DIRECT SEEDING

Establishing a Forest With

Seed

BENEFITS

Direct SeedingVS.

Tree Seedings

Why Direct Seed?• Larger Planting Window, Fall Season• Use Local or In-State Seed Resource• More Trees/Acre-Quicker Canopy-

Form• Undisturbed Root System/No

Transplant• Overwhelm The Critters• More Natural Appearance• Shorter Maintenance Period• Potentially Less Expensive

Why Plant Seedlings?• Seed germination is uncertain,

seedlings are a known quantity• There are more potentially

damaging agents for seed than seedlings

• Seed crops and seed availability are uncertain

• Seedlings may have a head start the first year, depending on size and quality

Seed Collection Determine your needs Scout potential seed trees Use a Bag-a-Nut Be efficient Float, sort/inspect, store

DetermineYour

Needs, Match

Species to Site

Tree Planting Plan-- an attachment to NRCS Conservation Plan, prescribes the seed per acre and matches species to site.

Scout Potential Seed Trees• Be sure of species ID• Locate on a large scale map• Red oak group visible in July,

white by August• Obtain permission to collect

Locate Heavy Seed Producers

Mechanized Seed Collection

Using a Bag-a-Nut• Up to 1 bushel (about 50 pounds)

per hour of medium-sized acorns• Pays for itself in less than 8

hours• Works best in mowed grass

situation, with some site prep• Match machine to seed size• For more information see

www.directseeding.org

Be efficient, gear up before you start!

• Rakes• Blower/vac • Bag-a-Nut • Containers • Soaking

pool

• Sorting table• Onion bags• Cold storage

Be Efficient• Be prepared: In

central Illinois seed begins to drop late-August to mid-September

• White oak group is usually first, then red, pin drops late

• Concentrate on trees with a BIG seed drop

• Collect after windy storms

• Collect BEFORE leaves fall

• After leaves fall use blower/vac to remove leaves

Soaking Seed Sorting Seed

Bagging and Storing Seed

Purchasing Seed• Local seed is the best seed• Contact NRCS, District

Forester and/or SWCD• Check www.directseeding.org• Follow “Seed Care and

Handling”

Seed Care and Handling• “Float” collected seed, soak ALL

seed• Immerse 4-8 hours • Inspect at least 10 seeds/bushel• If it’s your own seed, inspect on

sorting table, before bagging• Cut or crack test, look for seed

that is: filled, light-colored, bug-free

Seed Care and Handling• Bag in porous, woven (“onion”)

sacks• Store in cool, well-ventilated

location, protected from predators

• If delayed more than 2 weeks, place in plastic bags and refrigerate @ 33-40 degrees

Inspect All Tree Seed

• Use a hand pruner for acorns, a hammer for walnuts & hickorys

• Keep seed that is:– Filled– Bright, uniform color– undamaged

• Discard seed that is– Shriveled, shrunken– Dark colored or

mottled– Cracked, holed, or

otherwise damaged

Use High Quality Seed

• Plant only undamaged, mature, viable seed

• Cut or crack test at least 10 random seeds per bushel

• If non-viable seed is found, increase seeding rate by the same percentage

Planting Time!

• ASAP, Fall is best• White oaks-must fall plant,

especially Quercus alba & chinkapin• If properly stored, plant any time ground is not frozen or dry• Very risky between June and September

Seeding Rates--Row Seeding

• MINIMUM of 3,000 hard mast seed/acre

• At 10’ row spacing, leave 16” or less between seeds

• Planting depth = 2X seed diameter, 1-4”, depending on species

• If no light seeded spp. nearby, add 1,000 seed/acre

Seeding Rates--Broadcast Seeding

• MINIMUM of 4,800 hard mast seed/acre

• Planting depth = 2X seed diameter, 1-4”, depending on species

• If no light seeded spp. nearby, add 1,000 seed/acre

Site Preparation--Row Planting

• Till and/or spray a minimum 2’ radius circle or 4’ wide band with trees or seed centered in grass-free area.

• Grass species, esp. sod-forming, are DEATH to trees.

• Use snap trap survey to estimate potential rodent populations.

Mow or till between rows to minimize rodent habitat

Site Preparation-- Broadcast

• Crop ground– Disk Several

Times

• Pasture/Brome– Mow grass in

August.– Spray 2 quarts

of Roundup in September

– Plow and Disk

Row Seeding Equipment

Row Seeding Equipment

Modified Corn Planters

Broadcast Seeding

Weed Control for Direct Seeding• Competition

must be controlled for minimum of two years

• Good control of grasses and weeds is critical

Weed Control for Direct Seeding1st Year

Pre-emergentsPendulum (Prowl) - 2qts/ac.Goal - 2 to 4 qts/ac. (expensive)

Post-emergentsFusilade - grasses 6-10”; 1 pint/ac. plus a non-ionic surfactant

OREnvoy - grasses < 12”; 1 pint/ac.Transline or Stinger - broadleaves; 1/2 pint/ac.

See: IL Forest Herbicide Manual, IL Direct Seeding Handbook, & www.directseeding.org.

Weed Control for Direct Seeding2nd Year

Pre-emergentsPendulum (2 to 3 qts/ac). + Princep (2 to 4 qts/ac.)

Post-emergents (weeds no more than 6-12” tall)Fusilade - grasses (1 pint/ac.)Transline or Stinger - broadleaves (1/2 pint/ac.)Oust - grasses and broadleaves (1/2 to 3/4 oz/ac.)

See: IL Forest Herbicide Manual, IL Direct Seeding Handbook, & www.directseeding.org.

Plantation Maintenance• Maintain weed

free area for 2-3 years

• Replant if survival drops below 500 after 2 years, counting desirable natural regeneration.

A little late-season broadleaf competition is OK...

Grass competition is a prescription for failure!

But...

Give these young trees a good start… weed-free!

IOWA ESTIMATED COSTS OF DIRECT SEEDINGOPERATION COST/ACRE

Site PreparationGrass CoverCropland

$100$20

Seed $150 to 200

Seeding Labor $70

Herbicide (1st Year) $50

Herbicide (2nd Year) $50

Total Cost $340 to 470

ILLINOIS ESTIMATED COSTS OF DIRECT SEEDING

One and Two Year

Old Seedlings

One Year Old Seedlings

One Year Old Broadcast Seeding

5 year old SWO

6 year old Black Walnut

5 year old broadcast

7 year old broadcast

Keys to Success with Direct Seeding• Use a

professional • Control weeds

• Match spp. to site

• Inspect all seed, carefully store & handle (cool & moist)

• Survey and manage rodent populations

• Use lots of seed

• Use lots of species

• Plant @ proper depth

Keep onGrowing!

USDA NRCS is an equal opportunity provider and employer