Site Preparation

Site preparation is a planned program of silvicultural treatments used in predeveloping sites for tree planting. Treatments are anticipated to create a favourable growing area for seedlings, typically on cooler and wetter sites, or in areas with a high percentage of slash left over from logging operations. Seedlings are exposed to microsites that enhance growth rates and have less competition from adverse environmental factors. Each treatment is unique based on site level characteristics, landscape level characteristics and specific stand objectives anticipated to be achieved. 

Mechanical site preparation treatments include deep ripping, mounding, screefing, scarification and raking and piling. All treatments are used to essentially mitigate adverse site factors and overturn soils, exposing rich minerals layers readily available to seedlings.