A Review of the "Pull-Up" and "Leave-Down" Methods of Planting Loblolly Pine
Two schools of thought exist regarding the planting of bare-root seedlings. One school favors the "pull-up" method where the seedling is pulled-up 3 to 10 cm after placing the roots in the planting hole. Although this action purportedly straightens the taproot, data are lacking to show this extra step actually improves field performance. Pulling the seedling up usually results in a root-collar 5 cm or less below the groundline (which could increase mortality on some sites). The "leave-down" school advocates making a deep planting hole, placing the roots near the bottom of the hole, and no "pull-up." The "leavedown" technique results in planting the root-collar 3 to 10 cm deeper than the "pull-up" technique. Those from the "leave-down" school say that shallow holes kill seedlings; bent roots do not.
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Author(s): David B. South
Publication: Tree Planters' Notes - Volumes 51, Number 1 (2005)
Volume: 51
Number: 1
