Big Roots Grow Stronger Trees

Last year, more than 66 million Weyerhaeuser seedlings began a struggle for survival. Drought might parch them, deer might eat them, a frost might kill them. That's why even small improvements in a seedling's ability to survive its crucial first year can yield big increases to the bottom line. So it's no surprise that we use science to develop hardier seedlings.

Higher survival rates mean that fewer seedlings need to be planted, saving money. Plus, a healthy start boosts land productivity by allowing an earlier harvest, which speeds the return on our investment. And, of course, a forest that comes back more quickly is good for wildlife, water quality, and natural beauty. For all these reasons, we have improved survival by improving our approach to root pruning in our Southern Timberlands operations.

From the time the trees are planted—usually in the cold winter months—until spring, they must depend on the root system they developed in the nursery. That's why Weyerhaeuser has patented a system for spacing seedlings and pruning their roots to stimulate greater-than-normal growth while they're still in the nursery. The bigger the root, the better a transplanted seedling can absorb water as it awaits the arrival of warmer weather. It's an effort that's paying off with a 10 percent boost in seedling survival.