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Abstract
Communities of hayscented ferns [
Dennstaedtia punctilobula (Michx.) Moore] are present in many forested areas of Pennsylvania. These ferns can reduce the number and height growth of desirable tree seedlings. A study was conducted to determine the effects of fern frond density on the stem growth and leaf development of bare-root planted white ash (
Fraxinus americana L.) seedlings. Treatments of 0, 25, 50, and 100% frond density created conditions of 0, 151, 271, and 448 g/m? of ovendry frond biomass in August. Amount and quality of sunlight passing through the fronds was measured. Shoot growth of the white ash seedlings was greatest in the 0% frond density (21 cm) and lowest in the 100% frond density (12 cm). A study using simulated fern fronds to alter sunlight conditions where root competition was not a factor was also conducted. White ash seedling stem growth was 23 to 45 cm for frond densities ranging from 80 to 0%. Reduced seedling shoot growth and changes in seedling leaf tissues associated with increased frond density were, in-part, due to changes in sunlight quality and quantity.
Parent Publication
Citation
Hippensteel, Tracy E.; Bowersox, Todd W. 1995. Effects of hayscented fern density and light on white ash seedling growth. In: Gottschalk, Kurt W.; Fosbroke, Sandra L. C., ed. Proceedings, 10th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; 1995 March 5-8; Morgantown, WV.: Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-197. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 256-270
