MB Regenerative Horse Property Design-Equine Permaculture & Holistic Pasture Management
Importance of Trees and using the Plant Pink Tree SystemTM
Trees on (Horse) Properties are important: Trees have a big impact on your land, from cycling nutrient, to creating habitat for all forms of life, soil creation, shelter, and also creating micro climates. Trees also trap moisture on their leaves and drip that back into the soil in the early morning. Trees also slow down evaporation, and by planting the right trees around dams and water catchments we can slow that process by shading the water and keeping it cool. Warm water in shallow dams will evaporate a lot faster than a tree can take up.
How can I speed up growth of tree systems?
Planting Pioneer fast growing Nitrogen fixing legume trees like Acacia or the common name, Australian wattles can speed up the growth of tree systems on your property. The Acacia is just an example and there are many other species to choose from. Aim for a good diversity. Planting fast growing nitrogen fixing trees 12 to 18 months before planting your functional trees will, fix nitrogen into the ground, de-compact the soil, add fertility by chop and dropping the trees braches for mulch. What we are aiming for is a natural system like in nature, the pioneer trees grow first then provide shelter and a micro-climate for the tall canopy trees to grow tall and reach for the sky. Also this style of pioneer planting will shade out competition from grasses thus leaving the trees to power on!
What natural methods are available to give my trees the best start?
Mycorrhiza are fungi that live in a beneficial relationship with most tree roots. Mycorrhiza increase the tree roots access to water and nutrients and therefore increase tree growth especially in poor soil conditions which are often found in tree planting areas and most horse properties. Just as we apply starter fertiliser when young saplings are planted we also need to consider inoculating with mycorrhiza to enhance survival rates. Most soils in Australia are devoid of mycorrhiza due to tillage, chemicals, compaction and loss of organic matter making saplings very susceptible to drought and nutrients shortages. If we can inoculate the saplings with mycorrhiza we can limit these stresses and survival/growth rates will increase.
How can I get started?
ONLY DO WHAT YOUR BUDGET WILL ALLOW YOU TO DO AND DO IT WELL. Better off having 100 strong healthy trees than 1000 half dead and struggling. To ensure exceptionally high survival rates of tree seedlings, with 98% survival rates, preparation is the key. The 8 steps are below:
Step 1. Identify compaction layers and deep rip appropriately using a Yeomans Plow® to open up the soil on contour and leave to sit for 3-6 month before planting.
Step 2. Mark out tree spacing’s according to tree type and habitat goal. Plant trees and a triangle fashion, (See Figure 1) this will give you the best outcome and increase the strength of your planting by creating gaps through pattern to slow wind.
Step 3. Remove all grass using a slasher to mulch the grass. Within 1m of the planting holes remove the grass and use Paper and Card Board to suppress any competition and mulch with straw or use heavy mulch.
Step 4. Dig holes deeper than the pot making sure the hole edges are not smooth and at least 300mm round to allow for root expansion.
Step 5. Place 200g (1 cup) of Tree-Starter™ into the planting hole.
Step 6. Dip tree seedling roots (preferably tube stock) into a Tree-Tonic™ solution then plant just covering the root ball, leaving a depression to hold water. Leave a depression around the tree so it can hold 10 L of water. Water in Tree-Tonic™ to limit stress and feed soil biology.
Step 7. Put down a Plant Pink Mulch Weed Mat™ and setup a Plant Pink Tree-Guard™. Place dry forest mulch (preferably hay) around the outside of the Tree-Guard.
Step 8. After 12 months fertilise each tree with 400g (2 cups) of Tree-Booster™ around the drip line to boost growth. All these products can be found on our website.
Figure 1: This can be done with more than 3 species. The same species should be planted so diversity can be kept and different species will have different growth rates.
Why Pink Tree Guards?
NOW AVAILABLE!! PLANT PINK TREE GUARD TM
Visible light can be split into a spectrum of colours. Green leaves absorb light from the red fraction to drive photosynthesis.Research has demonstrated that the colour pink reflects and focuses the red fraction, concentrating this photosynthetic energy to enhance plant growth. (Other colours are available on request) These distinctive, highly visible, solid-walled pink tree guards are made of UV stabilised fluted core flute plastic and are designed to protect the seedlings from:
HERBICIDE DRIFT
Most tree species do not grow well in competition with grasses, and are also highly susceptible to contact with herbicide. The Plant Pink Tree Guard™ and weed mat provide ideal protection for young seedlings when herbicide is being used.
WIND PROTECTION
Strong wind can cause severe dehydration of young seedlings and can result in high losses. The Plant Pink Tree Guard™ provides ideal protection from strong winds in this early stage of growth and also creates an environment of increased humidity and sun protection.
PREDATION
Hares, rabbits and wallabies can cause high losses and damage to young seedlings. The Plant Pink Tree Guard™ with its high walls and robust structure provides excellent protection.
ADVERSE CONDITIONS
This tree guard will insulate seedlings from sand blasting and frost, and also elevate humidity and concentrate carbon dioxide levels for mproved growth.
For more information and prices: PLANT PINK TREE GUARD TM
