I'm preparing to sign a contract to have approximately 500 seedlings planted on a tree farm that I recently acquired. A bit dense, but I am projecting a higher mortality rate and will do some precommerical thinning down the road to thin out the weaklings.
Two questions about seedling planting:
1) The State of Montana planting guideline strongly suggests using 3x3 squares of woven weed fabric (after killing the existing grasses) to keep the competition for water down. The seedling contractor isn't convinced, and is thinking that using natural wood chips will be good enough.
Any opinions on woven weed fabric versus natural mulch for seedling installation?
2) I will need to use Vexar seedling protector tubes to prevent deer browse. I was thinking 4" diameter by 36" tall. Any comments on the diameter of Vexar seedling protector?
Any other suggestions on planting seedlings? I would like the highest survival rate as possible (as well as good growth rates) without driving expenses through the roof.