Planting them out in the field will be far better IF you can water them when needed (not necessarily once a week) during the first year and protect them from varmints. There are a number of advantages to planting them out, but watering and animal damage/predation are concerns. Many of us use cages around small trees to protect them.

Seedlings will get established a little quicker and a little better than saplings (I'm guessing you mean trees just a little larger than seedlings), but may require a little more care at first. Watering and protection would be even more critical with seedlings. With either, you should expect some loss.

You can get {{gwi:341758}} for seedlings fairly inexpensively, check the {{gwi:341761}} companies in your area or on-line {{gwi:341764}}. Won't help with watering, but will protect some and keep most varmints away. Leaving them on an extra year helps the plants get wind firm as well.

I also suggest you check out some literature on shelterbelts for the sides of the property and follow the {{gwi:341765}} - this will assist you in tree placement. Good productive, effective windbreaks are more than just planting a line of trees and calling it good. I just helped a buddy with some windbreaks and we planted more than just evergreens - we did this for the: low-level windbreak, aesthetics, some berries in good years, and habitat. Good luck.

Dan

if your only choice.. is the sale tomorrow ...

save your money.. learn what you need to learn .. and plan on doing the same thing in october in z5 MI ....

vermin will be a big problem

and i dont understand how you are going to water, unless the well is already dug????

contact your county soil conservation district.. you just missed their sale.. where they sell trees at 25 for $16 .... your one to two $$$ per tree is NOT necessarily a bargain.. depending on size ... as there are a multitude of mail order nurseries that can do the same for you.. if not better ...

there will be little or no difference between equal trees.. planted now or in fall ... you really need a more comprehensive plan ...

ken

At just $1 a piece, I'd have to pick a few up just for a fix. Passing up cute little seedlings that cheap would give me withdrawal symptoms.

Speaking of the SCS, you might look into whether MI has any programs thru, say, NRCS or some such that assists property owners with stormwater abatement/erosion/habitat fragmentation (what is happening with the proliferation of 5-10-20 ac properties in SW MI), etc. There may be assistance in that regard, for purchase, design, etc. Maybe even watering dee pots with a truck a few times from June-Sept.

Dan

What is on the land currently? Grass? Farm?
What is the local natural habitat? Is it wooded? Prairie?

I agree they might be found cheaper. Unless you've already made the purchase you might find out if MI has a seedling program, Missouri does and they are sold by bundles of 25 and they are CHEAP. I'll link to Missouri's seedling program, sorry its only for MO. residents though.
Shortleaf Pine for example is $4 for 25 seedlings.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://mdc.mo.gov/forest/nursery/seedling/

hey dan

what are all those acronyms????

ken

I'm a TLA (Three Letter Acronym) fan. ;o)

Soil Conservation Service, National Resource Conservation Service.

Dan

I tried to post again last night, but something was strange with my computer and it didn't work. Anyway . . .

My husband went to the sale this morning. He came back with 50 white spruce trees, 10 black walnut, and 10 black cherry trees. They are bigger than seedlings, but bareroot. He also bought a can of some spray to deter animals from eating them (some sort of dried blood?). The total cost was $80- and $15 of it was for the spray.

The spruce will be planted in grass, with no shade. The walnut and cherry will be planted in an area that will be shaded part of the day.

I'm thinking of doing a rainbarrel by the polebarn (the only building on the land) to use to water the trees. We can also get bucketsful from the creek and drive them up to the trees in the trailer. I'm also considering trying out the gallon jugs/ 2 litre bottles of water with small drip holes in them to help with watering. (Yea, I know 70 is A LOT of trees to water!) There's no well yet, so it's all by hand--good thing we have 2 boys to help!

Good news is the weather is forecast to rain for the next week!

Walnut trees have roots that are toxic to many other plants, FYI. I have walnuts next to cherries and blueberry bushes. The cherry trees don't seem to mind, but the blueberry bushes are unhappy, and I know that many other plants have a toxic aversion to walnut trees.

I think you made a good decision. This summer is the most crucial time to keep them watered, and next summer is the 2nd most crucial time. Good luck!