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For the past nineteen years, the Laramie County Conservation District
has offered low-cost seedling trees and shrubs, technical
assistance and information to Laramie County citizens in an
effort to encourage the establishment of conservation tree
plantings such as shelterbelts, field or livestock windbreaks,
living snow fences, and/or wildlife habitat areas.
Seedling
Tree Sales
We currently accepting applications for 2008
seedling tree plantings. For an
application, please call the District Office
at 772-2600.
Planning a Windbreak
The conservation district provides free technical
assistance to design a windbreak for your
property. In addition, the district
provides consultations as requested to
determine tree health concerns for Laramie
County residents. For windbreak design
assistance, call Shaun Kirkwood at 772-2600, or
e-mail Kirkwood@lccdnet.org
to make an appointment.
If
you want to plan your own windbreak, below are some general
tips to follow:
- Generally,
the primary tree planting objective of rural landowners
is protection from the wind. A windbreak planting
of trees and shrubs creates a "wind shadow" on the leeward
(downwind) side. The protected area extends to a distance
of 15 to 20 times the height of the windbreak's tallest
trees; the most effective area extends to about 10 times
the height (10XH) of the windbreak. For example, if
a windbreak is 30 feet tall, wind speed is reduced by 50
percent 300 feet downwind from the windbreak.
- Because
wind eddies form around the ends of a windbreak, the planting
should extend 100 feet beyond the area you want protected.
Any gaps or openings in the windbreak will create a wind
funnel, accelerating the wind and reducing windbreak effectiveness.
- Windbreaks
should be planted on the sides of your property that face
prevailing winds. (In Laramie County, this usually
means west and north sides).
- Do
not plant trees closer than 150 feet from roads, driveways,
buildings, or other areas being protected. Most snow will
be deposited in the windbreak and within the first 100 feet
downwind of it. Note: snow can drift at
a distance of approximately ten times the height of the
windbreak.
- The
maximum distance from your windbreak to the area you wish
to protect should be no more than 300 feet.
- Finally,
remember to keep your trees at least 50 feet from your leach
field.
Tips
On Planting Tree Rows
An average planting by the conservation district
consists of at least three rows to achieve good wind protection.
A typical planting consists of shrubs or shorter trees comprising
the outer rows, while evergreens (the foundation of the windbreak)
should make up at least one inside row. Your tallest
trees should be in the inside row(s).
You should not make all your tree rows the same species (i.e.
three rows of juniper). This will help protect your windbreak
if a disease or insect destroys all of one species.
Planting different types of trees in the same row can create
gaps and reduce windbreak effectiveness.
Spacing
Within and Between Rows
The district suggests the following tree spacing
distances to use when planting trees and shrubs in a row.
Windbreak rows should be planted 20 feet apart. Always
leave enough distance between rows and around your windbreak
to allow cultivating equipment passage.
Suggested Tree Spacing:
Shrubs (i.e.,
Caragana, Lilac, Cotoneaster, Buffaloberry, Native Plum, Chokecherry,
Serviceberry) plant 3-6 feet apart
Smaller evergreen species
(i.e., Rocky Mountain Juniper, Eastern Redcedar) plant
6-12 feet apart
Large evergreen species
(i.e., pine and spruce) plant 10-12 feet apart
Deciduous trees
(i.e., Bur Oak, Green Ash, Hackberry, Golden
Willow, Siberian Elm, Cottonwood) plant 10-14 feet apart
Remember
that the above spacing recommendations are simply guidelines,
depending on how you want to utilize your planting.
For example, for a windbreak, trees will be spaced closer.
Trees in a wildlife planting are spaced a little farther apart.
If you have questions, please call the district for further
information.
Checklist
For Preparing Your Planting Site
Proper site preparation is very important for windbreaks.
Plows, disks, or rototillers can be used to achieve necessary
tillage and are available at rental equipment stores and landscape
companies. The district also has a list of contractors
who do site preparation work. Please call 772-2600
to receive a copy of this list. Fallowing the fall before
planting is essential for dry land windbreaks to allow moisture
to accumulate during the winter. Rows should be 8 feet
wide and 6-8 inches deep.
- It
is advisable to mow the planting areas before site preparation
is done if tall grass is present.
- One
week before site preparation work is to be done telephone
"One Call" at 1-800-348-1030 to complete a utility location
check. This check will be done in two business days.
- In
the spring, prior to planting your trees, check your site
preparation by completing a shovel test. If the shovel
does not go into the soil easily, rototill the site again.
- If
livestock will be present in the area of your windbreak,
your trees should be fenced to protect them from damage.
If
You Order Seedling Trees From The District
Your seedlings will be available the last week
in April .
If we are not planting your trees, you will receive a green
postcard in the mail approximately the second week in April
indicating when and where to pick up your trees. Please
note that the card will come to the mailing address you have
provided on your order form, so be sure and provide the district
with your correct mailing address.
Seedlings
come from the nursery packaged in protective wraps or containers
as either bareroot or potted stock.
| Bareroot
stock is packaged in plastic wrap in quantities
of 50 per species with a moisture holding medium, usually
sphagnum moss or polymers, to keep the roots moist.
Exposure to air and sunlight for even a brief period can
kill a tree's root system and eventually, the tree. Immediately
upon receiving seedlings, add water to the moss for absorption. |
 |
Potted
stock, as they come from the nursery beds,
are placed in special
potting soil and encased in individual 2" x 2" x 7" tar
paper pots or styrofoam blocks of 30. Trees range
in top height from 4 to 10 inches. The soil in the
pots should be thoroughly moistened after you receive
your seedlings. |
 |
For
best success trees should be planted as soon as possible.
If trees are not planted right away, place them in a shady
area out of direct sunlight.
Weed
and Moisture Management
Weed control is an extremely important factor for
tree growth and survival. Weed and vegetative competition
control should be provided for at least five years.
Remember that weeds are better competitors than seedlings
for moisture, nutrients, and sunlight. They also provide
fuel for fires and habitat for tree-injuring pests.
Mulch, cultivation, and herbicides are three basic methods
for controlling weeds. The district sells polypropylene
fabric mulch in 300 ft. rolls for $110 plus tax. These
materials are also available at local nurseries. Fabric mulch
has significantly improved the survival of tree plantings.
Fabric mulch allows moisture to pass through to the soil but
minimizes moisture loss through evaporation. Mulch
should be installed after seedlings have been planted.
Pull seedlings through "X" shaped holes (no larger than 6
inches by 6 inches) cut into the fabric. ("X" cuts ensure
the fabric will not rub against the seedling stem.)
The edges of the fabric can be secured with a covering of
soil. Wire staples, rocks, etc. can also be used to
hold fabric down in place.
Watering
Irrigation may be needed at planting time and is
often helpful throughout the first several growing seasons.
Generally, the district recommends 10 gallons of water for
every inch in tree diameter. Also, it is recommended
that you quit watering your trees at the end of August to
allow the tree to harden off. If you water after this
date, this can cause die back of new growth from an early
freeze.
Contact
the district (772-2600) if you would like to have a free drip
irrigation design prepared in the fall or winter prior to
installing your tree planting. The district also
has a list of drip irrigation contractors and parts suppliers
available. Please call the office if you would like
a copy of this list.
Insect
and Disease Control
Examine trees for insect and disease problems during
the growing season while weeding and watering. Insects
and diseases can severely set young trees back. If you
suspect that your trees have insect or disease problems, call
the district for information on identification and treatment.
Banded Bark Beetle - A new
pest has been found in the Cheyenne area that is thought to
primarily attack stressed trees. The Banded Bark Beetle
(Scolytus schevyrewi Semenov) originally came from
parts of Russia, Mongolia, China and Korea and is known to
affect various species of elm, willow, Caragana (peashrubs), and some fruit trees. At this time, it is
not known if this bark beetle carries the Dutch elm disease
fungal spores. Recommended control for Banded Bark
Beetle includes removing infected wood and burning it
immediately, chipping the wood into small chips, or burying
the wood in a landfill. Recommended chemical control for
borers is a surface application on the trunk to the point of
runoff with Astro (Pyrethroid insecticide) coinciding with
adult egg laying.
Winter
Care
Snow cover is helpful to the young trees.
A snow fence on the windward side of the windbreak the first
year or two will protect plants from desiccation and add soil
moisture.
Protection
from the wind. Most
evergreen species require protection from wind, especially
during winter months. Sunlight reflected off snow and
wind can quickly dry unprotected conifer foliage. It
is recommended to install wind protection for evergreen trees
the first three years of establishment or until the trees
are taller than the protectors. The conservation district
sells the green mesh, bi-fold protectors for $1.70 each.
Please note that the district has no control over inventories
of these protectors. Call first to find out our current
inventory. Other items that can be used for wind protection
include wood shakes and bales of straw.
Anti-transpirants
applied to young or newly established evergreen trees can
be very beneficial. Cold winter winds can dry out needles
on evergreen trees causing water stress and possible die-back
on tip growth. Anti-transpirant spray can be purchased
through a local nursery. These materials serve to reduce
winter stress on newly planted trees. Application of
these materials is also available through the district for
$.25 per foot, up to 8 feet. Contact the district office
for an appointment.
Replanting
Trees
If you need to replace trees in your windbreak,
count your dead trees in September or October each year to
know what species you will need to replant. Customers
are encouraged to place an order early, as species sell out
rapidly. If purchasing trees for replanting through
the district, you still must order the minimum that the district
offers (30 for potted or 50 for bareroot).
The
district DOES NOT
order extras and sells only what is left over in the late
spring from our own plantings. Never allow a windbreak
gap to remain; replant as soon as possible.
The
district encourages ordering extra plants when first establishing
your windbreak. They can be grown in a separate nursery
area for a year or two. This will ensure that the replacement
trees, if needed, will be the same age as the tree and shrubs
in your windbreak.
IF
YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF YOUR
TREE PLANTING, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT OUR OFFICE at (307)
772-2600.
The
district provides this technical assistance FREE to Laramie
County residents.
Planting
and Fabric Mulch Application Services
The district provides a tree planting and fabric mulch application
service for Laramie County residents. This service is
on a first-come-first-serve basis. Last year the
planting schedule filled up quickly so order your trees and sign up for tree
planting services as soon as possible so you don't miss out on this service.
In
order to be placed on this list for these services, a paid
tree order must be received first. Installation of the
fabric and trees is also contingent on a district approved
windbreak plan. The fabric mulch application and tree
planting services are billed upon completion. Only fabric
purchased through the district can be applied by the district.
Costs for these services are as
follows:
Fabric
mulch only installation fees:
Up
to 1,500 ft. - flat fee of $150 plus $.40/lineal
foot for fabric mulch
Over 1,500 ft.
- $.50/lineal foot (includes fabric mulch)
Planting
only fees:
30-250
trees - flat fee of $125*
251 + trees - $.50/tree*
*trees
are purchased separately
**Utility checks are required prior to contracting work with
the conservation district and are the responsibility of the
landowner**
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