Tree planting workshops offered in March

Promptly renewing a forest with tree seedlings is key to sustainable forestry, whether to replace harvested trees or those that died from fire, insects, or disease. Every year that the forest is understocked is a loss in forest growth. Brush or grasses taking over a site can make establishing new trees very difficult and expensive. Finally, the Idaho Forest Practice Act requires reforestation within five years of timber harvest. In March, a half-day workshop titled “Successful Tree Planting” will introduce participants to key elements of planting forest trees successfully. The program will feature:

Indoor instruction on: planted vs. naturally generated tree seedlings; site preparation; seedling stock types; seedling sources; planting tools and technique; responding to inadequate moisture, wildlife damage, and other threats to seedling survival; and financial and technical assistance to help forest owners plant trees.

Field activities with opportunities to try different planting tools and stock types, an exercise on measuring planting success, and demonstrations of tools to reduce moisture competition and animal damage.

The program will be held on Friday, March 25 from 1-5 p.m. at the University of Idaho Extension Office in Kootenai County (in Room 302 at University of Idaho Research Park, located at 958 S. Lochsa S. in Post Falls), and again the next afternoon, Saturday, March 26 from 1-5 p.m. at the University of Idaho Extension Office in Boundary County (located at 6447 Kootenai — behind the courthouse in Bonners Ferry).

Those wishing to participate should pre-register by Friday, March 18 at the University of Idaho Extension office in the county where they will be attending the program. A $10 registration fee covers resource materials and refreshments. The program is eligible for 3.5 Idaho Pro-Logger credits.

For registration questions, contact the University of Idaho Extension Office in Kootenai County at 208-292-2525 or Boundary County at 208-267-3235. Registration forms can also be downloaded at https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/forestry/programs (click on “Strengthening Forest Stewardship Skills”).

For program questions, contact Chris Schnepf at 208-292-2525. The program is co-sponsored by University of Idaho Extension, the Idaho Department of Lands and the USDA Forest Service.