Effects of shading on growth and development of northern red oak, black oak, black cherry, and red maple seedlings. I. height, diameter, and root/shoot ratio

Abstract

Optimum light levels for shelterwood cutting to develop the large advance regeneration that require were investigated using eight shade-cloth treatments. Seedlings of northern red oak, black oak, black cherry and red maple were grow under these light treatments for 2 years. Height and diameter were measured annually, and samples were harvested for dry weight and leaf area determination. All of the species grew the least at the lowest light level. Height and diameter growth for seedlings of black cherry, red maple, northern red oak, and black oak all reached a plateau at from 20% to 94% light. Second-year height and diameter (Y) responses to light level (X) were best described by 1/Y=b₀+b₁(1/X). Species rankings at all light levels were black cherry, northern red oak, black oak, and red maple (largest to smallest height and diameter). Root/shoot ratios were not affected by light levels during the first year. During the second year, root/shoot ratios were significantly affected only for black cherry, but a linear response to increasing light was evident for the other species.

Citation

Gottschalk, Kurt W. 1985. Effects of shading on growth and development of northern red oak, black oak, black cherry, and red maple seedlings. I. height, diameter, and root/shoot ratio. In: Dawson, J.O.; Majerus, K.A., eds. Proceedings Central Hardwood Forest Conference V; 1985 April 15-17; Urbana, IL. SAF Publ. 85-05. Champaign-Urbana, IL: University of Illinois: 189-195.