Conservation corner

I planted my first tree with my mom when I was four. It was a white spruce, small and to be honest more than a bit pathetic looking. The tree from a Charlie Brown’s Christmas had more going for it. Noticing my skepticism, my mom said it would outlive us all. Decades later, as I go home each holiday season, it is the first thing I notice. That spruce now towers well over the house. Since then, I have planted many more trees and love them all, but that first tree shaped me. Perhaps Nelson Henderson expressed what I still feel best, when he said “The true

meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”

Since 1964, the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority has offered tree planting services to landowners. One of our longest running public outreach programs, it has increased forest cover, created windbreaks and streamside plantings. Landowners gain many benefits on their own property, but all of us benefit from improved water quality, reduced erosion, and more bird and wildlife habitat.

If you are interested in tree planting next spring, it is time to book your planting for next year. The spring planting window is very small when bare-root tree-stock can be planted. In order to avoid disappointment call now. You will get to meet our forester, Rick Grillmayer. Rick has worked with us for the last twelve years and lives-and-breathes trees. Working with landowners, he has planted over half-amillion trees!

The cost of tree planting varies between $910-1300/- acre for hand planting and $770-1200/acre for machine planting. Costs vary due to differences in tree planting sites. A variety of grants are available to offset costs,

ranging from 30-90%. Our services include site visits, species and preparation recommendations, a planting plan, tree planting and letting you know about grants.

NVCA planting projects require at least 1000 trees (about 1.4 acres) to be eligible. Landowners wanting to plant trees themselves, can buy up to 100 trees at our Arbour Day Tree Sales in early May. For larger orders please directly contact local tree nurseries.

Remember that tree seedlings are fragile, living plants. Many things affecting tree survival are hard to control such as drought, insects, disease,

plant competition, browsing by wildlife. Some loss is natural; the planting densities chosen allow for some loss. Improved tree survival comes with careful site preparation, planting and post-planting care.

When planning your planting, keep in mind:

- Site preparation is key; suppressing competing vegetation increases survival

- Bareroot stock is best planted mid-Apr to mid- May.

- Pick tree species suitable to your site!

- Native species are better adapted than introduced species.

- Seedlings should be planted 7-10 feet apart (700 trees per acre)

- Machine planting has higher survival rate and costs less than hand planting

- Hardwoods are more expensive and difficult to grow than evergreens

- Rows make maintenance and post-weed control easier

“Conservation Corner” is a monthly column that looks at the theory, practices, technology and benefits of land & water stewardship. For comments or suggestions about this column, contact Shannon Stephens at the NVCA at (705) 424-1479 ext 239 or e-mail us at sstephens@nvca.on.ca.