Today’s Seedlings, Tomorrow’s Forests

The tree. It's one of the most treasured resources we have on earth. Trees shelter us, furnish our homes, compose our paper products, provide ingredients used in plastics, and more. Not only do they provide for tangible needs, but they also provide for invisible ones, like oxygen, carbon sequestration, erosion control, water quality improvement, and more. Finally, trees provide habitat for myriad wildlife and insect species throughout their life cycle, playing an intricate and impressive role in sustaining life for countless organisms. While trees regenerate naturally, a little assistance helps ensure the probability that a new forest can develop. At AFM, we facilitate site prep for natural regeneration and plant millions of trees each year. Here's a closer look at tree planting in the Pacific Northwest and Southeast.

In the Pacific Northwest, foresters oversee planting in early spring for three merchantable species in order of frequency of planting: Douglas-fir, Western hemlock, and Western red cedar. The latter is planted less frequently due to the high amounts of browse (ungulates browse shoots, twigs, and leaves) we see on our tree farms. On planting days, foresters and planting crew members meet at the planting cooler between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. before heading to specific planting sites. For several reasons, the seedlings are kept in a cooler before planting. First, it keeps the trees in a dormant or semi-dormant phase, ensuring they aren't using energy and moisture before they're planted. Next, keeping them in a cooler prevents early growth and gives foresters and planting crews flexibility in planting schedules, even if weather delays occur.

On the site, foresters oversee correct planting techniques and the spacing between seedlings, which is 10 x 10 feet. Seedling roots must also be planted straight down without "J-rooting" (or jay rooting), an improper tree-planting technique in which roots are bent upward in a J shape instead of directly down into the soil. The hole should be deep enough to accommodate the roots; otherwise, the roots won't develop properly, and the tree's growth could be stunted, decreasing the likelihood of survival. In addition to ensuring correct planting techniques, foresters also record measurements, move seedling bags, and help keep the area around newly planted trees free of debris. In addition to the previous considerations, western red cedar needs extra attention (due to high browsing) and is planted in tubes, which is both expensive and labor-intensive.

In the Southeast, planting season takes root in the winter months and coincides with cooler temperatures, allowing greater survival. Many competing plants and insect pests are dormant as well, giving seedlings a head start without immediate pressure from vegetation or herbivores. The top three species planted in the Southeast are loblolly pine, slash pine, and longleaf pine. Loblolly pine is prized for its rapid growth and versatility in producing pulpwood and sawtimber; slash pine is valued for its high-resin content and suitability for pulpwood and timber; longleaf pine is considered high-quality timber and has strong ecological significance.

Planting techniques vary for each species, but site preparation for loblolly and slash generally includes herbicide application and mechanical clearing to reduce competition and improve soil conditions. Longleaf is often planted using "containerized seedlings" to accommodate its unique "grass stage" growth phase (the seedling looks like a lump of grass that doesn't produce vertical stem growth for several years). Containerized seedlings are young trees grown in individual containers or cells filled with a specially designed growing medium (soil or substrate), and the root system forms a plug that makes planting easier and increases transplant survival.

Tree spacing is typically 6 x 10 or 8 x 10 feet, depending on the landowner's goals and objectives, such as timber production, wildlife habitat, and aesthetics. The spacing also takes into account the site conditions and whether the planting is part of a reforestation project or a commercial timber stand. Lastly, longleaf pines are often spaced wider to accommodate their long grass stage and minimize competition.

In areas where natural regeneration of target species occurs (especially valuable hardwoods), like Maine and Michigan, foresters still take an active role in preparing the forest for regrowth. Foresters evaluate site conditions from the canopy to the soil below, including competing/existing vegetation and the presence of desirable seed sources. To ensure that healthy trees can thrive, thinning may be completed to reduce competition and allow sunlight to reach the forest floor to encourage target species. Mechanically or chemically removing invasive species and other aggressive grasses or shrubs gives seedlings a better chance of survival. In some cases, light scarification (soil disturbances) may be needed for germination. In instances such as shelterwood treatments (leaving large mature trees behind while regenerating the species below), remaining trees are often chosen for their health, species, spacing, and ability to produce viable seed. After regeneration efforts, foresters monitor seedling growth and adjust management as needed, such as doing additional thinning.

Whether planting by hand or fostering conditions for natural regeneration, foresters and land managers play an important role in shaping the next generation of forests. Each approach, whether prepping a Southeast field for containerized longleaf or guiding regeneration in the Northeast, requires scientific insight, regional knowledge, and respect for the land. Through careful planning, monitoring, and stewardship, AFM foresters help ensure that forests remain productive, diverse, and resilient.