Study

The effect of mechanical site preparation methods on the establishment of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) in southern Sweden

  • Published source details Wallertz K. & Malmqvist C. (2012) The effect of mechanical site preparation methods on the establishment of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) in southern Sweden. Forestry, cps065.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Prepare the ground before tree planting

Action Link
Forest Conservation
  1. Prepare the ground before tree planting

    A replicated, controlled study in 2010-2011 in temperate coniferous forest in Sweden (Wallertz & Malmqvist 2012) found that site preparation treatments decreased the mortality of planted Douglas-fir Pseudotsuga menziesii, but not of Norway spruce Picea abies seedlings. Mortality of Douglas-fir was higher in control than in all site-preparation treatments (control: 40%; scarified: 10%; mound: 6%; inverted: 11%; mixed: 8%). In contrast, mortality of Norway spruce was similar between all treatments (control: 2%; scarified: 4%; mound: 1%; inverted: 2%; mixed: 1%). Forty Norway spruce and 40 Dougla-fir seedlings were planted in May 2010 in four replicates (blocks) of five treatments: control (no treatment); scarified (scarified mineral soil patch); mound (inverted humus turf deposited on the forest floor capped with mineral soil); inverted (inverted humus turf, placed back in the pit covered with mineral soil); mixed (complete mixing of mineral soil and humus). Data were collected in 2010-2011.

     

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