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Field Production

The Planting Process Begins

Once a field has been prepared, cultivated, disked, etc.. Bare-root trees are brought to the field and "hilled in" until we are ready for planting to prevent the roots from drying out.

Our Tractor Operator

A dependable tractor driver is essential for setting the pace and keeping the rows straight.

Species Selection

Trees are selected by species and piled onto the planter. In this field, we planted varieties of Maples, Birches, Red Buds, Locusts, Crabapples, Sycamores and Oaks.

 

Planting for the Future

They may not look like much now but in just a couple years this field will be ready to begin harvesting. This field has approximately 500 trees which were all planted in one day.

Team Work

It takes a crew of 5, each having a specific task or tasks to perform to plant trees. No one member of the team can be lax on their duty. Each one relies on the others to pull their weight and keep the process rolling. Planting days are long and exhausting yet rewarding.

Third Generation Field Production Nursery

A lot of things have changed since Jason's grandparents John and Yvonne Wilkinson founded the business in 1932 on a 12-acre plot but one thing for sure remains unchanged. We pride ourselves on quality products and a personal touch. We also take pride in our environment. Mother Nature is our business partner, although some times not very cooperative one, and we need to work with the land, not just for the obvious reasons but for the future generations.

We are a field production nursery which means simply we grow the finished product in the ground. We start with preparing the ground to as close to perfect soil conditions as possible and then match the field with the best-suited type of plant. We use only quality liners, small plants that we purchase from reputable liner growers, and plant with manpower and machines. The fields are monitored continuously and watered,  plowed, mowed, weeded, plants fertilized, checked for pests and disease and treated if necessary, sheared and pampered!

Here a few short videos of the process.

 

Pruning

When planting shrubs such as boxwoods in the fields we selectively prune each one to a relatively similar size and shape.

Planting Shrubs

Two rows of shrubs can be put in the ground simultaneously using this planter. There are two workers on the planter. They are responsible for feeding the shrubs into the planter. This piece of equipment will plant and backfill all in one process.

The Dunk Tank

The root system benefits immensely by a good soaking prior to planting. Plants are held in the tank until it is time to plant.

Tilling In

The equipment operator carefully goes back over every row with a tiller attachment which further backfills the rows.

Ready to Plant

After a good soaking, the plants are hauled to the planing machine and placed roots facing the operators.

The Dance

At the end of the day entire crew participates in a dance of sorts. Don't get excited though, the dance is not what it seems. The dirt around each of the 3000 Boxwoods that were planted on this day needed to be stomped down to compact it around the shrub.

Mother Nature Needs a Little Help

Now and Then

Remember above we stated that Mother Nature is our business partner? Below you will get an idea of how we handle her occasional lack of cooperation in the Summer. In the hot months when rain is not forecasted, newly planted trees and shrubs need water in our fields just as they would in your landscape.

The Pump

We use a High Pressure-Volume pump at 110 psi which will put out an impressive 150 and 160 gallons of water per minute.

The Hose Reel

Our retractable hose reel has a 3' per minute wind in to keep the watering process moving along eliminating the need to have a worker in the field at all times during the watering process

The Sprayer

A massive Komet Gun Sprayer can reach up to  280' diameter with ease. Enabling us to water as many as 14 rows of trees at the same time. See the videos below!

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