STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL TREE PLANTING BY DAN MAGILL
Well it is the Autumn Season again with winter just around the corner and now is a good time to start planning woodland improvement activities such as planting trees in the upcoming Spring Season. Although this may seem too far ahead of time to get things rolling for Spring-time tree planting, there are several steps to accomplish successful tree planting, growth, and survival. Choosing the right site in woodlands or fields is important because different tree species require distinct site conditions like aspect, soil type and moisture, shade and sunlight conditions, terrain (bottom land, ridge-top, stream-sides) etc. Conducting a soil test for type, pH, moisture and nutrient levels is also one of the most crucial activities that should be conducted to insure successful tree planting, growth, and survival. Additionally, newly planted trees will need to be protected from damage from deer and rabbit browsing, and even bears that will often break off the trees either from curiosity or the bears are trying to get food such as nuts or fruits, or trying to get insects from the tree roots.
It is likewise a good idea to order trees well ahead of time such as in autumn to insure the desired tree species to plant can be obtained for the Spring-time planting season. In WV, the Clements State Tree Nursery is currently taking tree orders for the autumn 2014 or spring-time 2015 planting season and the online store-front at:http://www.wvcommerce.org/ClementsNursery, allows customers to shop 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Deliveries start the week of Thanksgiving. The Clements State Tree Nursery can also be reached at 304-675-1820.
Duane Nichols, www.FrackCheckWV.net