The plants (either vegetative propagated or seedlings) are vulnerable to competition from weeds, to fire, diseases, browsing, termites, etc. during the first year of establishment. The better the site is prepared before planting, the easier the future management.
Clearing: Left woody material may attract pests, diseases, increase the risk of fire and impede mechanical management. The ideal one is a completely cleared area, free from trees, shrubs, stumps and big stones. That will ease the access to the area and mechanical operation. If the seed orchard is established on forest land, all trees and shrubs should be cut and removed or burned on the site.
Soil Preparation: Proper soil preparation improves the growth of the tree plants and promotes their competition with other plants. The site should be completely weeded before planting, e.g. by ploughing and harrowing. Mechanical cultivation improves soil structure, and consequently water holding capacity and draining. A hardpan impedes draining. It can be caused by tractors or if the soil has podzol profile. Hardpan is broken by deep ploughing or sub-soiling.
The soil should have the optimal acidity and nutrient level for the tree species to be planted. Soil tests are carried out prior to planting possible lime and fertilizer is applied before planting.
Weed control can be facilitated by proper soil preparation. Several mechanical cultivations promote weed seed germination. Germinated seedlings are then destroyed by mechanical cultivation or by leaf herbicides. Soil herbicides can be used for difficult weeds.
Note: Some soil herbicides have a long term effect. Care should be taken that the type will not affect the tree plants or that the remedy will be decomposed before the plants are planted. In case of e.g. termite problems specific insecticides may be applied.
Note: Insecticides may be harmful to other soil organisms. Precautions should be taken in terms of time and doses.
Establishment of pollen dilution zones: Cleared areas are established between the seed stand and possible contaminating sources. The PDZ is a zone where trees of the same species and species that can hybridize with the species are removed. The wideness depends on the species and pollination pattern. The zones also serve as fire-breaks. For wind pollinated species a short vegetation of the PDZ is desired, usually 200–400 m, depending on species and wind exposure. If there is a prevailing wind during the pollination period, the width of the PDZ may be diminished from the other sides. For insect-pollinated species the width and the vegetation of the PDZ depends on the behaviour of the pollinator. Information should be sought on individual species.
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| Pollen dilution zone: The seed orchard is separated from surrounding stands in order to minimize pollen contamination from inferior sources. For wind pollinated species low vegetation is preferred so that the wind will descend and deposit possible pollen before reaching the Seed Orchard. |
Promotion of pollination: Promotion of the pollination is easiest for wind-pollinated species. Spacing is a method of improving the condition for wind pollination. The effect on insect-pollinated species is probably different from species to species according to pollinator, but details are poorly known. Promoting pollination by insects by putting up beehives is widely used in fruit orchards and agriculture and is applicable to seed orchards.
Demarcation of plots and rows: The orchard design is clearly demarcated. Replications. blocks and plots should be distinctly demarcated. The corners should be marked with conspicuous persistent poles / signs indicating necessary details. The material and way of putting up should be so that it will difficult to be removed or stolen.
Demarcation of pits and pitting: Follows the normal silvicultural practices.
A final spacing in seed orchards of 10 meters is reasonable for most species in order to allow free crown development. Depending on the expected thinning the initial spacing may be 2–6 meters.
Planting: Normal silvicultural practices. Extra care should be taken with grafted and budded material since the grafting or budding site may still be vulnerable. Sometimes the root stock is planted in the field before grafting and consequently carried out in the field.
The planting usually involves several clones or families, and it is important that the planting is done according to a prescribed plan (orchard design, see page 13) so that the identity of the individual tree is clear. Following measures should be taken in order to avoid confusion/mixing up of the plants:
A plan of the orchard design should be brought to the field and used when planting spots are demarcated distinctly on the plan with the identity of the plant to be planted on the spot (clone/family - letter/number).
The plants (or scions in field grafting) should be distinctly marked and kept separately.
The plants are marked with a tag when planted. The tag carries a number / symbol of the plant similar to that of the map.
Beating up: Correct replacement of dead seedlings is crucial. If wilted, seedlings or grafted plants are replaced, and care should be taken that the replacement will not disturb the orchard design, i.e. plants should be replaced with the same clone / family.
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| Tags for marking individual ramets/seedlings: Several types available, e.g. plastic aluminum tags. The tags should be replaced later as the trees grow. If the tags are tied to the tree with band or wire, it should be carefully inspected and adjusted regularly to avoid strangulation/girdling. Note: The placing of the tag may be so that it indicates the graft unit in which case it serves a double purpose. | Demarcations of blocks or rows: Concrete blocks or strong poles can be used. The poles should be strong and conspicuous. The writings should be distinct and persistent, e.g. on a plate attached to the pole. Note: A cornerpole dividing 4 blocks must be demarcated so that there is no doubt which block it is indicating. |
Note: Signs may be lost, damaged or even exchanged for fun by children or playful adults, or the writing may become blurred and unreadable. The signs should therefore be difficult to remove by hand. The identity of the trees should always be verified on the orchard plan.
Cover crops: A temporary legume cover crop may be planted between the tree plants. The cover crop is beneficial to the soil and may facilitate weed control and diminish erosion.
Note: The cover crop should be controlled so that it will not climb or in other ways compete with the trees.
