Planting Depth is Critical
It is important to recognize that the depth at which trees are planted greatly influences their survival and growth. Next, it is important to recognize that there are drastic differences between the planting depth at which container and bareroot longleaf pine need to be planted.
The following are recommendations to follow when planting longleaf pine (with a note to pay special attention to the differences between seedling types):
Containerized Seedling Planting Recommendations
- On many cutover sites the presence of logging slash, stumps, or uneven terrain makes machine planting difficult. Hand planting container-grown seedlings on "trashy" sites often allows for better depth control, as compared to machine-planting.
- Plant with adequate soil moisture. Usually this means in the winter time. However, some areas (like central Florida) receive a good bit of their precipitation in the summer time and have enjoyed a successful planting during that season.
- Focus on anticipated position/depth of the terminal bud 6 months to 1 year post planting.
- On flat planted sites, instruct tree planters to leave plug slightly exposed ABOVE the soil surface.
- On scalped sites, instruct tree planters to leave 1 to 1-1/2 inches of the plug exposed.
- On extremely wet sites, leave 2 to 3 inches of the plug exposed (use a 6 inch plug).
- Tell tree planters that you “want to see the plug.” To see pictures click here.
- Try to plant the longleaf pine seedling as vertically as possible.
- In areas that have been ripped, DO NOT plant in the rip; instead plant a few inches to the side of the rip. To see pictures click here.
- DO NOT plant in unprepared areas of pasture grass. Pasture grasses are extreme competitors and should be addressed prior to planting.
Bareroot Seedling Planting Recommendations
For the most part, many of the same rules that apply to container longleaf also apply to bare root with the glaring exception of planting depth!
- DO NOT plant shallow. Instead plant bareroot seedlings so that the terminal bud is at or slightly below the soil surface. See picture here.
- Avoid J-rooting seedlings.
- DO NOT chop roots with machete just prior to planting. Instead, if a few pieces of lateral root stick out of the ground after planting, let them air prune.
- DO NOT twist seedling into hole. See picture here.
- Do try to plant seedlings as soon as they are lifted.
- Bareroot seedlings are most effectively planted by machine but can also be planted with a shovel or hoedad.