Reforestation Results to Date

It's been a while since the last post.  Here is a summary of the reforestation program that started in the fall of 2011.

The realization that Emerald Ash Borer is going to have a profound effect on the forests and natural areas of Five Rivers MetroParks drove home the fact that our forests had major regeneration issues prior to the bug's arrival.  Fragmentation of the landscape, invasive species and an overpopulation of deer have been shifting what species spread and thrive.  The winners have been the invasive shrubs, trees that spread easily on the wind or by birds, and species that deer don't like to eat.  Until the last few years the biggest winner has been white and green ash.  These successful colonizers are the dominant canopy tree invading abandoned fields and subsequently growing into young woods.  We are now in the process of losing nearly all of these trees.  The losers have been mast (nut) species that by their nature only spread a short distance and are very desired by wildlife as food as seeds or seedlings.

Efforts to date have focused on gathering seed and propagating seedlings of these mast species and planting them into fields and into woods heavily impacted by EAB.  The results have been mixed.  We have tried planting seedlings of various age classes, bare root seedlings, small container seedlings, large container seedlings, planting by volunteers, planting with tree planters, and direct sowing of seeds.  Going strictly by impressions from many field inspections, here is how things seem to be going:

It seems that the best success and least maintenance comes from the planting of large containers in the spring or fall, and machine planting in the spring.  Therefore, it seems prudent to shift to these primary methods.  Direct seeding may have merit but it is too soon to tell.

Lessons Learned

• Good site prep is key.  2 sprayings may be necessary to eliminate competition and seed bank of  competition
• Tree shelters can be very effective defense against deer, but if installed poorly can kill the tree within.
• Don't plant oaks into less than full sun.  They must have light.
• Volunteers must use proper planting technique.
• Tree shelter stakes must be driven 18" into the ground to stay lodged.
• Tree shelters should be inspected 2x per year to clear weeds and straighten if necessary.
• Bare root tree roots should not have more than momentary contact with the air or sun.
• Dipping bare roots into micorhizzal dip helps growth rate.
• Select tree planting locations before volunteers arrive.  
• The bigger the tree planted the more likely it will survive and grow.  Getting above the tall vegetation quickly is key.
• Plan ahead to ensure the tree species matches the planting site.