THE EFFECT OF LEAF LITTER UPON ESTABLISHMENT OF WHITE SPRUCE BENEATH PAPER BIRCH

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of leaf smothering upon establishment of white spruce in Alaska. Treatment consisted of protecting seed-spots from leaf litter of an overstory paper birch stand with hardware cloth screens for varying periods. Protection significantly improved survival through the first four growing seasons following germination of the spruce seed. After the fourth growing season, most seedlings were large enough to avoid being smothered or crushed by fallen leaves; additional protection through the fifth growing season was not significantly beneficial. It appears unlikely that more than an occasional white spruce can become naturally established beneath birch stands in this region.