Preferred
seedling needles are:

• dark green in color
• 6 to 10 inches after being clipped or 8 to 12 inches unclipped
• many needle fascicles present

Cull
seedlings if needles are:

• yellow to black which indicates poor vigor or a dying seedling
• less than 4 inches in length
• if no needle fascicles are present

Preferred
seedling roots are:

• root-collar diameters that are 1/4 inch or larger
• roots that are light brown in color and have numerous white tips
• roots with the presence of mycorrhizae

Cull
seedlings if roots are:

• root-collar diameters that are less than 3/16 inch
• a large portion of the roots are black and/or the cambium is brown when the black exterior is scraped away with a fingernail
• any evidence of disease
• any noticeable amount of root spiraling in the container

Preferred
seedling plugs:

• stay intact when extracted and during handling
• remain firm when held out horizontal

Cull
seedlings plugs:

• that have lost potting soil
• that "flop" over when held horizontal

Preferred
plugs:

• have always remained damp

Cull
plugs if:

• seedling plug is too dry
• seedling is so wet that water can be squeezed from plug

Preferred
plugs without pests:

• have no competing weeds, insects or animal damage present

Cull
plugs:

• that have weeds present, such as willow trees
• that have insect or animal damage noted