Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1983. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-101).

Thesis(M.S.)--Auburn University, 2006. / Abstract. Includes bibliographic references.

Survival and growth of two oak species, live oak (Quercus virginiana) and Nuttall oak (Quercus texana), and three planting stocks: 1-0 bareroot, conventional containerized, and Root Production Method (RPM™) seedlings were compared. Conventional containerized live oak and bareroot Nuttall oak seedlings exhibited greatest survival. RPM™ seedlings exhibited the lowest survival in both species. Conventional containerized seedlings exhibited greater groundline diameter (GLD) growth and twice as much height growth as bareroot seedlings during the first year. During the second year, conventional containerized seedlings exhibited greater GLD growth than bareroot seedlings in live oak, but in Nuttall oak, bareroot seedlings exhibited greater GLD growth. RPM™ seedlings exhibited similar GLD growth compared to bareroot seedlings during both years but the least height growth of all planting stocks, regardless of species. Height growth of bareroot and conventional containerized seedlings was similar after two years.

A study was established to evaluate underplanting as a method of reestablishing shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) in the Piedmont Region of North Carolina. Replicated treatment plots were harvested to retain 0, 15, 30, or 45 square feet of basal area per acre. Bareroot and containerized stock with small and large plugs were established within the treatment plots. Large plug seedlings achieved the highest first year survival followed by the small plug and bareroot seedlings. Underplanted seedling growth was inversely related to residual overstory density after two growing seasons. Large plug seedlings achieved the greatest height and diameter growth, followed by the small plug and bareroot seedlings. The results of this study suggest that underplanting may be a suitable regeneration option for the initial establishment of shortleaf pine on Piedmont sites. Further improvements in seedling survival and growth may be realized by planting containerized seedlings with large plugs.

Bareroot and containerized loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) were planted in December 2016 and February 2017 to compare performance across four sites in South Carolina and Georgia. Main treatments analyzed for growth differences were stocktype, genetics, and planting date. Analysis of variance results showed significant growth differences after two growing seasons for containerized over bareroot seedlings, for control-pollinated seedlings over open-pollinated and varietal seedlings, and for December-planted seedlings over February-planted seedlings. Control–pollinated seedlings demonstrated the most incremental growth between ages one and two. Site conditions dictated seedling survival to a certain degree, and bareroot seedling growth was slightly better than containerized on the least stressful site. Results uncover important trends for main effects of stocktype, genetics, and planting date, but also underscore the importance for land managers to avoid blanket reforestation prescriptions, with more emphasis placed on site-specific conditions.

Hurricane Katrina damaged 1.4 million hectares of forestland in Mississippi. Hardwood timber accounted for 40 percent of the damage. A cost-effective method of artificial regeneration is necessary to restore this resource. Bareroot, containerized, and EKOgrown® seedlings of Quercus shumardii and Quercus nuttallii were planted on two sites for evaluation of survival and growth. Survival was recorded monthly during the first growing season, and at the end of each growing season. Growth was measured at the end of each growing season. Survival was extremely low in 2014. Containerized seedlings suffered a total loss due to freezing at the nursery, and a large flood occurred on one site. After the two growing seasons monitored in this study, bareroot seedlings provided similar or greater growth, greater survival, and were remarkably cheaper than EKOgrown® seedlings. Consequently, bareroot seedlings are recommended as the most cost-effective method of artificial oak reforestation.

Hurricane Katrina made landfall in 2005 damaging 1.2 billion cubic meters of timber including 48 million cubic meters of hardwood. An economically efficient method of artificial oak regeneration is necessary in many areas to restore this high value resource. Bareroot, conventional containerized, and EKOgrown® seedlings of Quercus shumardii and Q. texana were planted on two sites in south Mississippi. Growth and survival were evaluated for two years. Survival was assessed monthly and at the end of each growing season. Height and groundline diameter were assessed initially after planting and the end of each growing season. After two growing seasons, Q. Nuttallii exhibited superior performance generally when compared to Q. Shumardii. Conventional containerized had poor survival and initial growth likely caused by freeze damage in the nursery. EKOgrown® seedlings performed better than other planting stocks, however, high seedling cost makes them less cost-effective than bareroot seedlings which exhibited acceptable performance overall.

Hurricane Katrina had a devastating impact on bottomland hardwood forests in 2005 resulting in damage to nearly 1.2 billion cubic meters of timber. Following such a natural disaster, natural regeneration is typically not a viable option because the seed source has been destroyed on site. Therefore, an economically efficient method of artificial regeneration is considered the most appropriate technique for reforesting these damaged areas. However, few studies have evaluated comparative research that examined early survival and growth performance of various oak species and stock types in such planting settings. This project was implemented in an effort to expand upon what is already known from previous artificial regeneration attempts on Hurricane Katrina damaged lands. Bareroot, conventional containerized, and large potted EKOgrownTM seedlings of cherrybark oak (Quercus pagoda Raf.) and willow oak (Quercus phellos L.) were planted on two sites located in south Mississippi. Survival was assessed monthly and at the end of each growing season, whereas height and groundline diameter (GLD) were measured immediately post planting and at the end of each growing season. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey-Kramer multiple comparisons procedure (MCP), where appropriate, were performed to determine any significant differences. After the first growing season, cherrybark oak did not exhibit a substantial difference regarding survival performance when compared to willow oak (75.5 percent and 76.5 percent, respectively). After two growing seasons, willow oak exhibited considerably greater survival (74.0 percent) overall when compared to cherrybark oak (70.5 percent). Bareroot seedlings had the highest survival (87.2 percent). Conventional containerized seedlings had unacceptable survival (47.5 percent) and EKOgrownTM seedlings had acceptable survival (82.0 percent). EKOgrownTM seedlings demonstrated the best overall GLD growth of all planting stocks (3.9 mm respectively). Bareroot seedlings had the second best overall GLD growth (1.5 mm) and conventional containerized had the least amount of overall GLD growth (0.8 mm). Overall height growth when comparing all three planting stocks bareroot, conventional containerized, and EKOgrownTM were similar to one another (-3.5cm, -0.8cm, and -3.6cm respectively). Therefore, based on an overall consideration of cost and performance, bareroot seedlings are considered the most effective option of the two species considered for artificial regeneration utilized in this study.