When should you plant Bareroot Seedlings rather than Containerized Seedlings or vice versa?
ArborGen provides both containerized and bareroot seedlings for reforestation, and there are benefits to using both. But which stock type you choose is really based on what’s best for your land and what you want at harvest.
- Reforestation projects with bareroot are a cost-efficient tool with expected survival rates of around 88%.*
- Ideal on well prepared, non-stressful sites – promotes successful regeneration.
- Freight costs are less.
- Large-scale projects can be more economical with bareroot seedlings.
- Containers can cost up to $50 more per acre to plant than bareroot.
- Container seedlings can provide some survival insurance, but at a cost.
- Great for stressful sites with a rocky, gravelly component.
- Helpful for early or late planting.
- On average, containers deliver 7% to 10% better survival.*
*Ask your Reforestation Advisor for complete data
Initial survival is essential, but there’s much beyond that consideration when designing a thriving, strong stand of trees—one with increased growth, better straightness, rust resistance, and reduced forking. The genetics of the seedlings you plant can directly determine the return on your investment – not the stock type.
You may be paying more for the container than what’s inside.
And remember, proper site prep prevents poor performance – every time.
Planting containerized seedlings is not a substitute for proper quality site preparation or poor genetics. Landowners should refrain from buying containerized seedlings only to skimp on-site preparation, thinking that the containerized seedlings will compensate for poor or no site prep.
Survival gets you Trees… Genetics brings the Value
(Both stands below had 90% Survival)
10 year old Container 2nd generation stand in SC:
high number of defective trees: crooks, forks, rust galls
35% Sawtimber Potential
11 year old Bareroot MCP Elite stand in AL:
90% Sawtimber Potential
3x the Value of the OP Container stand
Reach out to your ArborGen Reforestation Advisor to get the right seedlings for land and your next planting.
