Missouri Department of Conservation

Before You Plant

Before you plant, take time to plan. This page includes tips on planning and ordering, site preparation, seedling selection, spacing, quantity needed per acre and when to order.

Planning and Ordering

Planning for tree planting on your property should start well before you order seedlings. Know why you want them and where they should be placed. A successful planting job requires the following:

• Properly prepared site
• Good planting stock
• Tree species matched to the site and soils
• Proper planting methods
• Adequate protection and care after planting.

This guide will help you create a good planting plan. If you need further assistance or need help in planning a large plantation, contact your local MDC Forester.

Prepare Your Site

Site preparation is an extremely important step in a successful tree-planting project. Controlling competing vegetation is usually necessary so the newly planted trees have a better chance of survival. You wouldn't think of planting your garden without tilling and preparing the soil. The same applies to planting trees. You should remove any competing weeds which will rob the new seedlings of moisture and nutrients.

There are two methods of site preparation: mechanical and chemical. Mechanical site preparation involves physically removing the competing vegetation from the planting site. For small plantings, scalp the sod and weeds from a spot two feet in diameter where each tree is to be planted. For larger plantings, plow or disk two to three foot wide strips where the tree rows will be planted. Leaving vegetation between the tree rows will help prevent soil erosion.

Chemical site preparation consists of using herbicides to control competing vegetation. Usually the herbicide is sprayed in a spot treatment around each individual seedling or in strips where the tree rows will be planted. There are many different herbicides with many different characteristics. Contact your local MDC Forester or University of Missouri Extension Center for the latest recommendations and always follow label directions.

Choose Seedlings That Are Right For Your Growing Conditions

Selecting the proper species for your site is one of the most important planting decisions you can make. Because a seedling obtains moisture and nutrients from the soil, matching the species to the type of soil on your property is necessary. Some species such as -bald cypress and cottonwood prefer wet soils, while shortleaf pine grows best on drier soils. Most trees have a tolerance for a range of soils, but they will make their best growth on the soil types indicated in the guide. The tables below will help match your soil conditions with the species that best meet your needs.

Consider the amount of sunlight your growing site receives. Most trees prefer full sunlight, and for planting old fields, this is an ideal situation. However, other species, such as flowering dogwood and downy serviceberry, need shade. They will likely die if planted in full sunlight.

Plan for Adequate Spacing

When planting seedlings, consider the height and spread to which they will eventually grow and the primary use of the planting. As a general rule, seedlings should be spaced as shown in the following table. For specific recommendations on spacing for your purpose and species selection, contact your local MDC Forester.

Order November 15 Through the End of April

Applications to order trees and shrubs from the state forest nursery are usually available in mid-November for delivery the following spring. Orders are filled on a "first come, first served" basis, so it is a good idea to order early for the best selection of species.

Not all species listed in this guide may be available every year. The species vary from year to year depending on seed availability and weather conditions. There are private nurseries in the state that also sell tree and shrub seedlings. To get a list of these nurseries, please contact the George O. White State Forest Nursery.