Christmas tree planter discussion

[jsconner1]

I'm trying to redo my Christmas tree planter so that it works better. My current set up is an old tomato setter with a single disc in front of a plow point. Next comes the seat with 2 packing wheels under it. The biggest issue I have is that it doesn't pack the dirt back around the tree very well and we end up spending a day stomping all the trees in.

I am thinking if I replace the single flat disc with a pair of wavy coulters to better till the soil ahead of the plow point and angle the packing wheels so they push the dirt back towards the tree better, that would be a step in the right direction at least.

I guess other pertinent information is that I am planting into untilled soil and it is a light clay. The furrow is 6-8 inches deep to accommodate the roots on the trees.

Just wondered if anyone on here has any experience or better ideas.

 

[Big Barn]

Post a photo showing the setup.

Weight of operator on the seat?

Are the packing wheels angled or perpendicular?

Steel? Rubber tire ? Diameter?

Pretty difficult to achieve good results in untilled heavier soils

 

[Hopestill Farm]

I plant between 300 and 500 trees a year, all 2-2's, by hand with a planting wedge. I expect you are planting considerably more, but if not (or perhaps even if so), have you considered this alternative? It takes about a minute per tree, including time to open the wedge, place the tree, and close the wedge.