Buying things in a “bundle” can be a time saver. And, sometimes, it can be a money saver. But only if you are getting what you think you are paying for. Cable companies are great at this. You sign up for their “silver” package, only to find you have 125 channels but not the ONE sports channel you wanted.
The same can be said for services and products in forestry. Some forest landowners have not been involved in choosing which seedlings are planted on their land until recently. The seedling choice has been part of a “bundle” of products and services (site preparation, seedlings, and/or seedling planting) from a contractor. This seedling decision was not a significant issue when there was little or no difference between seedlings-but this is no longer the case. Without a doubt, choosing the right seedlings to reach your family and financial goals is a decision with long-term consequences. Making a wrong decision now can mean earning less than half of the revenue of your land can generate with the right seedlings.
Make sure you know precisely the seedling genetics you are getting when contracting services. How do you know if you are getting the right genetics for you and your financial goals? Ask questions. Lots of questions. What volume and log quality performance gains are offered in the bundle? Simple 2nd Gen or 3rd Gen labeling is not adequate information to tell you how good your seedlings are. Look for specific family info and the level of genetic improvement.
Today’s advanced genetics, such as MCP®, offer you an opportunity to achieve rates of 15% on your investment and increase the revenue from your land by 50%.
We have many planting contractors who provide MCP seedling to customers; you need to know that the seedling genetics choice is your decision and that you can ask for the seedlings you want.
Remember, you can determine what is planted on your land, so understand your choices. You only have one chance to get it right with a decision that has consequences for 25 – 30 years. Do your homework and speak with your forester, contractor, or ArborGen Reforestation Advisor so you can know “what’s in your turn-key bundle” and make the right choice for your land!
