Successful Tree Planting Techniques for Drastically Disturbed Lands: A Case Study of the Propagationand Planting of Container-Grown Oak and Nut Trees in Missouri

Abstract

Successful tree seedling establishment on drastically disturbed lands is contingent on seven major variables: 1) selection of proper native species, 2) purchase of the best quality planting stock, 3) correct handling of planting stock, 4) correct planting techniques, 5) effective control of competing vegetation, 6) proper soil conditions and preparation, 7) weather. Exotic species should not be planted to avoid past mistakes such as kudzu, Japanese honeysuckle, sericea lespedeza and chestnut blight. A major concern of reclamation specialists and ecosystem restorationists is obtaining high-quality plant materials with the correct provenance. Ecosystem restorationists, reclamation specialists, park managers and private landowners can easily and cheaply propagate native oak or other hardwood species from local parent stock using Whitcomb bottomless containers. Proper seed collection, storage and preparation techniques as well as propagation methods are critical for seedling growth and development into quality air-pruned planting stock. Air-pruned seedlings of local provenance can be outplanted in the fall after one growing season with little transplanting shock while developing extensive root systems prior to soil freezing in winter. Establishment success of container-grown seedlings greatly exceeds that of spring-planted bare-root seedlings. Fall-planted, container-grown seedlings have a decided advantage since their roots continue to grow throughout the fall and much of the winter, enabling them to better withstand summer drought and weedy competitors. Container-grown seedlings also allow a five-to six-month planting season compared to bare-root seedlings' four to six weeks. Since propagation costs are minimal, planters who grow their own save money on the planting stock. Because the quality is higher, home-grown seedlings have greater establishment success, saving labor, time and money. With better survival rates, far fewer trees need be planted as compared to bare-root seedlings.

First-Year Survival of Northern Red Oak Seedlings Planted on Former Surface Coal Mines in Indiana

“…Given that containerized seedlings maintain their entire root system when transplanted, transplant shock can be considerably reduced through use of containerized seedlings (Miller 1999;BCMOF 2001). Containerized seedlings also maintain higher water potential during the first year following out-planting compared to bareroot seedlings (Dixon et al 1983;Crunkilton et al 1992), which can further reduce shock to the seedling caused by site acclimatization.…”

Influence of Physical, Chemical, and Biological Mine Soil Properties on White Oak Seedling Growth

“…The fact that microbial biomass was independent of other regressors in the model suggests microbial growth as a causative factor. In any case, microbes are a good indicator of soil health (Miller, 1998). Hutson (1980) found that low population densities of organisms on industrial reclamation sites led to significantly less degradation of oak leaves than on control sites.…”

“…This lack of soil organisms in mine spoils may result in poor soil development and thus lower tree survival and growth. In his discussion of techniques for reclaiming with native hardwoods, Miller (1998) stated that the development of a healthy and diverse soil microorganism population through replacement of topsoil is essential to the establishment of native trees. These microbes are the main mechanism for the release of plant available nutrients from organic matter (Brady and Well, 1996).…”

Effects of three biomaterials mixed with growing media on seedling quality of Prunus sargentii

“…Production of seedlings by containers has many advantages over bare root stock such as quick production, uniform size, extending planting season, and performing well on adverse sites (Stein et al 1975;Tsakaldimi et al 2005). Moreover, container-grown seedlings generally have smaller shoot-toroot ratios and larger fine roots than bare root seedlings, that can adapt certain transplanting stresses such as drought (Miller 1999;Grossnickle and El-Kassaby 2016).…”