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Growing a New Forest From Scratch

Learn how to grow a new forest from scratch with expert advice on site assessment, preparation, tree species selection, and post-planting care.

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Growing a New Forest From Scratch

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  1. Growing a New Forest From Scratch Presented by: Ryan Pankau Horticulture Educator University of Illinois Extension

  2. Outline • Pre-Planting Site Assessment • Site Preparation • Tree Species Selection • Plant Materials • Post-Planting Care

  3. Site Assessment • Identify Soils • Understand Drainage • Identify Weeds

  4. Soils Data

  5. Identify Weeds • Grass Species = tree’s biggest enemy • Manage for weaker annual weeds • Invasive Species Autumn Olive

  6. Site Preparation • Control Weeds • Grass spp in planting area • Invasive spp anywhere • Site Prep Techniques • Mechanical • Chemical • Burning

  7. Tree Species Selection Goals: • Select tree species well suited to your site • Use soil survey recommendations • Observe neighboring sites • Plant a diversity of species • More diversity is better • Plant a local genotype • Within 100 miles North, 200 miles South • Be aware of availability, be flexible

  8. Plant Materials • Types of planting stock • Direct seed • Bare-root seedling • Containerized stock • Select plant materials suited to site • Be aware of availability

  9. Direct Seeding • Minimum rate = 3,000 seeds/ac • More for broadcast seeding, ~5,000/ac • Planting depth = 2 x seed dia.(~ 1-5”) • Planting method – rows or broadcast • Timing – Fall is best! • Spring: Feb-June • Fall: Sept-Dec • Natural regen from light seeded spp must be within 500 ft.

  10. Direct Seeding • Pros: • Cheapest planting material • Self collection possible, more spp • Greater planting window • Overwhelms predators • More trees per acre • Cons • Requires consistent weed control • Finding the right planting method is tricky

  11. Bare-root Seedlings • Minimum rate = 436 trees/ac • 10ft x 10ft spacing • Timing = Spring (Feb-May) • Planting Methods • Hand planting • Mechanized tree planter • Pre-planting care • Keep roots moist, store in cool and protected spot • Plant trees ASAP!!!

  12. Bare-root Seedlings • Pros • No germination risk • Fewer predators • Ease of planting • Relatively cheap • Cons • Least flexibility on timing • Pre-planting care and storage are vital • Highly susceptible to browse and weed competition • Harder to assess planting success

  13. Containerized Trees • Minimum rate = 50 trees/ac • ~ 30ft x 30ft spacing • Timing – Spring or Fall • Fall may be best • Too late in spring can be terrible • Planting Method = Hand planting • Planting depth important • Pre-planting Care • Keep roots moist, • Thoroughly water prior to planting • Protect from wind • Carry plants by the pot, not the stem

  14. Containerized Trees • Pros • Larger trees sooner (presumably) • Planting larger root mass • Less site prep • Less weed control • Cons • Expensive, eggs-in-one-basket concept • Pre-planting care/handling essential • Difficult to plant, planting depth important • Transplant shock is a factor • Spp selection can be limited

  15. Post-Planting Weed Control • Recommendation = 2-3 ft. diameter weed-free zone • Eliminate grasses, they heavily compete for water • Taller weeds block sun, but also can block predators • Can be tough to strike a balance • Herbicides are often most effective • ID your weeds, timing can be critical • Monitor for invasive encroachment

  16. What About Natural Regeneration? • Diversity is good, but lighted-seeded pioneer species can heavily compete with planted stock • Natural regen may be the only fit in some situations • Heavily flooded sites, especially inside levees • Mature trees border site, large seed source close • Limited or no budget • Beware of invasives!

  17. When to replant? • Direct Seeding – survival drops below 500-800 trees/acre in first 2-3yrs • Don’t forget to count desirable natural regen • Bare-Root Seedlings – survival drops below 70% • Initial planting = 436 tpa>>> 70% = 300 tpa • Late winter tree counts are best • Containerized Trees – highly dependent on site • Maintaining stocking is important! • I often plan to selectively replant some areas in year 2

  18. IDNR Dist. Foresters Need Additional Help?

  19. Questions? Ryan Pankau Horticulture Educator University of Illinois Extension Email: rcpankau@Illinois.edu Phone: 217-333-7672

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