Herbaceous Weed Control Improves Survival of Planted Shumard Oak Seedlings

Abstract

Shumard oak seedlings were planted on a cutoversite in the Mississippi River floodplain, which had received both chemical and mechanical site preparation treatments. Soil at the site was a commerce silt loam and the elevation was such that the area does not flood. Planting stock was 1-0, bareroot seedlings. A total of seven active herbicide treatments were applied at a preemergent timing over the top of the planted seedlings prior to the onset of the 1998 growing season. In addition, an untreated check was established and all treatments were replicated three times. Each plot consisted of 200 linear feet of planted row with 20 seedlings. Seedlings were tagged and flagged for measurement purposes. Competition control was evaluated at 30, 60, 90 and 150 days after treatment. At each evaluation timing, the seedlings were evaluated for any symptoms of herbicide damage. In November of 1998 and 1999, seedling survival was recorded. Overall, herbaceous competition control significantly increased seedling survival. Differences exist among treatments and between year of observation. Without herbaceous competition control, seedling survival and plantation establishment may be questionable in areas of severe weed pressure.

Citation

Ezell, A.W.; Hodges, J.D. 2002. Herbaceous Weed Control Improves Survival of Planted Shumard Oak Seedlings. In: Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–48. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. pg. 273-275