on maintaining and supporting for your family or heirs. Many view Desired results are often evident the seedlings as they mature. tree planting as an opportunity to in as little as 5 years following Appendix A provides a calendar leave behind a legacy—one that planting; the planted area will outlining steps for tree planting may benefit future generations, begin to transform into a forest. reforestation projects. Use this wildlife, and the environment. The most immediate benefits are helpful calendar as a guide to the Whatever your purpose for plant- food and cover for wildlife, soil ero- tasks you should consider before ing trees, following the guidelines sion control, and improved water you start your project and how to outlined in this publication can quality. Harvesting trees in a first follow up for success. help you transform your land. thinning could begin as early as FIGURE 1 This old pasture was planted with a mixture of hardwood seedlings 4 years ago. D. JACKSON PENN STATE EXTENSION 2 FIGURE 2 TOP LEFT Determining Planting These Norway spruce were planted in a dense Objective(s) clump to provide wildlife cover. Determining objectives for plant- D. JACKSON ing is important because it will PENN STATE EXTENSION often dictate the species and FIGURE 3 TOP RIGHT number of seedlings needed. These conifers were Objectives for planting are planted on an abandoned strip mine site. To alle- numerous and varied and include: viate compaction, the • Improving wildlife habitat- soil was ripped prior to food and/or cover planting. The site was also treated with an herbicide • Producing future timber/ prior to planting to control investment competing vegetation. S. SMITH • Providing a privacy screen PENN STATE EXTENSION or windbreak • Restoring a woodland FIGURE 4 BOTTOM Sycamores, with their dis- • Reintroducing a tree species tinctive bark pattern, can • Controlling erosion/improving be seen growing along water quality streams and in bottom lands. • Reforesting an old field D. JACKSON • Special uses such as Christ- PENN STATE EXTENSION mas trees, sugarbush, nuts, or energy crops Try answering the following questions to help you determine your objectives: What purpose(s) do you want the planting to serve? Why do you want to plant trees? With some thoughtful planning and decision making, the trees you plant will meet your objectives and provide numerous environmental benefits as well. Assessing the Planting Site growing conditions, while These trees will not tolerate Not all tree species are suited to south and west slopes are even moderate levels of shade. all sites. Observing and learning generally hotter and drier) If the site already has tree cover, about the planting site a year or shade-tolerant trees such as more before planting will provide These site factors influence eastern hemlock, blackgum, red useful insights. Consider the species selection. Some site spruce, or sugar maple would be following: conditions such as soil mois- better choices. • Soil type (drainage, fertility, ture, soil texture, and exposure Soil acidity or alkalinity (pH) and texture) are inherent to the site and not is another key factor in deter- • Periodic flooding easily changed. It is important mining which trees will grow • Amount of available sunlight to select tree species that can best on a given site. Most tree • Existing plant competition thrive under given conditions. For species prefer neutral or slightly • Exposure/aspect/orientation example, aspen, black cherry, acidic soils. Also important is of the terrain (north and east larch, red pine, and black walnut soil structure. Soils that are too slopes generally have better are shade-intolerant species. tightly compacted will resist root 3 penetration, slow the passage of soil fertility and pH. Contact are adapted to the site is import- water and nutrients, and inhibit your county extension office ant. The use of exotic species the free movement of oxygen for details. is discouraged today because and carbon dioxide. Hardwood many have become invasive and (broadleaf deciduous) trees tend Primary factors that limit tree now cause damage to native to grow best in loamy soils, a planting success plant and animal communities. mixture of sand, silt, and clay. • Soil drainage: excessively Because choosing the best tree Many conifers do just fine in drained or poorly drained species for a particular site is heavy clay or well-drained sandy • Existing competing vegeta- so important, consider seeking soils and can tolerate dry south- tion: grasses, weeds, and advice from a knowledgeable ern exposures better than most invasive plants natural resource professional or hardwoods. As a rule, conifers • Exposure/aspect: wind, sun, forester before ordering. can withstand adverse condi- and shade tions better than hardwoods. • Wildlife: deer, bear, voles, If a nearby but similar site and other small mammals Planting Density already has trees, those trees and Arrangement may be a good indicator of Selecting Tree Species Determining an appropriate existing site and soil condi- spacing between trees is neces- tions and what species may do The likelihood of project success sary when developing a planting well on your site. For example, greatly improves with clearly design. In general, plant trees at speckled alder does well on identified planting objectives and a closer spacing for quality hard- moist, heavy clay; sugar maple a selection of tree species that wood production. This encour- prefers fertile, moderately well- meet objectives and are com- ages straight boles and small drained soils; and American patible with site conditions. The lower branches that self-prune at sycamore prospers in periodi- goal is to plant the right trees in an earlier age. Plantings for wild- cally flooded soils along stream the right location. In other words, life use wider spacings, up to 20 banks and in bottom lands. plant tree species that will meet feet, to encourage crown devel- Another way to determine the objectives and grow well under opment and earlier seed produc- soil type on your site is to con- the given site conditions. tion. When determining spacing, sult the U.S. Department of Agri- The choice of tree species consider the tree’s crown width culture’s Soil Survey Maps, which for planting in the northeastern when it reaches a useful size. are available at your local conser- hardwood region is extensive. For example, when growing vation district office or online at There are dozens of species to trees for timber, allocate space websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov. choose from. Since tree planting so individual trees are just Soil samples can also be brought is somewhat permanent, carefully beginning to crowd one another to your local Penn State Exten- consider your choices. Selecting when they are large enough to sion office where, for a nominal a diversity of native species that support a commercial firewood fee, they are sent out to assess have no major pest problems and or pulpwood thinning, generally an 8- to 10-foot spacing. Higher densities will require thinning at an earlier age to remove excess FIGURE 5 For a planting project to be trees and reduce competition. successful, find the overlap Planting arrangement refers among site conditions, LANDOWNER to the pattern or distribution of ownership objectives, and OBJECTIVES characteristics of desired tree and shrub species across species. Some projects have more overlap and a planting site. For example, thus more choices for a mixed hardwood plantation species selection. may concentrate black walnut P. SMALLidGE CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION TREE SPECIES PLANTING SITE seedlings on the deeper soils CHARACTERISTICS CONDITIONS of the lower slope and plant red and white oak seedlings on hill tops and convex-shaped slopes. 4 TABLE 1 | Tree selection table. Tree selection tables cross-reference the primary reason for planting with soil and site conditions to compile a list of possible tree species. Site Use Deer Insect/ Stream bank/ Shade browse disease Wet Moist