Tree planting
- Thread starter Tritonman
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TomC
Member
Planted several hundred seedlings using two methods: middle buster; and PHD.
The first method, I switched out the plow on the middle buster for a chisel point. I forrowed and then cleaned a hole for each seedling using a manual phd. The chisel point made it possible to fold back the sod over the slit so I didn't have a problem mowing and it was pretty easy using the manual phd to clean out each hole as the soil was broken up by the plow. Next year, I used a 3pt. PHD. I didn't disturb a lot of soil unnecessarily, but I still needed to clean out each hole manually. So either way, it's alot of work. My best advice would be to use roundup and spray your rows about a week before you plant. You won't have to worry about weeds for awhile.
The first method, I switched out the plow on the middle buster for a chisel point. I forrowed and then cleaned a hole for each seedling using a manual phd. The chisel point made it possible to fold back the sod over the slit so I didn't have a problem mowing and it was pretty easy using the manual phd to clean out each hole as the soil was broken up by the plow. Next year, I used a 3pt. PHD. I didn't disturb a lot of soil unnecessarily, but I still needed to clean out each hole manually. So either way, it's alot of work. My best advice would be to use roundup and spray your rows about a week before you plant. You won't have to worry about weeds for awhile.
savageayape
Bronze Member
I used a dibble bar to plant 2000 seedlings. It was a lot of work, but it does a very good job if you are planting seedlings and you want them to look natural rather than having rows of trees from using a tree planter behind a tractor. It also goes a lot faster than you might think. I planted about 100 trees per hour and then I took a water break (sometimes a fishing break too 
)
)SLOBuds
Gold Member
Most of the replies here are assuming that you want to plant a tree farm, large volume.
I've planted about 500 trees on 10 acres for landscape and orchard purposes. The parcel has fairly tough conditions because of the hundreds of gophers and ground squirrels. Plus hungry deer. Plus some unfavorable soil in parts. Plus dry and hot weather in the summer.
Our tree locations are done randomly so that it does not look like a tree farm. I used a PHD for probably about 300 holes. Hand-dug about 200 holes.
I plant each tree inside a gopher cage built from chicken wire. Then guard it with a tree tube. Then, with poor soil, I add compost which is produced on-site. Then each (non-native) tree gets a drip system with irrigation which stays on until I believe it is sustainable itself. Native trees are watered infrequently by hand because these are Oaks usually, and that's what they want.
There is no easy way for me to plant trees. Drip systems attract gophers, making it necessary for the gopher cage, making it necessary for a large planting hole. The drip system itself is not free of maintenance. We inspect the entire system regularly and repairs are almost guaranteed to be needed.
Using a PHD only makes the process a little easier. Dirt still has to be moved from point A to point B inside the hole. No easy way to do that.
Most tree farmers think that I'm absolutely nuts for taking all of these steps. But I love trees and find enjoyment as they grow. My neighbors are farmers and they at first looked at all of this activity as over-the-edge, but after several large sections of the parcel began to fill out with nice trees, one by one they come by and thank us for making the 'neighborhood' look nice.
My biggest disappointment is when I have losses. Especially when I lose a tree that is over 3 years old. It does happen. The saplings I expect to lose some part of right away. But after investing 3 years or more in getting the tree established, the loss is hard to take. We have also lost fully mature and beautiful Oak trees which really breaks the heart to see.
The people who owned our parcel before us did tree planting way back. But they did not continue adding stock from year to year, so we were faced with aging inventory which were dying off without any new starts taking their place.
So there's our story. Thanks for asking because this is a joyful part of my life and I admire anyone who is a tree person of any flavor.
I've planted about 500 trees on 10 acres for landscape and orchard purposes. The parcel has fairly tough conditions because of the hundreds of gophers and ground squirrels. Plus hungry deer. Plus some unfavorable soil in parts. Plus dry and hot weather in the summer.
Our tree locations are done randomly so that it does not look like a tree farm. I used a PHD for probably about 300 holes. Hand-dug about 200 holes.
I plant each tree inside a gopher cage built from chicken wire. Then guard it with a tree tube. Then, with poor soil, I add compost which is produced on-site. Then each (non-native) tree gets a drip system with irrigation which stays on until I believe it is sustainable itself. Native trees are watered infrequently by hand because these are Oaks usually, and that's what they want.
There is no easy way for me to plant trees. Drip systems attract gophers, making it necessary for the gopher cage, making it necessary for a large planting hole. The drip system itself is not free of maintenance. We inspect the entire system regularly and repairs are almost guaranteed to be needed.
Using a PHD only makes the process a little easier. Dirt still has to be moved from point A to point B inside the hole. No easy way to do that.
Most tree farmers think that I'm absolutely nuts for taking all of these steps. But I love trees and find enjoyment as they grow. My neighbors are farmers and they at first looked at all of this activity as over-the-edge, but after several large sections of the parcel began to fill out with nice trees, one by one they come by and thank us for making the 'neighborhood' look nice.
My biggest disappointment is when I have losses. Especially when I lose a tree that is over 3 years old. It does happen. The saplings I expect to lose some part of right away. But after investing 3 years or more in getting the tree established, the loss is hard to take. We have also lost fully mature and beautiful Oak trees which really breaks the heart to see.
The people who owned our parcel before us did tree planting way back. But they did not continue adding stock from year to year, so we were faced with aging inventory which were dying off without any new starts taking their place.
So there's our story. Thanks for asking because this is a joyful part of my life and I admire anyone who is a tree person of any flavor.
Bill Barrett
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2006
- Messages
- 670
- Location
- midwest
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- Kubota L3130, Satoh G650, Case 580, Case 446
wnsllc said:
That is one place, try your local Pheasants Forever might be free!
I just did 7200.
rogdan
Gold Member
Just curious about the two of you planting so many hybrid populars, are they
for timber production? I planted 10 for quick shade last year and had to cut back the dead stem on several and now have bush like growth.
for timber production? I planted 10 for quick shade last year and had to cut back the dead stem on several and now have bush like growth.
Ridgewalker
Platinum Member
I planted "75 trees in 3 hours" this spring using my PHD. There is a thread with that title with lots of good ideas thanks to the guys on this site.
I also dug 7 post holes with it last weekend. It's one fun toy!
I also dug 7 post holes with it last weekend. It's one fun toy!