Comparing methods of artificially regenerating loblolly and slash pines: container planting, bareroot planting, and spot seeding
Abstract
In central Louisiana, loblolly (Pinus taeda L.) and slash (P. elliottii Engelm. var. elliottii,) pines were artificially regenerated by three methods: (1)planting 14-week-old container stock, (2)planting 1+0 bareroot stock, and (3)spot seeding. A common seed source was use for each species for all regeneration methods. Spot seeding was done by sowing 10 repellent-treated seeds per spot on the same 2.44- by 2.44-m (8- by 8-ft) spacing used for planting. Each seeded spot was thinned to one seedling after establishment was certain. After 15 growing seasons, loblolly and slash pines in the container and bareroot plantings had outproduced the spot-seeded trees. Loblolly pines on the container, bareroot, and seeded plots yielded 146.2, 163.9, and 96.7 m3/ha, respectively. Slash pines on the container, bareroot, and seeded plots yielded 190.1, 178.8, and 149.4 m