Early longleaf pine seedling survivorship on hydric soils

Abstract

We established a study to evaluate site preparation in restoring longleaf pine on poorly drained sites. Most existing longleaf pine stands occur on drier sites, and traditional approaches to restoring longleaf pine on wetter sites may rely on intensive practices that compromise the integrity of the ground layer vegetation. We applied silvicultural treatments to improve soil conditions that impede longleaf survival and growth on poorly drained soils. The study design is a split-plot with eight treatments replicated on six blocks. Treatments were an herbicide application or a single-pass chop prior to burning, followed by flat planting, mounding and planting, or bedding and planting. Flat planting had the highest survivorship, and we detected significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) among treatments on seedling survival at 6 months but none after 1 year.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the 13th Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference

Citation

Cohen, Susan; Walker, Joan. 2006. Early longleaf pine seedling survivorship on hydric soils. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-92. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. pp. 95-97