S01 Attachment E - Tree-Shrub Establishment (Code 612).pdf

TREE/SHRUB ESTABLISHMENT (612 TS) JS March 2018

Natural Resources Conservation Service Tree/Shrub Establishment Illinois Conservation Practice Job Sheet 612 TS (Tree Seedlings)

DEFINITION

Establishing woody plants by planting seedlings, cuttings, or container/potted plants.

PURPOSES (check all that apply)

Establish woody plants for:

Maintain/Improve desirable plant diversity, productivity, health.

Create/Improve wildlife habitat for desired species.

Control erosion.

Improve water quality. Reduce nutrients and pollutants.

Sequester and store carbon.

Restore/Maintain native plant communities.

Develop renewable energy systems.

Conserve energy.

Provide for beneficial organisms and pollinators.

CONDITION WHERE PRACTICE APPLIES

Any appropriately prepared site where woody plants can be grown.

SPECIFICATIONS

Completed: ILLINOIS JOB SHEET – TREE/SHRUB SITE PREPARATION (490) [Attach] Alternative documentation of site preparation requirements: [Attach and Describe]

Cover Crop: If a cover crop is needed, use the following species at the indicated rates:

Landowner: Diana Roth Trust WRE 1RXQ Farm #: 3800 Tract #: 6090 Field(s): WRE Acres: 45 (approximately) Soil Map Unit(s): 3107, 3074, 8396, 134B County: Christian

Designed By: CG Nance Job Class I Approved By: CG Nance ESJAA JC II Signature:

Date: 4/2024 Date:

Field Temporary/Permanent Species and Percent Rate – PLS/ac

SITE PREPARATION

COVER CROP

Chemical Weed Control: If chemical weed control is needed, use the following products at label rates

Field Herbicide Treatment: field/strip/spot

Existing trees or shrubs may be retained when the planned practice will:

Underplant trees within existing forest canopy Interplant trees within partially stocked plantings Interplant trees in open areas within established plantings or forestland Increase stocking in areas through natural regeneration Retained trees/shrubs will provide functions consistent with the planned use, not limit establishment of planted stock, and be consistent with requirements in conservation practice standard TREE/SHRUB SITE PREPARATION (Practice Code – 490). Identify and list trees/shrub species to be retained in the table below.

Container grown plants may be planted any time the ground is not frozen, adequate soil moisture is present and normal precipitation is expected. Bare root stock and cuttings may be planted as soon as the ground can be worked and will be completed by the following schedule:

ZONE I: June 1

ZONE II: May 25

ZONE III: May 15

[SEE PLANNING MAP]

Field/Stand Species Species Species

Field(s) Acres to be Planted Comments

WRE approx. 45 AVOID Planting any trees on overhead transmission lines easement. (100' width)

As possible, avoid planting in excavated wetland area, trees may be planted upon spoil areas.

WEED CONTROL

UNDERPLANTING / INTERPLANTING / NATURAL REGENERATION

PLANTING DATES

LOCATION AND LAYOUT

Field # Species/Cultivar Species

% of Planting

1 Type of

Stock

2 Planting Method

3 Spacing Ft X Ft

Acres to be Planted

4 Total Plants / Species

WRE Swamp White Oak

25 BR HP 35 Ft X 35 Ft 45 4905

Pin Oak 10 BR HP 35 Ft X 35 Ft 45 1962 Bur Oak 10 BR HP 35 Ft X 35 Ft 45 1962 River Birch 5 BR HP 35 Ft X 35 Ft 45 981 Bald Cypress 10 BR HP 35 Ft X 35 Ft 45 1962 Pecan 5 BR HP 35 Ft X 35 Ft 45 981 Willow Oak 10 BR HP 35 Ft X 35 Ft 45 1962 Nutall Oak 10 BR HP 35 Ft X 35 Ft 45 1962 Walnut 5 BR HP 35 Ft X 35 Ft 45 981 Swamp Chestnut

Oak 10 BR HP 35 Ft X 35 Ft 45 1962

Ft X Ft Ft X Ft Ft X Ft Ft X Ft Ft X Ft

Total: 19620 1 Bare root (BR), Container (CO), Cutting (CU), Balled and Burlap (BB). Include size, caliper, height and age as applicable 2 Hand Planting (HP), Machine Planting (MP) 3 Adjusted and designed for width of maintenance equipment 4 (Total Stems/Acre X Species % of Planting) X (Acres to be Planted) = Total Plants / Species

Protect stock from desiccation during temporary storage and delivery to the planting site. Keep all types of planting stock, except the ones needed immediately for a supply during planting, stored in a cool environment (< 50o F) out of direct sunlight and wind. If planting is delayed more than 5 days, store bare root seedlings and cuttings in cold storage (34o to 40o F). Seedlings should be kept moist, but not wet. Avoid physical damage to roots during storage. If cold storage is not available, bare root seedlings will be heeled in. Dig a trench a little deeper than the root systems and spread roots against the back of the trench. Cover roots completely with soil, tramp to eliminate air spaces. Water as needed to keep roots moist but not wet. If possible place the trench in a shady location, out of direct sunlight.

For additional specification as per stock type, review “Care of Planting Stock” in conservation practice standard TREE/SHRUB ESTABLISHMENT (Practice Code – 612)

Number of Stems/Acre at Various Spacing Spacing Stems/Acre Spacing Stems/Acre

5 X 5 1742 8 X 8 681 5 X 8 1089 8 X 10 544 6 X 6 1210 9 X 9 538 6 X 8 907 9 X 10 484 6 X 10 726 10 X 10 436 6 X 12 605 20 X 20 109 7 X 7 889 30 X 30 48 7 X 10 622 40 X 40 28

To calculate stems/acre of other spacings: 43,560 / (row spacing x stem spacing) = stems/acre

Total Acres: 45 X Total Stems/Acre: 436 = Total Number of Plants: 19620

Soil Series: 3107 Conservation Tree/Shrub Suitability Group: 1

SPECIES AND PLANT SPACING

SEEDLING STORAGE AND PREPARATION

Root Prune: Determine depth of planting equipment and root prune only if necessary, to a length of no less than 8 inches, using a sharp tool. Never remove more than 25% of the root system.

All stock types: Assure that tree/shrub planting is performed by trained and closely supervised personnel. Hand planting is well suited to small areas, plantings on steep terrain, or sites that are rough, rocky, or have scattered slash and logging debris. Machine planting is well suited to gentle terrain and well-prepared sites.

Bare root:

• Plant with dibble or planting bar or mechanical tree planter

• Plant upright (within 20o of vertical for hardwoods and 10o for conifers)

• Plant at same depth or slightly deeper (1 inch) than the stock was grown in nursery

• Do not allow roots to be twisted or bent into a J or L shape

• Ensure and inspect for proper depth root position and adequate packing of soil around roots

Cuttings:

• Plant by pushing cuttings in loose soil by hand, otherwise make a hole with a dibble

• Keep wet while planting

• Plant in vertical position with buds pointing up

• Leave 1-2 good buds above ground with about 1 inch of the cutting exposed

• Firm but do not pack soil and assure cuttings will be deep enough to reach moist soil

Container:

• Plant by hand or using an auger that is larger in diameter that the container

• Handle plants by moving the container, not by grasping the stem

• Remove plants form containers before placing in the ground (paper pots may be slit along each side)

• Straighten or cut all encircling roots to avoid girdling problems in the future

• Place plants at the same depth as in the nursery and firmly pack soil around roots to eliminate air pockets

Ball and Burlapped:

• Plant by hand or using an auger. Dig holes 1.5 times as big as the rootball

• Handle plants by moving the rootball, not by grasping the stem

• Remove any rope, wire or plastic twine from the tree

• Pull back burlap around trunk and fold once into the hole

• Straighten or cut all encircling roots to avoid girdling problems in the future

• Place plants at the same depth as in the nursery and firmly pack soil around roots to eliminate air pockets

• Water if needed

Root Dips: Use of beneficial mycorrhizal inoculate and absorbent polymer-gel root dips may enhance the seedling survival if planting in low fertility soils or in droughty soil or when moisture conditions are limiting. Seedling roots should be dipped at the time of planting.

Watering: Typically, large plantings are not watered. However, specialized or smaller plantings such as windbreaks and larger stock such as container and balled and burlap may be watered to increase survival and growth. If trees are watered, the water should be applied gradually through sprinklers, soaker hoses, drip buckets or other means.

Watering should be continued throughout summer anytime conditions are dry. Consider using 2-4 inches of mulch on larger container trees to maintain soil moisture and modify soil temperature. Weed control fabric will also help maintain soil moisture, but should be covered with mulch to modify soil temperatures.

Weed Control: Elimination of competing vegetation is normally carried out for two to five years after planting. Weed control is an important factor in tree and shrub seedling survival, especially for hardwood species. Weed control will be accomplished through mulching, cultivation, or herbicide usage. In all cases, a weed free area at least 2 feet in all directions from planted trees and/or shrubs will be maintained for at least the first 2 full growing seasons after planting. Competing grass species will be controlled in at least a 2 foot radius until the woody plants are >/= the mature height of the competing grass. Weed fabric barriers may be used for specialized plantings for extended weed control after all existing vegetation is eliminated.

Mechanical or hand cultivation should be kept at least 6 inches from the seedling and no deeper than 3 inches to avoid damage to the seedling and roots. Additional methods may be needed to control weeds closer to the seedling.

Mulching or fabric barriers provide good control but may be impractical on large plantings. The use of herbicides

PLANTING METHODS

POST PLANTING CARE

usually provides good weed control. Mowing generally does not provide adequate control since the weeds are still competing for nutrients and water; also potential damage to seedlings from mowing is high. Mowing between rows can be used to help maintain row locations for the use of other weed control methods.

Pest Management: Plant injury or death should be controlled through preventative measures. Domestic animals that might graze on seedlings should be excluded. Control of weeds (which may hide rodents or rabbits), repellants or poisons, hunting and the use of tree shelters should be considered to reduce damage from wild animals. New plantings should be monitored for potential insect and disease problems and appropriate control measures taken if significant problems are found.

Replanting: Some plants will be lost over time to a variety of causes. The decision to re-plant for some or all of the losses will be based on whether or not the remaining plants will likely meet the desired purpose(s) and any program requirements. Replanting will be required when survival after one growing season is less than 70%. Replant to achieve at least the minimum requirements of the intended purpose or woody species class listed under “Planting Rates and Spacing” listed in conservation practice Standard TREE/SHRUB ESTABLISHMENT (Practice Code – 612). Basic cover requirements of 300 trees/acre or 70% of the original planting rate when specific plant densities and stock types are used for an intended purpose. Surviving plants should be evenly distributed over the planting area. For the purpose of the planting described in the completed job sheet, an acceptable level of plant survival is woody plants per acre or percent of the original planting rate.

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

• Access by vehicles or equipment during or after site preparation (i.e. before adequate tree and shrub establishment occurs) shall be controlled to minimize erosion, compaction and other site impacts. Refer to conservation practice standard ACCESS CONTROL (Practice Code - 472).

• Trees and shrubs will be inspected periodically and protected from adverse impacts including insects, diseases or competing vegetation, fire and damage from livestock or wildlife.

• Competing vegetation will be controlled until woody plants are established as described above under Weed Control.

• Control plant species on the Federal and State invasive species and noxious weed lists.

• Replanting will be required when survival is inadequate as described above under Replanting.

• Periodic applications of nutrients may be needed to maintain desired plant vigor.

• Tree/Shrub Establishment carries a maintenance life of 15 years.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Documentation of Operation and Maintenance Post-Planting Weed Control

Document: chemical, rate applied, method Post Planting Seedling Survival

Document: stems/acre & % of stems planted Year 1: Year 1:

Year 2: Year 2:

Year 3: Year 3:

Year 4: Year 4:

Method of estimating survival:

Species substitutions may be made if stock is not commercially available. A minimum of 5 different species suited for the site must be planted.

MAP OF PLANTING AREA

Attach an accurate aerial photo map of the treatment area to the job sheet.

CERTIFICATION

Extent of Practice Applied: Treatment Acres:

Date of Application: Location of Practice:

Document actual preparation measures used and applied:

(Note any alterations between design specifications and installation)

I certify that this practice, as implemented, meets NRCS standards and specifications.

Signature: _________________________________________ Date: _____________________

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