Middle Fork Tree Planting Plan 2025.docx

CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM (CRP)

**** TREE PLANTING PLAN ****

NAME: Middle Ford State Fish and Wildlife Area DATE: October 4, 2024

ADDRESS: 10906 Kickapoo Park Road, Oakwood, Il 61858

PHONE: 217-442-4915 COUNTY: Vermilion ACREAGE: 131.3

LOCATION: Sec. 26, 36, T21N – R13W; Sec. 5, 6, 7, 8, 16, 17 T20N – R12W

Objectives

1. To establish a hardwood forest containing tree species well suited for the site.

2. To help maintain the integrity of the site by preventing soil erosion.

3. To create high quality habitat for wildlife populations important to the landowner.

4. To create an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere suitable for outdoor recreational use

Description of Planting Site

SOIL TYPE (s): Primary soil types are Landes Fine Sandy Loam and Shaffton Loam. Other associated soil types are Alvin Fine Sandy Loam, Ozauke Silt Loam, Camden Silt Loam, Whitaker Loam and Blount Silt loam.

TOPOGRAPHY: The topography is flat to gently sloping

FIEDL TRIAL TRAIL: There is a field trial trail that runs through many of the tree planting fields. Some field boundaries have been adjusted to accommodate the trail, others (Fields C, D, H, I, J, O, P and Q) will have the acreage reduced to account for the 200 feet (100 feet on either side of the trail) buffer for the trail.

PRESENT CONDITION OF LAND:

Field A- grass/millet/warm season grasses Field B – warm season grasses Field C – sprayed, with grasses and annual weeds Field D – grass/millet Field E – grass Field F – corn Field G – grass/millet Field H – grass/millet Field I – corn/millet Field J – foxtail Field K – foxtail Field L – foxtail Field M – foxtail Field N – foxtail Field O – bluestem (warm season grass) Field P - bluestem (warm season grass) Field Q – soybeans Field R – soybeans Field S – soybeans Field T - soybeans

Pre-planting Field Maintenance

Field A- Mow or burn late winter or early spring. Broadcast treatment of glyphosate or another appropriate herbicide in the spring prior to planting.

Field B – Mow or burn late winter or early spring. Broadcast treatment of glyphosate or another appropriate herbicide in the spring prior to planting.

Field C – Mow or burn late winter.

Field D – Mow or burn late winter or early spring. Broadcast treatment of glyphosate or another appropriate herbicide in the spring prior to planting.

Field E – Mow or burn late winter or early spring. Broadcast treatment of glyphosate or another appropriate herbicide in the spring prior to planting.

Field F – Mow this fall.

Field G – Mow or burn late winter or early spring. Broadcast treatment of glyphosate or another appropriate herbicide in the spring prior to planting.

Field H – Mow or burn late winter or early spring. Broadcast treatment of glyphosate or another appropriate herbicide in the spring prior to planting.

Field I – Mow this fall.

Field J – Mow or burn late winter.

Field K – Mow or burn late winter.

Field L – Mow or burn late winter.

Field M – Mow or burn late winter.

Field N – Mow or burn late winter.

Field O – Mow or burn late winter or early spring. Broadcast treatment of glyphosate or another appropriate herbicide in the spring prior to planting.

Field P - Mow or burn late winter or early spring. Broadcast treatment of glyphosate or another appropriate herbicide in the spring prior to planting.

Field Q –shortgrass prairie mix, or wildflower only mix for cover crop (frost seeded), fields can be left bare, do not till.

Field R –shortgrass prairie mix, or wildflower only mix for cover crop (frost seeded), d fields can be left bare, do not till.

Field S –shortgrass prairie mix, or wildflower only mix for cover crop (frost seeded), fields can be left bare, do not till.

Field T - shortgrass prairie mix, or wildflower only mix for cover crop (frost seeded), fields can be left bare, do not till.

FIELD LOCATION, SPECIES, & SPACING

(See Attached Map for Field Locations)

FIELD # ACRES SPECIES NUMBER SPACING TREES/AC

(rows) x (within)

(rows) x (within)

(rows) x (within)

(rows) x (within)

(rows) x (within)

(rows) x (within)

(rows) x (within)

(rows) x (within)

(rows) x (within)

(rows) x (within)

(rows) x (within)

(rows) x (within)

(rows) x (within)

(rows) x (within)

(rows) x (within)

(rows) x (within)

Where the field trial trail cross the fields the trees should be planed running parallel to the trail.

To give the area a more natural appearance randomly mix all tree species together prior to planting and then plant.

SEEDLING STOCK SOURCES

Seedlings must be purchased from a private nursery.

Care of Seedlings

Do not open containers until you are ready to plant.

Seedlings may be stored in package for up to one week, if kept unopened, and in a cool dry place.

If planting is delayed for more than one week, cold storage (32-40 degrees F) is needed for the seedlings until they are planted.

Do not water seedlings until just before planting. Too much water (or heat) will encourage mold.

While planting, keep roots moist and out of direct sunlight.

Seedlings should be in the ground by May 15th.

Chemical Vegetation Control

Apply a minimum 48" band of Herbicide. Chemicals to be used should adequately control grass competition.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is not responsible for misapplications of herbicides. It is the sole responsibility of the applicator to follow all herbicide directions carefully for proper rates, uses and mixing procedures.

CHEMICALS used in performing this practice must be Federally, State, and locally registered and applied according to authorized uses, directions on the label, and other Federal or State policies and requirements. Consult with Forester or refer to the Illinois Agronomy Handbook for pesticide recommendations.

Planting Method Tree planting machine.

Post-planting Maintenance

Mowing between every row can be completed or every other row alternating the rows each year. This will aid in controlling invasive species between the rows and will allow easier access to treat invasives within the rows.

PLANTING STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS

The Division of Forest Resources requires the following standards for all tree plantings. At least 90% of the seedlings must meet these standards, if not, cost-sharing will not be approved.

· PLANTING

Depth: Seedlings are to be planted at the same depth as grown at the nursery. In soils rated moderately well drained or better, plant trees up to 1" deeper than the nursery soil line. The nursery soil line can be distinguished by a color change on the root collar. Seedlings should not be sunk in a hole or raised in a mound. At no time should a seedling be planted with its roots exposed.

Root Pruning: Field pruning of hardwood stock must leave a minimum 8" root length. Field pruning of conifer stock must leave a minimum 6" root length.

Firmness: Soil around a seedling’s roots must be packed firmly to eliminate air pockets. A properly planted seedling should be able to withstand a moderate tug with the thumb and index finger while remaining firmly in place.

Root Position: During planting, seedling roots must not be bunched, curled, doubled (formed into a “J”), twisted, or flatted into a plane (formed into an “L”). All roots should be pointing in a downwards direction.

Crown Position: The seedling should be planted in such a way that the top (crown/stem) is in an upright position. This position should be nearly perpendicular to the ground below. Hardwoods are not to lean greater than 20 degrees off center. Conifers cannot lean more than 10 degrees off center.

Spacing: Distances within and between rows shall not be more than +1/2 foot from recommended spacings.

Species Mixture: Must be according to the plan.

· PLANTING STOCK SPECIFICATIONS

Private Nurseries: At least 80% of the hardwood stock must be in the 12 to 18 inch size range. The minimum acceptable root length must be 8". The height requirement can be waived if the seedlings meet or exceed a caliper of 7/32". Any variations must be approved in writing by the District Forester.

· SURVIVAL SPECIFICATIONS

A minimum level of 70% of stocking must be maintained for the planted area. This minimum level cannot drop below 300 trees per acre.

· TIMING (ILLINOIS)

All trees must be planted as soon as possible after the March thaw but NO LATER THAN MAY 15.