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Welcome to the Virginia Department Of Forestry

Step by Step: Tree Planting

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Seed Orchard, which supplies genetically improved seed.Nursery: Seed Orchard, which supplies genetically improved seed.




Seedlings being lifted in state nurseries.Nursery: Seedlings being lifted in state nurseries.




Special equipment undercuts the seedling bed and lifts seedlings.Nursery: Special equipment undercuts the seedling bed and lifts seedlings.




Seedlings are bundled.Nursery: Seedlings are bundled.




Seedlings transported to cold storage.Nursery: Seedlings transported to cold storage.




Seedlings are taken to grading room.Nursery: Seedlings are taken to the grading room.




Seedlings are counted into groups of 10 and undersized seedlings discarded.Nursery: Seedlings are counted into groups of 10; undersized seedlings are discarded.




Seedlings grouped in bundles of 50 and roots are pruned to 5 inches for ease of planting.Nursery: Seedlings are grouped in bundles of 50, and the roots are pruned to 5 inches for ease of planting.




Seedlings dipped in kaolin clay to help keep roots from drying out.Nursery: Seedling roots are dipped in kaolin clay to help keep them from drying out.




Seedlings wrapped in absorbent and waterproof paper then banded to keep in moisture.Nursery: Seedlings wrapped in absorbent and waterproof paper then banded to keep in moisture.




Bundles placed in boxes, which are placed in cold storage until needed.Nursery: Bundles placed in boxes, and moved to cold storage until needed.




Pine seedlings are planted where timber is harvested.Planting: Pine seedlings are planted where timber has been harvested.




Seedlings delivered to planting site.Planting: Seedlings are delivered to the planting site.




Hole is made with planting bar or hodad.Planting: A planting bar or "hodad" makes the hole for the seedling.




Seedling is placed in hole.Planting: Seedling is placed in hole.




Bar is used to close planting hole to remove any air pockets.Planting: The planting bar is used to close the planting hole, removing any air pockets in the process.




Foresters or Crew Foremen check planting quality.Foresters or Crew Foremen check planting quality.




Plots are taken to determine if correct number of trees are planted.Planting Quality: Plots of the area are taken to determine if the correct number of trees per acre were planted.




Some seedlings are dug to see if the roots are at least 6 inches deep and straight.Planting Quality: Some seedlings are dug up to see if the roots are at least 6 inches deep and straight.




A seedling eaten by a rabbit.A planted seedling eaten by a rabbit.




Last modified 2007-07-12