Longleaf Tree Establishment

Technical Guidelines for East Texas longleaf pine establishment and quality assurance

Guide for planting of longleaf pine seedlings in the native range located primarily in the southeastern region of the area east of I-45 known as the Pineywoods region of East Texas, and primarily in the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) Regions 152B, southern portion of 133B, and the eastern portion of 150A.   

Purpose

• Establish or reinforce a stand of trees  

• Encourage and expand economically desirable wood production  

• Improve quality of soil, air, and water resources  

• Provide suitable wildlife habitat  

• Protect watersheds  

• Enhance aesthetic value

Applicable to

• Open fields  

• Understocked woodlands 

• Prepared sites 

Species to consider

Longleaf pine. Container grown longleaf pine are required in all situations in East Texas. 

Planting date  

Planting should be done during optimal conditions when soil moisture is adequate. Planting should be completed between Nov. 1 and April 1 for Northeast Texas (north of Interstate 20) and Dec. 1 and March 15 for the rest of East Texas.  

The planting of longleaf pine to produce merchantable timber north of State Highway 21 in East Texas is not recommended due to the risk of ice damage as the tree matures.  

Containerized tree planting can begin as early as October if soil and weather conditions are favorable.  Reforestation activities may be restricted if environmental conditions create a high risk for survival of the planted seedlings.  

Planting site

Longleaf pine is a site-specific species and should only be planted on proper sites. Moderately to well drained sites are ideal for Longleaf. Avoid planting in poorly drained soils and/or in locations where water tends to stand/pool for long periods of time.  

Longleaf can be planted in a range of soils but ideally in deep sandy to sandy loam sites. If planting on marginal soils it may be necessary to rip and/or bed the site prior to planting. Merchantable longleaf pine is better suited for areas that are not as likely to receive ice and snow in the winter months (south of State Highway 21 in East Texas).  

Planting rate

Longleaf seedlings can be planted at varying densities depending upon landowner objectives. Upon completion of planting, the total number of trees per acre should be within 15% below the bid specification on the low side and up to 10% above on the high side.  

Although overall per acre stocking of a tract may be within the allowable stocking range, it is undesirable for some areas to be overstocked or be understocked. When planting adjacent to borders or fences, allow enough space for future fire suppression efforts or other equipment if necessary.    

The following table shows some possible spacing with allowable margins: 

Spacing (ft.)	Trees per Acre (TPA)	Allowable Range (TPA)
8 x 8	681	579 – 750
6 x 9	806	685 – 887
7 x 9	691	587 – 760
6 x 10	726	617 – 799
7 x 10	622	529 – 685
8 x 10	545	463 – 599
9 x 10	484	411 – 532
10 x 10	435	370 – 479
8 x11	495	421 – 545
6 x 12	605	514 – 666
8 x 12	454	386 – 499
10 x12	363	309 – 399
10 x 15	290	247 – 319
15 x 15	203	173 – 223
10 x 20	217	184 – 239
15 x20	145	123 – 160

Planting method  

Hand planting must be done using equipment capable of producing a 10-inch-deep planting slit. Hand planting tools should be limited to dibble bars, plug bars, planting shovels, or sharpshooters and must have blades at least three inches wide.   

Creating an hourglass-shaped hole with a dibble bar is unacceptable. When using a dibble bar, a second hole is required to close the bottom of the first hole. Seedlings should be planted so that the top of the plug is one quarter inch to one half inch above ground level.  

Soil should be firmly packed around the seedling. Seedlings should be properly cared for during pickup, transportation, and storage to ensure they are not damaged or exposed to adverse conditions. Detailed instructions for seedling care should be followed.    

Proper equipment for hand planting

Plug bars are the recommended planting tool. If other tools (e.g. dibble bar, planting shovel or sharpshooter) are used, great care must be taken to ensure proper planting.  

• Plug bars (recommended) – Generally have a round or conically shaped blade that is approximately 6 inches long and 1.5 inches in diameter and should only be used for planting containerized seedlings.  

• Dibble bar – Should have a blade at least 10 to 12 inches long and 3 to 4 inches wide.  

• Planting shovels – Generally are shovels with an approximate length of 11 inches.  

• Sharpshooters – Generally reinforced blades that are 4 to 5 inches wide and 12 to 15 inches long. 

Proper planting criteria 

• Soil must have adequate moisture at time of planting and must be packed firmly around the planted seedling. All seedlings must be firmly planted when pulled by four needles.  

• Root plugs should be planted vertically with only lateral roots in a horizontal plane. A root angle of up to 30 degrees from the vertical is permissible.  

• Root plugs should not be twisted, balled, or planted in U-, V-, J-, or L-shaped manner. Plantable seedlings properly planted otherwise, may have a J- or L-shaped bend at the end of the roots if the bend does not exceed one inch.  

• Preferably seedlings should be planted such that the top of plug is ¼ to ½ inch above surrounding soil however plugs up to 1 inch above ground level are acceptable.  

• If the terminal bud has dirt on it (e.g. covering bud) then the seedling should be considered as improperly planted.   

Seedling care

Seedlings come in both boxes and bags but both should be placed in cold storage as soon as possible. Once seedlings are removed from cold storage they should be planted within two weeks of removal.    

Proper care of seedlings from lifting and packaging until they are actually planted is extremely important. The most vital precautions involve keeping the seedlings moist, not allowing them to dry out, freeze, or experience excessive heat. And storing them properly until the seedlings are properly planted.  

During transport from pickup point to the tract, bags/boxes must not be stored more than three deep.  Cold storage is highly recommended for bagged seedlings whenever possible. Dormant seedlings can be held at temperatures from 32 – 40° F for no more than 10 weeks. If cold storage is not possible, then seedlings may be placed on racks.  

When storing on racks, bags should be kept in shade, protected from wind and weather, and not allowed to dry out or freeze. Bags should be stored no more than three deep and rotated every few days.  Exposure to freezing temperatures and air temperatures greater than 70° F for two hours in unacceptable and can result in a major decrease in seedling survival.  Steps must be taken to protect seedlings if they are left on the job site overnight (i.e., covering or storing in a structure and stacking properly).  

Small tears in bags should be patched with duct tape.  Tears that cannot be fixed with tape will require placing the torn bag in another seedling bag.  Torn seedling bags should not be placed in garbage bags as the seedlings are more susceptible to overheating. The date and seedling type information must remain with the seedlings.  Prior to taping, torn bags should be checked to make sure the seedlings have adequate moisture. 

Damage to seedlings should be avoided during handling.  Seedlings should never be ripped apart, as this can damage the root systems, foliage, or cambium. Never allow seedlings to dry out, freeze, or get too warm. Exposure of the root system in the open for more than 20 minutes should be avoided.  Trees culled ahead of time should be covered with wet burlap or Terra-sorb® or soaked in water if the 20-minute period is exceeded. Seedlings should be covered in the planting trays or kept moist by other means (e.g. Terrasorb®). Bags should not be exposed to direct sunlight, as this can cause lethal heating of the seedlings.  Internal bag temperatures greater than 85° F are lethal.  

Storage of seedlings before planting and during transport 

• Seedlings should be picked up from the nursery as close to the planting date as possible.  

• Store seedlings in cold storage until the planting date. 

• Keep containers closed to minimize drying of the roots.  

• Seedlings should be transported in an enclosed trailer if possible but at the very minimum they should be covered to protect containers from possible wind damage.  

Storage of seedlings during planting 

• When possible, only take as many seedlings to the tract that can be planted in 1 day.  

• When on site, seedlings should be stored in the shade, in a structure, or under an insulated tarp to protect them from excessive heat and cold.  

• Container temperatures should remain above freezing and below 65° F.  

Seedling issues  

• J / L rooting – seedlings with plugs that are J or L shaped out of the container.   

• Cull seedlings – seedlings should have secondary needles present and plugs should be intact.  

• Dry seedlings – seedlings that are very dry (usually due to damage to the container and/or improper storage).   

• Disease – seedlings that show signs of fusiform rust or have galls or balled roots. 

• Discoloration or stem weak – usually indicates the seedlings have become overheated in the bag and will not survive if planted.  

• Moldy or rotten odor – usually indicates the bag has overheated and/or there was too much moisture in the sealed bag.  

• Bag data – lift date, storage date, correct species, variety, and related seedling information for the site. 

Protection  

Grazing should be excluded from all planted sites until the terminal bud is a minimum of 5 feet above ground level. Damage from grazing will be the liability of the landowner. The livestock stocking rate should be acceptable for the available forage as defined by local professionals.  

Firebreaks should be constructed around the perimeter of the planted site to reduce the probability of a wildfire entering the property.  In the event a wildfire enters the site firebreaks will assist firefighters in controlling the wildfire.  Larger plantations of more than 50 acres should have firebreaks established through the tract to minimize potential risk from wildfire.    

When applicable it may be necessary to treat for insects and disease particularly for Texas leaf cutting ants and pocket gophers. Our forest health specialists should be consulted for additional information on pesticides and control methods.   

Seedlings are often damaged prior to or following inspection by pest or wildlife. Pest damage should be noted in comments but should not count against the vendor if noticed during inspections.  The following pests can damage seedlings after planting:  

Texas leaf cutting ants. These ants are typically found on sites having sandy soils. They harvest green vegetation and store it underground to grow a fungus that is used for food. They typically do most of their damage to pine seedlings during the winter when there is little green vegetation except for evergreens. When possible, the site should be treated before planting begins.  

Livestock. Livestock should be kept off planting sites for a minimum of four to five years because they will browse off of trees, pull them up, and/or stomp them as they graze.  

Deer. Deer at times will bite tops off seedlings while they are small, but as the trees grow to three to four feet tall, deer will rub their antlers on them.  

Hogs. Hogs will root up freshly planted trees, especially on machine-planted jobs where the soil had been loosened by the planting machine.  

Rabbits. Rabbits will at times bite seedlings off, making them appear like they were snipped off by a knife or pair of scissors.  

Gophers. Gophers will attack the roots of a seedling and sometimes pull the seedling completely into the ground as they feed. Small dirt mounds are typically present in the areas where seedlings are being damaged. When possible, gophers should be controlled before planting begins.  

Environmental considerations  

All Texas Best Management Practices for forestry should be followed during all reforestation and other silvicultural operations.   

When using chemicals for herbaceous weed or pest control, follow all regulations and directions on the label. Pesticide applicators must have a certified applicator license from the Texas Department of Agriculture. All chemicals must be federally and locally registered for proper use.  

All application of herbicides and pesticides must be done with extreme precaution to avoid potential pollution of food and water supplies.  

Quality assurance  

Quality assurance (planting inspection) should be completed within 5-10 days (ideally during planting) of the planting operation being completed. Failing to complete planting inspections during planting does not allow enough timing to replant areas or an entire tract if necessary and may cause the replanting to be postponed until the next planting season.   

Also if it is determined the cause of a failing inspection is due to poor contractor performance and/or seedling quality then the landowner can hold the contractor and/or nursery responsible within a timely manner. In the past, planting inspections that have been conducted several months after completion of the planting operation have created problems in determining the cause of the failed planting practice and thus leading the contractor and/or the nursery not being held responsible.  Furthermore, you are not able to request cost share reimbursement until the tract has passed inspection. Delaying planting inspections may extend the wait period before you can receive compensatioin, which may create economic hardship.  

The forestry or natural resource professional involved in the tree planting planning should be notified at the time planting is started to allow site visits early in the process and to avoid later problems.

Parameters for conducting planting inspection  

Before beginning an inspection, you will need the following equipment:  

Acreage, plot size, and job quality can determine the number of plots needed.  Seedling row width should be considered when determining the plot size.  The following parameters for selecting plot size should be used at the discretion of the District forester:  

•  Row widths less than 12 feet: 1/100th or 1/50th acre plots  

• Row widths 12 to 15 feet: 1/50th acre plots  

• Row widths greater than 15 feet: 1/20th acre plots 

The following provides a guide in determining number of plots needed per acre and plot spacing by tract acreage:  

Tract Size	1/100th acre plots	Spacing Feet (chains)	1/50th Acre Plots	Spacing Feet (chains)	1/20th Acre Plots	Spacing Feet (chains)
1 to 50 acres	1 per acre	211’ x 211’ (3.2 x 3.2)	1 per 2 acres	295’ x 295’ (4.5 x 4.5)	1 per 5 acres	467’ x 467’ (7.1 x 7.1)
51 to 100 acres	1 per 2 acres	295’ x 295’ (4.5 x 4.5)	1 per 4 acres	417’ x 417’ (6.3 x 6.3)	1 per 7.5 acres	572’ x 572’ (8.7 x 8.7)
101+ acres	1 per 3 acres	361’ x 361’ (5.5 x 5.5)	1 per 6 acres	511’ x 511’ (7.8 x 7.8)	1 per 10 acres	660’ x 660’ (10 x 10)

Tract maps can be created with plots laid out on the proper spacing to fulfill the requirements provided above using newer versions of ArcGIS, or tools on Texas Forest Info. Also, GPS units can be loaded with shapefiles with plot locations overlaid. Either method can be used to identify and navigate to each plot.  

Once at the tract, the inspector should orient themselves and use their map to navigate to Plot 1.   

1. Mark the center of the plot with a pin flag numbered to match the plot number.  

2. Using a plot radius tape or device, count and check all seedlings in the specified plot radius.    

3. Seedlings should be checked for proper planting depth, proper closure of the hole, and proper packing of the seedling in soil. See above ground problems section below. 

4. When between plots (i.e. traveling from one plot to the next) carefully dig up two seedlings and check for underground planting problems but properly replant seedlings to maximize survival. See below ground problems section below. 

5. Results should be documented on the seedling inspection form.  

6. Continue to next four plots and repeat.  

7. After Plot 5 the inspector will need to calculate the excavation factor. The excavation factor is the percentage of good seedlings being dug up and can be calculated by dividing the number of good trees that have been dug up by the total number of seedlings that have been dug up. See Calculating Excavation Factor example below. 

Above ground problems

• Spacing – Improper spacing will cause either too many or too few seedlings per acre.  

• Too shallow or deep – Longleaf plugs should be planted at ground level or above with ¼ to ½ inch above ground level being optimum. Seedlings planted with dirt on or over the bud should be recorded as too deep and plugs planted with more than 1 inch of the plug exposed should be counted as too shallow.  

• Not packed – Seedling should pass a “four-needle” test and remain firm in the ground. Grasp the seedling by 4 or 5 needles and tug, no up or down motion should occur if properly packed.   

• Second dibble hole not closed – Additional holes used to pack seedlings should be stomped shut.  

• Excessive lean in seedlings – Seedlings should not lean more than 30 degrees.  

• Cull seedlings – Seedlings that do not meet the proper specs should be discarded. (See above)  

Underground problems

• J or L roots – Plugs should be planted straight in the planting hole or slot.  This is checked by carefully digging up seedlings (usually two unless you find reoccurring problems and then as many as four) at each plot to check for problems.    

• Cull seedlings – Seedlings that do not meet the proper specs should be discarded.  

• Improper pruning – No pruning or removal of soil should ever be allowed on containerized Longleaf seedlings.  

Example for calculating excavation factor

After 5 plots  

10 total trees dug up  

1 J-root for a total of 9 good out of the 10  

Good trees divided by total = percentage or in this case 9 ÷ 10 = 0.90 or 90%  

The excavation factor should be calculated after every 5^th plot. If at any time during the inspection the percentage falls below 90% the inspector should begin digging up four trees rather than two. While digging up four seedlings, if the percentage rises back above 90% then the inspector may resume digging up only two seedlings.    

Once the entire tract has been inspected the inspector should then determine the total trees per acre.  The total trees per acre should be within 10% above or below the original planting prescription. Above ground problems should be documented for each plot and deducted from the plot total while below ground problems will be deducted from the total inspection number and both will be used to determine whether the tract passes or fails.  

Fall survival inspections

All tracts that are inspected in the spring after planting should be re-inspected in the fall to determine if enough seedlings have survived for a manageable stand in the future. These inspections should occur after summer weather has ended, and significant moisture has been received.  

All surviving planted seedlings should be counted. Minimum survival should be around 425 trees per acre. This can vary based on landowner objectives (species/genetics planted, pulpwood harvest, early sawtimber production, poles, wildlife, etc.). 

Natural regeneration should also be counted and tallied separately at fall survival inspection. Natural regen numbers can either help or hurt management objectives. Low numbers of well-spaced natural regen can bring planted survival numbers up enough for a manageable stand.    

A few reasons natural regeneration can hurt management objectives are too many seedlings, too many seedlings of the wrong species or genetic line, they tend to create uneven spacing in stands, etc.  

Use of natural regeneration numbers at fall survival should be discussed with the landowner to make sure they are not adversely affecting his management objectives for the future.  

Inspection equipment

• Tract map with plot grid   

• Compass or GPS to find plots  

• Something to measure plot radius   

• Writing utensils  

• Seedling survival inspection sheet (Some offices use the initial inspection form and others create their own)  

Noted seedling issues

• Pest damage (Leaf cutter ants, Tip moth, hogs, deer, etc.)  

• Large areas with low survival  

• Human damage (Mowers, vehicle traffic, herbicides, etc.)  

• Herbaceous and woody competition  

Underground problems do not need to be rechecked in the fall.