Recent direct seeding trials in the pine region

Abstract

Direct seeding is a highly desirable method of regeneration. It is more economical and more flexible in both time and place than the planting of trees. In California, however, direct seeding generally has been an ineffective method of regeneration. Early trials by the Forest Service with broadcast sowing and spot sowing invariably failed to produce an adequate stand of reproduction primarily because forest rodents destroyed the seed or seedlings. Poisoning and trapping had little effect. Protecting seed spots with screens was judged to be effective but not economical. More recently direct seeding, both broadcast and spot sowing, has been tried on large burns in a gamble to increase the area reforested beyond that possible by planting. Only rarely was the gamble successful and the circumstances attending the success are not known.

Citation

Fowells, H.A.; Schubert, G.H. 1951. Recent direct seeding trials in the pine region. Res. Note 78. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, California Forest and Range Experiment Station. 9 p.