<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Hi Wayne, Sorry, I missed seeing your
response earlier in my emails and just "found" it today.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">I am interested in what you are saying
about straw mulching. We do not mulch if we seed in November just before
snow onset. But we do lightly mulch if we do a late spring or early summer
seeding. Mulching is still listed as a recommended procedure with the growers
who provide our seed. So I am curious about your reference to the narrow
window for which mulching does make a difference. What window is it effective
in? and what results have you read about how mulch does not help seeding
success? I would think it would help keep moisture on the soil surface,
help prevent wind movement of seed, and help reduce bird predation of seed.
Though, as you note, it is a long-time customary practice and I don't know
that I have read anything about it in the literature for native seeding
projects. The weed issue with straw is definitely a problem, and
we have been looking at using harvested native meadow hay as a possible
mulch in the future. One native plant producer produces a hay from at least
some of his native plant crops.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">My earlier comment was on the issues
we have had with some DOT projects coming in as heavy invasive sweet clover.
They routinely use straw or hay as a mulch. They have a set of protocols
that they follow, though we have been working with them to make some local
changes to the protocol. I think that this mulch issue is one we are going
to have to work on as it is totally negating the native seed we are requiring
them to use for projects occuring on the Forest. They also use a widely
woven mat with squares about 2 or 3 inches for the steeply sloped areas.
These areas (in first full growing season since road construction) do not
appear to be successful for revegetation, though perhaps it is simply too
soon. We have had some very good results with DOT projects that were not
steeply sloped. </font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">You requested more info on Michigan
"ecotype" and I am not sure about that reference. I think the
word "ecotype" was in the title of the earlier email that I hit
"reply" to. I mentioned Michigan native genotype seed is
required for planting whenever possible for any of our restoration projects.
And that measure is to try to maintain the local gene pool of our native
plants, as much as is possible. We don't use any non-natives in our mixes
on the Forest, other than a possible oat or winter wheat non-persistent
nurse crop. </font>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif"> " Finish each day and be
done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities
have crept in. Forget them as soon as you can."
Ralph Waldo
Emerson<br>
<br>
Patricia Ruta McGhan, Botanist<br>
Manistee National Forest<br>
(231) 745-4631ext. 3102<br>
email: pruta@fs.fed.us<br>
</font>
<br>
<br>
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<td width=40%><font size=1 face="sans-serif"><b>"Wayne Tyson"
<landrest@cox.net></b> </font>
<p><font size=1 face="sans-serif">08/27/2009 09:45 PM</font>
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<div align=right><font size=1 face="sans-serif">To</font></div>
<td><font size=1 face="sans-serif">"Patricia Ruta" <pruta@fs.fed.us></font>
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<div align=right><font size=1 face="sans-serif">cc</font></div>
<td><font size=1 face="sans-serif"><apwg@lists.plantconservation.org></font>
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<div align=right><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Subject</font></div>
<td><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Ecosystem restoration Straw effectiveness
and weeds Re: [APWG] Substitute local native ecotypes, for the exotics
in the seed mixes?</font></table>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Patricia Ruta McGhan and APWG</font>
<br><font size=3> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">I'm not sure why you're using straw. I know
it has been popular (the custom) for years, but is only effective in a
fairly narrow range of cases, and even in those it has its down-sides,
in addition to being weedy. Without specifics it is difficult to
comment intelligently. How do you define (specify) "Michigan native
ecotype?"</font>
<br><font size=3> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">WT</font>
<br><font size=3> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Do you get "pop-outs" or other
surficial slope failures in treated areas? Are soils compacted? Is it used
on structural fills? How effective is it? </font>
<br><font size=3> </font>
<br><font size=3>----- Original Message ----- </font>
<br><font size=3><b>From:</b> </font><a href=mailto:pruta@fs.fed.us><font size=3 color=blue><u>Patricia
Ruta</u></font></a><font size=3> </font>
<br><font size=3><b>To:</b> </font><a href=mailto:Craig@astreet.com><font size=3 color=blue><u>Craig
Dremann - Redwood City Seed Company</u></font></a><font size=3> </font>
<br><font size=3><b>Cc:</b> </font><a href=mailto:apwg@lists.plantconservation.org><font size=3 color=blue><u>apwg@lists.plantconservation.org</u></font></a><font size=3>
; </font><a href="mailto:apwg-bounces@lists.plantconservation.org"><font size=3 color=blue><u>apwg-bounces@lists.plantconservation.org</u></font></a><font size=3>
</font>
<br><font size=3><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, August 26, 2009 2:25 PM</font>
<br><font size=3><b>Subject:</b> Re: [APWG] Substitute local native ecotypes,
for the exotics in the seed mixes?</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif"><br>
Our big problem is the straw mulch. We require Michigan native genotype,
but we are getting some disasterous results with weeds from the mulch.
There are currently no certified weed-free providers in the state. Hopefully,
we can work on that issue next.</font><font size=3> <br>
</font><font size=2 face="sans-serif"><br>
" Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could.
Some blunders and absurdities have crept in. Forget them as soon as you
can."
Ralph Waldo Emerson<br>
<br>
Patricia Ruta McGhan, Botanist<br>
Manistee National Forest<br>
(231) 745-4631ext. 3102<br>
email: </font><a href=mailto:pruta@fs.fed.us><font size=2 color=blue face="sans-serif"><u>pruta@fs.fed.us</u></font></a>
<br>