Upload
kiana-buttolph
View
215
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
DIRECT SEEDING
Establishing a Forest With
Seed
BENEFITS
Direct SeedingVS.
Tree Seedings
Why Direct Seed?• Larger Planting Window, Fall Season• Use Local or In-State Seed Resource• More Trees/Acre-Quicker Canopy-
Form• Undisturbed Root System/No
Transplant• Overwhelm The Critters• More Natural Appearance• Shorter Maintenance Period• Potentially Less Expensive
Why Plant Seedlings?• Seed germination is uncertain,
seedlings are a known quantity• There are more potentially
damaging agents for seed than seedlings
• Seed crops and seed availability are uncertain
• Seedlings may have a head start the first year, depending on size and quality
Seed Collection Determine your needs Scout potential seed trees Use a Bag-a-Nut Be efficient Float, sort/inspect, store
DetermineYour
Needs, Match
Species to Site
Tree Planting Plan-- an attachment to NRCS Conservation Plan, prescribes the seed per acre and matches species to site.
Scout Potential Seed Trees• Be sure of species ID• Locate on a large scale map• Red oak group visible in July,
white by August• Obtain permission to collect
Locate Heavy Seed Producers
Mechanized Seed Collection
Using a Bag-a-Nut• Up to 1 bushel (about 50 pounds)
per hour of medium-sized acorns• Pays for itself in less than 8
hours• Works best in mowed grass
situation, with some site prep• Match machine to seed size• For more information see
www.directseeding.org
Be efficient, gear up before you start!
• Rakes• Blower/vac • Bag-a-Nut • Containers • Soaking
pool
• Sorting table• Onion bags• Cold storage
Be Efficient• Be prepared: In
central Illinois seed begins to drop late-August to mid-September
• White oak group is usually first, then red, pin drops late
• Concentrate on trees with a BIG seed drop
• Collect after windy storms
• Collect BEFORE leaves fall
• After leaves fall use blower/vac to remove leaves
Soaking Seed Sorting Seed
Bagging and Storing Seed
Purchasing Seed• Local seed is the best seed• Contact NRCS, District
Forester and/or SWCD• Check www.directseeding.org• Follow “Seed Care and
Handling”
Seed Care and Handling• “Float” collected seed, soak ALL
seed• Immerse 4-8 hours • Inspect at least 10 seeds/bushel• If it’s your own seed, inspect on
sorting table, before bagging• Cut or crack test, look for seed
that is: filled, light-colored, bug-free
Seed Care and Handling• Bag in porous, woven (“onion”)
sacks• Store in cool, well-ventilated
location, protected from predators
• If delayed more than 2 weeks, place in plastic bags and refrigerate @ 33-40 degrees
Inspect All Tree Seed
• Use a hand pruner for acorns, a hammer for walnuts & hickorys
• Keep seed that is:– Filled– Bright, uniform color– undamaged
• Discard seed that is– Shriveled, shrunken– Dark colored or
mottled– Cracked, holed, or
otherwise damaged
Use High Quality Seed
• Plant only undamaged, mature, viable seed
• Cut or crack test at least 10 random seeds per bushel
• If non-viable seed is found, increase seeding rate by the same percentage
Planting Time!
• ASAP, Fall is best• White oaks-must fall plant,
especially Quercus alba & chinkapin• If properly stored, plant any time ground is not frozen or dry• Very risky between June and September
Seeding Rates--Row Seeding
• MINIMUM of 3,000 hard mast seed/acre
• At 10’ row spacing, leave 16” or less between seeds
• Planting depth = 2X seed diameter, 1-4”, depending on species
• If no light seeded spp. nearby, add 1,000 seed/acre
Seeding Rates--Broadcast Seeding
• MINIMUM of 4,800 hard mast seed/acre
• Planting depth = 2X seed diameter, 1-4”, depending on species
• If no light seeded spp. nearby, add 1,000 seed/acre
Site Preparation--Row Planting
• Till and/or spray a minimum 2’ radius circle or 4’ wide band with trees or seed centered in grass-free area.
• Grass species, esp. sod-forming, are DEATH to trees.
• Use snap trap survey to estimate potential rodent populations.
Mow or till between rows to minimize rodent habitat
Site Preparation-- Broadcast
• Crop ground– Disk Several
Times
• Pasture/Brome– Mow grass in
August.– Spray 2 quarts
of Roundup in September
– Plow and Disk
Row Seeding Equipment
Row Seeding Equipment
Modified Corn Planters
Broadcast Seeding
Weed Control for Direct Seeding• Competition
must be controlled for minimum of two years
• Good control of grasses and weeds is critical
Weed Control for Direct Seeding1st Year
Pre-emergentsPendulum (Prowl) - 2qts/ac.Goal - 2 to 4 qts/ac. (expensive)
Post-emergentsFusilade - grasses 6-10”; 1 pint/ac. plus a non-ionic surfactant
OREnvoy - grasses < 12”; 1 pint/ac.Transline or Stinger - broadleaves; 1/2 pint/ac.
See: IL Forest Herbicide Manual, IL Direct Seeding Handbook, & www.directseeding.org.
Weed Control for Direct Seeding2nd Year
Pre-emergentsPendulum (2 to 3 qts/ac). + Princep (2 to 4 qts/ac.)
Post-emergents (weeds no more than 6-12” tall)Fusilade - grasses (1 pint/ac.)Transline or Stinger - broadleaves (1/2 pint/ac.)Oust - grasses and broadleaves (1/2 to 3/4 oz/ac.)
See: IL Forest Herbicide Manual, IL Direct Seeding Handbook, & www.directseeding.org.
Plantation Maintenance• Maintain weed
free area for 2-3 years
• Replant if survival drops below 500 after 2 years, counting desirable natural regeneration.
A little late-season broadleaf competition is OK...
Grass competition is a prescription for failure!
But...
Give these young trees a good start… weed-free!
IOWA ESTIMATED COSTS OF DIRECT SEEDINGOPERATION COST/ACRE
Site PreparationGrass CoverCropland
$100$20
Seed $150 to 200
Seeding Labor $70
Herbicide (1st Year) $50
Herbicide (2nd Year) $50
Total Cost $340 to 470
ILLINOIS ESTIMATED COSTS OF DIRECT SEEDING
One and Two Year
Old Seedlings
One Year Old Seedlings
One Year Old Broadcast Seeding
5 year old SWO
6 year old Black Walnut
5 year old broadcast
7 year old broadcast
Keys to Success with Direct Seeding• Use a
professional • Control weeds
• Match spp. to site
• Inspect all seed, carefully store & handle (cool & moist)
• Survey and manage rodent populations
• Use lots of seed
• Use lots of species
• Plant @ proper depth
Keep onGrowing!
USDA NRCS is an equal opportunity provider and employer