Plant Material - Project Planning and Management for Ecological Restoration - page 121

Table 8-1. Comparison of Various Plant Propagules Used in Restoration Construction Projects

Material Requirements Constraints Planning Obligations Operation Obligations Issues and Solutions

Seeds Suitable surface

substrate.

Application at spe-
ciic time of year.

Supply issues may require
up to two years advance
request.

Moisture and soil environment
critical for germination. Some seed
require special pretreatment.

Seed should be collected in a de-
ined geographic area for ecotype
considerations.

Cuttings Collection during

dormancy of plant.

Holding of cuttings
requires cooling or
refrigeration.

Schedule of project timed
so collection and planting
occur in a very short time
period (days).

Prevent drying out prior to leaf
sprouting. Improved survivorship
attained by soaking in water for
one day prior to planting.

Cut planting end at angle, oppo-
site end square, to avoid prob-
lems. Cuttings can dry out.

Rooted
Cuttings

Place cutting in water
or wet burlap for root
growth.

Time of year
important; rooting
allows for timing
lexibility.

Allows for a little more
time lexibility in sched-
uling.

Planting of rooted cuttings should
proceed with little delay.

Roots may be tangled or curled
depending on storage. Wet bur-
lap helps in handling material.
Cut any roots showing signs of
twisting or curling.

Tubes or
Bands

Requires careful
handling.

Extra care in
planting to avoid
breaking roots.
Wet soil to prevent
drying of root ball.

Short holding time before
planting.

When delivered to site, should
be maintained closely. Water to
prevent drying while waiting to
plant. Do not lay out in sun during
planting operation.

Root ball breakage is primary
concern, followed by proper
moisture control during planting
operations.

Containers
of Various
Sizes

Permits planting at
any time of year.

Properly prepared
planting hole.
Plant at correct
level with ground.

Requires nine to thirty-six
months to attain desired
planting size.

Moist planting holes; backilled
completely with no air spaces.
Requires supplemental irrigation.

Delayed planting may cause
severe plant damage. Improper
handling can break root ball
during planting operation.

Pole
Cuttings

Deep groundwater;
no supplemental wa-
ter. Poles 2 to 4 inches
in diameter and 4 to 8
feet long.

Should be collect-
ed in dormant or
near dormant time
of year.

As above for other cuttings. Poles should be deep enough to

reach the moist soil zone.

Collect only a few poles from
any one plant.

Salvage
Trans-
location

Need for large spec-
imens on-site for fast
habitat development.

Equipment may
require large area
or have slope limits
and cause damage
to other plants.

If large equipment required,
plan its presence on-site
prior to smaller plantings.
Delay in other plantings
will alter normal planting
schedules.

Usually requires supplemental
irrigation immediately.

Plants taken within groves may
not have suficient reactionary
wood to be self-supporting.

Sod or
Vegetation
Blocks

Need to cover area
with several species
not commercially
available.

Rooting depth,
size of block, and
weight will deter-
mine equipment.

Identify areas in advance
of salvage material loca-
tion and quantity expect-
ed. Prepare donor site and
receiving site appropriately
(wet receiving site).

Placement is important. Sides of
blocks must be lush with another
block or illed with soil if plant-
ed singularly. Water following
placement to encourage soil-root
contact and reduce air pockets.

Donor site not always available.
Method is excellent for introduc-
ing several soil organisms, and
herbaceous species not otherwise
available.