Drought damage is unlikely if the landowner takes all these factors into account and selects the best-adapted species and geographic seed source. Soil surveys available from county Soil Conservation Service offices are helpful in assessing drought potential and in choosing the right species for the site. Seedlings can be ordered from nurseries operated by forestry agencies, forest industry, or private nurseries. The county extension agent or county forester can provide information on local sources and costs. Before ordering seedlings, measure the acreage to be planted, and in consultation with a professional forester, determine the number of trees needed and the spacing that will be used in planting.
Some nurseries cull seedlings of lower quality before shipping.
Upon inspection, if the shipped seedling bags or bales contain large numbers of poor quality seedlings, then grading in a cool, high-humidity area out of the wind should precede planting. If the shipments consistently run less than 10 percent culls, the planters can be instructed to discard any small, weak, diseased, or damaged seedlings in the field. It is beyond the scope of this advisory to discuss detailed tree grading specifications for all forest species available. Larger than the specifications for the species. Smaller than the minimum, root-collar diameter specifications of the species.