Machine site preparation improves seedling performance on a high-elevation site in southwest Oregon

Journal Article · Thu Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1993 · Western Journal of Applied Forestry; (United States)

OSTI ID:6364421

McNabb, D H ^[1]; Baker-Katz, K; Tesch, S D ^[2]

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1. Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR (United States). Dept. of Forest Engineering
2. Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR (United States). Dept. of Forest Science

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) seedlings planted on areas receiving one of four site-preparation treatments (scarify, scarify/till, soil removal, and soil removal/till) and on unprepared control areas were compared for 5 yr at a high-elevation, nutrient-poor site in the western Siskiyou Mountains of southwest Oregon. Fifth-year survival of seedlings was at least 85% among machine-prepared plots, compared to 42% on control plots. Cover of competing vegetation remained less than 25% during the period for all machine treatments. In contrast, vegetation cover on control plots was 30% at the time of planting and increased to nearly 75% after 5 yr. Competing vegetation clearly impeded seedling performance. The effects of unusually droughty conditions at the time of planting in 1982 were examined further by interplanting additional seedlings in the soil-removal treatment in 1985. The interplanting was followed by more normal spring precipitation, and seedlings grew better over 5 yr than those planted in 1982. The slow recovery of competing vegetation and generally poor seedling growth on all treatments during both planting years are attributed to low soil fertility.

• OSTI ID: 6364421
• Journal Information: Western Journal of Applied Forestry; (United States), Vol. 8:3; ISSN 0085-6095
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
BIOMASS PLANTATIONS
SITE PREPARATION
FIRS
PRODUCTIVITY
OREGON
CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES
DROUGHTS
FORESTRY
LEVELS
PLANT GROWTH
REVEGETATION
SEEDLINGS
SURVIVAL TIME
CONIFERS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
GROWTH
NORTH AMERICA
PINOPHYTA
PLANTS
TREES
USA
090800* - Biomass Fuels- Production- (1990-)
290301 - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety- Regional & Global Environmental Aspects- (1992-)