The importance of good nursery quality control, Part 2
The BLM has experienced and continues to have all of the seedling quality problems listed by Mr. Nicholson. Generally seedling quality has improved during the last five years. The one exception to this is the 2-1 transplant seedling that I will discuss later. During an average year we plant from 17 to 19 million trees. Due to reduced logging, 11.6 million trees were planted in 1982. We presently purchase stock from 7 bare-root and 2 container nurseries, with the bulk of the production in 4 bare-root and 1 container facilities. In a normal year (if there is such a thing?) 70 percent of the complaints I receive are related to roots. Problems regarding root length are the most common. However, muddy roots (mud balls) and J or L roots are our most serious problem. I would estimate the first year survival for "mud ball" stock is less than 50 percent. It is my opinion that stock with a significant amount of mud on the roots should be considered in the same category as diseased seedlings and culled at the nursery.
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Author(s): Chuck Hayhurst
Publication: National Nursery Proceedings - 1982
Event:
Western Nurserymen's Conference
1982 - Medford, OR
