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Tree and Shrub Establishment - Natural Regeneration

Tree and Shrub Establishment Natural Regeneration Job Sheet (JS-MO612nr)

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   JS-MO612nr: Tree and Shrub Establishment - Natural Regeneration  (PDF, 219 KB)

Definition

Establishing woody plants with natural regeneration from nearby seed sources on non-forested sites.

Purpose

  • Establish woody plants for forest production

  • Establish woody plants for wildlife habitat

  • Long-term erosion control

  • Improvement of water quality

  • Treat waste

  • Reduction of air pollution

  • Sequestration of carbon

  • Energy conservation

  • Enhance aesthetics

Condition Where Practice Applies

The use of a natural seed source for replanting may be used under any or the following conditions:

  • Areas that experience frequent flooding

  • Depression areas too wet to machine or hand plant

  • Sites likely to be invaded by soft-mast or light seed species

  • Sites that are within 300 feet of existing mature woodlands and adjacent to desirable seed sources

Specifications
Site Preparation

Any vegetation that would hinder planting or provide excessive competition to the reseeding should be removed with appropriate treatment. Base site preparation activities on the anticipated seed source. For spring seeding species, begin site preparation in the fall with a spring follow up. For fall seeding species, begin site preparation in mid-summer with an additional early fall follow up. Prior to reseeding, adequate protection from fire and livestock should be established.

Site preparation is planned as follows:

  • Mechanical means such as plowing, disking or roto-tilling

  • Chemical control of vegetation

  • Prescribed burning based on current approved prescribed burn plan

  • Other

If a cover crop is needed, NRCS can assist the landowner with the species type and rate to apply.

If chemical weed control is needed, NRCS can assist the landowner with the product type and treatment type needed.

Existing brush or trees may be maintained if the site is to be inter-planted and the retained trees/shrubs will provide functions consistent with the planned use. For wildlife purposes, consider retaining some trees that will provide den sites or mast production while the new planting is becoming established. Undesirable trees that will hamper planting or provide excessive shade should be removed or killed.

NRCS can assist the landowner with deciding what tree and shrub species to maintain in inter-seeded areas.

Reseeding Timing

Not all natural regeneration programs are immediately successful. Nearby seed trees are the usual source of the seed needed for reestablishment. The correct environmental conditions for the development of adequate seed, germination and the eventual survival of species of trees may occur only once every 2 to 4 years. Careful observation of when seeds fall and the amount of seed visible on the trees before seed fall will help in deciding when to prepare the site. Use the following table to help manage reseeding timing.
Table 1 - Reseeding Information:
  Green Ash Silver Maple Cottonwood Sycamore Pin Oak
Pollination March-May March-April March-April March-April February-May
Seed Maturity September-October April-June May-August November October-November
Seed Dispersal Immediately after ripening.  Gravity and water dissemination Immediately after ripening.  Wind, gravity and water dissemination Immediately after ripening. Wind (several hundred feet) and water dissemination Late winter, early spring. Wind, gravity and water dissemination Fall and early winter. Gravity, animal and water dissemination
Good Seed Year Every 1-2 Every 1-2 Every 1-2 Every 1-2 Every 2-4
Germination Spring following fall seed dispersal. Bare soil not required. Immediately following seed dispersal.  Bare soil important. Immediately following seed dispersal. Bare soil important. Spring and early summer. Bare soil important. Spring following fall seed dispersal. Bare soil not required.
Operation and Maintenance:  Care after planting

Weed Control: Elimination of competing vegetation is normally carried out for one to five years after planting. Weed control is an important factor in tree and shrub seedling survival, especially for hardwood species. Weed control will be accomplished through cultivation and/or herbicide use.

Mechanical or hand cultivation should be kept at least 6 inches from the seedling and no deeper than 3 inches to avoid damage to the seedling and roots. Additional methods may be needed to control weeds closer to the seedling. The use of herbicides usually provides good weed control. Mowing generally does not provide adequate control since the weeds are still competing for nutrients and water; also potential damage to seedlings from mowing is high.

Pest Management: Plant injury or death should be controlled through preventative measures.  Domestic animals that might graze on seedlings should be excluded.  Control of weeds (which may hide rodents or rabbits), repellants or poisons and hunting should be considered to reduce damage from wild animals. New seedlings should be monitored for potential wildlife, insect and disease problems and appropriate control measures taken if significant problems are found.

Replanting: Some sites may not re-vegetate satisfactorily or plants may die over time to a variety of causes. The decision to re-plant for some or all of the losses or failures will be based on whether or not the remaining plants will likely meet the desired purpose(s) and any program requirements. After two growing seasons, a final status check of the plantings or regeneration should be conducted. For this planting, an acceptable level of plant survival is ____ woody plants per acre.  (NRCS can help the landowner determine the acceptable level of plant survival)
Operation and Maintenance - Summary

  1. Competing vegetation will be controlled until the woody plants are established.

  2. State noxious weeds will be controlled.

  3. Replanting will be required when survival is inadequate.

  4. Plantings will be inspected periodically and protected from adverse impacts including insects, diseases, competing vegetation, wildfire and damage from livestock or wildlife.

Ordering Trees/Shrubs: Woody plants may be ordered from the MDC George O. White State Forest Nursery (1-877-521-8632) or from commercial nurseries. They should be ordered early to ensure desired availability.

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