1. Soil and water resources  Certified farms are actively involved in long-term conservation of soil and water resources

2. Why Consider Long Term Site Productivity?  It is Basic  Increasing costs from problems with insects and diseases over time.  Need to stay competitive with other CT growing regions. First rotation field

4. 2003 Productivity Study First Rotation D. Fir Third Rotation D. Fir

5. Types of Analyses Done  pH  Nutrients  Soil carbon  Atrazine/Velpa r residues  Aggregate stability  Soil density

6. Soil surface lacks good structure

7. Compaction on Christmas Tree Sites

8. Study Summary for Physical Properties  No widespread decline in physical properties for all sites examined.  Some sites need treatment now.  Other sites have already been restored by tillage, cover crops, or other means.

9. Physical Properties and Erosion  Loss in aggregate stability and\or increasing compaction can lead to erosion of surface soil.

10. Erosion- Poor Drainage or Concentration

11. Soil Erosion and PNW Climate  Most erosion occurs during rain “events” during the fall and winter.  Overland flow of water is the main culprit.

13. Loss of surface soil layer

14. Soil Erosion Following Harvest Rototilled Site Erosion After Storm Event

15. Treatment Strategies  Rest between planting  Plant grass cover crop  Barriers  Incorporate organic material  Don’t rip/till when wet  Minimize traffic  Deep ripping/tillage

16. Why Aggregate Stability Might Drop?  Excessive tillage/traffic  Erosion  Loss of organic matter

17. ADVANTAGES OF SOIL TILLAGE Useful when compaction is unavoidable Can treat existing compacted area Can yield other site preparation benefits Costs may be reasonable & justifiable

19. Winged Subsoilers shank & tine mounting & design vary

20. Add wings, loosen more soil

22. Deep Ripping Between Rotations

23. Mulches

24. Straw bales

26. Cover Crops

27. Fourth rotation field

29. There are many options