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User: Joe Simmons

Created on: 2010-02-02

Observation Date 2009-05-12

Comment:
Planted hybrid poplar trees on the LTER main site treatment T5 reps 6, 1, and half of rep 5 were planted on May 12, 2009, the remaining half of rep 5 and reps 2, 3, and 4 were planted on May 13, 2009. TREES PLANTED: NM-6 (Populus nigra x populus maximowiczii), Length of cuttings: 10 inches. Cost was $0.19 each. We contracted the tree planting to Midwest Forestry, Inc., Scottville, MI (231) 757-4925. Midwest used five people to plant the trees. Two members of the LTER staff helped plant reps 5, 2, 3, and 4. PLOT LAYOUT: Row spacing: 8 feet between tree columns (spaced east to west) and 5 feet between trees (spaced north to south) within a column. Trees per acre = 1,089. FIELD PREPARATION: The LTER staff preformed the plot layout over a 2-3 week period before Midwest planted the trees. Tape marks were placed onto a 125' metal chain every 5 feet to indicate the within column spacing. The 125' metal chain was selected because it the longest chain that could be easily moved by two people and was heavy enough to press down shrubs and brush that were within the columns. Location of tree columns were marked with garden stakes on the north and south end of the plots and well as two sets of stakes approximately 1/3 and 2/3 from the end of each plot. Columns were staggered with alternating ones starting at the field edge and the remaining ones starting 2 1/2 feet in from the field edge. A total of 36 columns were marked north to south across the field. Tree row locations were marked every 5' in the field by spraying a 2”-3” diameter dot of water-based marking paint at each tape location on the chain; each column had 67 or 68 trees (east to west) depending on its starting location and field size. PLANTING: Trees were planted into 3 cm wide x 20-25 cm long tapered holes made by forcing a custom-made tree-planting stick into the ground, wiggling it around slightly, and removing it. Cuttings were planted such that 1 or 2 dormant buds were left exposed above ground. Cuttings were then snugged into the holes by stepping on and compacting the soil around the edge of the hole.

Areas:
T5

Observation Type:
Planting

Activities:

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