WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Forest Service manages six nurseries nationwide, each contributing vital seedlings to national forests for replanting after wildfires, forest management and restoration treatments or other disturbances. Managing, caring for and ensuring the growth and survival of these seedlings is a critical job, one where technology can ensure that process goes more smoothly for our foresters, silviculturists and nursery managers and improves seedling health and survival.

For example, the National Technology and Development Program has developed a new boom irrigation system to help the Coeur d'Alene nursery ramp up seedling production. This project supports efforts to restore and maintain the Nation's forests according to the National Reforestation Strategy and the Repairing Existing Public Land by Adding Necessary Trees Act.

The Coeur d'Alene nursery has six greenhouses, each with a boom irrigation system consisting of a long pipe containing nozzles that apply water as the system moves over the seedlings. Nursery personnel also apply approved fertilizers, insecticides and fungicides through the irrigation boom.

The original boom design presented various operational challenges — the booms were heavy, and there was no way to adjust the height for different crops. As a result, the boom sometimes hung up on the crops and damaged the seedlings. Due to the boom's length, the fittings often flex and bend, requiring constant maintenance to remain functional.

A new design was developed and fabricated by NTDP staff through close collaboration with Coeur d’Alene nursery personnel. The improvements include a more rigid frame to support the irrigation booms, lighter weight, less required maintenance and the ability to adjust the boom height to provide irrigation to different-sized crops. The new booms successfully addressed the issues identified by nursery staff and improved greenhouse irrigation operations. This innovative design may help other nurseries experiencing similar issues to those of the Coeur d'Alene nursery.

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