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Post by sd51555 on Jul 5, 2017 11:46:40 GMT -6
After a ton of hours putting in spruces and trying to save them from grass with Cleth, I've come around to the idea of planting late August instead of early spring. I'd rather chance the moisture instead of trying rescue plug trees with grass selective herbicide. I'm seriously considering moving all my plug planting into late summer. This way I could clear the ground with Powermax ahead of planting to give the trees a head start.
If the moisture isn't there, I can simply not plant. Am I completely off my rocker? I haven't had a moisture problem in 6 years. I have had competition problems every year.
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Post by Bwoods11 on Jul 5, 2017 13:18:24 GMT -6
I plant plugs in the fall, most years. Good timing actually, cooler nights, moisture, and less grass competition. Works well for conifers, I have not tried many other trees, a few oak, all good survival.
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Post by smsmith on Jul 5, 2017 13:45:29 GMT -6
I wouldn't plant in August, maybe mid-late September. That said, there's a reason why every tree supplier tells folks in northern zones to plant in spring  You are obviously aware that the "competition problem" will exist next year if you plant this August...right? Maybe you have a slightly larger tree to deal with that competition (big maybe), but the competition is still going to be there. I have never worried about competition from grass/weeds when planting quantities of evergreens...and except for drought years I've had excellent survival. |
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Post by wildfire123 on Jul 5, 2017 13:52:37 GMT -6
What is the reason you can not start spraying the year before?
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Post by riggs on Jul 5, 2017 14:23:32 GMT -6
The only grass that I've seen choke out trees is reed canary. I would guess I had well over 80-90% success on over 15,000 trees and I didn't do anything other than spray for thistles. After spraying thistles it was largely grass remaining. Hell I've even got apple and mulberry seedlings growing in 6 ft rye, seedlings love the shade.
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Post by sd51555 on Jul 5, 2017 16:53:43 GMT -6
What is the reason you can not start spraying the year before? I'd be worried I couldn't find my spots again. I don't want to kill any more than I have to and risk unleashing thistle-pocalypse. I've had good luck zapping grasses and getting a good window for a tree to take off. |
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