Transportation, Care, and Storage of Seedlings; and Planting

Forestry Technical Note Number MT-15

If you encounter any problems with the file provided on this page, please contact Technical Resources at 406-587-6822.

This technical note is also available in Adobe Reader format.

Forestry Technical Note Number MT-15 (PDF; 912 KB)

1988.
Presented by Willis Heron, Manager, State Forest Tree Nursery at the 1986 Windbreak Management Workshops.

Transportation, Care, and Storage of Seedlings

The basic principles of seedling growth and photosynthesis are related to the seedling environment. The rate of photosynthesis is influenced by the intensity or level of moisture, temperature, light and nutrition. Moisture and temperature, usually in combination, are most often limiting to seedling establishment. Nutrition seldom limits seedling growth, at least during the first two years after planting.

Seedling growth after planting also depends upon physiological vigor and dormancy. Physiological vigor must be managed and maximized in the nursery. Maintaining seedling vigor after stock leaves the nursery bed requires lifting stock only when it is in a dormant condition.

Between lifting and planting, seedling roots are exposed and vulnerable to environmental stress, particularly temperature and moisture extremes (fish out of water). Seedling management during this period requires attention to date of lifting, proper packing methods and storage conditions, and systematic monitoring of seedlings to maintain optimum moisture levels.

• Temperature Affects Photosynthesis
• Temperature Extremes
• Dormancy and Plant Hormones
• Four Phases of Dormancy for Douglas-Fir
• Plant Hormones
• Seedling Handling
• Packing for Storage
• Storage Facilities
• Duration of Storage
• Transportation

Planting

Planting is one of the several very important steps necessary for establishment and needs to be performed as though everything in the success of the project were dependent upon it.

Let's assume our site has been prepared and staked out, the crew is lined up and our equipment is all ready. We have our seedlings on hand, and we know the seedlings are always deteriorating during storage (But we're keeping the rate of deterioration slow). We want to observe the same principles of tree care as we did in storage, (that is, the fish out of water).

• Some Influencing Factors to Keep in Mind
• Planting Goals
• Equipment
• Percent Mortality of Bareroot Scotch Pine Seedlings Due to Exposure of Roots Before Planting

If you have any questions regarding this technical note, please contact one of the following:

Robert Logar, State Forester
Phone: (406) 587-6836
Email: Robert.Logar

Ronald Nadwornick, State Resource Conservationist
Phone: (406) 587-6998
Email: Ron.Nadwornick

< Back to Forestry Technical Notes

Last Modified: 08/18/2008