So, why wouldn't you plant trees? Reasons include the desire for open habitats, the labor of planting, costs of planting and the potential for mortality of seedlings.

A common barrier for landowners is usually the labor involved. Planting in a field is simple enough, but planting in a forest is usually done by hand, and can be complicated by existing tree roots.

Cost is also a consideration, small softwood seedlings range between $30 and $60 per 100, and hardwoods $60 to $120 per 100. If you plant with an 8x8 spacing, that#'s about 680 trees, or $400 per acre, plus the costs of planting and seedling maintenance.

Another concern is seedling mortality. Your seedlings should come with instructions; follow them.

Many seedlings die due to improper planting, drought, wildlife damage or damage caused by humans. Planting and care of the seedlings before and during planting is crucial.

Seedlings are delicate and need proper water and storage, don#'t let your investment be wasted. Wildlife browsing is also a big killer of seedlings. If you have a high population of animals (deer, rabbits, voles, etc.) that feed on trees during the winter, realize that you will probably lose some seedlings. Consider managing your wildlife population or protecting the trees with tree shelters, which is an additional cost.

When purchasing seedlings, make sure you buy plants that are suitable for your site and hardiness zone. Before choosing species, evaluate your site. Do you have areas of standing water; are there dry pockets; is there a lot of shade; what is your soil type?

These are some of the questions you should ask yourself, and then find trees to match your specific soil conditions.

To help with winter hardiness, buy trees from a grower with a climate similar to New York. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and many county soil and water conservation districts also sell trees well suited for this state.

There are other great reasons to plant trees including for windbreaks, wildlife habitat, energy conservation, riparian buffers or aesthetics. Forests provide us with a myriad of benefits. Planting might be a good way to benefit your forest.

For additional information on forestland activities that will benefit your objectives, visit Cornell#'s forestry Web site at www.ForestConnect.info, contact your local office of Cornell University Cooperative Extension or join the New York Forest Owners Association through its Web site at www.nyfoa.org.

This article was written by J. Rebecca Hargrave, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County, Norwich NY