Mass planting bare root trees

[Bobosocky]

This spring I am planting 500 trees along the roadside, a strip no wider than 20 feet or so.

I selected fast growers for this
100 Black Cherry
100 Black Walnut - will probably be separate because of the juglone
100 Silver Maple
100 Osage Orange
100 Honeylocust

Last year we only planted 75, so i put down newspaper around them with wood chips on top to try to kill a little sod, not sure it really made a difference.

At this scale I can't imagine there is anything to do about the sod. Just thought I'd ask if anyone thinks there is anything I can do to give the trees a jump start.

Thanks

 

[Jim Timber]

Roundup 7 days prior to planting. You can plant into landscape fabric if you want something longer term.