Weeds continue to be our biggest problem in 2008. We continue to cut the fields in 1 direction so the rows of trees are often hidden by the remaining uncut areas (weeds). The weeds can give the trees some protection as long as the tree can get sunlight. We try to clear the area surrounding the seedling if the area is too crowded. The other problem is a vine that wraps itself around the trunk of the tree. It needs to be pulled from the ground so it does not choke the tree. It has become hard to keep up with since most of our time is spent cutting the rows in the fields. A few more years & the trees will hopefully be big enough to eliminate some of the issues.

June 2008. Norway Spruce 30" tall.

June 2008. This bush is 38" tall.

We hand planted 1000 Norway Spruce in late March 2008 to replace some of the loss from 2007. The drought of 2007 killed most Norway Spruce & a lot of the bushes. It is amazing how resilient trees can be, though. Overall, considering the weather condition of last year, the trees look good. We could have planted another thousand but did not know how long it would take us. Once Steve & I got the method down, were were planting 100 every hour. We will not quit our day jobs.
Next year we will try another batch and probably need to continue replanting over time as other die.