Roadside Revegetation

IMPLEMENTATION GUIDES
in this example are harsh, the cuttings will need to be planted deeply to access soil moisture.
For this reason, the cutting lengths are approximately 2.5 ft. Multiplying 2.5 ft by the number
of cuttings needed (F) gives the total length of cuttings that must be collected (H). Knowing
that 3,178 ft of cuttings are needed, the number and location of cutting areas can be selected
from a cutting area map, and a contract can be developed.
Long-Term Storage
If cuttings are not installed immediately, long-term storage will be required. Cuttings collected
in the fall or winter and stored until the following spring or summer must be held in refrigerated
units. The optimum temperatures for long-term storage range between 28 to 31 degrees F.
Freezing temperatures prevent disease and curtail respiration, thereby increasing cutting
viability. If freezing is not possible, then storing cuttings at temperatures between 33 and 35
degrees F should maintain cutting viability for several months.
For long-term storage, cuttings should be relatively free of leaves and other material that
might mold in storage. They must be packaged in plastic or storage bags so they will not dry
out. Cuttings should not be wrapped in moist burlap or placed in plastic bags, especially if
cuttings are not frozen. Diseases could potentially develop that will rot the stems.
Develop and Administer Contracts
A good plan that includes the location of cutting sites and how the cuttings will be treated,
transported, and stored will be the basis for the development of a collection contract. The
contract must specify:
Cutting Locations – A map or GPS locations must identify cutting areas and specify an estimated
range of cutting quantities (see Section 10.2.2.3, Locate Cutting Areas). If the contractor
elects to collect from other areas, then these areas must be approved prior to cutting. For
each cutting area, the percentage of the donor population that can be collected should be
specified. Typically this is no greater than 25 percent of the population.
Dates of Collection – The contract must specify a period of time that cuttings must be collected
(see Section 10.2.2.4, Determine Rooting Potential). Collecting outside this time period must be
discussed in advance with the revegetation specialist.
Collection Size, Lengths, and Quantities – Quantities
must be specified for each size category. For example,
if material is to be used for stakes, then a specification
1) Identification Code:
might require 200 stakes, 18 inches long, with a range
of diameters between 1.0 inch to 3.0 inches.
Collection Methods – The contract should identify
how the contractor will collect the cuttings. For example,
it should state how the contractor will identify
which end of a stake is basal and which is terminal. This
is typically done by cutting the basal end of each stake
at an angle. The contract should also specify how the
cuttings will be packaged or bundled. Contracts often
call for all stakes to be aligned with basal ends of the
cuttings in the same direction. Bundle sizes or weights must be specified. The bundles must
be light enough to transport by one person (45 lb or less). The contract must also state that
the bundles must be securely tied or bundled together for hand transportation.
Source Identification – Each bundle must be identified with a Forest Reproductive Materials
Identification Tag (Figure 10-57), which specifies the species, collection location, elevation,
and date of collection.
FOREST REPRODUCTIVE MATERIAL
IDENTIFICATION TAG
U.S.D.A. FOREST SERVICE
/
Species Forest BZ/Seed Zone Type Coll. Elev. Band Year Cert.
2) Number of Trees 3) Ranger District 4) Elevation
(Feet above sea level)
4) Tree Numbers:
6) Area of Collection
T. R. S.
7) Accession No. 8) Plant Association
(TI Collections: affix bar code tag
if available)
9) Alpha Code
10) Collection Date / /
11) Signature
(Person filling out tag)
Figure 10-57 | As with seeds,
collection information for
cuttings is essential
A forest reproductive material identification
tag should be filled out and
attached to each bundle of cutting
material.
Roadside Revegetation: An Integrated Approach to Establishing Native Plants and Pollinator Habitat
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