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Site preparation improves survival and growth of tree seedlings.
Early root growth can be slowed by dense soil, compacted layers, low organic matter and nutrient levels, salinity, waterlogging or low moisture availability. Managing these problems - and weeds and pests - enables fast early growth of plants to help them survive.
Site preparation should start in early autumn before a winter planting for the most effective ripping and weed control.
Ripping has been shown to improve tree growth on all farmland soils.
Ripping fractures the compaction zone (usually located 200 to 400 mm below the surface), allowing penetration of tree roots and it improves moisture infiltration.
On most soils, aim to rip to at least 500 mm deep, as a single rip line per row of trees. Ripping works best when the soil is dry. Ripping should be aligned close to the contour to control run-off and prevent erosion.
A winged ripping tine results in better shattering of the subsoil compared with a conventional tine. Sites which have hardpans (hard or rocky cemented layers at depth) may require deeper ripping (to 1000 mm) with a bulldozer
Mounding is also recommended on most soil types and is essential on wet sites.
A 1993 study showed that tree survival improved from 65 per cent to over 95 per cent by mounding on a site prone to seasonal waterlogging. The mound should be constructed at least 200 mm to 300 mm high, about 1000 mm wide and located over the ripline. Even larger mounds may be required on very wet sites.
Specialist mound ploughs are available for mounding and profiling soils. Rollers on mound ploughs consolidate and profile the mound. Satisfactory mounds can also be created using a small one-way plough or grader in non-saline situations.
Extract from TreeNote No. 2 (September 1997) produced by Department of Agriculture, Western Australia
Preparing sites for tree planting in the greater than 600 mm rainfall zone of Western Australia
Early root growth can be slowed by dense soil, compacted layers, low organic matter and nutrient levels, salinity, waterlogging or low moisture availability. Managing these problems - and weeds and pests - enables fast early growth of plants to help them survive.
Site preparation should start in early autumn before a winter planting for the most effective ripping and weed control.
Ripping has been shown to improve tree growth on all farmland soils.
Ripping fractures the compaction zone (usually located 200 to 400 mm below the surface), allowing penetration of tree roots and it improves moisture infiltration.
On most soils, aim to rip to at least 500 mm deep, as a single rip line per row of trees. Ripping works best when the soil is dry. Ripping should be aligned close to the contour to control run-off and prevent erosion.
A winged ripping tine results in better shattering of the subsoil compared with a conventional tine. Sites which have hardpans (hard or rocky cemented layers at depth) may require deeper ripping (to 1000 mm) with a bulldozer
Mounding is also recommended on most soil types and is essential on wet sites.
A 1993 study showed that tree survival improved from 65 per cent to over 95 per cent by mounding on a site prone to seasonal waterlogging. The mound should be constructed at least 200 mm to 300 mm high, about 1000 mm wide and located over the ripline. Even larger mounds may be required on very wet sites.
Specialist mound ploughs are available for mounding and profiling soils. Rollers on mound ploughs consolidate and profile the mound. Satisfactory mounds can also be created using a small one-way plough or grader in non-saline situations.
Extract from TreeNote No. 2 (September 1997) produced by Department of Agriculture, Western Australia
Preparing sites for tree planting in the greater than 600 mm rainfall zone of Western Australia