SCFC Tree Planting Guide

Dibble Bar and Planting Shovel Availability:

Dibble planting bars and planting shovels are available for use from the SCFC Taylor Nursery and the SCFC County Field Offices on a first come, first serve basis. A $50.00, refundable, deposit is required for each planting tool desired. If a dibble(s) bar or planting shovel is desired from Taylor Nursery, a $50 deposit per planting tool will be required and $75 deposit for containerized planting tool, at the time of pickup. Checks will be accepted and made out to South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) and cash will also be accepted. When planting tool(s) are returned to Taylor Nursery and accounted for, the deposit will be returned to the landowner.

Planting tools can also be purchased from the following private forest products companies:

Ben Meadows Company - 1-800-241-6401 - www.benmeadoows.com

Forestry Suppliers, Inc. - 1-800-647-5368 - www.forestry-suppliers.com

Planting

Seedling Care and Handling

How to Plant and Care for Your Trees

How to Plant with the Planting Hoe

How to Plant with the Planting Machine

How to Plant with the Dibble

The South Carolina Forestry Commission is ready to assist you in caring for your trees and planting successfully. If you need us, please contact us.

Care and Handling

Unload seedlings immediately upon delivery.
Mend any holes in the bag with tape.
Provide ventilation between bags while stored.
Protect against freezing and direct sun.
Storage longer than ten days is not recommended.
Open bag only to remove trees, reclose tightly.
Do not allow roots to dry during planting. Keep moist material in planting containers.

Application for Seedlings

The S.C. Forestry Commission Project Forester or County Ranger in your county has seedling application forms and price guides.

Contents

How to Plant and Care for your Trees

Dig a hole twice the size of the roots and deep enough to hold all of the roots.
Place the tree in the planting hole as shown in the picture.
Fill in the planting hole with soil around the roots.
Water the tree well.
Give your trees a good soaking with water once a week.
Protect your trees from fire, lawnmowers, bicycles, cars, pets, weeds, and grass.

Contents

How to Plant with the Planting Hoe.

	1. Drive blade into soil; lift handle to open bottom of hole.
	2. Pull handle toward you, opening top of hole. Set seedling vertically, 1-3" deeper than nursery depth.
	3. Push soil into hole with back of blade.
	4. Pack soil firmly with your heel.

NOTE: Longleaf requires special planting considerations. Contact a professional forester.

Contents

How to Plant with the Planting Machine.

Machine Planting

Coulter should cut at least 9" deep. Hub should not drag in the soil.
Plow point should run slightly above bottom of coulter furrow.
Set seedling in trench 1-3" deeper than nursery depth. Roots should be straight and seedling should be vertical.
Packing wheels should pack soil tightly around roots, but should not depress soil more than 11/2 inches.
NOTE: Longleaf requires special planting considerations. Contact a professional forester.

Contents

How to Plant with the Dibble.

	1. Push blade vertically into soil; pull handle toward you to open hole.
	2. Set seedling 1 - 3 " deeper than nursery depth; roots should be straight.
	3. Push blade into soil just behind the planting hole; pull handle back to close bottom of hole, push forward to close the top.
	4. Pack soil firmly with your heel.

NOTE: Longleaf requires special planting considerations. Contact a professional forester.

Contents

Nursery and Tree Improvement / Urban Forestry / Reference Resources