Bare Root Shade Tree Whip Production in Containers

Abstract

A production system for producing bare root shade tree whips in containers is described. First year growth, transplant survival and regrowth of eight taxa were studied. Red oak (Quercus rubra L.) seedlings grown in 2:2:1, 2:1:2 or 3:1:1 sand:Comtil (composted municipal sewage sludge):Isolite (by vol) bare root media had first year height growth (100 cm, approximately 40 in) similar to seedlings grown in a 3:0.5:0.5:1 pine bark:peat moss:Comtil:sand medium (by vol). In a 2:2:1 sand:Comtil:Isolite (by vol) medium, red oak seedling height growth was greatest when 60 g (2.1 oz) slow release fertilizer was applied per container. Red oak seedlings were easily bare-rooted by hand shaking the sand:Comtil:Isolite media from the root systems. The root systems of all the taxa were fibrous and had many intact root tips. Red oak seedlings could be successfully transplanted in fall or spring. Six of the eight taxa studied, all except blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica Marsh.) and chinkapin oak (Q. muehlenbergii Engelm.), could be successfully overwintered bare root in refrigerated storage. When spring transplanted to containers, survival averaged over 90% second season height growth increased over 60 cm (24 in).