Trees are a part of our future.  They provide wildlife, habitat, reduce soil erosion, enhance water quality, save energy costs, help clear the air and add beauty to our homes and farmsteads.

The Little Blue NRD, along with your local NRCS office will meet with you to discuss what you want to achieve by planting trees.  The NRCS office helps you develop a plan which will outline the varieties of seedlings needed, number of species and design a planting area.

Seedling trees are available in the spring with over 30 species to choose from, including cedars, pines, hardwoods and shrubs.  To assure your choice of stock it is wise to order your trees in the fall to early winter.

SITE PREPARATION

Proper tree site preparation is one of the most important factors in new seedling plantings,  Using a rototiller, performing multiple diskings or a chisel-disk tillage system will properly prepare the soil and allow for better root development and thus a quicker start and growth rate.

Plantings need to be tailored to the soil, weather and terrain where they will be planted and to the needs and desires of the landowner,  With careful planning, trees can provide joy and practical benefits for many generations to come.

Begin site preparation in the fall whenever possible.

Avoid sites where recent heavy applications of herbicide were applied.

Limit spring tillage to a 3" - 4" depth.

MOST IMPORTANT:  Seedbeds should always be worked to garden-like conditions prior to planting; mellow, not cloddy or slabby, weed free, firm and void of green matter such as green wheat, alfalfa or native hay,  Such materials turned under shortly before planting cause poor root-to-soil contact, air pockets and interference with planting machine use.

THE USE OF WEED BARRIER

Weed Barrier is a polypropylene fabric, with the appearance of tightly woven fabric, with the appearance of tightly woven burlap, used to control weed growth and help preserve soil moisture in tree and shrub plantings.  This bio-degradable fabric's life is 7 to 9 years.

The Barrier eliminates the need for mechanical or chemical weed control directly around the trees.  Supplemental watering is held in the soil longer when the weed barrier is applied.  This is due to the limited amount of evaporation that occurs.  Test results indicate survival rates of 95% or better (when conditions/weather are right)

The soil must be disked or roto-tilled into a garden-like condition.  The soil preparation strip must be no less than 10 feet wide.  There must be 8 feet between each tree or shrub.

The fabric will be laid on first year plantings and some two year old stock.  The older species will depend on size, spacing and ground preparation.  It is impossible to place the fabic over cottonwoods and walnut trees due to their lack of flexibility.

The NRD will only install weed barrier on level or straight rows.  The Little Blue NRD sometimes has cost share funds available for applying weed barrier for tree sites.

Tree Planting Information Links