TimberWest
In late August 1997, TimberWest - Sandspit Division, British
Columbia, received and planted 520-550 hotlift cedar 415 D plugs.
We open planted these trees with three different treatments:
-
Control (no treatment) - 100 trees
-
Treeguard© - 225 trees
-
Plantskydd® - 225 trees
All trees were fertilized with a SCHIRP teabag.
The Plantskydd® and Treeguard© was applied and
allowed to thoroughly dry before planting.
After planting the site was visited on a fairly regular
basis (monthly) and browse condition was noted after a walk through...
after the first month there was not much browse noted in all three treatment
regimes. Deer at this point in time are not aggressively looking for
food. There is still lots of forage around.
After 2 1/2 months browse was noted on the control trees
in varying degrees. The Treeguard© had some leaders and laterals
clipped. Very little browse was noted on the Plantskydd® trees.
It should be noted as these were hotlifted trees planted in the late
summer, there would not have been any shoot elongation only root egress.
Therefore the efficacy of treatment would have been complete and constant
over all of the foliage for the duration of this trial through the
winter.
From 2 1/2 months and on the levels of browse increased. The Plantskydd®
trees went through time fairly unscathed until the 6 - 7th months.
At this time browse was noted on approx. 30-35% of the trees. The
longer period of effectiveness is attributed to fewer daylight hours
this far north over the fall and winter months. This also verifies
claims that the emulsion does not wash off over time but it indeed
photo-degrades.
