Planting Trees
Planting trees can help improve the environment in various ways, such as improving air and water quality, conserving soil, reducing the impact of natural disasters, and supporting biodiversity. In addition, planting trees can also provide economic benefits, such as generating income from timber production or ecotourism.
Commercial tree plantations can provide a sustainable source of wood products and other forest resources, and can help to reduce pressure on natural forests. Planting a variety of tree species can also help to diversify the natural environment, attracting different types of wildlife and supporting thriving ecosystems.
Planting trees can also play a key role in combating climate change by capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in tree biomass and soil. In addition, trees can help to reduce the urban heat island effect by providing shade and cooling the surrounding environment.
Tree Planters
Tree planters are individuals or companies who specialize in planting trees on a large scale. They may work in various contexts, such as reforestation, afforestation, urban forestry, agroforestry, and commercial timber production.
Tree planters may use a variety of methods and techniques to plant trees, depending on the specific context and goals of the project. For example, they may use hand-held tools to plant individual seedlings or use large-scale planting equipment to plant trees on a larger scale. They may also use aerial or drone planting techniques to plant trees in hard-to-reach areas or areas that have been damaged by natural disasters.
Tree planters may work for private companies, government agencies, non-profit organizations, or as independent contractors. They may also work with a team of other professionals, such as foresters, ecologists, and landscape architects, to ensure that the trees are planted in a way that is sustainable, effective, and meets the desired goals of the project.
Tree Seedlings
There are several types of tree seedlings available for planting, including:
- Bare root seedlings: These are seedlings that are harvested from the field when they are dormant and have no soil attached to their roots. They are typically sold in bundles and are often used for large-scale reforestation and afforestation projects.
- Container seedlings: These are seedlings that are grown in containers, such as plastic pots, and have a small amount of soil around their roots. They are often used for urban forestry and landscaping projects.
- Plug seedlings: These are seedlings that are grown in trays and have a small plug of soil around their roots. They are often used for reforestation and afforestation projects and are easier to transport than bare root seedlings.
- Seedling transplants: These are seedlings that are grown in individual containers and have a larger root system than container seedlings. They are often used for restoration projects and can be planted directly into the ground.
Plug seedlings are a popular choice for planting because they are easy to transport and handle, and they have a higher survival rate than bare root seedlings. They are typically grown in trays containing several individual plugs, and the plugs are inserted into the ground at the planting site. Bare root seedlings are also a popular choice because they are less expensive and can be planted in large quantities quickly.
The type of seedling used will depend on the specific needs and goals of the planting project, as well as the availability and cost of the different types of seedlings.
Planting Trees, Mechanical Tree Planters Planting A Thousand Trees Per Acre Video
Do It Yourself Methods Of Planting Trees
A question people often ask is how do I plant trees in a straight row? Well, there are several ways to do this, some a little more difficult than others depending on what equipment you have.
Line & String Method
The line and string method is probably the least expensive and easiest method for planting trees in a straight line. It’s typically a one person job. Once you have calculated the distance between trees and distance between rows, you can then calculate how many rows of trees you would have for an acre. If you have calculated 20 foot spacing between rows then you would have 10 rows of trees, each one about 200 feet in length.
The first row would run parallel to the fence or property line with each row the same thereafter, spaced 20 feet apart. Once you have a starting point for the first row, you hammer a metal or wood stake into the ground leaving 12 inches of the stake exposed. Then you would measure out 200 feet from that stake and hammer a second stake into the ground, making sure that both stakes measure the same from the fence or property line. Now, simply tie a string line between them and pull it tight until it’s taunt. If you calculated 5 foot spacing between trees then you plant 40 trees along the line.
Laser Method
If you don’t happen to own a laser then you can rent one fairly easily from a local supplier. It takes two people for this method, one to operate the laser and one to hold the plumb stick (typically supplied with the laser). In a similar way you find two parallel points to the fence or property line, set the laser up centered over your preferred starting point. Have the person helping you stand the plumb stick vertical over the second point and turn the laser head, which rotates on top of the legs, until the light of the laser finds the plumb stick. With that done, your help can move the plumb stick towards the laser every 5 feet (using the tree spacing example above) where your helper marks the spot to plant each tree.
Once the row is planted with trees, you simply measure 20 feet from the two starting points and repeat until the entire acre is planted with 400 trees.
If you own a tractor, it can be used to mark the distance between tree rows by simply mounting a metal or pvc pipe centered over top of the tractor body. If the pipe were 24 foot long for example, then you would have 10 feet either side less the width of the tractor giving you 20 feet between rows. The pipe can be cut to length so it will conform to any row distance.
There are mechanical planters on the market that pull behind the tractor that can be set any distance you calculate to plant trees including conifers and hardwoods.