Planting tips

Now is the time to get a few more trees in the ground before it dries out. Make sure plants are thoroughly saturated with water prior to planting. Prune back the leaves a bit to reduce moisture loss and subsequent transplant shock. The soil is beginning to warm up so root growth will be rapid if plants do not get a check. Therefore watch the weather .....ensure your plants do not dry out when transplanting, and in a week or two they will be putting out new root growth.

Planting is best timed so that plants can establish roots into the soil before their first drought. Trees will not survive being planted in dry soil.

March/April May	Good time of the year to plant if rainfall allows, or plants are watered in. Root growth is more rapid over Autumn/Winter/Spring – before the following dry Summer.
June/July/ August	Good time for bulk planting with heavier rainfalls.
September/ October/ November	Best time for frost-prone plants once there is no danger from frosts. Warmer soil temperatiures enable plants to get established.
Dec/Jan/ Feb	Traditionally not recommended as conditions too dry, but in certain conditions it may be preferable, especially if planting in a cold climate (South Island), and if able to water plants in.

Choosing a Site

The care taken in choosing the correct site selection and correctly preparing the site are the keys to ensuring successful plant growth. Identify problems with your site.

Consider the following: soil type, frost exposure, wind exposure, salt exposure, sun exposure. Each particular type of plant has its own requirements. Look at the place you are trying to plant up and then go looking nearby for other similar pieces of land, and observe what grows well. They are the plants you should be growing. Do not think you can take plants from shade nearby and put them into full sun, however. Every detail of habitat and site microclimate must be studied. Often in a harsh site, there are few plants which will grow. Given weed competition there are even less plants which will survive. Thus look for the hardiest tougest fastest growing local native pioneers.

SOme introduced plants may grow well also......too well. Watch out for potential weeds, especially climbers. As a land manager, the number one thing you can do is to eliminate certain weeds. Politically difficult to get on the lists, moth plant or kapok vine is an example of something you should get rid of while you've got the chance. Otherwise you will have a worse job later. Many introduced plants are potential weeds. Our special local fauna is not adapted to such plants. We must retain the balance in the favour of the local natives, in order to have kiwi and kokako, for example.

Establish what grows naturally in the locality. Copy nature to get the best results.

If possible first plant fast growing species (pioneers) which will shelter native trees and shrubs.

Suit the plants for the condition of the site – not the site to the plant.

hedge of mixed native trees planted by forest floor

Before Planting

The main watchpoints:

· Eradicate weeds and grasses from your proposed planting site approximately six weeks before planting. This may even require spraying the area.

· If you live in a rural locality, fencing to keep stock out is essential.

· Control pests. Identify any eliminate potential problems. Rabbits, goats and possums have to be controlled prior to planting trees to avoid damage or destruction of tender plants. Some sites require a two-year programme of vigilant eradication to enable young trees to grow. Possums can even be found in city gardens! We can advise on control.

. If your planting site is in the open and flat, there is a risk of frost.

· Before removing the plastic container in which we have provided your tree, water the plant well.

Planting

· Plant in clusters of same species to attract birds and to make the overall effect look more natural see diagram below.

· Ensure that the holes you dig are of the correct size. Do not bury the stems or trunks of plants any higher or lower than to the level of the potting mix used by our nursery.

· If necessary with bad soil, add some compost to the base of the holes you have dug.

· Ensure roots are balanced and pointing in the right direction!

· Pack soil firmly in around the root base.

· Water thoroughly.

After Planting

· Continue with pest control.

· Remove any weeds and grass competing for nutrients around your young trees. This may require either chemicals or manually removing such competitors for up to two years. In Spring weed at least twice

· Water once or twice deeply in the first Summer (Dec/Jan) if drought occurs.

Frost hardy and wind hardy Pioneer plants are required to provide shelter and protection for secondary plantings of Frost-Tender and Forest Trees.

Secondary colonisers - best planted after pioneers are established and over 1 m tall. - suit light wells in taller scrub, forest margin, or sheltered site. Usually grow best in full sun with a bit of shelter - some live for a very long time

Forest trees - best planted in a well sheltered environment - may be frost tender but protected by earlier plantings of frost tender plants - will outgrow other forest trees once established.

Choosing a Site

Planting

Botanical Name

Common or Maori Name

Comments

Fast grower to 6m. Berries provide food for Bellbirds, Tui, Silvereye and sometimes possums. Suits coastal and wetland environs.

Botanical Name

Common or Maori Name

Comments

Botanical Name

Common or Maori Name

Comments