TreeLines
October 2023 – 1st Edition
Seedling Lifting Next Month!
As we get closer to lifting and planting season, ArborGen will share a series of articles on the best way to handle, transport, store, and plant your seedlings.
Jimmy Bielling, of Bielling Site Prep and Reforestation, is a reforestation site prep contractor and planter. As we get closer to planting season, we asked Jimmy about the need to keep seedlings cool on site.
Planting Tip: Keeping Seedlings Cool On Site Using Reefers
1. Seedling care is essential to a successful stand establishment.
Once the seedlings are lifted at the nursery, we like them to be placed in the cooler for 24 – 48 hours.
Consequently, we want to maintain that condition by using a refrigerated trailer to continue that environment through planting of the seedlings. We normally set the temperature to 38 degrees F. Between 38 degrees and 42 degrees is a good range.
You do not want to let the seedlings freeze, but on warm days, opening and closing the doors to retrieve seedlings increases the temperature within the refrigerated unit.
2. Ideally, you want to plant the trees as soon as possible.
It is not recommended, but the seedlings could remain in the cooler for three to four weeks.
Things happen, such as equipment failure, weather conditions, etc., that can delay planting the seedlings.
Needless to say, keeping the seedlings cool is very important to keep the seedlings in healthy condition.
3. Some contractors or owners prefer to run the refrigerated unit on a continuous cycle.
This means the unit will not shut down until it is manually shut off. It burns more fuel on this cycle, but the set point remains the same. Others prefer to run the unit on cycle.
On cycle, when the temperature reaches a certain degree, the unit will automatically crank up and cool down to the set point. This method uses less fuel.
Whichever method you choose as the unit manager, it is important to check on the unit daily and fill it with fuel on a regular basis.
Seedling care is most important to the success of a stand establishment.
No matter how well you prepare the site or plant the trees, mechanically or by hand, nothing will matter if the seedlings are damaged by heat stress (or extreme cold) before they are planted.
Daily Seedling Planting Log Download
ArborGen is dedicated to the success of our customers. In keeping with this commitment, we have created a “Daily Planting Log” available at our nurseries.
This log will allow the contractor to document the details of the seedlings at delivery, including the condition of the seedlings, seedling type, and packaging. Along with the initial inspection, the planter will be able to keep track of the date of planting, weather conditions as well as planting tool used. All of this information can be recorded and readily accessible in the event of any questions after planting is complete.
Make sure you request a Daily Planting Log to be included in your delivery or pick-up. Please contact the nursery or reforestation advisor should you have any questions.
Which Seedlings Are Best for Your Land?
Get seedling recommendations in less than a minute!
What can you expect from MCP®?
Hear David Hogan of Hogan Forest Services share his experience with MCP and the performance he’s come to expect year after year.
Client Results
MCP 2.0 at 6 months
Charleston County, SC
MCP at 14 years
Olla, LA
Updated Seedling Availability
With seedling harvest coming next month, there’s still a little time to get your seedlings reserved for this year’s planting. Get in touch with your ArborGen Nursery or Reforestation Advisor to place your order before we’re sold out.
Austin Heine
North Carolina & Virginia
910-660-3209
Greg Hay
Arkansas, Northern Louisiana, & Oklahoma
501-350-4217
Paul Jeffreys, Ph.D.
Alabama & Northern Mississippi
Manager Special Projects & Sustainability
205-712-9582
Drew Fasano
South Carolina & Northern Georgia
843-520-6865
Blake Sherry
Florida, Southern Georgia, & Southern Alabama
912-433-5407
Kylie Burdette
U.S. Sales Manager / East Texas and Southern Louisiana
864-650-4454
Jason Watson
Director, U.S. Sales
404-840-7489
FIND AN ADVISOR OR NURSERY
