Immediate Storage and Prep
If you cannot plant your poles immediately upon arrival, store them in a clean fresh water. Do not let them dry out sitting in a storage shed .Do not store in stagnant water.
Limit storage time. Do not leave poles in water for more than a few weeks; plant them as soon as possible.
Use a marker to draw a line 800 mm up from the base. This visual ensures you dig them deep enough into the ground.
If you are using Dynex protectors top protect the bark from livestock put them on now.
Target the Right Spots
Gully planting: Do not plant directly in the boggy bottom of a wet gully, or the tree will never develop a proper root system.
Instead place poles along the sides of the gully to let the roots grow inward and control erosion.
Look for small depressions just outside the main gully floor where water naturally collects. This gives the pole the moisture it needs to survive dry summer periods.
For shelter belts and windbreaks, spacing of 3-5 metres between poles is typical.
Choose Your Planting Method
Method A: The Thumper / Pole Bar (Highly Recommended)
Use a heavy pole bar
(often called a Y-bar or pole rammer) to punch a narrow guide hole into the ground.
Stand the pole upright in the guide hole.
Drive the pole directly into the soil using a thumper until your 800 mm depth mark meets the ground.
Method B: Power Auger (For Open/Space Planting)
Use an auger equipped with a very small drill bit.
Drill your hole. A narrow 60 mm hole ensures the pole maintains tight, continuous contact with the soil all the way down.
Finish and Secure the Site
Catch surface runoff. Dig and cultivate the soil slightly on the uphill side of the pole. This creates a small basin to catch and direct rainwater straight into the root zone.
Pack it tight. Stamp and firm the soil heavily around the base of the pole to eliminate air gaps. A tight fit is essential for successful establishment.
Ongoing Stock Protection
Consider using Dynex protectors. These sleeves deter sheep, goats, and pests, and prevent cattle from rubbing against the bark.
Even with heavy-duty Dynex sleeves installed, keep all cattle entirely out of the paddock for at least 12 months.
Summer check:
Return to your plantings later in the summer. Re-stamp and firm up the soil around any poles that have wobbled loose.