Bareroot Seedling Inspection (continued)

Color

The foliage of healthy stock should be various shades of green. A purple cast is acceptable in lodgepole pine. The shade of green can be misleading. Yellow-green or gray-green tints are normal in dormant stock. These colors can also be a sign of a problem. If the off color is accompanied with other signs of damage, such as dryness or cambium discoloration in the stems or roots, there is a problem. (top)

Top Dormancy

Buds should be firm and tight, and the candles should not be elongating. With pines it is sometimes hard to tell whether the candle elongated during the previous season in the nursery or in the packing box. One way to tell is to look for curvature of the new shoot. When the seedlings are lying on their side in the box, any new shoot growth will curve or curl upward. The buds and shoot tips will soften and become green. Slight curvature is okay, but the more advanced the growth, the poorer the prospects for field survival. If new needles are showing, the trees are probably not worth planting, especially if there is evidence of root damage. (top)

Dry Roots

The roots should feel moist to the touch. Roots that feel dry to the touch may be damaged. If you suspect dry roots, check the cambium condition (live or dead). Simply strip the roots back with your fingernail or pocketknife. If the tissue inside is white and has moisture to within a quarter of an inch of the end of the root, the trees are in acceptable condition. They can also be evaluated by wrapping the trees in Kimtex towels and dipping the roots in water. Usually within 12 hours (overnight), healthy trees will take up moisture that can be observed in the cambial tissue of the cut roots and stem. (top)

Mold or Fungus Mycelia

The presence of visible mycelia (white or black threads on strands of fungal tissue) is cause for some concern. However, most fungi on the roots are either saprophytic (living on dead substances) or mycorrhizal on the roots. Mats of mycelia on the foliage are of major concern. If dead or dying trees are packed in the box, mold will often spread rapidly from these trees into healthy adjoining trees. It is very important to keep tree boxes with developing mold as close to freezing as possible. Fungi associated with strong odors, brown cambial tissues in roots or the stem, or spotting of needles are major concerns. Fine strands of mycelia on the foliage or tufts in the roots without the other symptoms are not usually harmful. When you have questions, call for help. Nursery workers, reforestation specialists, and forest pathologists can provide assistance. (top)

Mud or Dirt in Boxes

Trees packed in boxes should be relatively clean. Excess mud and dirt, especially on the foliage, will promote fungal problems and foliage discoloration. Muddy trees are also an indication of lifting from soils that were too wet. This can cause root damage that will eventually kill the trees. (top)

Tree Count

The number of trees in the box should be within 5 percent of the amount stated on the packing box. When tree lots have appreciable shortages, they should be reported and a reduced payment should be negotiated with the nursery.