This training series provides an introduction to the knowledge, skills, and abilities to plan, design, and install Tree and/or Shrub Establishment plantings (CPS612). Additional training may be needed.
TTCP
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- 1. Knowledge of forest ecology and management for the local area
Sustaining Minnesota Forest Resources: Voluntary Site-Level Forest Management Guidelines
Book in PDF form by the Minnesota Forest Resources Council
DRAFT 612 Establishment Guidance Document
This document will eventually be posted in the FOTG.
Introduction to Conservation Forestry
This course informs conservation planners about basic forest ecology and forest management practices to establish a foundation for implementing forestry and agroforestry conservation practices. Planners will learn about common objectives of forest landowners, threats to forests, the forest inventory process, forest management plans, and laws, regulations, and permits related to forest management. The course includes client stories to demonstrate the planning process with clients who have diverse forest types across the United States.
Enhancing Mast (food) Production for Woodland Wildlife
Fruit from trees and shrubs (aka mast) is a significant source of food for many wildlife species. This webinar will explore a variety of mast producing trees and shrubs found in eastern deciduous woodlands, as well as, their role in sustaining the wildlife species that depend on them. It will explore on some of the techniques, including crop tree management that can be employed to enhance the diversity and productivity of these woodland mast producers. (Time: 1:05)
- 2. Knowledge of silvics of tree species to be managed
NPC Silviculture Strategies for Forest Stand Prescriptions
The Division of Forestry has developed silviculture strategies to inform sustainable forest management in Minnesota. These documents include information on the following key elements for each native plant community (NPC) class:
Vegetation, structure, and composition
Landscape setting and soils
Tree suitability
Tree response to climate change
Tree establishment and recruitment
Stand dynamics and growth stages
2-page silvicultural strategies for each major natural disturbance agent
Emulating Forest Disturbance with Silviculture
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has developed a Forest Ecology and Management course focused on advancing knowledge and skills for USFWS biologists, foresters and others who manage forests on refuges or partner lands to meet wildlife habitat needs and objectives. This webinar is an overview of the course which is designed to introduce biologists and others to the concepts of forest disturbance ecology, basic silvicultural approaches and the design of silvicultural prescriptions that will either emulate conditions more typical of natural disturbances or meet the needs for a particular set of species. The course covers field skills, stand exams, forest dynamics modeling, cruising, marking and harvesting. The course and presentation focus on using emulation of natural forest disturbances as a main thesis.
- 3. Knowledge of soil health and management
Unlock the Secrets in the Soil
A series of 41 videos, mostly under five minutes each that discuss various soil health topics and applications of soil health principles.
Soil Quality - the Foundation for Resource Management
(Time: 1:55) Participants in the webinar learn about Natural Resources Conservation Service conservation planning principles to improve soil health and the impact soil health has on other resource concerns, such as water quality.
(Time: 57:21) In this session, Dr. Jessica Gutknecht discusses soil health. When you think about the soil beneath your feet, or beneath your tractor, what does it mean for it to be healthy? What does it take for it to be healthy, and what are the results of those efforts? In this talk, we will explore the world below with a brief introduction to soils, how soil structure is built into a healthy soil, and some management options for building a healthy soil. We will also discuss the win-win of soil health for sustainable management and for adaptation to increasingly variable Minnesota weather and climate.
(Time 1:00:22) Our soils support 95 percent of all food production, and by 2060, our soils will be asked to give us as much food as we have consumed in the last 500 years. They filter our water. They are one of our most cost-effective reservoirs for sequestering carbon. They are our foundation for biodiversity. And they are vibrantly alive, teeming with 10,000 pounds of biological life in every acre. Yet in the last 150 years, we’ve lost half of the basic building block that makes soil productive. The societal and environmental costs of soil loss and degradation in the United States alone are now estimated to be as high as $85 billion every single year. Like any relationship, our living soil needs our tenderness. It’s time we changed everything we thought we knew about soil.
Minnesota Guidance: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
Planning, Design, and Certification Phases
Job Class I
- 1. Read and understand the Conservation Practice Standard (CPS) 612, Implementation Requirements (IR), and Statement of Work (SOW)
- 2. Ability to document environmental benefits of a tree and shrub planting. Conservation planners must be proficient in calculating soil loss
Tech Talk: Tree/Shrub Establishment CPS 612 (2022)
In this session Callie Bertsch, NRCS State Forester, and Kelly Voigt, TTCP Training Conservationist, cover Tree/Shrub Establishment practice (CPS 612). This session covers the use of Web Soil Survey to identify Conservation Tree/Shrub Groups and using the CTSG group spreadsheet to select species of trees/shrubs to plant. This session also tree spacing specifications for different planting purposes and other tree/shrub selection factors. In addition, participants will become familiar with the Implementation Requirements worksheet for the 612 practice standard.
- 3. Understanding of care, planting dates, site prep, and planting rates for containerized and balled/burlap stock
Tech Talk: Tree and Shrub Site Preparation (CPS 490)
This Tech Talk is about tree/shrub site preparation (CPS 490) and tree/shrub planting methods. This session includes a discussion of planning considerations for site preparation and matching the site preparation techniques to the site conditions. Different types of tree stock and planting methods are discussed along with planning considerations for successful tree/shrub establishment. Available web soil survey reports are demonstrated and other resources for practice planning are provided.
- 4. Ability to locate potential seedling mortality rating in Web Soil Survey OR ability to use and understand the MN Conservation Tree/Shrub Group excel workbook
Conservation Tree/Shrub Groups: A Tool for Matching Woody Plants to Soils
This webinar provides guidance on how to develop and use Conservation Tree/Shrub Groups (CTSG) to match woody plants to soils. (Time: 00:39)
Tech Talk: Conservation Tree Shrub Groups (CTSGs)
The Conservation Tree-Shrub Groups (CTSGs) are a planning tool that aid in the selection of trees and shrubs for planting based on soil type. During this session Garett Christiansen (Forester, NRCS) and Brandon DeFoe (Soil Scientist, NRCS) will share information about recent updates to this tool and the lists of tree and shrub species recommended for different soil types.
- 5. Ability to use applicable wildlife habitat evaluation guides (WHEG)
Tech Talk Replay: Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Guide for Monarchs
Tech Talk Replay from August 3, 2020. Karin Jokela, Xerces Society, reviews the monarch habitat evaluation guide (WHEG). She demonstrates how to assess various herbaceous plant communities to determine insecticide risks, weed management risks, milkweed stem density, forb cover, and forb richness. Karin also provides tips on plant ID and support tools.
- 6. General knowledge of Minnesota Forests (native species, hardwood communities, etc.), common forestry goals (production, overall wildlife, hunting, aesthetics), proper planting techniques (tree planter, direct seeding, hand planting), establishment techniques, site conditions (hydrology, soil capability, landscape position)
Introduction to Conservation Forestry
This course informs conservation planners about basic forest ecology and forest management practices to establish a foundation for implementing forestry and agroforestry conservation practices. Planners will learn about common objectives of forest landowners, threats to forests, the forest inventory process, forest management plans, and laws, regulations, and permits related to forest management. The course includes client stories to demonstrate the planning process with clients who have diverse forest types across the United States.
- 7. Ability to select trees that will control soil erosion
Tech Talk: Conservation Tree Shrub Groups (CTSGs)
The Conservation Tree-Shrub Groups (CTSGs) are a planning tool that aid in the selection of trees and shrubs for planting based on soil type. During this session Garett Christiansen (Forester, NRCS) and Brandon DeFoe (Soil Scientist, NRCS) will share information about recent updates to this tool and the lists of tree and shrub species recommended for different soil types.
- 8. Understand techniques to prevent trees from wildlife damage
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners: Managing Deer Damage to Young trees
Browsing by deer on planted and naturally regenerated hardwood seedlings is one of the greatest obstacles to seedling establishment in many parts of the central hardwood region. In this Woodland Stewardship For Landowners, Purdue Wildlife Extension Specialist Brian MacGowan talks about different types of deer damage and how landowners could mitigate the damage.
- 9. Knowledge of Minnesota Seed Law
Selling Seed in Minnesota (Seed Law)
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has put together this video presentation to help retailers understand the requirements for labeling and selling seed in Minnesota. It provides basic information that seed retailers should know regarding the Minnesota seed law, seed inventory management strategies, and seed label requirements. Please contact seed.mda@state.mn.us with any questions or if you would like further information.
All seed that is sold in Minnesota must be properly labeled to meet the requirements of the Minnesota Seed Law (Minnesota Statutes, sections 21.80-21.92) and the Federal Seed Act. These laws are intended to protect consumers based on truth-in-labeling principles and promote fair competition among seed sellers through the establishment of minimum standards.
- 10. Knowledge of Minnesota Noxious Weed Law and Noxious and Invasive species list
The Noxious Weed Law affects growing plants. Some plants are noxious because they can harm people, animals, the food we eat, and nature. MDA, county, city, and township officials inspect land and ask owners to control and eradicate noxious weeds that are present in order to keep them from spreading and harming neighboring lands.
Prohibited noxious weeds are annual, biennial, or perennial plants that the commissioner designates as having the potential or are known to be detrimental to human or animal health, the environment, public roads, crops, livestock or other property.
Job Class II
- 1. All requirements from Job Class I
See content above
- 2. Understand site preparation, planting methods and equipment for bareroot stock or cuttings
Tech Talk: Tree and Shrub Site Preparation (CPS 490)
This Tech Talk is about tree/shrub site preparation (CPS 490) and tree/shrub planting methods. This session includes a discussion of planning considerations for site preparation and matching the site preparation techniques to the site conditions. Different types of tree stock and planting methods are discussed along with planning considerations for successful tree/shrub establishment. Available web soil survey reports are demonstrated and other resources for practice planning are provided.
- 3. Understand care of planting bareroot stock or cuttings prior to planting
- 4. Ability to design a tree and shrub planting at the correct planting or seeding rate for the landowner’s goals/objectives and type of stock in combination with the resource concern being addressed
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- 5. Ability to select species and planting techniques that will control soil erosion
Tech Talk: Tree/Shrub Establishment CPS 612 (2022)
In this session Callie Bertsch, NRCS State Forester, and Kelly Voigt, TTCP Training Conservationist, cover Tree/Shrub Establishment practice (CPS 612). This session covers the use of Web Soil Survey to identify Conservation Tree/Shrub Groups and using the CTSG group spreadsheet to select species of trees/shrubs to plant. This session also tree spacing specifications for different planting purposes and other tree/shrub selection factors. In addition, participants will become familiar with the Implementation Requirements worksheet for the 612 practice standard.
- 6. Ability to select species appropriate for site conditions such as hydrology, soil type, topography, ecology and other conditions
Tough Trees and Shrubs for Tough Sites
This document from UMN Extension details species selection for "tough sites"
Forest Management Strategies for Local Phenotypes and Species Diversity
Join us for this webinar during which the presenters will discuss different tree and shrub establishment strategies and tree selection options based on site conditions and changing seed zones
- 7. Knowledge of tree and shrub pests and diseases that may influence species selection and management
Ornamental and Turf Pest Control 2022
Ornamental and Turf Pest Control updated for the 2022 training season.
Forest Pests and Diseases
This University of Minnesota website has links to forest pests and disease descriptions, identification and management options.
Tree care diseases and pests
MNDNR has links to forest pests and disease descriptions, identification and management options.
- 8. Understand grass and weed control techniques for three/shrub plantings
Herbicide Weed Control in Windbreaks and Shelterbelts Fact Sheet (Forestry)
Weed control is critical for the successful establishment and growth of new tree plantings. Weeds reduce survival and growth of trees and shrubs through competition for moisture, sunlight, space, and nutrients. Competition from weeds is the leading cause for failure of newly planted windbreaks. By providing timely weed control, the survival and vigor of conservation plantings can be increased significantly.
- 9. Ability to identify tree/shrub species
Callie Bertsch, NRCS State Forester, and Jon Sellnow, TTCP Coordinator, present the basics of tree and woody shrub identification of native Minnesota species. They look at identification by family groups, leaf structure, bark, when the trees bloom or leaf out and when they change color in the fall, and even take a look at common forest health issues that affect each species. All things to help you identify the species to better take inventory and identify resource concerns when working with private landowners.
Job Class III
- 1. All requirements from Job Class I and II
See content above
- 2. Understand direct seeding rates, care of seed, planting dates, and method of seeding based on species of seed
Direct seeding of native hardwood trees
Establishing hardwood trees by sowing seed is a relatively new method that has several advantages over traditional planting of seedlings.
- 3. Understand site prep for direct seeding or natural regeneration
Site Preparation for Natural or Planted Regeneration
Silvicultural Decisions VI Site Preparation for Natural or Planted Regeneration Ron Mahoney
- 4. Understanding of CPS Forest Stand Improvement (666) and Tree/Shrub Site prep (490) for the purpose of natural regeneration
Tech Talk: Tree and Shrub Site Preparation (CPS 490)
This Tech Talk is about tree/shrub site preparation (CPS 490) and tree/shrub planting methods. This session includes a discussion of planning considerations for site preparation and matching the site preparation techniques to the site conditions. Different types of tree stock and planting methods are discussed along with planning considerations for successful tree/shrub establishment. Available web soil survey reports are demonstrated and other resources for practice planning are provided.
Forest Stand Improvement (CPS 666) Training Series
This training series provides an introduction to the knowledge, skills, and abilities to plan, design, and install Forest Stand Improvement (CPS666). Additional training may be needed.
Job Class IV
- 1. All requirements from Job Classes I, II, and III
See content above