Planting Site Conditions

Drying Winds

Winds can damage seedlings by drying roots and tops. Watch seedlings closely for signs of soil or root drying. Consider suspending operations if seedlings’ roots are drying between the time they are placed in the planting bag and planting, or if soils are drying before the hole can be closed. Use temperature/humidity charts developed specifically for your site to determine suitable planting windows.

Warm winds can desiccate seedlings that have open stomata, typical of seedlings that have just been removed from the planting box. Consider suspending planting operations during warm drying winds and when temperatures are above 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Snow-Covered Sites

Snow can make it difficult to find planting spots. If planters cannot find planting spots, stop planting until the snow melts enough that planting spots can be found. On some sites only an inch or two of snow can make planting spots difficult to find.

Warm Temperatures

If it is 70 degrees Fahrenheit at 10 a.m. and will be in the 80-degree-plus range most of the day, you may want to delay planting. Consider planting in early hours and late evening on very warm days or moving crews from south and west slopes to north and east slopes. Consider compounding factors, particularly wind. Moderately warm temperatures coupled with drying winds are extremely stressful to seedlings.

Water-Saturated Soils

Seedlings’ roots must have air to function. Seedlings planted in waterlogged soils will suffocate and die. Saturated soils also affect the ability to plant seedlings, especially in soils high in clay or silt. Well-drained soils allow properly opening and closing a hole for successful planting. Often, soils that are too wet to plant immediately after snowmelt or heavy rains can be planted a few days or a week later.

On very wet sites, you may need to change the stock type or season of planting. For example, some spruce bottoms are so waterlogged they can only be planted during the summer and fall with container-grown seedlings (bareroot seedlings are planted only during the spring).