Plantings in the Park

I was out visiting in our backyard (literally) with David Dehne, Forestry Operations Manager for the Three Rivers Park District, who was planting trees with a crew on the former Bob Hedtke property.  David said the trees were being planted by college and non-college students with the Minnesota Conservation Corps, in cooperation with Three Rivers.

But he was very busy coordinating planting and watering efforts that Halloween morning of October 31st, so he gave me a contact for information.  Paul  Kortebein, Manager for Forestry and Horticulture with Three Rivers, answered all of my questions.

What kind of trees and shrubs are being planted?  “The Park District produces roughly 60 species of trees and shrubs at its facility in Crow-Hassan Park Reserve.  These species cover the range of the site conditions we encounter within the Park District — everything from well drained sandier soils to higher clay content and poorly drained soils.  At Carver Park we generally find the latter.”

“Depending on where we are planting, we tailor our species mix to the specific soil, moisture, and light conditions of the site.  Also, for most of our plantings, we use a roughly 50/50 tree-shrub mix.”

“At Carver Park we used 35 species of trees/shrubs within the fenced planting areas.  Some of the specific species that were used in the plantings include sugar maple, silky dogwood, gray dogwood, butternut, wild plum,  black cherry, bur oak, red oak, basswood, nannyberry, viburnum, downy arrowhead viburnum, and highbush cranberry.”

What is the  size/diameter of some of the trees?  “The Park produces several sizes of plant material.  We have large trees that are transported and planted using a tree spade.  These are generally at least 2.5 inches in diameter and roughly 20 feet tall.”

“We also produce two types of bareroot plant material, which represent the  base majority of the planting that we do.  Our large bareroot stock is generally 6 to 10 feet tall and is well branched.”

“These are used in our Forests Forever plantings (within the 8-foot non-electric fenced area) and other smaller sites where we would like to make a significant impact right away.  Our smallest and most economical type of woody plant production is in the form of bareroot seedlings.”

“These are generally at least 2.5 inches in diameter and roughly 20 feet tall.  We also produce two types of bareroot plant material, which represent the vast majority of the planting that we do.”

“Our large bareroot stock is generally 6 to 10 feet tall and is well branched.  These are used in our Forests Forever plantings (within the 8-foot non-electric fenced area) and other smaller sites where we would like to make a significant impact right away.”

“Our smallest and most economical type of woody plant production is in the form of bareroot seedlings.  These are generally 1 to 3 feet in height and are used in our large area reforestation plantings (within our electric fence areas).”

“We plant between 10,000 and 12,000 large bareroot trees and shrubs and between 50,000 and 60,000 seedlings per year.”

Approximately how much was planted at this time on the former Hedtke piece at Park Drive in Victoria?  “The Hedtke property has become our designated Forests Forever planting site for the Three Rivers Park District.”

“Forests Forever is a program through which people can donate money to have a tree planted.  There are three different donation levels reflecting the different sizes of plant material available.”

“At the lowest level of giving, we plant a large bareroot tree in a pre-determined location.  For the past 4 to 5 years, this was done near the Grimm Farm, also within Carver Park in Victoria.  As of last year, the Grimm site had reached its capacity.”

“Starting this year, we are using the Hedtke property as our new location for this donation planting program.  This year we planted roughly 500 large bareroot trees and shrubs (total) at this site.”

What is the approximate size of the acres planted at this time on the Hedtke piece?  “So far we have planted just over an acre of the Hedtke property.  The site can accommodate 3 to 5 years of planting, depending on donation levels and planting density.”

Does the Park hope to plant the entire 9 acres of the Hedtke property — in other words, the entire fenced in area?  “Yes.  The goal is to revegetate and reforest the entire parcel.”

Are the trees and shrubs fast growing?  “Within the mix of species we plant, there are faster growing species such as basswood, silver maple, and American elm.  Likewise, we also plant a number of species that are slower growing and require a longer time to reach maturity, like the bur oak and butternut.”

Approximately what size will the trees or shrubs be before the fence can be removed?  “Our fences generally stay in place for 10 to 15 years, or until the plant are of a size that they are resistant to damage by deer, usually at least 20 feet tall.”

Love, Backyard Sue

Email:  Sue@PrintsPublishing.com

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