Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

1. Q: What exactly is a “bare-root” seedling? 

 

A: Bare-root forest seedlings are seedlings that are harvested from open field nursery beds and packaged with no soil around the root system.  Seedling roots are coated with a polymer gel to protect them from desiccation (drying out) from the time they are harvested, in the nursery, until they are transplanted.  Seedlings with soil around the roots are typically known as containerized seedlings.

 

2. Q: When is the best time to plant bare-root seedlings?

 

A: Typically, bare-root seedlings are planted from mid December through early March.  Most hardwood species are fully dormant during this time frame and pine seedlings, although “evergreen” are not actively growing.

 

 

3. Q: Why are there only a limited number of shipping dates for seedlings? 

 

A: The shipping dates listed on the website are all on a pre-determined day of the week (Tuesday for the 2006/2007 growing season).  This is to ensure that your order arrives (ASAP) and is not held in a trucking terminal for an extended amount of time, which could adversely affect survival.   

 

4. Q: After I receive my order, when should I plant the seedlings? 

 

A: As soon as possible.  All seedlings will be shipped ground unless next day is chosen when you select your delivery method during checkout.  The Plum Creek Nursery staff, where your seedlings were grown and harvested, has painstakingly packaged and coordinated the shipment of your seedlings to arrive at your door ready to be transplanted.  Even short-term storage of your seedlings could adversely affect their survival after transplanting.  If adequate soil moisture is not readily available, at time of transplanting, supplemental watering may be necessary.

 

 

5. Q: What is the best planting method to use, when transplanting my seedlings? 

 

A: Each order is shipped with a complete set of planting instructions and tips for getting the best survival.  Although it would be impossible to provide instructions that cover all of the different types of planting tools, please follow the instructions carefully regardless of the planting tool used.

 

6. Q: What is the best planting tool to use when transplanting seedlings? 

 

A: Any type planting tool can be used to successfully transplant your seedlings.  (ex. dibble bars, shovels, post hole diggers, etc…)

 

 

7. Q: Should I be alarmed that some of my hardwood seedlings arrived with faded brown leaves on them? 

 

A: Absolutely not, some deciduous tree species retain their foliage from the previous year’s growth.  Old and faded leafs on the stem are a good sign that the seedling is in a dormant state and ready to be transplanted.  In the spring, when the seedlings buds begin to swell and grow, the old foliage will fall and be replaced by new growth.

 

8. Q: Is there anything I need to do to the seedlings before transplanting them? 

 

A: No. All Plum Creek seedlings will arrive fresh and ready to be transplanted.

 

 

9. Q: I have noticed a jelly-like substance on the root system of my bare root seedlings, is there something wrong with the seedlings? 

 

A: All Plum Creek bare root seedlings are packaged with a water-based polymer gel applied to their root system.  This is done to ensure that the root system does not dry out, both before and after transplanting.  Please handle seedlings carefully, so they will retain as much of gel as possible.  The water-based polymer gel is both nontoxic and biodegradable.

 

10.  Q: Can Plum Creek seedlings be used for both reforestation and landscape purposes? 

 

A: Yes, all of the seedlings available on this web-site are approved for use in local, state, and federal cost share programs and most all of the hardwood species can be utilized as beautiful landscape specimens.

 

 

11.   Can I order more than 1000 seedlings? 

 

A: Yes, for orders larger than 1000 please contact the nursery at 1-866-894-1072.

 

12.  Q: What other options do I have for receiving the seedlings that I order? 

 

A: Seedlings may be picked up at the nursery on the shipping dates listed on the website.  If you would like to pick seedlings up at the nursery and the shipping dates listed do not fit your time frame, please call the nursery to schedule another pick-up date.  Plum Creek can only deviate from the shipping dates listed if the order is to be picked up at the nursery.

 

  13.  Q:  What's the Best Way to Plant My Seedlings?