TreeLines
July 2020 – 1st Edition
Early Site Prep Yields Best Pine Growth
As an introduction to our recently published Guide to Using Imazapyr for Site Preparation in Southern Pine Plantation Establishment, it is helpful for landowners to understand the value of earlier site prep. This article outlines the benefits and gives some general information on using herbicides in site preparation.
Landowners looking for the most cost-efficient and effective ways to maximize the value of their pine seedling investments need to stay up to date on “best practices” in silviculture and land management. A body of research has shown that our best pine growth is with earlier site prep (starting in about mid-June) rather than the current late-season practice. Not only do we get better growth response in June, but there are also other benefits from earlier site prep, including:
- Earlier timing means greater applicator availability. During the “crunch time” later in the season, it can be difficult to find a crew to get the job done. Everybody is already booked.
- Earlier timing gives better flexibility and a wider window for site prep burning. Typically you want to wait six weeks after application to burn to let the herbicide translocate down into the root system, but if we’re doing all the work in the fall and planting in early winter there is much less time to get the burning done if the weather is not cooperating.
- Earlier timing also allows us to prioritize our pine release applications for later in the season when we can electively control the hardwood growth with better pine tolerance and less chance of injury or mortality to the pines.
The ONE CAVEAT to early site prep is that following harvest, hardwood resprouts should be waist high or taller to ensure efficient herbicide uptake.
by Patrick J. Minogue, R.F., PhD, Assoc. Professor of Silviculture and Extension Specialist
Pat has more than 40 years experience in agricultural, forestry and environmental research working with USDA ARS Beltsville, North Carolina State University, Auburn University, Cyanamid, BASF and as a private forestry and environmental consultant in the southeastern and western United States. He has been a licensed forester in Alabama and Georgia for many years, and was instrumental in developing herbicide technology for reforestation and improved productivity and health of southern pine and hardwood forests.
For more valuable information on invasive species, forest health, natural resource and agricultural management through technology development, program implementation, training, applied research and public awareness at the state, regional, national and international levels, visit Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia.
Urgent Request!
H-2B Forestry Workers Update – Survey Closes Tomorrow, July 17th
ArborGen continues to work with our industry partners to reverse the Trump Administration’s H-2B ban on new work visas for forestry workers for the rest of 2020. Forest Resources Association (FRA), National Association of Forestry Owners (NAFO), and Forest Landowners Association (FLA) are collecting data through surveys to present to our lawmakers to allow an exception for our industry’s seasonal workers.
We ask you to take a few minutes to click on the link below to complete the FLA survey before Friday, July 17th. Your answers will give us the information we need to prove to all government levels in Washington, D.C., that forestry is, and will continue to be, an essential industry in the U.S
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ArborGen Reforestation Advisors have a combined total of more than 100 years of forestry experience in genetics, forest management and biometrics among them. They are graduates of professionally recognized forestry programs and several have advanced degrees.
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Get in touch with a Reforestation Advisor to explore your options!
Austin Heine
North Carolina and Virginia
910-660-3209
Greg Hay
Arkansas, Northern Louisiana, and Oklahoma
501-350-4217
Shannon Stewart
Eastern Texas, Southern Louisiana
936-239-6189
Paul Jeffreys, Ph.D.
Alabama & Mississippi
Manager Special Projects & Sustainability
205-712-9582
Drew Fasano
Reforestation Advisor
South Carolina
843-520-6865
Blake Sherry
Reforestation Advisor
Georgia and Florida
912-433-5407
Kylie Burdette
U.S. Sales Manager
864-650-4454
Jason Watson
Director, U.S. Sales
404-840-7489
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