Size of trees, planting stock and other factors
Transplanting
Trees transplant best when they are small and young. This is because they have a better root to shoot ratio than larger stock, they overcome the shock of transplanting better than older trees and quickly grow new roots. They are also less prone to physical damage or drying out in transit. Glorious Woodlands will however offer to plant 4 to 6 metre trees so that you will benefit from the beauty of a taller young woodland from the beginning. For example, graceful stands of birch and rowan.
Bare-rooted stock
For woodland planting, bare-root stock is normally between 1 and 3 years old. They are grown in a nursery and lifted in late autumn when growth is dormant. The quality of bare-rooted stock will be judged by the volume of fibrous roots, and by the root collar diameter, rather than by the height of the plant.
Cell-grown stock
Cell-grown or rootrainer trees are one-year-old seedlings, grown in special tall, narrow pots designed for tree seedlings, which promote good downward root growth without spiralling. The plants are normally grown for one season only in the cell or rootrainer, before being planted out in the autumn.
Cell-grown stock is more expensive than bare-root and they are more bulky in transport. However, cell-grown plants have roots that are not disturbed when planting out which can be beneficial. As the roots are protected, cell-grown stock can be planted before they are fully dormant. They should grow a little in autumn followed by lots of growth in spring. They are best planted in September or October but can be planted anytime between July and December.
Size and layout
Trees grow in height and spread over a life of 100 years or more, this means there is the potential for them to cause problems in years to come. When planning the layout of your woodland, Glorious Woodlands will consider the size, height and spread of the trees as they grow. Tree roots can grow as far as twice the mature height of the tree so it is important we consider the design of planting.
Ultimately trees that are growing too dense can be thinned or felled to open up the woodland which is enhancing the woodland’s natural ecology.
There are various ways to plant trees, planting in wavy lines provides a more natural layout and varying the spacing will allow for a more balanced woodland.
Planting small groups of the same species together will reduce competition for water, light and nutrients between different species as they grow.
