Please Recommend an Implement to plant trees!!!

[andrewj]

Hi folks. I need to plant about 50 chestnut trees. cultivar is collossal grafted on to seedling rootstock. land is well drained red clay on a modest slope. You cannot use a pine planter - those that have used pine planters will know why.

With pecans, I had to 12 inch augur a deep hole since pecan bareroots have a long taproot. I also ran a middlebuster/potato plow down the rows to help the roots grow in loose dirt, and to kill grass in the row.

With Apples, I had to augur plus dig a little wider.

This is my first planting of chestnuts and I am told their roots are more like apples, wide not deep like pecans. caliper will be 1/2 to 3/8.

I thought about a triple shank sub soiler but none of my local AG dealers carry such a thing.

What do you guys think about a triple shank sub soiler, the middle one to lift and break up the upper layer, the side shanks to fracture the grass so it won't compete with the young trees till I can round up later in summer?

 

[Rara Avis]

Hi folks. I need to plant about 50 chestnut trees. cultivar is collossal grafted on to seedling rootstock. land is well drained red clay on a modest slope. You cannot use a pine planter - those that have used pine planters will know why.

With pecans, I had to 12 inch augur a deep hole since pecan bareroots have a long taproot. I also ran a middlebuster/potato plow down the rows to help the roots grow in loose dirt, and to kill grass in the row.

With Apples, I had to augur plus dig a little wider.

This is my first planting of chestnuts and I am told their roots are more like apples, wide not deep like pecans. caliper will be 1/2 to 3/8.

I thought about a triple shank sub soiler but none of my local AG dealers carry such a thing.

What do you guys think about a triple shank sub soiler, the middle one to lift and break up the upper layer, the side shanks to fracture the grass so it won't compete with the young trees till I can round up later in summer?

I'd post over here...
http://www.forestryforum.com/

 

[john_bud]

Can you use a backhoe or FEL bucket to make a wide shallow hole? Fill it with mulch and go. I would think the 12" auger would work, but bust up the sides of the hole so the roots can spread easily.

Never planted chestnut trees, so this is all theoretical ...

 

[Ford850]

If you have access to a skid loader, you could use a larger auger (18-24") and have all the holes dug in a matter of minutes. Then plant the trees mixing the fluffy soil with compost of peat moss as you backfill. That would give the rots a good bed, and make it easier when you roundup later by having a larger ring around the trees.

 

[charlz]

Friend of mine who is a landscaper uses a bobcat with a big auger and then another attachment that closes horizontally, like a pincher. Grab the rootball, drive to the hole and drop it in. Can plant a lot of trees in a hurry.