Seedling Storage in Bales

Care of nursery stock between lifting and planting has been the subject of many experiments to determine the effects of various treatments on survival. All recognize that seedlings are quite sensitive to environmental conditions encountered from the time they are lifted from the nursery beds to the time they are set in their new and permanent spot in the forest stand. Unfortunately, stock mishandled during the time it is out of the ground cannot be identified visually, except, of course, where it has been burned severely by overheating or the roots dried to such an extent that the larger laterals are shriveled. Stock may be slightly damaged in one operation, such as by unnecessary exposure in lifting at the nursery, and yet not affected materially. A second exposure during planting operations, such as exposure to warm drying winds, may result in a significantly lower survival. To attempt to evaluate one specific treatment often gives negative results because damage to seedlings is clearly cumulative. A small amount of damage in one operation added to that occurring before or after may cause serious losses in survival. Field heel-in beds have long been suspected as a major cause of damage. All too often insufficient ground preparation and improper soil texture in locations far removed from an adequate supply of water cause stock to deteriorate. Roots may become dry in excessively drained soil or sour in poorly drained areas, thus causing heavy mortality. Roots placed in shallow trenches distort the normal position to such an extent that it is impossible to plant them correctly.

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Author(s): Floyd M. Cossitt

Publication: Tree Planters' Notes - Issue 45 (1961)