What's Up?

Well it's autumn with winter trying to jump the queue. This is the time of the year when you should be well into the planning and preparation of this seasons plantings. OK so at least make a start!

Before you even decide what to plant you must decide where and why.

Where:Are you planting down the driveway, a shelterbelt for the side of the property or a woodlot in the back paddock?

Why: Do you want a firewood supply, a woodlot for your retirement, shelter for the house or stock or do you just want your property to look great?

Now you've decided where and why, you can get to the very important and fun part of what to plant. So you might be thinking 'well I quite liked the look of those trees down Sue's driveway' or 'that woodlot of Bob's is going great'. Unfortunately it's not quite that simple. The trees that are going great on Bob's Invercargill farm in that wet gully, may not like your dry, exposed Canterbury site. Basically there are a few questions you need to ask yourself.

. Is it wet or dry . What's the soil like, heavy or light . How exposed to wind is it . Does it get snow . Are the frost's harsh

One usually sure way is to have a peak over the neighbours fence and see what the Jones's have done. However, if the answers to these questions are unclear or you just want to be different to the Jones's then that's where we come in. Give the nursery a call, we can help with some free advice and/or check out the "best advice" pages of our website. Oh and there's still one more fun part before the hard work starts, the shopping. Don't forget to order your trees early. Many lines are sold out prior to the winter, so make sure you don't miss out. David or Derrick are more than happy to take your order at any time of the year.

All right gumboots on. You'll probably have to go outside for the next stage. Preparation of your site is a necessity to ensure they have the best start. If there's rank grass then the Jones's sheep might like to nibble it down. Cultivation with a winged ripper on most sites is recommended. This allows correct and easy placement of roots when planting to maximise anchorage and strong root development.

On some light soils cultivation with a spade at planting time will suffice. Most spraying applications for weeds can be done after planting about mid September. Again if you're not sure then call us. As
Derrick says "do it once, do it right"!

Let's just check. You know where and why you're planting, you've got good advice on what and there's dirt on them gummies from the site preparation, so now is the time when you remove those gummies, put your feet up, park yourself in front of the fire and wait for the nice cold winter to come so you can go out and plant! Have a think about that one, you might decide a planting contractor may be the best solution for you?

Handling and planting bare-rooted tree stocks

Bare-rooted trees in cartons
Trees, as packed when they leave the nursery, should be quite safe for 3-4 days, provided they are kept cool and moist. Never stand in direct sunlight.

Deciduous trees in bundles
May be held for 4-6 days, provided roots are kept moist, any longer and they should be heeled into soil or sawdust.

Planting Hints

Careful planning will contribute more to the success of your plantings than any other factor.

. Plan your plantings carefully.

. Seek advice from Forest Consultants, Councils or Rangiora Nursery personnel.

. Order treestocks early.

. Ensure adequate fencing.

. Deep rip planting lines with a winged ripper (late summer-autumn).

. Ensure adequate weed control. Spraying before or after planting will vary with individual species. Consult with chemical representatives, forestry advisors or nursery personnel.

. Contact forestry contractor for planting or weed control.

. Eliminate pests e.g. rabbits, hares, possums.

Planting Contractors

Consult nursery personnel for recommended contractors in your area.

Site Preparation, Cultivation and Planting

. Cultivate planting sites with spade or winged ripper. Free ground allows correct placement of roots, strong root development and anchorage.

. Spot spray with a suitable herbicide.

. Keep the tree clear of competition for at least one year.

. Correct planting is critical. Poor root alignment may lead to toppling and/or windthrow.

Winged ripper

Preparation of your planting site by cultivation with a winged ripper will break up hard soil pans, greatly enhancing early root development and subsequent tree growth.

Planting Tools
An Atlas planting spade is excellent for planting trees. The blade is narrow, inflexible and long enough (30cm) to cultivate and open a good hole.

Supervision and Quality Control

. Correct planting techniques are essential for successful long term tree growth.

. Be well informed of planting quality requirements. Talk to nursery personnel.

. Employ skilled contractors.

. Check depth, firmness and root alignment.

Weed Control
Grass and vegetation competes with new trees for light and soil moisture.

. Selective herbicides applied before or after planting will give up to 12 months total weed control. Talk to nursery personnel.

. Removing competition will increase tree survival and growth.

Fertiliser
Slow release fertilisers may be incorporated at planting time. Soluble fertilisers may be applied 6-8 weeks after planting.

Boron is deficient in most South Island soils, and will lead to inferior timber quality and growth. Application of Boron three years after planting is recommended.

Why plant Pinus radiata cuttings?

. Large diameter robust treestocks. . Sealed buds and short hard needles increase resistance to rabbit browse and reduce transplant stress. . Reduced "sail" area means improved stability in wind and snow . An increase in form means less treestocks need to be established per hectare . Aged cuttings will reduce toppling on high fertility ex pasture sites

Producing several cuttings from one seed retains vigor and genetic gain, while adding beneficial physical characteristics as the stock plant (from which cuttings are taken) ages.

As a stock plant ages from 1-5 years the cutting taken grows more like the top of an older tree, taller, thinner with reduced foliage area, shorter needles and sealed buds.

Attractive and effective farm shelter

Southerly and Sou'west Shelter
Use single or multiple rows of conifer species with dense foliage to block cold polar winds.

Easterly Shelter
Use a single row of deciduous trees to filter cold summer easterlies while allowing the sun to pass through during winter.

Nor'west Shelter
Two rows are best for strength and effectiveness. Must allow at least 50% of wind to pass through in a strong gale. Fast growing primary trees will give effective shelter for 20 times their height.

A second row of slower growing species on the windward side will increase shelterbelt dynamics and enhance amenity values.

Fast Primary Shelter Alders Eucalyptus Douglas fir Pinus radiata Macrocarpa Poplars Leyland cypress Willows

Slower/Low Shelter Western Red Cedar Lawson cypress Arizona cypress Himalayan cypress Corsican Pine Ponderosa Pine Pittosporum Toe toe Flax

NB: Care must be taken to select the plant variety and spacings which best suit your local conditions.

Call Derrick or Gillian. Bring in your plans or ideas
and we will find the best shelter design for you.

0800-4-TREES
(0800-487-337)

Rangiora Nursery Ltd PO Box 99 Rangiora

Freephone 0800 4 TREES (487-337) Phone: +64 3 312 6682 Fax: +64 3 312 6939