Growth of white and red oak seedlings and seed on mined ungraded cast overburden

Abstract

Tree seedlings and/or seed of white oak (Quercus alba L.) and red oak (Q. rubra L.) were planted spring and fall from 1978 to 1982 on ungraded cast overburden (also termed spoil banks) in southern Illinois. Each planting season there were 50 seedlings, or seed spots, of each species per row in replicated plots. Some seasons no seedlings or seed were available for planting. The 20 plots had 1800 white oak and 1700 red oak planting spots total. The oak seedling and seed rows were randomly assigned with other species in a plot so that nearest neighbor tree rows differed from plot to plot. Soil bulk density averaged 1.3 grams per cubic centimeter, pH 7.5, and plant nutrients were low by agricultural standards. The ground cover was old-field weeds that were sprayed with herbicide in later planting years. Trees in each row were counted 3 years after planting to determine establishment, that varied widely. In 1993-1994 all trees were measured for height and diameter breast height (DBH). Ages then ranged from 11 to 16 years. Survival after establishment was generally good, somewhat greater for red than white oak, for spring- than fall-planted trees of each species, and for trees planted as seedlings rather than seed. Heights of older spring-planted seedlings averaged more than 6 meters with DBHs, not here reported, more than 8 centimeters. Red oak tended to be taller than white oak. DBHs were more variable. Heights and DBHs of trees planted as seedlings tended to be greater than those planted as seed. Variations in survival and growth were not clearly attributable to quality of planting stock, use of herbicides, or differences in randomized nearest-row neighbors. Holding white oak seedlings in a cold room from spring over summer for fall planting gave reduced survival and equivalent growth.

Parent Publication

• 12th Central Hardwood Forest Conference

Citation

Ashby, W. Clark. 1999. Growth of white and red oak seedlings and seed on mined ungraded cast overburden. In: Stringer, Jeffrey W.; Loftis, David L., eds. 1999. Proceedings, 12th central hardwood forest conference; 1999 February 28-March 1-2; Lexington, KY. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-24. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 293 p.