Container seedlings outperform barefoot stock: Survival and growth after 10 years

Ponderosa pine, Jeffrey pine, and Douglas-fir seedlings were planted in container or bareroot form at three elevations in northern California. At the lowest elevation (762 m), container seedlings of ponderosa pine were significantly taller than bareroot seedlings at ages 4 and 10, and had breast-height diameters that were significantly larger than bareroot counterparts at age 10. Survival of Douglas-fir container seedlings was significantly greater than that of barefoot seedlings for all ages tested. At the mid-elevation site (1220 m), container seedlings of ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir were significantly larger in breast-height diameter than bareroot seedlings at age 10. Douglas-fir container seedlings survived significantly better at all ages than barefoot seedlings. At the highest elevation (1662 m), seedling height and diameter did not differ significantly, but survival of container seedlings was significantly higher than barefoot seedlings for both pine species at all ages tested.