Bareroot Seedling Planting Depth Seedlings were grown by Rock Creek Nursery and sold to Huxford Trust of Brewton, Alabama. Surplus
from their plantings were donated to the Longleaf Alliance for research or demonstration purposes.
L ..... ry Heaton of Huxford Trust reports that seedlings from the same lot were planted by machine with some
difficulty due to the large and lengthy lateral roots. On the Huxford tract, seedlings were planted within days of
lifting and good survival was noted on the cutover site using the same bareroot seedling source.
The seedlings in this study were stored for an extended length oftime (over one month) before planting
on this demonstration site. Seedlings were planted by hand using planting shovels on 2/14/02. More than
likely, the extended storage time accounts for the low overall survival numbers demonstrated in this study.
Seedli:lgs were assessed for percent surviving/mortality and overall appearance on July 30, 2002
(approx 5 Yz months post planting). Health was assessed based upon the aboveground foliage. Scores were
assessed on a scale of 0 to 6. A perfect seedling scored a zero, while a dead seedling scored a six. Average
scores are given for surviving seedlings only. The lower the average score, the healthier the appearance of
seedlings in a given treatment.
~lings
Treatments: Scalped, not scalped and three planting depths:
Deep (-3 C~:
Normal:
Shallow (+2 C~:
% Surviving
~lped:
~
36%
Scalped: 18%
Deep:
Normal:
Shallow:
36%
38%
9%
Terminal bud approx. 1 Yz" beneath soil surface.
Soil level with the root collar. Terminal bud approximately 1-2 cm above soil surface.
Approx. 1" of the taproot exposed. Terminal bud approx: 3-4 cm (2") above soil surface.
Average Score of Surviving Seedlings
2.43
2.88
3.54
1.86
2.67
Findings
Scalping
#1 Survival was roughly twice as good in scalped rows as compared to rows that were not scalped.
#2 Seedling in scalped rows had slightly lower scores, potentially indicating that seedlings are "healthier"
in scalped vs. not scalped rows.
Planting Depth
#1
#2
#3
Deep planting did not appear to increase mortality.
Deep planted seedlings did score higher/worse than seedlings planted at the "normal" depth, indicating
that overall health and vitality may be adversely affected by deep planting.
Shallow planted seedlings suffered the greatest mortality rates with approximately four times better
survival with the "deep" or "normal" planting depths.
Best Treatment is this study: Seedlings planted at the "normal" planting depth in scalped rows had the greatest
survival (54%) and the bestllowest scores (1.67) for surviving seedlings.
worst Treatment in this study: Seedlings planted at the "shallow" planting depth had equally poor survival on
scalped and non- scalped rows averaging 9% survival.
Planting Bare-Root Longleaf Pine Seedlings
hy
Rohert M. Franklin, Area Extension Agent, Forestry & Wtldlije, Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, P.O. Drawer 1086, Walterhoro, SC 29-J88. Phone: (843) 549-2595; email· rmfrnk/@l:lemson.edu As planting season nears, many landowners are thinking about planting longleaf.
Unfortunately, poor survival of their planted seedlings or slow growth of those that do survive have
disappointed other landowners. With a little time and effort, and the help of a knowledgeable forester,
this doesn't have to happen. The key is plan ahead!
Longleaf pine is more competition sensitive than the other southern pines, so it is important
to schedule the correct site preparation activities well ahead of planting season. The type of site prep
needed depends on the site itself and the vegetation present. Deep sandy soils with a few species of
oaks present can be prepared at lower costs, and with less intensive methods, than flatwoods sites
with a larger number of brush species. While its not the purpose oftffis article to discuss the pros and
cons of the various methods of site preparation, the method chosen must balance the need to control
competing vegetation with environmental considerations and costs. Talk to a knowledgeable forester
when making these plans. Site preparation work is usually done by contract crews. They need to be
contacted months in advance of the planting date. Its usually a good idea to make an agreement with
a site prep contractor the winter before the work will be done. If you wait too late, you may not be
able to find anyone to do the job!
About the same time you're lining up a site prep contractor would also be a good time to
order your seedlings. Private sector nurseries usually begin boo Icing seedling orders in March, just
after planting season. If you buy seedlings from your state forestry organization, order them as soon
as they begin accepting orders for the current tree-planting season -usually in early July. Buy
genetically improved seedlings if they are available, but be sure you get seedlings from a local seed
source.
Order the quantity of seedlings you need to meet your objectives. If timber production is
important, you may wish to plant 600 to 800 seedlings per acre. If other uses, such as wildlife and
recreation are high priorities, plant 450 to 550 seedlings per acre. The experience of your tree planter
may influence this decision also. Plant enough seedlings to give 300 to 600 seedlings per acre
surviving after one year.
Contact tree planting contractors after you have ordered seedlings but no later than mid­
summer. Look for a tree planter that has experience planting longleaf. Ask for references. If you don't
know where to look, check with your state's forestry organization or local county extension office.
Longleaf seedlings will do better if planted with a machine tree planter. The best types of
planters seem to be heavy-duty, wildland-type tree planters. Some contractors prefer the semi­
automatic, drop-planters. These planters work well on old fields and well-prepared sites. Others
prefer the manual-type wildland planters, especially on cutover sites or those with steeper slopes or
debris on the ground. The important thing is to use experienced contractors who have the right
equipment.
.
While the general consensus is to machine plant bare-root longleaf seedlings, they can be
hand-planted, if you are willing to take the time and effort. In Alabama, crews using dibbles and tree­
planting shovels have had success planting on beds. Survival rates of 80-90% two years post-planting
with greater than 90% of the seedlings starting height growth is possible. One consultant in South
Carolina has achieved greater than 80% survival hand-planting bare-root longleaf with hoedads.
Schedule the time to plant your seedlings. Longleaf pine bare-root seedlings can be planted
from mid-December, up until April 1. Mid-December through early February plantings tend to do
better in terms of survival and growth. In Florida, bare-root seedlings will not do well if planted after
March 1.
When planting bare-root seedlings, go large! Bare-root seedlings should have a root collar
diameter (RCD) between 0.3 to 0.6 inches. The tap root should be at least 5 Y2 to 8 inches in length
and have numerous, well-developed lateral roots. Large root systems are unwieldy to plant, Resist,
however, the temptation to root-prune seedlings before planting.
Plant the seedlings so the terminal bud is right at the soil surface or just below it after the soil
has settled from the planting operation. This usually means planting the seedling with the bud between
Y2 to 1 inch below the soil surface. If this isn't done, the seedlings root system may be exposed when
the soil has settled after planting. Seedlings with exposed root systems will die. Exactly how deep you
plant the seedling will depend on your soil type. Sandy soils will settle more than sandy-loam or
sandy-clay soils. Adjust the planting depth accordingly. When planting on beds, plant seedlings with
the root-collar at or barely below the surface. The seedlings will settle with the beds, the beds will
not erode away from the seedlings.
Minimize handling and root exposure between packaging at the nursery and planting. Plant
the seedlings within three days of pick-Up from the nursery. Most nurseries will arrange for digging
and picking up your seedlings ahead of time to insure the freshest quality planting material. If the
seedlings must be placed in cold storage prior to planting, limit the time in storage to less than two
weeks.
Care after pick-up from the nursery cannot be stressed enough! Phillip Wilson, the manager
of the Alabama Forestry Commission's Hauss Nursery, has tracked planting survival of bare-root
longleaf seedlings and has seen survival rates decrease with distance hauled from the nursery. Wilson
likes to point out that Cedar Creek Land and Timber Company has been successfully planting longleaf
for years, always picks up their seedlings in a trailer and never stacks the bundles. They only put one
layer on the floor of the trailer. Most years Cedar Creek reports around 90% average survival.
Watch the weather when planting. Avoid planting during periods of low soil moisture and dry
weather. Also avoid planting during times of low temperature, low relative humidity and high wind
associated with the passage of a strong cold front.
Because young longleaf seedlings are very competition sensitive, consider treating the newly­
planted seedlings with herbaceous weed control during the spring following planting. A one-time,
banded, over-the-top application of an approved herbicide can help increase seedling survival and
shorten the length of the grass stage of the seedlings. Many studies have shown longleaf initiating
height growth the second growing season after planting because of herbaceous weed control.
If you follow these basic tree-planting steps, modified for your region, and plan ahead, you
will be successful in planting bare-root longleaf pine seedlings.
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Suggested Readings
Barnett, J.P.; Lauer, D.K.; Brissette, lC. 1990. Regenerating longleaf pine with artificial methods.
In: Proceedings of the symposium on the management of longleaf pine. Farrar Jr.; R.M. ed. 1989
April 4-6, Long Beach, MS. Gen. Tech. Rep. SO-75. New Orleans, LA: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station: pp 72-93.
Boyer, W.D. 1989. Response of planted longleaf bare-root and container stock to site preparation
and release: fifth-year results. In: Proceedings of the 5th biennial southern silvicultural research
conference; 1988 November 1-3; Memphis, TN. Gen. Tech. Rep. SO-74. New Orleans, LA: US.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: pp 165-168.
Dennington, R.W. 1989. A crucial threshold for longleaf pine plantations. R8-:MB41. Atlanta, GA:
US. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Region. 1 p.
Earley, L.S. 1997. A working forest: a landowners guide for growing longleaf pine in the carolina
sandhills. Sand hills Area Land Trust, SouthemPines, NC. 33p.
Franklin, R.M. 1997. Stewardship oflongleafpine forests: a guide for landowners. Longleaf Alliance
Report No.2. The Longleaf Alliance, Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center, Andalusia, AL. 44p.
Vande Linde, F.; Hodges, 1. 1990. Prescriptions for successful longleaf management in south
Georgia. In: Proceedings of the symposium on the management oflongleaf pine. Farrar Jr.; R.M.
ed.l989, April 4-6, Long Beach, MS. Gen. Tech. Rep. SO-75. New Orleans, LA: US. Department
of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station: pp 241-246.
Preparedfor: CRP and the Longleaf Pine Landowner Workshops. January 20, 1999, @
Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA; January 21 @ The Jones Ecological Research
Center, Newton, GA; January 28 @ FDR State Park, Pine Mountain, GA. Sponsored by the Georgia
Forestry Commission, U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service, The LongleafAlliance
and The Jones Ecological Research Center.
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