Plan B: Tree Pole
Planting
Summary
Planting fence post sized
poles of willow and cottonwood in areas that are not accessible by machinery to
shade out the Reed Canary Grass (RCG) is the method used in this plan. When the RCG is eventually controlled, the
site will be planted to additional tree species for more diversity. The area planted to poles in 2007 is about
1/8 acre.
Details
Some woody plant species including willow, cottonwood and dogwood can reproduce from wood cut from the tree or shrub. This is commonly done using small cuttings of the first year growth. Using small cuttings does not work when planting in RCG due to competition for moisture and sunlight. Plan B uses fence pole sized logs cut from dormant willow and cottonwood trees planted directly into a stand of RCG. The idea is to get the bottom of the pole to root below the RCG roots and the top to sprout above the height of the RCG.
25 willow and 25 cottonwood poles, 4 to 6 inch diameter and 6 – 8 feet long were gathered while still dormant in March, 2007 and stored in a root cellar to keep them cool and moist. The poles were planted in Research Area B07. Holes were dug with a post hole digger 1 ½ to 2 ½ feet deep depending on the depth of rock into a solid stand of RCG on a 10’ X 10’ spacing as soon as the frost was out in April. Most of the poles of both species sprouted, but deer browsed on the shorter poles causing some trees to die. Some of the taller poles, above the browse level, put on new growth of up to 3 feet. We will reassess the survival rate of this area when trees leaf out in the spring.
Suggestions
To
find poles, look for young willow and cottonwood trees growing in moist areas
that were disturbed in the past, near mature trees that provided a seed source. Common areas include road construction
sites and retired fields. Obtain
permission from the landowner before cutting any trees.
Use cottonwood and willow poles at least 8 ½ feet tall. This will leave over 6 ½ feet of the pole above the ground, keeping the new growth that sprouts from the top above the RCG and protect the new growth from browsing by deer.