TY - JOUR AU - P. Verling PY - 1967/11/01 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - Use of rippers as alternative to Clark plough. JF - Irish Forestry JA - IF VL - IS - SE - Articles DO - UR - https://journal.societyofirishforesters.ie/index.php/forestry/article/view/9089 AB - A double mould-board-type plough was introduced to a first planting site in 1959. Planting in the furrow of the sod turned proved to be more successful than planting on the side. The lodgepole pine planted on this Old Red Sandstone site was not greatly affected by the increase in weed competition. The plough consisted of the usual long tyne, 15'' to 20'', to which were attached two wings. The rippers were used to determine the extent of the fracture in the ORS hardpan and to observe the conditions for planting. Removal of Calluna and furze was done by rotary slasher and by burning, the latter being less obstructive to the ripper. Drainage is not considerably increased by the ripping and no drying-out of the up-turned soil occurs with this method. It is possible, as a result of ripping, to dig between the fractures with a spade. This would indicate that thorough and complete breakage of the pan and aeration of the soil has taken place allowing free movement of moisture and roots through the fractured medium without exposing the soil to the elements... ER -