08/20/2026
One of the largest hurdles forest managers and landowners face with reforestation is getting those newly planted seedlings to that second growing season.
Like a newborn, those seedlings are much more susceptible to environmental stresses during their first year in the ground than they will be as they get older.
Good site preparation work is key. While individual sites vary in what is needed, getting good control of competing vegetation is a primary objective. Competing vegetation takes nutrients, sunlight, and—perhaps most importantly during our hot, dry South Arkansas summers—precious moisture away from young seedlings.
During the first growing season, while most of the seedlings’ roots are still shallow, herbaceous competition, primarily annual grasses, can have a tremendous impact.
The picture shows just how much of a difference herbaceous w**d control can make.
🌱 LEFT — Landowner A: No herbaceous w**d control
🌲 RIGHT — Landowner B: Herbaceous w**d control applied
These plantations are shown at the end of their second growing season, and every aspect of reforestation was the same except for herbaceous w**d control.
Landowner B’s seedlings are vigorous and beginning to grow quite well, while Landowner A’s seedlings can barely be seen above the dead w**ds. Not only did Landowner B have better survival, but those trees will likely be ready for their first thinning several years before Landowner A’s.
Herbaceous w**d control is one of the least expensive parts of reforestation. If at all possible, don’t skip it.
The success—and possibly the survival—of the plantation may depend on it.
— Josh Barkhimer, The Forester
