RAISING AND USE OF LARGE CLOSE-ROOTED TRANSPLANTS FOR COMMERCIAL AFFORESTATION IN SOUTHERN RHODESIA

Abstract

Summary Under summer rainfall conditions prevailing on a Forestry Estate in the Melsetter district of Southern Rhodesia, particularly in the rank weed and grass growth described, comparatively extensive afforestation of 19,500 acres during the past five years has indicated that large (15″ to 20″ tall), close-rooted transplants (i.e. a tree planted with a ball of original seedbed soil attached to its roots) preferably planted early in a season, are vastly superior to conventionally-used smaller transplants, are preferable to open-rooted transplants, and are cheaper than pot-transplants. Nursery practice is described for raising on a large scale these transplants of mainly P. patula, P. elliottii, P. taeda, E. saligna and E. maculata; many other species having also been successfully raised by the method described. Pricking-out of seedlings of species having large seeds (e.g. all the above-mentioned species except E. saligna), is obviated by in situ sowing of individual seeds at the desired 2″ × 2″ espacement in prepared seedbeds. Species with fine seed, such as E. saligna, are broadcast-sown then picked-out at the desired espacement into prepared seedbeds. Raised, and Preferably revetted seedbeds, 5″ to 6″ deep and of width equal to that of two boxes holding 40 transplants in five rows of eight transplants each, are used to facilitate root-pruning and boxing. The necessity for sowing under local conditions, Pine species 12 to 15 months, and Eucalyptus species 10 to 13 months before their transplants are required, and the necessity for regular root-pruning and, in the case of Eucalyptus species, crown-clipping in order to produce sturdy transplants of the desired size, are stressed. Equipment used for sowing, root-pruning and boxing, and their methods of use are described and illustrated. The method and results of planting these large close-rooted transplants in the afforestation of the Estate are illustrated and briefly discussed.