the economics of containerized seedling production from seed

Kelly Tower – Greenhouse Horticulturist – Plum Creek

Timberlands, L.L.C.

The Economics of Containerized Seedling Production from Seed to Customer

Historical CPI Comparison

• On average what cost 45 cents in 1973 now costs $2.15 – almost a 5X increase.

• Seedling costs, by comparison, have increased less than 2X (or 100%)

A Brief History LessonThe First Container Crop – Aztecs circa 1300 A.D.

North American Container Symposium 1974Denver, Colorado. Over 300 participants took part. Over 80 presentations and panel discussions including one on “The

Economics of Container Forestation.”

Plum Creek Cottage Grove Facility - 1973

Plum Creek Cottage Grove Facility - 2009

Styroblocks

Styro 2 (211)Depth 4.5”

100 seedlings/ft21000 per box

Styro 5 (315A)Depth 6”

60 seedlings/ft2500 per box

Styro 8 (415A)Depth 6”

40 seedlings/ft2275 per box

Styro 15 (515A)Depth 6”

25 seedlings/ft2150 per box

Styro – 2 “When Size Does Matter”

Styro – 5 “The Economy Container”

Styro 8 “The Go To Field Plug”

Styro 15 “The Revolution”

Strengths and Weaknesses of PlugsThe Root System – unconditionally the #1 strength.

Off Species ProductionThujia, Abies, Sequoia, Libocedrus, Picea, Tsuga and some Pinus species.

Flexibility

• Lifting can be done in the summer or any time thereafter as a forester desires.

• Long term storage ability is enhanced for spring planting.

• Seedling handling is simplified. Plugs are less susceptible to low humidity during lifting and planting.

WeaknessSize – it does matter in many cases. Bareroot trees simply achieve heights and calipers that plugs cannot without going to extremely low density. Economics will be a major factor in that scenario.

Growing a Crop of Container Seedlings From Seed to Customer – A Virtual Tour

Setting the Foundation

• Sanitized containers and growing area.

• An understanding of media pH and the optimized levels that various species need.

• Sound seed information.

• Proper stratification.

• Germination %• Seed per pound.• Purity.• We come up with a seed/cavity from this

information and then a seed request.• Germination of 95% and qualifies for single

seed sowing on most species.• The emphasis with good quality genetic seed

is to use the minimum amount possible to save on labor and seed usage.

The Fine Line of Seed Calculations

Stratification Parameters

• Doug Fir – 45 days– For February sowing we need the seed in

December.

• Sugar Pine – 120 days– For end of March sowing we need seed in

December.

• Ponderosa Pine – 45 to 60 days– For April sowing we need the seed by mid January.

Managed Seed Production

The Sowing Process

Soil Mixing

Sowing the Seed

Cultural Environment

Packing and Shipping

• Average refer van will hold 34 pallets of 20 boxes for a total of 680 boxes.

• Styro 5 – 500 trees per box, 340K seedlings per truck.

• Styro 8 – 275 trees per box, 190K per truck.

• Styro 15 – 150 trees per box, 100K per truck

Shipping Costs

Saving Money vs. Getting It Done Right The First Time

• Stock Selection – affected by objectives.– Survival vs. Fast Greenup

– Species

– Planting Density

– Fall Planting (Plugs Only)

– Site Preparation

– Post Planting Prescriptions

The Pillars of Success

•Accurate Seed Information

•Good Crop Husbandry

•Site Preparation

•Sound Management

•Research and Development