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Forest Fact Sheet Number 16

Introduction

This fact sheet provides information to assist in the establishment of plantation eucalypts. The topics include: seedling orders, transport and storage, and hand planting. For further information on growing trees, see the following PIRSA Forestry Fact Sheets:
• Growing trees in the Upper South East
• Growing trees in the Lower South East
• Establishing, Managing and Harvesting Farm Forestry on Kangaroo Island
• Farm Forestry Spraying

 
Nursery growing healthy Eucalypt seedlings.

Rules of Thumb

Good seedling care and planting technique are two of the most important factors in plantation growth and survival.

To avoid the need to conduct extra weed control, re-plant your plantation or delay thinning and harvesting due to poor growth, it is vital to plan and use best practice when establishing your plantation.

Using best practice will minimise costs and efforts in maintaining the plantation in the long-run. Short-cuts may be tempting, but should be avoided at all times.

To be guaranteed trees for planting, it is necessary to order your trees by December the year before planting. This is when most nurseries will sow their seeds.

Planting generally takes place between June and August within South Australia. The actual time will depend on the timing of the opening rains and any applications of residual herbicide.

Ordering Seedlings

It is important to select a species that will suit your site and meet your desired outcomes. PIRSA Forestry can assist you with this decision.

Once a species has been selected, it is best to source seedlings grown from good quality seed to ensure that your plantation has the best genetics available on the market. This will help to ensure good form and growth of your plantation. PIRSA Forestry can provide you with a list of appropriate nurseries. A typical nursery setup is shown on the left.

A good idea is to order 5% more than you require, as minor seedling deaths may still occur even with the best practices. These extra seedlings can be used to refill any losses that occur before the end of September in the year of planting.

Transporting Seedlings

Seedlings are generally transported from nursery to planting site in cardboard boxes. They can be delivered via a freight service or picked up by the grower. In both cases, the boxes should be kept out of direct sunlight and wind during transit. Seedlings should be inspected on delivery to ensure they are healthy and have a good root development as shown in the photo below.

 
Healthy leaves and root system of a Eucalypt seedling ready for planting.

Appropriate Storage

When receiving your seedlings you should:

(a) Have a well protected area to store your seedlings which provides morning sun to protect against frost. Covering the seedlings with chicken mesh is a good option, as this will allow light to reach the seedlings while protecting them from wildlife browsing. The mesh needs to sit at least half a metre above the tips of the seedlings and be well supported by sturdy posts.

(b) Ensure that seedling trays are not resting directly on the ground. If they do, the roots will grow through the tray and make seedling removal difficult or even break the roots from the stem. Try storing the trays on raised planks or on sheets of cardboard.

(c) Apply snail bait around young eucalypt seedlings while in storage.

(d) Make sure you water the seedlings regularly. This means at least every second day or more during hot or windy conditions. Do not allow the seedling soil plug to dry out.

Planting your Seedlings

Planting should occur during winter when there is adequate moisture content in the soil. This can be tested by checking the top 30cm of soil for dampness.

Spacing

Tree growth and form is affected by the amount of resources (soil, water and sunlight) available to each tree. Resource availability can be manipulated through spacing and thinning. In order to grow a good plantation tree there has to be a balance between maximising resources for good growth rates but also minimising resources to promote good form.

Generally, the ideal initial stocking rate for most eucalypts in South Australia is 1000 stems per hectare. This means that seedlings are planted 2.5m apart along rows that are 4m apart.

This high stocking rate allows for a 5-10% loss due to browsing and other causes. It also accounts for genetic variability as even the best genetic material may produce seedlings that vary in growth and form. The more trees you have to select from in your plantation, the more likely you will be able to select your ideal final crop trees.

Trees growing at lower stocking rates (for example, 625 stems per hectare: a plant spacing of 4m, apart along rows that are 4m apart) will tend to produce larger branches, which may reduce timber quality. Pruning is essential for plantations with lower stocking rates if you intend to grow your trees into quality sawlogs.

Hand planting hints

Eucalypt seedlings are generally planted using a tool such as a Pottiputki (pictured below) with the aid of either a kidney tray or a planting belt.

One person can plant up to 3000 trees a day using these tools. See overleaf for instruction on using a Pottiputki.

 
Pottiputki planting tool

Immediately prior to planting, it is suggested that each tray of seedlings be submerged completely in water until all the air bubbles disappear. Seedlings can then be removed from their seedling cells and placed into a kidney tray (shown on the next page) or a planting belt.

Seedlings should be planted deep enough so that the seedling soil plug is completely covered with soil. It is often common practice to have about a third of the seedling stem under the ground. This keeps the seedling soil plug moist for longer.

 
Kidney tray for transporting seedlings

If the soil was ripped when soil conditions were too wet or too dry, large cracks and air pockets may be present. If this is the case, it is suggested that a border spade is used instead of a Pottiputki, so that the soil can be sufficiently compacted around the seedlings to minimise the risk of the seedling soil plug drying out.

 
 
Instruction on how to use a Pottiputki (Lannen Transplant Systems Pty Ltd)
 

For further information contact PIRSA Forestry  

Disclaimer: While this publication may be of assistance to you, the government of South Australia and its officers do not guarantee that it is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purpose. The Government therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence that may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

Last reviewed June 2008