White Pine Reforestation

A site dedicated to providing information, technical and anecdotal, about Ontario, Michigan and Maine's provincial/state tree.

Tuesday, 5 April 2011

Posted by whitepine at 15:36

whitepine: Started by taking the surplus trees form the Cottage Owners Association seedling programs, often dried out pretty badly by the time I got them, and planting various islands around the lake. In doing so I learned how difficult it is not only to get this tree to grow, but the statistical improbability that one six-inch seedling could become a giant 'Group of Seven' Forest Monarch. The factors mitigating against that included deer browse, drought, blister rust infection, wooley adelgids and pine weevils. I took 220 seedlings and planted them in my Mom's old vegetable garden and saw the comparisons to what I had 'field planted.' A foot per year versus 50% mortality. In the field, about one tree in ten will really like its environment, and after a year-long transplant adjustment, really take off. I decided to gather some local 'improved seed' and start my own plantation. In 2003 we planted 5660 at the Allan's Farm near Prawda Mb. Despite some early deer browse, results have been excellent. Those trees will be over six feet this spring, with customers anxious to have them planted beside their cottages. We'll see how it all works out tis spring!

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