planting oaks

[OneWithWood]

Well with everyting going on around here I have fallen behind on my planting schedule.  I still have 125 white and 100 red oaks to plant.  The seedlings ar 2-0 and are still in the moss and paper wrap from the nursery.  I keep them in the workshop out of the sun where it is relatively cool.  I thought I would save the planting for rainy days and mill on sunny days.  We have had a dirth of rainy days and now the seedlings are sprouting and putting on new growth
Do I need to drop everything and get these puppies in the ground or can I eait for the rainy days I know will eventually get here - maybe a week to 10days out?
These all need to be hand planted as the terrain does not lend itself to mechanical assistance.

[Texas Ranger]

I will gamble an answer here, and say that since they have broken dormancy, that what ever you do will have the same results.  Not very good survival.  Once dormancy is broken the plant is very susceptible to die off after planting.  With that said, get em in the ground as soon as possible.

[Ron Scott]

As Don says, Plant them as soon as possible for best results as it will be harder for them to adjust to the planting site conditions. You may need to water them some if soil is dry.

[SwampDonkey]

I agree also, bare-root seedlings need to be planted before they break bud or survival will deminish as the shoots elongate. Those shoots will be tender and very susceptible to drought.

plant'm or loose'm ;)

[redpowerd]

alas, you can strengthen them shoots with a bit of K?

[SwampDonkey]

redpowered

Wouldn't recomend K when planting bareroot, it can cause water stress, as fertilizer is a salt.

[OneWithWood]

I solved the issue by giving the trees to the neighbors and friends would could get them in the ground immediately.  They are happy, I have less to get done, and hopefully the trees will survive.

[Ron Scott]

A "timely" solution. Well done!