Planting aspen to rehabilitate riparian areas: a pilot study

Wayne D. Shepperd; Stephen A. Mata

doi:10.2737/RMRS-RN-26

Treesearch

Planting aspen to rehabilitate riparian areas: a pilot study

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Wayne D. Shepperd, Stephen A. Mata

Year:

2005

Type:

Research Note

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/RMRS-RN-26

Source:

Res. Pap. RMRS-RN-26. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 5 p.

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Abstract

We planted 742 greenhouse-grown containerized aspen seedlings in the riparian area of Hurd Creek on the Arapaho National Forest east of Tabernash, Colorado. Objectives were to (1) determine whether aspen seedlings can be planted in an operational setting and survive in sufficient numbers to successfully establish a mature aspen stand and (2) determine the effectiveness of fencing on aspen seedling survival. Five-year survival rates were 18 percent in the fenced area and 23 percent in the unfenced area. Seedling heights were significantly taller in the fenced area than in the unfenced area.

Citation

Shepperd, Wayne D.; Mata, Stephen A. 2005. Planting aspen to rehabilitate riparian areas: a pilot study. Res. Pap. RMRS-RN-26. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 5 p.