Effects of early release on natural versus container loblolly pines 12 years after field establishment

Abstract

Genetically improved, container loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedlings were compared to naturally established loblolly seedlings on a cutover pine site. Crop pines on 6 of 12 plots were released from woody and herbaceous competition within a 2 ft radius of each stem. On release plots, woody competition was controlled by hand-cutting for 5 consecutive yr and herbaceous competition was controlled with herbicides for 4 consecutive yr after pine establishment. Competition control increased 12 yr survival by 68 percentage points for natural pines and by 47 percentage points for planted pines. Twelve years after field establishment, mean-tree volume of planted pines was no different than that of naturally established pines. Nevertheless, volume gains of 150% to 200% were achieved within regeneration techniques as a result of release. South. J. Appl. For. 26(4).