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Vegetative Requirements for Stand Adequacy

Conservation Planning and Application - Conservation Planning Technical Note Number MT-5

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

This technical note is available in Adobe Reader format.

Conservation Planning Technical Note Number MT-5 (PDF; 78 KB)

Issued August 2002.

Purpose: To provide guidance on minimal requirements for requirements for certification of established stands for various practices.

1. All Grass Seeding Practices: 327-Conservation Cover, 550-Range Planting, 643-Restoration and Management of Declining Habitats, and so forth.

Minimum densitv requirement for acceptable grass establishment:

  • 10 to 14 inches precipitation: 0.75 plants per square foot
  • greater than or equal to 15 inches precipitation: 1.0 plants per square foot

2. Shrub and Tree Seeding and Planting:
To determine when a planting can be labeled a success, refer to Table 1. required survivability of individual plants will vary as the purpose of the planting varies. Table 1 presumes that the proper number of trees or shrubs were planted originally, according to the practice specifications.

Table 1. Required Survival Percentages for a Successful Tree or Shrub Planting
Practice Percent Survival
380 - Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment:
Shelterbelt,
Field Windbreak,
Living Snow Fence		 85 percent of all trees or shrubs planted with no two adjacent plants missing
311 - Alley Cropping
391 - Riparian Forest Buffer 75 percent of all trees or shrubs planted
612 - Tree/Shrub Establishment
562 - Recreation Area Improvement
643 - Restoration and Management of Declining Habitats 75 percent of all trees or shrubs planted or a minimum of 15 plants per acre seeded
645 - Upland Wildlife Habitat Management 75 percent of all trees or shrubs planted or a minimum of 25 plants per acre seeded

Inventoried after "leaf out" during spring or summer of the second year (percent of number planted).

If you have any questions, please contact:

Bob Logar, Forester
Phone: (406) 587-6836
Email: Bob Logar 

Pete Husby, Biologist
Phone: (406) 587-6902
Email: Pete Husby

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

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Last Modified: 08/21/2008