Planting Standards

Covertype Eligibility

Eligible for All Planting Treatments

Covertypes dominated, prior to disturbance, by the following species are eligible for all planting treatments:

• White spruce, balsam fir, black spruce
• Eastern larch
• White birch, trembling aspen
• Red maple of poor quality growing in low sites
• Plantation grown red pine
• All cleared land or past agriculture land

Eligible for Enrichment Planting Only

Covertypes dominated, prior to disturbance, by the following species are normally eligible for enrichment planting only:

• Red spruce, eastern hemlock, American beech
• Eastern white cedar, sugar maple, yellow birch
• Red oak, white pine
• Red maple of good quality growing on upland sites
• All unplowed forest area

Stocking Assessment

All areas to receive a planting treatment must be evaluated to determine if there is sufficient appropriate natural regeneration (see definition) to produce a viable stand.

Full Planting Eligibility:

Any area stocked in excess of 1800 stems/ha throughout the site, with a species or combination of species identified as eligible for treatment would not qualify for the full planting treatment. The area would still be eligible for a partial planting treatment to augment natural regeneration.

Density Requirements

Density ranges for hardwood and softwood species will be specified in the management plan and must conform to the treatment guidelines.

• When planting hardwood species, proper mitigation procedures should be used to limit browsing damage from various mammals
• Black spruce should, generally, not be planted on previous agriculture land

Planting Procedures and Specifications

Reporting Requirements

The planter shall submit information on a planting report form detailing the number of trees planted on a property, no later than one day following the completion of planting on an individual property.

Tools and Equipment

All planting tools must be approved by the Department prior to sites being planted.

Seedling Transportation and Storage

• The planter is required to transport trees from the holding area (J. Frank Gaudet Nursery or District Holding Site) and between the planting sites
• The movement of the seedlings shall be in a vehicle equipped to provide protection to the seedlings
• Seedlings shall be held at a planting site for a maximum of 30 hours from the time of delivery until planting
• All seedlings held at a planting site shall be stored in such a manner as to prevent drying

Stocking Accuracy

Stocking must meet specifications as provided on the designated pre-treatment planting form within plus or minus five percent. Payment may be limited to the prescribed stocking or allowed variance.

An effort should be made to plant the entire designated planting site whenever practical.

Microsite Selection

Seedlings shall be planted in appropriate microsites where they have adequate moisture and drainage to promote vigorous growth.

Planting Angle

The angle between the main stem of a planted seedling and the horizontal plane shall be no less than 75 degrees.

Root Placement

The root of the tree is to be planted in such a manner that the roots are not jammed into the planting hole, sharply bent, or twisted in a circular manner.

Soil Compaction

The soil around the root plug or roots of the planted seedling shall be compacted and covered by mineral soil with the planter’s fingers or the planter’s foot in such a manner as to prevent the free circulation of air between the root plug and the surrounding soil.

Planting Depth

Seedlings shall be planted at a depth whereby the top of the rooting medium or the root collar is less than or equal to 2.5 cm below the surface of the surrounding mineral soil.

Quality Assessment

All planting sites shall be subject to assessment procedures approved by the Department which are used to determine the quality and quantity of seedlings planted.

Container Return

Payment may be withheld until planting containers are returned to the nursery or holding areas for pick up.