When to Plant Seedlings

Planting season for pine seedlings is December through February; however, containerized seedlings may also be planted during the summer months.

For winter plantings, seedlings should be planted as early as possible (December through January) as long as soil moisture is adequate. Early planting allows time for new root growth during the dormant season and enables seedlings to compete more successfully for water and nutrients during the upcoming spring when conditions are often drier.

If possible, complete planting by March 1 to avoid the typically dry weather of late winter and early spring. On average, survival rates of seedlings planted after March 1 are significantly lower.

Proper Planting Techniques

Proper planting techniques require the use of good equipment. Pine seedlings will require a hand-planting tool or machine planter that will create a planting slit that is at least 8 inches deep (10 inches is preferred) and 3 inches wide to accommodate pine seedling roots and allow proper alignment. If the equipment being used is not adequate, it should be replaced.

Bald cypress seedlings have larger root systems than pine seedlings and therefore require larger planting holes. Bald cypress planting tools and machine planters should be capable of making a slit 12 to 15 inches deep and 4 inches wide to accommodate seedling roots and allow proper alignment.

When planting, the most important steps are to create a good planting slit and properly align and pack the seedling. After a proper planting slit is made, insert seedlings until the tap root reaches the bottom of the planting slit and raise the seedlings to the proper planting depth. For bareroot bald cypress, loblolly, slash and sand pine seedlings, the root collar should be 1-2 inches below ground line. On droughty soils, such as deep sands and those on dry ridges, seedlings may benefit from deeper planting as long as the terminal bud is at least 3 inches above ground line. For longleaf pine, proper planting depth is critical. Bareroot longleaf pine seedlings should be planted such that the root collar is at, or slightly below, the ground line once the soil settles. Containerized longleaf pine seedlings should be planted so that the top of the soil plug is level or slightly above, but not below, the surface of the soil. 

After the seedling is raised to the proper planting depth and it is in a vertical position without leaning, close the planting slit and pack the soil around the hole. Proper packing can be determined by grasping the stem of the seedling; if the seedling moves up and down when the stem is pulled, the seedling is improperly packed. If the seedling remains still when pulled, the packing is suitable.

Additional Steps to Ensure Quality and Successful Planting

The risk of planting failure can be significantly reduced by following the guidelines on this page. You should also employ the following to ensure maximum survival rates:

1. Plan ahead. Don't wait until the last minute to perform site preparation, acquire seedlings, and hire a tree-planting vendor. You may benefit by hiring someone to handle all the work from start to finish.
2. Ask others in your area who have hired tree-planting vendors in the past and use a vendor with a good reputation who can transport and store seedlings correctly.
3. Sign a contract with the vendor that clearly states the following:
   • Planting equipment must be capable of creating proper planting slits.
   • Seedlings planted must be properly transported, stored and handled at all times.
   • Planting must be performed during suitable weather conditions.
   • Date by which planting must be completed.
   • Number of correctly planted seedlings per acre required to receive payment.
   • Seedlings planted must meet minimum quality measures.
4. Visit the site during the planting operation and inspect the work for proper performance.