Natural resources conservation service\
conservation practice sPECIFICATION

650 - windbreak / shelterbelt renovation

I. SCOPE

The work shall consist of site preparation, planting, and maintaining
suitable species to renovate a windbreak. The location and layout of the
windbreak shall be as shown on the plans or drawings or staked in the
field.

II\. SPECIES

The trees and shrubs to be planted or renovated are listed on the
Barrier Planting Plan, CA-ECS-1.

**III. SITE PREPARATION**

Site Preparation requirements are contained on the Barrier Planting
Plan, CA-ECS-1 or within Specification 490 -- Windbreak Site
Preparation.

IV\. PLANTING STOCK

Only viable planting stock grown from locally adapted seed or vegetative
material will be planted. Planting stock will be maintained in good
condition from the time received until planted. This will include, but
is not limited to, unpacking, storage, heeling in, transport to the
planting site, and keeping plants protected and moist until and during
planting.

**A. Care of Seedlings**

1\. Bareroot stock seedling care before planting:

a.  Store plants in enclosed areas from 34 to 40 degrees F. off the
    floor..

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b)  If ice is utilized, do not allow contact with the roots.

c)  Bales of plants should not be stored higher than 3 feet.

d)  Roots will be facing one way for periodic watering and fungicide
    treatment. Seedling roots will be kept moist

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e.  Heel-in beds. Make a trench with one 30 to 45-degree backslope. Line
    out planting stock against sloped side and backfill. Pack soil
    firmly around the roots. Keep roots 1 to 2 inches below the ground
    line. Water as needed. A moderately course-textured soil is
    preferred. The heel-in bed should be shaded and protected.

2\. Containerized Stock seedling care before planting (This includes all
stock in any type of container, i.e. tar paper, gallon cans, containers,
etc):

a)  Seedlings will be stored at 34 to 40 degree F temperatures.

b\) The soil medium will be kept damp.

c)  The seedlings will be shaded and protected.

**B. Planting**

Machine planting or hand planting with any tool that is adapted to the
planting stock and site conditions may be used.

Keep seedlings covered and moist while planting. Ample water, or a
water-saturated material (burlap, sawdust moss, etc.) must be kept in
all planting containers to insure the seedlings remain moist.

1\. The windbreak will be staked or otherwise marked to assure proper
alignment of rows and spacing.

2\. Plantings will be made after the danger of heavy freezing has past
and soil moisture conditions are proper. Soil moisture conditions may be
waived if plants are watered at the time of planting.

3\. Plant in adequately sized, sod-free holes or furrows for proper root
development.

4\. Plant seedlings in a nearly vertical position with the root collars
approximately 1 inch below the soil surface. Plant seedling roots
straight down, not twisted, balled, or J-shaped.

5\. Pack the soil firmly around the planted stock to avoid air pockets.

**C. Protection**

*Chicken wire tree protection* - Chicken wire with a mesh that does not
exceed 1 inch will be shaped to form a cylinder minimum of five inches
in diameter and 18 inches high. A minimum of 24 inch 1x2 stake with 18
inches extending above the ground will be used to support the stake by 2
evenly spaced staples or tie wires. The chicken wire will be flush with
the ground. The barrier must be removed when the trunk diameter is
within one-half inch of the chicken wire diameter.

*Rigid polypropylene* - mesh tube tree protection. Tubes will be of a
diamond pattern with a minimum 30 mil. strand diameter. The tubes will
be a minimum of a 5-inch diameter and 18 inches high. The tubes will be
fastened to a 24 inch 1x2 stake with 18 inches extending above the
ground by one staple or a tie wire. The tubes will be flush with the
ground.

V.  Coppice management of EUCALYPTUS AND POPLAR SPECIES.

*Harvest Operations*:

Cut stumps as low as possible. Stumps will not exceed 16 inches in
height.

Do not burn debris on or near stumps.

*Sprout Management*:

At the end of the first year, select from 3 to 5 of the most vigorous,
properly attached sprouts. Remove all other sprouts during the dormant
season.

**vi. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE**

The following actions shall be carried out to insure that this practice
functions as intended throughout its expected life. These actions
include normal repetitive activities in the application and use of the
practice (operation), and repair and upkeep of the practice
(maintenance):

Supplemental water will be provided as needed.

Damaging pests will be monitored and controlled.

Periodic applications of nutrients may be needed to maintain plant
vigor.

**Maintenance**

Replacement of dead trees or shrubs will be continued annually until the
barrier is functional.

Replant with the same species or one that is suitable to the soils and
is compatible with the original planting.

Vegetative competition will be controlled:

Use mechanical and/or chemical means[^1] to control weeds, grasses, or
other competitive vegetation.

Control competitive vegetation until the ground surface is completely or
nearly completely shaded by the trees and shrubs during the growing
season. Plant competition can be removed by hand, mechanical, or
chemical means. Do not disturb or otherwise damage seedlings by the
improper use of chemicals, tools, or machinery.

Cultivate between the rows with a shovel, sweep-type cultivator, or
double disc. Do not cultivate deeper than 3 inches.

Cultivate within the row with within-the-row cultivators, over-the-row
cultivators, herbicides ^1/^ or hand hoeing. Do not cultivate deeper
than 3 inches.

Discontinue cultivators after August 1, or when weed control is
adequate.

When weed control is done chemically, ^1^ the following precautions will
be observed:

Chemicals must be applied on no less than a 24-inch band over the row.
No chemical is to be applied remaining area between the rows. Chemicals
must be applied according to soil type, age of trees, and species. They
can be applied as sprays or in granular form.

Note: Where it is deemed desirable, row crops or annual cover crops may
be planted between the rows.

Maintain an isolation strip for the entire life of the planting. The
minimum width shall be:

a)  At least 8 feet wide.

b)  The width of the cultivation equipment plus 4 feet.

Minimize fire hazards by keeping isolation strips clear of crop
residues, weeds, and trash.

Plantings will be protected from rodents, rabbits, and deer. Means of
animal control may include either chemical repellents or mechanical
devices such as fences, screens, traps, etc. Where net wire fencing is
used to control rabbits and rodents, it will extend at least 4 inches
below ground surface. When individual trees are wrapped with burlap or
tar paper, the material will be removed in the spring.

Drip irrigation systems must be maintained weekly during the irrigation
season to make sure that emitters are not plugged and restricting water
flow.

Thin the barrier to maintain its function and prune and shape
storm-damaged trees.

[^1]: ^1^ Chemical application rate recommendations will be made by a
    licensed applicator, farm advisor or others licensed to do so in
    California.