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First-Year Effects of Plastic Tube Shelters, Wire Cages, and Fertilization on Planted Nuttall Oak Seedlings

Informally Refereed

Abstract

A Study was implemented in western Alabama to compare the growth and survival of Nuttall oak (Quercus nuttallii) seedlings using plastic tube shelters, wire browse protection, fertilization, and control. A total of 324 Nuttall oaks were planted at a bottomland site in Greene County, Alabama. One-third of the seedlings were enclosed in 46inch tall opaque plastic shelters. One-third of the seedlings were encircled with 48-inch tall wire fencing. The remaining seedlings were left as control. Fertilization tablets were supplied to one-half of all seedlings in each protection treatment. Black plastic mulch mats were utilized with all seedlings to help suppress herbaceous weeds. Initial measurements on seedling height and caliper growth were taken after planting in March 2000. First year growth measurements were taken in January 2001 and will be remeasured each winter thereafter. Plastic tube shelters stimulated both greater seedling height and diameter growth, compared to the wire cages and control treatments. Furthermore, fertilized seedlings exhibited significantly greater height growth and diameter growth compared to those without. Incidence of animal browse was significantly reduced by the presence of seedling protection devices.

Citation

Taylor, Troy S.; Golden, Michael S. 2002. First-Year Effects of Plastic Tube Shelters, Wire Cages, and Fertilization on Planted Nuttall Oak Seedlings. In: Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-48. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. pg. 370-372
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/4892