Southern Conifers

Planting Conditions

Keep a close check on the site and environmental conditions at planting time. Planting on a bright, sunny, windy day in dry soil can result in rapid seedling mortality. Dry soil is difficult to pack around the seedling roots and cannot supply needed moisture when seedlings need it the most. When soils are too wet, especially in clay soils, machine planting can compact the soil, reducing both survival and growth.

Optimum planting conditions include temperature between 35 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit, relative humidity greater than 40 percent, and windspeed less than 10 miles per hour. When air temperature is in the 70- to 80-degree Fahrenheit range, humidity is less than 40 percent, and windspeed is 10 miles per hour or higher, delay planting until conditions improve. Do not plant in freezing weather or summer-like conditions.