Accelerating Planted Green Ash Establishment on an Abandoned Soybean Field

Abstract

Planted green ash seedlings exhibit high survival rates on most bottomland sites that have recently come out of row crop production, making this species a popular choice for afforestation. Sub-optimal growth of planted hardwood tree species, including green ash, often delays the realization of many of the economic and environmental benefits that are used to justify the expense of tree planting and land use conversion. This study evaluates the impacts of silvicultural treatments, including pre-planting discing, and two herbicide treatments (sulfometuron and glyphosate) on early stand development in a green ash planting on a former soybean field in southern Illinois. After two growing seasons, bothherbicide treatments increased green ash height growth while tillage produced no response. Sulfometuron increased total cover and percent grass cover relative to glyphosate and unherbicided treatments, largely by stimulating the growth of broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus). Glyphosate doubled broadleaf cover relative to the sulfometuron and no herbicide treatments.

Citation

Groninger, John W.; Babassana, Didier A. 2002. Accelerating Planted Green Ash Establishment on an Abandoned Soybean Field. In: Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–48. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. pg. 270-272