Damage to Picea abies Regeneration After Final Cutting of Shelterwood with Single- and Double-grip Harvester Systems

Logging-related damage to forest regeneration is a problem during final cutting in the shelterwood system. In order to compare the effects of logging methods, damage to natural Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] regeneration caused by single- (SGH) and double-grip harvester (DGH) systems was studied in three shelterwoods (132-234 m³ ob ha^-1) in Sweden. Between 38 and 65% of the original seedlings (6 400-25 400 ha^-1     

The influence of silvicultural treatments and site conditions on American chestnut (Castanea dentata) seedling establishment in eastern Kentucky, USA

After more than 50 years of research and selective breeding, blight-resistant American chestnut (Castanea dentata) trees will soon be available for planting into the species’ pre-blight range. Increased understanding of the regeneration requirements of pure American chestnut (C. dentata [Marsh.] Borkh.) will increase the success of future efforts to establish blight-resistant chestnut. We quantified survival and initial growth of bare-root American chestnut seedlings at five locations in eastern Kentucky, USA. We used a split-plot design to compare seedlings planted within adjacent mesic and xeric sites treated with either a two-age shelterwood overstory treatment or a midstory removal treatment. The silvicultural treatments and topographic settings allowed us to evaluate chestnut seedling performance under four light and site productivity combinations. Seedling survival was 57% and seedling height averaged 94 cm following two growing seasons. Seedling survival was negatively related to sand and coarse fragment content, but was unrelated to silviculture treatment or topographic position. Chestnut seedlings grew best in shelterwood overstory treatments areas on mesic sites. Seedlings growing in shelterwood overstory treatment areas added 3- and 3.5-times more height and stem increment compared to seedlings planted after midstory removal. Seedling leaf mass and foliar nitrogen (N) content were also greatest in shelterwood plantings on mesic sites. The high-light environment created by shelterwood overstory removal resulted in better initial seedling growth, but the moderate-light of the midstory removal treatment may ultimately provide chestnut seedlings a greater advantage over competing vegetation.     

Damage by pine weevil Hylobius abietis to conifer seedlings after shelterwood removal

Abstract

Pine weevil (Hylobius abietis L.) damage to seedlings after overstorey removal was investigated in a survey study in six shelterwoods in the south–central part of Sweden. The shelterwoods predominantly consisted of Scots pine, except at one site where the shelter trees mainly consisted of Norway spruce. Before final cutting, 10 plots were laid out at each site and measurements of shelter trees and marked seedlings were taken. The seedlings were examined during the 2 years after final cutting. The study showed that removal of shelter trees increases the risk of severe damage by pine weevil and the variable that was most strongly correlated with the risk was the seedling root collar diameter. Both Scots pine and Norway spruce seedlings were severely damaged by pine weevil, and most of the feeding occurred during the first year after cutting. The amount of debarked area was significantly larger for Scots pine than for Norway spruce seedlings. Vitality (growth of the leading shoot before final cutting) of the seedlings also affected the probability of damage. Seedlings with high vitality were less damaged by pine weevil than seedlings with low vitality. For Scots pine the shelterwood density before final cutting was correlated to the intensity of pine weevil feeding after cutting. In conclusion, after the final cutting of a pine or spruce shelterwood, pine weevils will probably invade the area. To avoid serious damage, Norway spruce and Scots pine seedlings should have reached a diameter of at least 10–12 mm.     

Scarification and Seedfall affects Natural Regeneration of Scots Pine Under Two Shelterwood Densities and a Clear-cut in Southern Sweden

A study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) shelterwood density and timing of removal on the regeneration of forests with improved wood quality. This paper focuses on the effect of scarification and seedfall on the success of natural regeneration of Scots pine under two shelterwood densities and in a clear-cut. Wood quality aspects will be addressed later in the study. After 4 yrs, natural regeneration of Scots pine under a 200 stems ha^-1 shelterwood reached 90000 seedlings ha^-1, 53000 under a 160 stems ha^-1 shelterwood and 3700 in a clear-cut. The high natural regeneration under the densest shelterwood resulted from a high seedfall, slower invasion by competing vegetation, consequent prolonged recruitment and low mortality. Since mortality largely decreased for both shelterwood densities and recruitment seems to continue, the success of regeneration should be maintained in the future if proper release operations are conducted. The latter could begin when seedlings reach a height of about 0.5 m and the cover should be maintained until they reach a height of about 6 m. Therefore, it may be possible to use 200 stems ha-1 Scots pine shelterwoods in southern Sweden to obtain dense stands and thus improve wood quality (stem taper, wood density, etc.).     

Regeneration of Picea abies forests on highly productive peatlands—clearcutting or selective cutting?

The study was focused on severe forest regeneration problems that are typical for highly productive peatlands. The aim of the study was to give recommendations for practical forestry on how to renew the forests. Experiments with different forest regeneration methods on highly productive peatlands were set up in nine mature Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) forests in northern, central and southern Sweden. The treatments in the study were natural regeneration in shelterwoods (at densities of 140 and 200 stems ha^‐1), planting of bare‐root spruce seedlings after site preparation (mounding) in the shelterwoods and on clearcuts, and planting without site preparation on clearcuts.

Judging from the extent of windthrow in the denser shelterwoods and the stocking of natural regeneration under remaining shelter trees 4–5 years after final cut, shelterwood regeneration is a promising method. On clearcuts, planting without site preparation resulted in poor seedling survival, large extent of damage to the seedlings and small height increment. Planting in mounds on the clearcuts was much more successful. The best survival of planted seedlings was observed in the shelterwoods. Both the denser and the sparse shelterwoods seemed to give satisfactory protection to the seedlings.

Final recommendations on the most suitable forest renewal method(s) will be made in about five years after the removal of the shelter trees.     

Effect of burnt wood removal on the natural regeneration of Pinus halepensis after fire in a pine forest in Tus valley (SE Spain)

To determine the effect of burnt tree removal on post-fire natural regeneration of Pinus halepensis, two 2 500 m² areas were selected six months after the fire in a totally destroyed mature (>70 years) pine forest. In one area, all the trees were cut down and removed 10 months after the fire and, in the other, all the trees were left standing (control). In each area, 20 permanent plots of 20 m² each were randomly placed, and all seedlings emerging within them labeled by individual numbered plastic tags. Emergence, mortality, density and growth (height) of 6649 P. halepensis seedlings were monitored during the first four post-fire years. Seedling emergence was concentrated in the first post-fire autumn–winter period. No positive effect on seedling emergence was detected as a consequence of burnt trunk dragging and subsequent turning over of soil. Wood removal produced an immediate average seedling mortality of 33%, and notably increased seedling mortality during the subsequent summer, probably due to increased exposure of seedlings to sunlight and the possible debilitation of many individuals by mechanical contact during burnt wood removal. A negative correlation of pine seedling mortality with height was detected, which increased significantly on wood removal in the third post-fire year. That is, short seedlings (<10 cm) in treated plots were the most likely to die during this period. In spite of the detrimental effect of wood removal on sapling survival, seedling density four years after fire in the cleared area was large (3.3 seedlings/m²). Wood removal treatment reduced seedling growth: seedling height was significantly higher in the control stand, and differences in seedling height growth rate became particularly noticeable in the fourth post-fire year. The results denote that traditional wood removal practices do not threaten natural post-fire P. halepensis re-establishment if initial seedling density is large enough. However, further studies focused on wood removal effects on the final tree development level and other ecological aspects are necessary to choose adequate post-fire forest management.     

Pine Weevil Population Density and Damage to Coniferous Seedlings in a Regeneration Area With and Without Shelterwood

Damage to planted conifer seedlings by the pine weevil, Hylobius abietis (L.), is considered to be less severe in shelterwoods than in clear-cuttings. To evaluate possible reasons for this reduction, this study investigated the relationship between seedling damage and pine weevil population density in the presence and absence of shelter trees. Assessments of seedling damage throughout a full growth season and absolute population density estimates were made at a fresh clear-cutting and an adjacent shelterwood (1 ha each). A grid of 100 pitfall traps was placed over each area, and population estimates were made using the mark–recapture technique. Pine weevil damage to seedlings was about twice as high in the clear-cutting, whereas pine weevil density was estimated to be higher in the shelterwood or about the same in the two treatments (～14?000 weevils ha^?1). Existing differences in microclimate between the shelterwood and clear-cutting did not seem to be the cause of the differences in damage levels. Thus, the hypothesis that seedling damage is reduced in shelterwoods because of increased availability of alternative food remains a candidate for further testing.     

泡桐苗期年生长参数的分析研究

对位于河南省通许县试验点的16个泡桐无性系进行苗期测定的基础上，研究分析其苗期生长规律及生长参灵敏，结果表明，泡桐苗期年生长符合S型生长曲线，16个无性系185株苗木年生长进程平均为；地径生长速生始期为6月12日，此时生长速度为0.033cm.d^-1，生长量达1.08cm；7月16日达到全年最大生长速度(0.049cm.d^-1)，皮时生长量达2.57cm，8月20日生长量达到4.05cm。速生期6月12日至8月20日，持续69d，全年生长量5.l3cm。苗高速生始期晚于地径，为7月8日，此时生长速度为0.049m.d^-1，生长量达0.86m；7月27日达到最大生长速度（0.073m.d^-1)，此时生长量达到2.04m;8月15日生长量达到3.22m，速生期7月8日至8月15日，持续37d，全年生长量为4.09m，地径与苗高生长量均与各自的速生持续期及最大生长速度有极显著的正相关关系。     

Dynamics of seedling establishment and survival in uneven-aged boreal forests

The aim of this study was to describe the dynamics of seedling establishment and development in spruce-dominated uneven-aged boreal forests. The study was based on empirical data from 15 stands with permanent plots, which had been intensively monitored for 10 years in southern Finland. All trees (height > 1.3 m) were measured every fifth year. Regeneration was measured on 64 permanent sample plots (4 m²) in each stand. The establishment of first-year seedlings was analysed on a yearly basis. The survival and development of older Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) seedlings were analysed based on observations made every five years. The establishment of spruce seedlings was closely correlated with the abundance of seed crops. Seedling cohorts originating from abundant seed crops were clearly detectable in the development of seedling height distributions over time. It took about 15 years for spruce seedlings to reach a height level of 15-30 cm. Local basal area had hardly any effect on the emergence or survival of small spruce seedlings, while the number of higher spruce seedlings decreased with increasing local basal area.     

Development of oak and beech seedlings planted under varying shelterwood densities and with different site preparation methods in southern Sweden

Effects of site preparation, shelterwood density and planting depth on the survival and growth of planted beech and oak seedlings were studied. Experiments were performed in one oak and one beech stand in southern Sweden. Two areas with different densities of shelterwood and one clearcut were established in each stand. Growth, damage and survival of the planted seedlings were observed for three years. Soil water potential was recorded weekly and radiation and soil temperatures were recorded continuously during the growing seasons.Neither site preparation methods nor planting depth affected oak seedling growth, when planting was carried out on fresh clearcuts or in shelterwoods, while growth of beech seedlings was positively affected by mounding. Growth of oak seedlings was inhibited by the shelterwood treatments. In beech seedlings, growth was lowest in dense shelterwood, while there was no difference in growth between seedlings on the clearcut area and in the shelterwood of low density. Differences in growth may be explained by differences in radiation and soil water potential.When planting was carried out on a one-year-old clearcut, site preparation improved the subsequent growth of oak and beech seedlings.     

Establishment and growth of container seedlings for reforestation: A function of stocktype and edaphic conditions

A properly selected stocktype can greatly enhance reforestation success through increased survival and growth following outplanting. Implementing a robust stocktype trial using stocktypes of equal quality can ensure results lead to the best choice. Six container types, differing primarily in depth and volume, were used to evaluate the performance of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws. var. ponderosa) seedlings outplanted on two sites that varied in volumetric soil moisture content (θ), average temperature, and total precipitation (mesic and xeric). Seedlings in each container type were cultured specifically to achieve uniform seedling quality. After two growing seasons, seedlings planted at the mesic site showed high survival (>99%) and incremental growth gains of 147, 100, and 794% for height, root-collar diameter (RCD), and stem volume, respectively; container types exhibited differences in total height, RCD, and stem volume with larger containers generally yielding the largest seedlings. Seedlings planted at the xeric site experienced 83% survival, smaller growth gains (25, 46, and 220% for height, RCD, and stem volume, respectively), and also exhibited differences in height, RCD, and stem volume. Regression analysis revealed that for each site, initial seedling morphological characteristics were better at predicting absolute height, RCD and stem volume after the first year than after the second year, with initial seedling height offering the best predictive power (R² = 0.66, mesic site; and R² = 0.70, xeric site). Second-year absolute growth prediction was poorest on the mesic site (R² < 0.21). Regression analysis indicates that initial seedling characteristics lost predictive value with time, especially on the mesic site, as seedlings grew out of their initial, container-induced characteristics and become more limited by current environmental and genetic factors. Conversely, on a xeric site, where absolute growth was reduced, traits determined by the container type persisted longer. Selecting stocktypes for mesic site conditions may only be limited by the minimum growth gains desired. Conversely, xeric sites may benefit from deep-planted quality seedlings or carefully planted long-rooted, large container seedlings.     

Survival and competitiveness of Quercus rubra regeneration associated with planting stocktype and harvest opening intensity

Successful regeneration of northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) on productive sites is problematic in eastern North American forests. Natural and artificial regeneration often cannot compete with fast-growing, shade intolerant species such as yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.). This study examines 5-year survival, growth, and competitive ability of planted northern red oak seedlings in various group selection harvest sizes in south-central Indiana, USA. Seedling stocktypes consisted of high (BHD; 75 seedlings m^?2) and low (BLD; 21 seedlings m^?2) nursery-bed-density bareroot seedlings, and small (CS; 11.4 L) and large (CL; 18.9 L) container seedlings. Group selection openings included large (0.400 ha), medium (0.100 ha), and small (0.024 ha) circular gaps in four stands. Larger stocktypes and gap sizes improved seedling height, diameter, and growth; ANOVA indicated only gap size was significant for seedling survival. Logistic regression showed survival was positively correlated to diameter at year 1, and aspect, gap size, and stocktype were significant predictors of survival. Our data indicated no differences in density of natural regeneration among gap sizes, although trends suggest greater numbers of bigger competitors in larger gaps sizes. Yellow-poplar regeneration was the tallest competitor of more than 50% of all northern red oak seedlings. Competitive status of seedlings after 5 years differed only by stocktype, with large container stock in a better competitive position than bareroot stock. However, less than 20% of seedlings in all stocktypes in each gap treatment were considered competitive (i.e., ≥80% of the height of tallest competitor) against their tallest competitor. The use of larger planting stock may offer greater opportunities for successfully regenerating northern red oak seedlings on productive sites but likely would have to be accompanied by treatments to reduce woody competition.     

Production and establishment techniques for the restoration of Nothofagus alessandrii,an endangered keystone species in a Mediterranean forest

Ruil (Nothofagus alessandrii) is an endangered keystone species from the Mediterranean climate zone of Chile. Ruil’s fragile state of conservation urges development of restoration programs, but specific protocols for nursery production and field establishment that ensure plant survival are largely unknown. Therefore, we examined the effect on nitrogen (N) fertilization and container size during nursery production in combination with the use of mesh shelters after outplanting on survival and growth during the first growing season in the field. First year outplanting survival of nursery-grown container seedlings was enhanced when seedlings were given nitrogen (N) during nursery production and deployed with mesh tree shelters in the field. The volume of the container had no effect on outplanting survival and growth. Increasing N from zero to 200 mg N L^?1 provided sufficient N levels, resulting in increased seedling height, root-collar diameter, shoot biomass, and total seedling N and phosphorous concentrations. Additional N provided by the 400 and 600 mg N L^?1 treatments underwent luxury consumption by the seedlings with no further benefits in field performance. Improved growth in the nursery, along with the use of mesh tree shelters after outplanting, especially during the typical summer drought, may be responsible for increased survival during the first growing season. Increasing the performance of nursery-grown ruil seedlings is essential to restoring this endangered, vulnerable, and foundation species within the highly biodiverse, yet seriously threatened endemic Maulino Costero Forest of the Mediterranean climate of central Chile.

     

美国竹柳在临沧市的引种试验

从昭通市引进美国竹柳进行插条扦插育苗、营养袋苗上山造林试验。结果表明,扦插育苗未用药剂处理,成活率达100%。在保证水湿条件,只施一次肥的粗放管理条件下,7个月苗高达1.5~2.5 m,地径1~2 cm。在造林后只铲一次草的粗放管理条件下,裸根苗在洼子地造林的成活率较高,达90%,在干旱坡地造林的成活率低,仅为17%;组培营养袋苗在干旱坡地造林的成活率最低,仅为10%。造林1年后,组培营养袋苗在干旱坡地的年均树高和地径生长量为28.1 cm和0.32 cm;扦插裸根苗在洼子地的年均树高和地径生长量为74 cm和1.7 cm;扦插裸根苗在干旱坡地的年均树高和地径生长量为30 cm和0.4 cm。试验表明:水湿条件或灌溉条件是保证美国竹柳引种成功的关键。     

Dynamics and determinants of Quercus alba seedling success following savanna encroachment and restoration

The scattered tree layer that defines savannas is important for structuring the understory community and determining patterns of overstory recruitment. However, encroachment by woody plants has altered overstory tree densities and regeneration dynamics. We characterized seedling success of the savanna-forming species Quercus alba within Midwestern (USA) oak savannas that had been degraded by encroachment (control; n = 4) or experimentally restored by removal of encroaching woody vegetation (treatment; n = 4). In early 2004, 981 seedlings were transplanted along transects radiating from tree boles of overstory Q. alba trees to inter-canopy gaps and monitored for three growing seasons. Seedlings in restored sites had greater survival (>2×), height growth (by >50%), and basal diameter growth (by >20%). In general, seedling survival and growth parameters increased with distance from overstory trees and were greatest in inter-canopy gaps of restored sites. By the final growing season (2006), the seedling survival-by-distance from tree correlation was stronger in control (r² = 0.25) than treatment sites (r² = 0.18), due to relatively uniform (and greater) survival at all distances from trees in treatment sites. In 2006, growth parameters (seedling height, diameter, Δ height, Δ diameter, and # leaves) were significantly (and more strongly) positively correlated with distance from trees in treatment sites. However, seedling herbivory was also greater after treatment and increased with distance from overstory trees. To understand seedling/microenvironment relationships, we created logistic (survival) and linear regression models (Δ height, Δ basal diameter, # leaves in 2006). Control seedling models had consistently greater predictive power and included more variables, suggesting that savanna restoration may decouple seedlings from their microenvironments, potentially by decreasing competition for limiting resources. Encroachment of the savannas in this study is limiting regeneration of Q. alba, suggesting substantially altered regeneration dynamics from those under which these savannas originally formed. Initial responses from our test of restoration, however, were promising and mechanical encroachment removal may be a means to promote overstory regeneration of this species. Finally, the savannas in this study appear inherently unstable and a scattered canopy tree configuration is unlikely to persist without regular disturbance, even in the restoration sites. Repeated mechanical thinning treatments with selected retention of recruiting Q. alba individuals or reintroduction of understory fire or grazing animals may be potential mechanisms for promoting long-term persistence of savannas at these sites.     

Influence of canopy structure on the survival and growth of underplanted seedlings

This study explores the indirect relationship between forest structural measures and initial seedling survival and growth along a structural gradient between 64% to 92% canopy closure. The gradient was created by applying various levels of midstory removal to fifty 0.05 ha areas located within a mixed-hardwood riparian forest corridor. Twelve yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) and cherrybark oak (Quercus pagoda Raf.) containerized seedling pairs were underplanted within each area. Canopy closure was estimated using hemispherical photography; height-to-canopy and basal area were recorded at each seedling pair. Survival, basal diameter, and height were monitored through two growing seasons. Species-specific mortality and height growth models were developed for one and two growing seasons following underplanting. The interaction of height-to-canopy and basal area along with canopy closure were found to be the most strongly related to mortality. Height to the forest canopy and initial seedling size explained the most variance in height increment. Although the height increment models possess limited predictive power (R² range from 0.22 to 0.36), both mortality and growth analyses emphasize the importance of quantifying vertical canopy structure, along with the more commonly considered horizontal measures of forest structure (basal area and stem density), when evaluating seedling development beneath a forest canopy.     

First-year growth of planted Douglas-fir and white fir seedling under different shelterwood regimes in California

A 17-ha area in the central California Sierra was harvested in 1979 to provide three shelterwoods with residual basal areas of 10, 15 and 20 m²/ha. An adjacent uncut stand of 75 m²/ha was used as a control. During the summer of 1980, seedling performance was assessed along with five microenvironmental characteristics. Maximum air temperature was similar among shelterwoods; minimum air temperature varied by about 3°C. Daily potential evaporation in all shelterwoods was similar and doubledfrom June to July and remained constant through September. Evaporation in the control was half of the shelterwoods. Subsurface soil temperature reached a maximum in August of 24°C in the least-dense shelterwood and 16°C in the control. Subsurface soil moisture was 35% for all treatments in May, but in September was 18% in the least-dense shelterwood and 12% in the control. Daily incident light in June ranged from 76% to 54% of maximum in the least-dense and most-dense shelterwood respectively, and 12% of maximum in the control.Survival of Douglas-fir was greater than 93% in all treatments. However, survival of white fir ranged from 63% to 85% as the overstory density increased; these differences were not significant. The period of rapid white fir mortality occurred later in the summer with increasing canopy cover. Height growth of both species was about 2.3 cm in the control to 3.1 cm under the least-dense shelterwood; however, treatment differences were significant only for white fir, Stem diameter growth of about 1.3 mm in treatments 10 and 15 was significantly greater than the growth of 0.3 mm in treatments 20 and the control. In Douglas-fir shoot: root ratios and biomass tended to increase with decreasing shelterwood. In white fir, the reverse trend was observed for shoot:root ratio but biomass production was similar in each shelterwood. Seedling sshowed the least overall growth in the uncut stand where plant moisture stress reached -19 bar (-1.9 MPa) in Douglas-fir and -22 bar (-2.2 MPa) in white fir.Results indicate that a 10 m²/ha shelterwood provides conditions for successful 1st-year survival and growth of container-grown Douglas-fir, but a 15 m²/ha density is preferable for bare-root white fir. Shoot growth initiation does not seem to be delayed under shelterwoods of up to 20 m²/ha.     

Growth,survival, and competitive ability of chestnut (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Castanea</Emphasis> Mill.) seedlings planted across a gradient of light levels

There has been an increased interest in tree breeding for resistance to exotic pests and pathogens, however relatively little research has focused on the reintroduction of these tree species. Understanding the durability of resistance in field settings and the field performance of improved trees is critical for successful species reintroduction. To evaluate methods for reintroducing American chestnut [Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh] to managed forests on the Cumberland Plateau, we quantified four-year survival and growth and three-year competitive ability of chestnut seedlings planted on the Daniel Boone National Forest in southeastern Kentucky, USA. We used a split-plot design to compare chestnut response among three silvicultural treatments spanning a gradient of light levels; midstory removal, thinning, and shelterwood with reserves (2, 24, and 65% available photosynthetically active radiation, respectively) and three chestnut breeding types; American, Chinese (C. mollissima Blume.), and BC₂F₃ hybrid. One of two hybrid families planted had similar survival to American chestnuts, 21 and 27% survival, respectively, while the other had better survival, 57%. Chinese chestnut survival was better than the other breeding generations (90%). High mortality among American and hybrid chestnut seedlings was likely caused by infection from Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands. Incidence of blight infection was low. While chestnut seedling growth was greatest in the high-light treatment, competitive ability of chestnut, evaluated by comparing planted seedling height to height of understory competitors, was maximized in the intermediate light treatment. These results demonstrate the importance of evaluating competition pressure from co-occurring vegetation and field performance of resistant genotypes when assessing methods for reintroducing tree species to forested settings.     

Conversion of conifer plantations to native hardwoods: influences of overstory and fertilization on artificial regeneration

Forest tree species in the eastern US such as American chestnut (Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh) and oaks (Quercus spp.) have been negatively impacted by forest changes over the past century. Many mature, introduced pine (Pinus spp.) plantations exist in the Midwest US following establishment 50–60 years ago yet have little economic and ecological value. As oak and chestnut have similar site preferences to pines, these stands may be ideal sites for hardwood restoration plantings. We sought to determine optimal management strategies for converting pine plantations by manipulating their canopies. We underplanted hybrid American chestnut and northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) seedlings into three canopy treatments (control, shelterwood, clearcut) and included an open field treatment. For each of two growing seasons, 0, 30, or 60 g 19N–6P–12K of controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) were also applied to seedlings. Soil chemical parameters and leaf nutrients were analyzed throughout the study. Chestnut and oak seedlings had significantly greater height after two growing seasons in the clearcut and shelterwood than the control and open field, and chestnut had significantly greater diameter as well. Chestnut height and RCD growth were threefold that of oak after two growing seasons. In general, fertilization increased seedling growth more in the clearcut and open field than shelterwood and control for both species. Soils had significantly higher pH, K, and S in the open field than in pine stands. Results suggest that pine plantations may serve as target sites for restoration of these hardwood species. Shelterwoods and clearcuts are both favorable conversion options for oak and chestnut, and addition of CRF may augment further growth increase, especially in open environments.     

Container characteristics influence Pinus pinea seedling development in the nursery and field

The growth and development of Pinus pinea seedlings grown in different containers was followed through one growing season in the nursery and 3 years following outplanting in the field. The variables studied in the nursery were height, diameter, biomass of shoots and roots, nutrient uptake and root density. The measured field variables, height and diameter increment and survival, were correlated with the nursery variables. Container volume had the greatest influence on plant morphology. Containers with larger rooting volume had seedlings with larger height and diameter, greater nutrient content, and better field performance. Growing density was correlated with seedling morphology and nutrient concentration in the nursery. Among the variables that influenced container volume, the diameter of the container was the most important, while the depth of the container had a minor influence on seedling morphology.The best indicator of seedling development in the nursery was the ratio of container depth to container diameter, and the optimum ratio was 4. All containers produced seedlings with some root spiralling, including those containers with ribs. There was no relationship between either the number of spiralling roots or the angle of spiralling and container characteristics. Furthermore, root spiralling did not influence seedling performance following outplanting. Root density (root biomass/cm³) was inversely correlated with container volume but there was no correlation with either depth or growing density. The largest plants were produced with container volumes of 300–400 cm³, depth/diameter ratios of 4, and growing densities of 200–300 seedlings/m². These growing conditions will result in larger Pinus pinea seedlings coming out of the nursery, which will increase growth following outplanting.