Save a Forest in Southworth, WA

Southworth Forest Update:

Conservation District Trees Readied for Fall 2023 Planting

Posted March 16, 2023 by Southworth Forest

Sitka spruce plugs are planted in half-gallon pots while Western red cedars and Garry oaks enjoy a soak for a minimum of six hours in buckets. The previous year's Western hemlock crop, all transplanted volunteers, is in the foreground. (2023)

Local conservation districts are a fantastic source for native trees and shrubs whether you buy in bulk or not. This year, an additional 90 trees for the Southworth forest were purchased from the King Conservation District, which often features the best variety of species in its sales. These trees were potted in March, 2023 with the intent of planting them in the forest the following fall and winter.

With the forest's stock of potted Douglas fir, Grand fir, and Western hemlock volunteers already prepared from the previous year, this bulk buy concentrated on Western red cedar, Sitka spruce, and Garry oak. Although the cedars are projected to struggle with climate change in the Puget Sound region, this lot will be planted primarily in low-lying areas with greater access to ground water and protection from neighboring deforestation.

When purchasing such trees from a conservation district, the first two days after you receive them is key to their survival. The cedars and oaks come bare-root while the spruces come as plugs (in a tube of dirt). Proper ratios of top soil and compost will help any species adapt to its new location, whether you're potting them or placing them immediately in the ground. Top soil from the Southworth forest itself was used in the blend for these 2023 trees.

Hydration is also pivotal. Trees that come as plugs can be potted and watered routinely. The bare-root cedars love a good soaking of their roots before planting. A minimum of an hour is recommended. In this case, they received six hours of soaking on the day of the sale pick-up and another two hours on the following morning of potting. For the very cold night in between, they were stored in a dark bag to protect them from freezing or suffering other adverse effects. Keeping them wet but not drowned in the subsequent weeks is also wise.

Remember to spread each tree's roots evenly in the hole or pot. It's easiest to have one person (hopefully an enthusiastic youngster) holding the stock of the tree in stasis so that a second person can distribute the roots and dirt evenly below. You may find that keeping some species of trees completely upright in the planting process is a form of art, especially on species like hemlocks and cedars that have a tendency to lean. Though it's tempting to really pack their dirt to force them straight, this compaction can damage or kill the tree.

The cost of preparing each tree was about $3.30. By the time you include deer protection measures to ensure that the tree will survive past 15 years, the cost of each planting is about $10 to $11. Loss rates on the trees that come as plugs is fairly minimal, but some of the bare-root transplants won't survive, especially if their roots became tangled with others' and snapped during the soaking and planting process. Soil quality and compaction are another major factor. The goal here is an 80% to 90% survival rate during the first summer.

At the Southworth forest, the deforestation of the neighboring land at 11090 SE Southworth Dr. by Meghan and Clint Edwards hit the cedars in the area particularly hard. Not only did Edwards remove some massive cedars near their wetlands in violation of the law, but those on neighboring properties are suffering from the resulting loss of canopy in the years since. This newest batch for planting in late 2023 will hopefully bring some balance back to the area's habitat in the future.

Roughly 85 Western red cedar and Sitka spruce arrive at the King Conservation District as shown. The opaque paper bag is useful for overnight storage when cold. Keep the bare-root plants below 45 degrees but not freezing. (2023)

The cedars, fir, hemlocks, and oaks will be watered over the first summer after potting before planting in the fall. The red color of the newly potted cedars to the upper right is normal and can happen regardless of transplanting. (2023)