Establishment - Weed Control/Cultivation

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Weed Control

Good weed control in the first 2 years is one of the most important factors in the establishment, survival and growth of plantations. Good weed control maximises the soil moisture available for the trees, while poor weed control almost certainly guarantees poor tree growth.

To control weeds it may be necessary to spray with herbicide a number of times before planting. A combination of knockdown and residual herbicides is generally used. Weeds that need particular attention include bracken, sorrel, phalaris, veldt grass and flatweed. For more information relating to chemical weed control refer to the Farm Forestry Spraying Fact Sheet.

Cultivation

Recommendations for cultivation vary depending on the site and the species grown. Generally, sites are shallow ripped (to a depth of 30cm) to mark planting lines. Deep ripping (to a depth of at least 70cm) may be required if there is a hard (rocky, compacted or heavy clay) layer present in the soil profile.

It involves shattering the soil so that seedling roots can more easily penetrate the soil profile. Mounding is recommended on sites that have heavy soils and poor drainage.

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