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Container Seedling Handling and Storage in the Southeastern States

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Most container seedlings grown in the southeastern US are outplanted during winter, although 10 to 20% are outplanted during summer. Longleaf pine accounts for more than 80% of all container seedlings produced. Very little information is published on cold hardiness and storage effects on container-grown southern pines and hardwoods. In general, growers attempt to minimize storage time by coordinating extraction with outplanting, particularly during summer outplanting. Seedlings are hand extracted and placed into wax-coated boxes with slits or holes in the sides, either with or without a plastic liner, and placed into cooler storage. Seedlings for summer outplanting are generally stored at 40 to 70 oF (4 to 21 oC) but usually for a week or less. Seedlings extracted in winter (November through January) are kept at cooler temperatures (35 to 50 oF [2 to 10 oC]), sometimes for as long as 3 months. Research on cold hardiness development would be helpful in understanding proper storage conditions and lengths for southern pines.

Keywords

longleaf pine, slash, loblolly, Pinus palustris, P. elliottii, P. taeda, cold hardiness, hardwoods, research

Citation

Dumroese, Kasten R.; Barnett, James P. 2004. Container Seedling Handling and Storage in the Southeastern States. In: Riley, L. E.; Dumroese, R. K.; Landis, T. D., tech coords. National proceedings: Forest and Conservation Nursery Associations—2003; 2003 June 9–12; Coeur d’Alene, ID; and 2003 July 14–17; Springfield, IL. Proc. RMRS-P-33. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
Citations
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/20793