How To Plant A Plugcell Grown Transplant

When choosing the perfect trees for your location - Take into consideration the following things:

Type of soil - wet, moist, dry, sandy, sandy-loam, clay.

Sun requirements - does your site provide full sun, partial sun, shade?

Know what you want?  Now it's time to preparing the planting site - Survival rates for plugcell tree transplants are good on all sites including rough sites. However, weed control can help them off to a good start. This can be accomplished by herbicides and/or mowing and of course using weed control. 

Now that you have your location and the transplants you must care of your transplants before planting -Plugcell grown transplants give you flexibility of planting when it's convenient for you. Place the trees where they will get direct sun for part of the day. Avoid continuous hot sun. Water thoroughly as needed, generally every 1-3 days depending on weather conditions. If holding for an extended period of time (more than 3-6 weeks), elevate a few inches on blocks to keep roots from growing into the ground. The night before planting, water the seedlings well. This gives time for excess water to drain out.

Planting your Plugcell Tree Transplants - The transplants root plug should be placed 1/4 to 1/2 inch below the ground surface, and the native soil firmed over the root plug. The soil around the plug should be firmed up, but be careful not to step on the seedling! plugcell seedlings may be planted with all types of planting tools and equipment including mechanical tree planters.

 

10 Commandments for Tree Seedling Survival

Dr. William Carey, Auburn University Professor, outlines a ten point system to help improve forest tree seedling survival. At a meeting, sponsored by International Forest Company, Dr. Carey explains his planting techniques and insists you give seedlings "tender loving care" from the time they leave the nursery until planted in the field.

Commandment Number One -

Do not allow seedlings to dry out. - Ample moisture is the key factor in seedling survival; seedlings must never be allowed to dry out from the nursery to planting. Plant immediately in the field. Remember "if they dry, they die".

Commandment Number Two - 

Transport seedlings carefully. - Rough handling can damage root systems and predispose seedlings to stress.

Commandment Number Three - 

Avoid temperature extremes. - Fluctuations in temperature, especially excessive heat, during storage and transport can result in seedling trauma during outplanting.

Commandment Number Four. -

Plant promptly. - Once seedlings are lifted, minimize storage time, especially early in the season and avoid extended transport time.

Commandment Number Five. -

Do not trim or prune seedling roots. - Seedlings need every single tiny root to absorb moisture and nutrients from the ground. The more root surface, the better the growth.

Commandment Number Six. - 

Do not wash or shake gel from seedling roots. - Gel applied to roots at the nursery prevents drying out during transport, decreases planting shock, and improves acclimation to the planting site.

Commandment Number Seven. - 

Plant bareroot seedlings after October, preferably after December 15 and before April. - Cooler temperatures are more conducive to seedling survival and healthy growth.

Commandment Number Eight. - 

Plant seedlings deeply. - Greater exposure to the soil and its water content - even one-half inch of added depth of planting - significantly improves survival rates.

Commandment Number Nine. - 

Use mechanical planting, if possible. - Although slightly more expensive, planting mechanically yields better results and is an investment that pays off.

Commandment Number Ten - 

Do not attempt to plant seedlings that have frozen in the pack. - Freezing irreversibly damages the root system, leading to seedling death

Christmas Tree Transplants