Full Planting

Definition

The planting of designated seedlings appropriate to a site in an area without sufficient natural regeneration to achieve a prescribed stocking.

Eligibility Criteria

• An appropriate pre-harvest covertype (see General Standards)
• Sites individually or in combination with more than one site on the woodlot, totaling at least 1 ha in size
• Pre-treatment inspection to confirm adequate control of slash, duff, and/or vegetation as well as the appropriateness of the species and seedling size to the proposed site
• Where planting of mixed species is to be carried out, the compatibility and survival of each species should be taken into account

Guidelines and Assessment Procedure

Density Requirements:

• Softwood species: Acceptable density range: 1400-2000 properly planted seedlings per ha (maximum assistance). For open grown sites free of natural competition (retired fields): 2000-2500 seedlings per ha to promote self-thinning and self-pruning, producing high-quality logs with clear boles. This stand treatment will require commercial thinning in the future to reach full potential.
• Hardwood species: Acceptable density range: 1200-2000 properly planted seedlings per ha (maximum assistance for densities >2000 seedlings per ha)

• Seedlings produced from the J. Frank Gaudet Tree Nursery are to be used
• Seedlings are to be planted to the specifications outlined in the General Standards, Planting section

Planting Standards (from General Standards):

• The angle between the main stem of a planted seedling and the horizontal plane shall be no less than 75 degrees
• The root of the tree is to be planted so roots are not jammed into planting hole, sharply bent, or twisted in circular manner
• The soil around the root plug or roots shall be compacted and covered by mineral soil with planter’s fingers or foot to prevent free circulation of air between root plug and surrounding soil
• Seedlings shall be planted at depth whereby top of rooting medium or root collar is ≤2.5 cm below surface of surrounding mineral soil
• All planting sites shall be subject to assessment procedures approved by the Department to determine quality and quantity of seedlings planted