United States Department of Agriculture

![](media/image1.png){width="2.9451388888888888in"
height="0.45069444444444445in"}

**Indiana - May 2007** (ver. 1.1)

**Tree/Shrub Planting Plan**

  ---------------- ----------- ------- ------------ ------- --------------- --------- ------------ ------- ------------- ----------- ----------- ---------
  **Landowner:**                       **     **                                                           **County:**   **     **               

  **F****arm:**    **     **           **Tract:**           **Field(s):**             **Acres:**                                     **Date:**        

  **Purpose:**                  -                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                 
  ---------------- ----------- ------- ------------ ------- --------------- --------- ------------ ------- ------------- ----------- ----------- ---------

  ------------- ----------- --------------- ------------ -------------- ------------------ ----------- ------------ ------------
  **Soil        **     **                                               **Soil Drainage                **     **    
  Type(s):**                                                            Class:**                                    

  **Plant                   **      x                                   **Plants/Acre:**   **     **                
  Spacing:**                     **                                                                                 

  **Species**                               **Number**   **Substitute                                               **Number**
                                                         Species**                                                  

  **     **                                 **     **    **     **                                                  **     **

  **     **                                 **     **    **     **                                                  **     **

  **     **                                 **     **    **     **                                                  **     **

  **     **                                 **     **    **     **                                                  **     **

  **     **                                 **     **    **     **                                                  **     **

  **     **                                 **     **    **     **                                                  **     **

  **     **                                 **     **    **     **                                                  **     **

  **     **                                 **     **    **     **                                                  **     **

  **     **                                 **     **    **     **                                                  **     **

  **     **                                 **     **    **     **                                                  **     **

  **Total**                                 **     **    **Total**                                                  **     **
  (rounded to                                            (rounded to                                                
  the next                                               the next                                                   
  highest 100)                                           highest 100)                                               
  ------------- ----------- --------------- ------------ -------------- ------------------ ----------- ------------ ------------

  -------------------------------------------------------- --------------
  **Before Planting in Year**                              

  Tillage (in the year prior to planting) **     **        Dates:
                                                           **     **

  Herbicide~1~ (applied per label):                        Dates:
                                                           **     **

  Herbicide~2~ (applied per label):                        Dates:
                                                           **     **

  Other:                                                   Dates:
                                                           **     **

  **Planting Method in Year**                              

  Tree Planting Method:  -                                 Dates:
                                                           **     **

  Herbicide (applied per label):                           Dates:
                                                           **     **

  Other:                                                   Dates:
                                                           **     **

  **Post Planting Maintenance and Weed Control**           

  Maintain a 3-ft. weed & grass-free radius for up to      
  years around each tree for optimal growth                

  Herbicide (applied per label):                           Dates:
                                                           **     **

  Replace dead trees to ensure 70% stocking rate:          

  Other:                                                   Dates:
                                                           **     **

  **Additional Information**                               

  **     **                                                
  -------------------------------------------------------- --------------

**SITE PREPARATION AND WEED CONTROL**

Controlling weeds before, during, and after planting will increase tree
survival and improve tree growth and vigor. Site preparation before
planting is necessary to control existing grass or weedy vegetation.
Contact a professional forester, Purdue University Extension Service or
a licensed pesticide applicator for specific herbicide recommendations.
[Always apply herbicides according to labeled directions.]{.underline}

Control all weeds within a 3 foot circle around each tree or a 2 foot
band along each side of each row. Control weeds in the spring before or
during tree planting. On sites with existing sod, apply herbicides both
in the fall and again in the spring prior or during tree planting.

Trees should be planted in firm ground; therefore avoid using spring
tillage for site preparation prior to tree planting.

**PLANTING**

![](media/image2.png){width="4.25in" height="2.5in"}Bare rooted stock
(seedlings) will be planted in the spring after the ground thaws, but no
later than June 1. Container stock may be planted between October 1 and
June 1 as local soil moisture and weather conditions permit. Do not
plant trees/shrubs when the soil is frozen or dry. Trees/shrubs will be
planted in a vertical position with the root collars approximately at or
slightly below the ground line (see Figure 1).

Plant materials should be planted immediately upon delivery to the site.
It is important to keep plant materials moist to protect them from
desiccation. If planting is delayed, contact NRCS for storage details.

It is important that tree species are randomly planted throughout the
site and not planted with like species unless otherwise indicated in the
planting plan.

**OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE**

Check survivability of the planted species to insure that 70% of the
desired stocking rate for the site is present 3 years after planting.
Additional planting will be completed if it is determined that
additional natural regeneration will not be sufficient to colonize the
site within an acceptable time frame (usually 5 years).

Weeds should continue to be controlled after planting, using a 3 foot
circle around each tree, or a 2 foot band along each side of each row as
identified in the specifications sheet.

Mowing is not recommended for weed control because it encourages grass
competition and can cause mechanical damage to trees.

Livestock will be excluded from all tree plantings and noxious weeds,
undesirable plants, insects, and pests should be controlled to insure
that the trees are established.

Prune trees if desired to maintain central stems and eliminate forks and
multiple leaders.

Consider the impacts of wildlife damage on the success of the planting.
Consult a professional forester for advice on minimizing wildlife
impacts.

Figure 1. Proper Seedling Planting

Purdue University Extension, *Planting and Care of Fine Hardwood
Seedlings*, FNR 210