509-343-9087
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TREE GROWERS

Spokane Ponderosa is dedicated to the revitalization of Spokane County's urban Ponderosa Pine forest. We would love to see your Ponderosa Pine sales increase to the point that you can't keep up with demand. We need your help to accomplish this. We'll promote the trees which will increase your sales; in return we ask that you grow the best quality stock available!

 

Spokane County's Native Tree:

 

North Plateau Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa var. ponderosa, Douglas ex C. Lawson) is the native tree found in Spokane County and Northern Idaho. Trees from Montana are typically Rocky Mountain Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum). Ponderosa in Oregon and Western Washington are Pacific Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa var. benthamiana). Be sure you’re growing OUR Ponderosa Pine, it’s acclimatized to our region at maturity! For an in-depth description of the species and it's subspecies see this great article on Wikipedia

 

Things to Consider When Growing Ponderosa Pine:

 

What the Contractors are Saying:

We have heard from Contractors on a number of occasions that Ponderosa Pine is their number one tree for warranty issues. Tree mortality can be prevented.

 

In most cases of new installation death, mistreatment of the root ball between nursery digging and installation is to blame. On occasion, tree mortality is caused by root issues that began at the grow yard. A recent installation project in Spokane suffered over 90% Ponderosa Pine mortality within a short period of time. The tree stock was reviewed by an independent arborist on behalf of the project Landscape Architects. The deceased trees were found to have a number of root abnormalities caused by improper growing at the nursery level.

 

Root Issues:

Because of the sensitive nature of Ponderosa Pine water intake during establishment it is vitally important tree stock has an adequately developed and prepared root ball.

 

Root abnormalities related directly to improper growing and/or digging techniques will cause irreparable harm to tree stock. Common root abnormalities include:

  • Root collar set too deep in the ball.
  • J-roots (roots planted with a bend).
  • Girdling roots.
  • Low root fibrosity.

 

The majority of root abnormalities seen in field growing can be corrected by proper training of seedling installation staff.

 

Field Dug B&B Vs. Containerized Stock:

The majority of Ponderosa Pine tree stock is field grown then balled and burlapped just prior to shipping. The typical Ponderosa Pine root structure consists of a tap root and lateral roots roughly 20” below the surface. Commercial nursery field digging is usually done with a hydraulic tree spade. Tree spades dig a conical shaped root ball cutting off the tree's tap root and lateral root structure. Field digging removes the majority of the tap root and much of the root structure. Use of the field growing and digging method shows how vitally important it is to keep the root ball watered throughout the transport and replanting process.

 

Growing containerized stock can overcome the problems associated with field growing Ponderosa Pine. J. Frank Schmidt and Son Co. in Boring, Oregon is one of the largest deciduous tree growers in the Northwest, and they grow in containers. The containers they use are made by Air Pot, an excellent example of innovation at work in the nursery industry.

 

Another alternative is to containerize B&B Ponderosa until they re-grow feeder roots to better survive placement in the landscape. This is a common practice by the City of Spokane Urban Forestry Department which has had a substantially improved survivability rate with their Ponderosa Pine.

 

Water:

At no time should you allow the root ball of a Ponderosa Pine to dry out or otherwise suffer from stress related to water loss. This is the number one reason for new planting mortality. Ponderosa Pine should be treated like Arborvitae prior to planting; they are extremely sensitive to water stress until established.

 

Useful Links:

 

American Standard for Nursery Stock


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