DA-15-00001 Palomino Fields Master File

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PMCs conduct extensive research and testing with native willows and cottonwoods collected from service area states having similar climate, soils, and topography. Once a willow or cottonwood meets the testing criteria, it is released to the public. Commercial nurseries and growers then propagate the species on a much larger scale for sale. The released variety name is the key to getting a plant adapted to conditions similar to where it was tested. All named varieties have documentation that describes growth characteristics, performance, and selection criteria. This ensures they are the same stock as originally tested. Plugs, conetainers, bare -root, potted, and paper -sleeved nursery stock purchased through nurseries should be established from local materials. This could be from a local ecotype or the same watershed, but should no eom-more more -th=an 2UU miles eastor west or -1'00 in—fln norther south—ur tnore-dian-2000-feeMleva difference from planting site. Ask the nursery where the stock came from. Source of Cuttings from Native Stands Native willow and cottonwood stands located near the rehabilitation site are the most common source of cuttings. Native stands of willow and cottonwood are adapted to local conditions, but may have or have had insect and disease infestations which can stress the plants in the potential "mother" stand. Low water years and long periods of drought may also stress the plants. This stress means that the stem cuttings may not have peak energy reserves. Low energy reserves translate into lower establishment success. When planning the number of cuttings to harvest, take these stress indicators into account. Always obtain permission to harvest from the landowner, private or public, before starting to cut. Timing of Harvest Establishment success is significantly increased if cuttings are taken from live, dormant willows or cottonwoods either after leaf fall in late fall, winter, or very early spring before the buds start to break. Densmore and Zasada (1978) found that spring collections survived better than fall collections. However, studies in Idaho have found no such differences (Hoag 1991; Hoag et al. 1991; Hoag et al. 1992). See "Storage" section for procedures when harvesting well before the projected planting date. In some cases, when access to the stream is limited due to regulatory concerns or during fish migration periods (i.e. during salmon migration runs in the spring and the fall), planting may be restricted to non -dormant periods. Rather than do nothing, consider harvesting the cuttings when the plants are in full leaf. When cuttings are harvested during these growth stages, expect the establishment success rate to decrease. Experiments at the Aberdeen Plant Materials Center have shown that when the plants are leafed out and harvested, the establishment success is about 40-50%. If you plan to plant during the active growing season consider planting more cuttings to make up for the lower success rate. Cutting Diameter Cuttings should generally be 3/4 inch diameter or larger depending upon the species (Briggs and Munda 1992; Hoag 1991; Hoag et al. 1991; Hoag et al. 1992; Fenchel et al. 1988). 10