Increased size, quality can lead to fewer trees planted per acre

By MATEUSZ PERKOWSKI

Capital Press

The timber industry is increasingly looking to speed up harvest rotations and boost profits by improving reforestation practices, experts say.

"It's not how much you spend, but how much your investment contributes to the bottom line," said Dave Russel, district forester for Roseburg Forest Products. Russel also serves as chairman of the Pacific Northwest Reforestation Council, which recently met in Vancouver, Wash.

Larger seedlings are playing an important role in speeding up the reforestation process, he said. By giving young trees more space to grow at the nursery level, timber companies are producing larger seedlings in the same amount of time. Though this practice has increased overall spending on seedlings, it's still proving to be economical for a variety of reasons.

In an 11-year study, Roseburg Forest Products found that larger seedlings retain their size advantage over other trees. If that head start contributes to a more quickly maturing stand of trees, the company will reap a larger and faster return on its investment, Russel said.

"The only thing of consequence, to a large degree, is what the volume difference is at harvest," he said. "We think we're shortening rotation."

Increased size and quality in seedlings have also allowed fewer trees to be planted per acre due to their improved chances of survival -- the company currently plants 360 trees per acre, down from 400 trees, Russel said.

Larger seedlings can also provide regulatory benefits.

In Oregon, for example, a replanted stand of trees must reach four years in age or four feet in height before adjacent stands can be harvested. By attaining the four-foot "green up" requirement in less than four years, timber companies gain more flexibility in logging adjacent stands, he said.

Focusing on seedling quality, rather than reducing planting costs, was a major emphasis during the council's recent meeting.

"The most expensive tree you can buy is the one that doesn't grow," said Steve Akehurst, marketing representative for IFA Nurseries.

At a time of budget restrictions, foresters should avoid the temptation to cut corners that could diminish the success of reforestation, said Evelyn Hukari, a reforestation forester for the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Hukari, for example, has responded to budget cuts by planting 17 percent fewer trees per acre instead of using lower-quality seedlings.

"Rather than reduce the stock type, reduce stocking levels," she said.

Selection of seedlings is crucial, but foresters should not underestimate the importance of the planting process, said Diane Haase, Western nursery specialist for the U.S. Forest Service.

"You may have a really great seedling, but you can sure mess them up on the way to the field," she said. "I've seen every possible scenario of abusing seedlings."

Boxes of trees are sometimes left open, exposing the seedlings' roots, which can dry out, Haase said. Once the fine root hairs have been desiccated, no amount of re-moistening will help them recover.

"Planting dead seedlings is a waste of time and money," she said.

Careful handling should also never be overlooked.

Seedlings are sometimes damaged by getting thrown off of trucks, Haase said. Studies have shown that dropping trees from just 1.5 feet can significantly impair root growth.

"Maybe you didn't kill it, but the plant really needs to shift its energy into repairing itself," she said.