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Post by jbird on Feb 14, 2017 9:25:06 GMT -6
OK - I typically do more reading here because you guys have the experience, but I need to draw from that experience. I am looking into planting some Norway spruce or other spruce this spring and I can get bare root plants form my DNR (100 @$35). I am considering going the plug route as well, but my DNR doesn't do plugs.
My question is simply for survival - has anyone here seen any difference? I plan on planting and walking away from these for the most part. I'm only looking at planting a few 100 so the speed in which the plugs have an advantage is nice but not a requirement. I have no experience with plugs or ordering them.
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Post by Satchmo on Feb 14, 2017 9:41:02 GMT -6
Plugs look way easier. All I've done is bare root. Whatever you do........USE ROOT DIP GEL!!! Especially if you are in sand.
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Post by Bwoods11 on Feb 14, 2017 12:17:40 GMT -6
Plugs are easy, better survival, but they may be short on some this year. It is too bad, more nurseries do not sell plugs?
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Post by Tooln on Feb 14, 2017 12:30:51 GMT -6
In 2013 I planted 1300 NWS, all bare root, there was no ground prep. The planting area had just been clear cut. After planting I walked away and never entered the area. The following spring I picked up 150 more figuring to plant in spots where the original planting didn't make it. I had a very hard time using those 150 in the clear cut. Well over half of them were planted in other areas. I'm guessing I had over 95% survival rate, it was not a real good year for rain either. That made me a firm believer in root jell. Plug are easier but they are also more expensive. You'll need the proper tool for planting either. As far as survival rate I can't comment on that. Either way if they are not put in the ground right your rate goes down. I figure you can plant twice as many bare root for the same price as plugs. Mine came out to 24 cents each when I bought them, they were 3 year old seedlings 9-14".
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Post by smsmith on Feb 14, 2017 13:51:56 GMT -6
I'll never plant another bareroot evergreen.
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Post by jbird on Feb 14, 2017 13:55:04 GMT -6
What is this "root gel"? Got a name brand or pic of the stuff? I'm finding plugs are about twice as expensive as bare root trees and since I only plan on doing a couple hundred tops I am leaning toward the bare root. I have various different places I want to put them and some are more ideal than others so I will see how that goes. I'm going with spruce vs cedar to avoid any issues with the few fruit trees I have. Hell, I may get a 100 plugs a swell and simply do a little test on my own. Wasn't one of the guys on here (old forum) making/selling a plug planting tool?  |
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Post by Bwoods11 on Feb 14, 2017 14:00:38 GMT -6
In 2013 I planted 1300 NWS, all bare root, there was no ground prep. The planting area had just been clear cut. After planting I walked away and never entered the area. The following spring I picked up 150 more figuring to plant in spots where the original planting didn't make it. I had a very hard time using those 150 in the clear cut. Well over half of them were planted in other areas. I'm guessing I had over 95% survival rate, it was not a real good year for rain either. That made me a firm believer in root jell. Plug are easier but they are also more expensive. You'll need the proper tool for planting either. As far as survival rate I can't comment on that. Either way if they are not put in the ground right your rate goes down. I figure you can plant twice as many bare root for the same price as plugs. Mine came out to 24 cents each when I bought them, they were 3 year old seedlings 9-14". Planting into a clear cut is a great idea, and I can see why the trees survive well--plug or bare root. I am thinking of doing the same in spring of 18, just too much on the plate for this year. |
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Post by kabic on Feb 14, 2017 17:08:00 GMT -6
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Post by nhmountains on Feb 14, 2017 17:35:22 GMT -6
Stu,
Would the survival rate of small 12" or under evergreens be ok if I were to dig them up and transplant some? My niece wants to plant a dozen or so so I'm thinking of finding them on my land. Digging them. Putting in a tub and moving them to their land and planting. All could be done in a couple hours. This vs buying bare roots from the state.
Thoughts??
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Post by sd51555 on Feb 14, 2017 17:45:05 GMT -6
Plugs. If it were a dry year, I'd wanna have plugs for dam sure.
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Post by westbranch on Feb 14, 2017 17:48:43 GMT -6
NH - The first trees I planted were seedlings dug up and transplanted. They were 8-15 inches at the time and did very well. One of the tallest was around 4 ft tall in its 4th year (last year). Most took off slower than the big one, but all grew 1+ ft in their 4th year. Rain was good every year they were in the ground. I did around 35, not something I want to do again.
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Post by smsmith on Feb 14, 2017 18:10:38 GMT -6
Stu, Would the survival rate of small 12" or under evergreens be ok if I were to dig them up and transplant some? My niece wants to plant a dozen or so so I'm thinking of finding them on my land. Digging them. Putting in a tub and moving them to their land and planting. All could be done in a couple hours. This vs buying bare roots from the state. Thoughts?? That will certainly work, yes. I dug up and transplanted quite a few white pines on my folks' old place. |
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Post by nhmountains on Feb 14, 2017 18:23:37 GMT -6
NH - The first trees I planted were seedlings dug up and transplanted. They were 8-15 inches at the time and did very well. One of the tallest was around 4 ft tall in its 4th year (last year). Most took off slower than the big one, but all grew 1+ ft in their 4th year. Rain was good every year they were in the ground. I did around 35, not something I want to do again. Thanks WB, l will just look around here and there and dig them up. They're everywhere here. Here's two different ones growing on an old stump. Fir and spruce.  I'm sure there's small ones in this area. I'll just dig 10 and plant them. They have a 3 acre field that they want to plant things in so im giving them apples, blueberries, and Christmas trees.  |
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Post by MoBuckChaser on Feb 15, 2017 14:38:22 GMT -6
Plugs may be easier, but I have lost everyone I have planted,I have had much better success with bare root trees.
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Post by smallchunk on Feb 26, 2017 23:39:18 GMT -6
Nh, I have transplanted around 30 spruce at my grandmas. It's really sandy, so they're really easy to dig up and the sand falls right off the roots. Pretty much end up with bare root trees!
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