Site preparation affects survival, growth of koa on degraded montane forest land

Paul G. Scowcroft; Kenneth T. Adee

doi:10.2737/PSW-RP-205

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Site preparation affects survival, growth of koa on degraded montane forest land

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Paul G. Scowcroft, Kenneth T. Adee

Year:

1991

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Pacific Southwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/PSW-RP-205

Source:

Res. Paper PSW-205. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. 7 p

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Download (PDF 587 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/29193.pdf

Abstract

Banana poka vines (Possifloro mollisrimo) and kikuyu pass (Pennirerurn clondestinum) can limit koa(Acacia koa) reforestation in Hawaii. Performance of planted koa seedlings was studied in relation to type of site preparation: broadcast spraying of Roundup herbicide at three rates (2.02, 4.05, and 6.07 kg active ingredient per hectare) and hand scalping vegetation from each planting spot. One year after planting, survival and growth of koa seedlings were significantly greater in plots sprayed with a heavy dose of Roundup than in control plots. Ten year survival and height were significantly greater for the heavy dose treatment than for the scalp treatment, but none of the trees in the control treatment were alive. Site preparation must control competing vegetation over the entire planting area, to give koa a competitive edge during establishment.

Keywords

Acacia koa, Passiflora mollissima, Pennisetum clandestinum, competition, Hawaii, reforestation

Citation

Scowcroft, Paul G.; Adee, Kenneth T. 1991. Site preparation affects survival, growth of koa on degraded montane forest land. Res. Paper PSW-RP-205. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. 7 p