Tree Planting & Reforestation

This is Jim Eastin standing next to a newly planted apple tree located in Delta County, Michigan.  These six foot, one inch diameter apple trees are protected from small rodents and mammals with plastic spiral tree protectors and from whitetail deer with six foot, 14 gauge wire fencing.  Annual grass and weed control is completed through herbicide application.  Annual fertilization and insect control is also completed to maintain healthy and productive trees.  Apple trees should start producing fruit within 8-10 years of planting, if properly cared for.  A wide variety of apple trees are available for Michigan and can be purchased from wholesale nursery growers and soil conservation districts.  

This is a 1995 red oak tree planting with 4 foot protective tree shelters. Tree shelters act as mini greenhouses or micro-environments which create optimum growing conditions.  In addition, tree shelters protect the young seedlings from damage by whitetail deer and small mammals.  Red oak is a slow growing hardwood tree which provides diversity and mast (acorns) for wildlife.

This is a 2003 spring tree planting located southwest of Crystal Falls and is comprised of 25,000 two year old Red Pine and 3,000 three year old White Spruce seedlings. The successful site preparation was completed in August, nine months prior to the tree planting.  A combination of herbicides has created a planting area of little or no grass/weed competition. This plantation will produce wildlife cover at a young age and a variety of timber products as the plantation matures.  Seedlings can be purchased from wholesale nursery growers and soil conservation districts.

Herbicides Year Planting Weed Control - MSU