Planting bottomland hardwoods

Abstract

Diverse problems confront the forest manager when planting bottomland hardwoods. Bottomland vegetation types and sites are complex and differ markedly from uplands. There are different and more numerous hardwood species that grow faster in denser stands. Sites are subject to varying intensities and duration of flooding and the action of overflow river currents that deposit and erode soil. Added to these natural differences are the man-made influences of drainage ditches, borrow pits, levees, dams, dredging, and cultivation. Entirely different soils occur over very short distances. One or two feet in elevation often mean a change in suitable species. Therefore, the planter must consider each site a separate challenge and apply knowledge gained through careful examination and experience. The following information, offered to improve planting success with bottomland hardwoods, is based on experience in southeast Missouri and information available from recent research.

Parent Publication

• Central hardwood notes

Citation

Tennant, Karl. 1989. Planting bottomland hardwoods. In: Hutchinson, Jay G., ed. Central hardwood notes. St. Paul, MN.: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station. 3.07