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Effects of site preparation and release on the survival and growth of planted bare-root and container-grown longleaf pine

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Survival and grow of these plantings were observed for 3 years on a variety of coatal plain sites in Georgia.Treatments included high and low levels of pre-planting site preparation, with and without post-planting release with a herbicide. After 3 years, survival was much better for container (79%) than for bare-root (52%) stock. Survival was better with the high level of site preparation (73%) than with the low (58%).Of the seedling mortality over 3 years, 88% occurred during the first year. After 3 years, more container (78%) than bare-root (56%) stockwere in active height growth. Release significantly increased seedlings in height growth (77%) over that of unreleased seedlings (58%). Level of site preparation did not affect seedling height growth after 3 years in the field.The low level of site preparation plus release was more effective in promoting seedling height growth than the high level of site preparation alone. Container seedlings are apparently more resistant to environmental factors that adversely affect survival and growth (drought, poor planting, competition) than are bare-root seedlings.

Citation

Boyer, William D. 1988. Effects of site preparation and release on the survival and growth of planted bare-root and container-grown longleaf pine. Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Forest Research Paper. 76: 1-7.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/974