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

Journal Article · Thu Jul 01 04:00:00 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), Journal Name: Western Journal of Applied Forestry; (United States) Vol. 8:3; ISSN 0085-6095; ISSN WJAFEK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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BIOMASS PLANTATIONS
CONIFERS
CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DROUGHTS
FIRS
FORESTRY
GROWTH
LEVELS
NORTH AMERICA
OREGON
PINOPHYTA
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
PRODUCTIVITY
REVEGETATION
SEEDLINGS
SITE PREPARATION
SURVIVAL TIME
TREES
USA