E '1' TAOTDRS AFFECTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FOREST PLANTATIOHS ON THE KELLDBG RETDRESTATIDN TRACT THESIS TOR DEGREE OF M. S. BERNARD M. KIRK 1837 . '-vA’0 g...” 'TH E515 ‘T c. \3. . atl. “T... .I' 1‘39 CiTlTIT :4 é all... 1. ’7 - if... a . p T A! II .I I." FACTORS AFFECTIRG T33 ESTABLISJKBHT 0F FOREST PLAJTATIONS ON THE '24 H C; :1 v—3 h . r. I “I 0 F3 KELLOGG REFOBESTA’ OHS AFFECTIJG THE ESTABLISHKSHT F3 FAG OF FOREST PLAJTATIUNS ON THE KELLOGG RJFUBJSTAEIUN TRACT THESIS Submitted to the Faculty of the Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Hester of Science in Forestry by Bernard M. Kirk fl May, 1957 . 1"?“ 5 HE‘S-1.- ' *HES§S The writer wishes to acknowledge his indebt— edness todgrofessor R. H. Westveld, formerly of the Forestry Department of Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science, who collected the data on survival prior to 1956 and suggested the problem, and to Professor M. E. Deters of the Forestry Department of Michigan State College for suggestions and assistance received during this in- vestigation. I CLNTENTS I Introduction II Previous Investigations III Description of Kellogg Reforestation Tract IV The Forest Plantations V Methods of Study VI Effects of the Important Factors Rainfall Frost heaving Mortality by years after planting Soil ASpect SIOpe per cent Preparation of site Competition Age of Planting Stock Care in Planting Species Other Factors VII Summary VIII Literature Cited ('5'! ll 14 44 50 INTRODUCTION Forest planting in the United States has been only moderately successful. U. S. Forest Service data (18) show that only 61 percent of its plantations, totaling 137,830 acres, may be classed as satisfactorily stocked (250 trees or over per acre). There are not many accurate available records indicating the degree of success achieved by other planting agencies. It seems probable, however, that other agencies on the average have not been more successful than the Forest Service. Many cases are known where areas have been planted two or three times without obtaining satisfactory stands of trees. In the past, much attention was directed toward accomplishing the planting at the lowest possible eXpense. In fact, low initial planting cost often has been considered the most important criterion of success. Greater consider- ation undoubtedly has been given to devising methods of increasing the areas planted per man day than to methods of achieving satisfactory establishment of the trees planted. Forest planting can be done cheaply only when it is done successfully. As a whole, the cost of the planting program is necessarily high, varying from a minimum of about $3.00 per acre in a few cases up to a maximum of perhaps p25.00 an acre. Since large areas exist which will require planting in the near future, it is important that adequate planting technique be known. Land owners obviously want reasonable assurance that reforestation measures can be undertaken successfully. Repeated failures in forest planting certainly will discourage reforestation, no matter how necessary it may be. Although increasing attention has been given during recent years to securing better results with forest plantings, Ithe range of conditions under which plantings are made is so great that most results have only general application. Limiting factors are different from one locality to another. It is necessary, therefore, to determine the role and im— portance of each factor for a given set of conditions or for a locality or region in which conditions are essentially uniform. flith such information, applicable to a given locality, it should be possible to give reasonably sound recommendations to guide forest plantings. The Kellogg Reforestation Tract owned and managed by the Department of Forestry, Richigan State College provided an excellent opportunity to study the factors which affect establishment of forest plantations. The tract is typical oi much sub-marginal, depleted and eroded farmland in southern Michigan and results should be generally applicable to this region so much in need of an extensive reforestation program. This study was begun in the fall of 1955 and continued through the fall of 1956. hecords of the Department of For- estry were available from the time reforestation was begun in the fall of 1951. Data are given, therefore, for a five year period, from the fall of 1951 to the fall of 1956. The object of the study was to determine the important or lim- iting factors affecting establishment of forest plantations -3- at the Kellogg Reforestation Tract and to establish a basis for improved planting practices. PREVIOUS IN‘ESTIGATIONS A considerable amount of work has been done in connection with reforestation problems and most of the factors and prin- ciples relating to the problems are generally recognized by foresters. Among the various agencies, the United States Forest Service, the forest schools and state forestry departments have contributed most to the knowledge. The variability of the results merely serves to stress, however, that a complex of inter-related factors must be considered. Furthermore, the effect of any single factor must be evaluated in terms of local conditions. Climatic or weather effects are recognized as important factors in establishment of forest plantations. Bates (4) states that several species of the Central Rocky Hountain region are controlled in their natural distribution almost wholly by the degree of insolation of the site, the resulting temperature and the closely related surface moisture conditions. The south slopes normally have the highest temperatures and evaporation rates, while the north slopes have the lowest. Baker (1) found that temperatures of 120 - 150°F within the cells caused coagulation of the protOplasm, and even below this temperature the catabolic processes were more rapid than the anabolic. The cambium, being insulated by the protective layer of bark, remained l5 - 20°F below the external layers. - 4 - Severe damage to red and white pine plantations in New York is reported by Belyea (6) as due to continued dry winter winds. Damage was more severe on red than on white pine. Stone (16) describes sun scorch of both planted and wild pine. During extremely dry years, the foliage of this and other conifers was killed due to drought effects. Baker and Forstian (2) working in the Inter-mountain region brush lands found first year losses due principally to drought. Losses were especially heavy when droughts came early in the season, before the roots were well established. After the first year, competition of brush was more important. Evaporation had little significance, except as it affected drought the first year. Exposure of roots to drying for forty minutes was found by Haasis (9) and Ziegler (20) to result in decreased vigor and much lower survival. Using three methods of planting, Carter (7) found failure to remove sod resulted in increased losses of 15 - 21 per cent during the first year. Pickering (14) mentions that competition effects with sod caused losses of apple trees. Competition for moisture was the critical factor. Furrowing to reduce competition is credited by Hilton (12) as being responsible for increased survival of forest planta- tions in sand soils of Michigan. Young (18) found 2 ~ 0 stock of white and Norway pine in southern Michigan suffered 45 percent greater losses after two years than 2 - 2 stock unless competition of other plants was removed by cultivation. Heavy losses were attributed to - 5 - careless planting. In a study of Yale Forest School's plantations, Hawley (11) found that red pine gave slightly higher survival than white pine. Kittredge (15) studied the causes of failure of forest plantations from a large amount of data. He lists fire, an- imals, insects, fungous diseases, weather, poor stock, care— less planting, and competition with other vegetation as the principal causes of failure. However, no one cause appeared to make planting in the Lake States inadvisable. He concluded that a drought of over 10 days at the time of planting, or during the first season caused heavy losses. Temperatures of over 90°F, besides their drying effect often resulted in such extremely high surface soil temperatures that the stem was girdled at the ground level. Late frost caused damage to the growing tips, eSpecially of Norway and white pine. Snowsnoe rabbits have caused excessive losses, in Min- nesota eSpecially, and are one of the most serious enemies of plantations. Deer, porcupines, mice and squirrels also cause damage. Insects were found by Kittredge to be responsible for the killing of relatively few trees. Jack pine was most frequently attacked. White pine showed extensive weeviling. Red pine was the least susceptible to insect attacks. Fungi,, with the exception of white pine blister rust, appeared not to be dangerous. Poor quality stock and careless planting were among the most serious causes of loss. EXposure of roots for one hour before planting caused heavy losses. Trees with the soil not well packed around the roots showed excessive losses. - Underplanting gave favorable results apparently because of protection from excessive insolation. Jhere moisture became limited, however, mortality of underplanted trees was very high; Rudolf (15) summarizes the matter of forest plantations under 12 points. These include: species and site selection, underplanting, quality of planting stock, climate, protection from animals, ground preparation, methods of planting. He emphasizes the fact that forest planting must depend on a thorough knowledge of the local conditions. -7- DESCRIPTION OF KELLOGG REPORESTATIOV TRACT The Kellogg Reforestation Tract is located about 9 miles northwest of Battle Creek, Michigan. It has been cleared and under cultivation for at least thirty years, but was abandoned about ten years ago. It lay idle until coming into possession of the Forestry Department of michigan State College in 1951. The tract is made up of about two hundred eighty acres along both sides of Augusta Creek. There are three land types nearly equal in area. The first consists of fairly level valley lands occurring along the creek. The second consists of the lepes along the sides of the valley. These average about two hundred yards long with five to thirty percent slopes through— out. Above these are the nearly level ridge and hill tops. The topography is typically rough and morainic. The soils are variable. In the poorly drained bottom land near the creek, the soil has a high organic content and probably is classified as Maumee silt loam. The better drained level lowland is classified as Newton loam. Both of these soil types are heavy and fertile. The slopes consist of badly eroded Rodman gravelly sandy loam. This is a grayish brown sandy loam underlain by cobbles, and in its present eroded condition is of low fertility. The more level upland areas are Bellefontaine sandy loam, underlain by a thick sand layer. Drainage is rapid and erosion has been serious even on the gentle upland slopes. June grass (Poa pratensis L.) characterizes the more fer- tile lowland areas. The sod is thick and continuous. 0n the eroded SIOpes, the sod is much lighter and other grasses and -8- weeds are mixed with the bluegrass. The level uplands have conditions similar to the slopes. Adjacent woodlots are pre- dominantly red oak on upland, with tamarack and willow on the lowland. - 9 _ THE FOREST PLANTATIONS Forest plantations were first made on the tract in the fall of 1951, using red pine and white pine. Planting has continued each year to the present. Table I lists the planta- tions with which this study is concerned. Although a large number of Species has been planted, only white pine and Norway pins have been planted each year and under enough different conditions to furnish a basis for analysis of survival data. In addition to these two Species a limited amount of data are considered for Norway spruce. TABLE I. DESCRIPTION OF PLANTATIORS STUDIED Red Pine Planting Age class Area in Survival to Year season of stock acres date 1931 fall 5 - o 5.2 so; 1932 spring 2 - o 25.9 Béé 5 _ O 60p 1953 Spring 2 - o 12.4 16 1934 spring 3 - o 15.6* o 1955 spring 3 : g 31.5* %g 1956 Spring 2 - 0 6 51 White Pine 1931 fall varied 5.4 105 1932 spring 5 - o 18.7 282 1953 spring varied 24.5* 102 1955 spring 5 - o a 2 - 2 24.5* 8% Norway Spruce 1932 spring 2 - o a 2 - 5 13 2 - 3% 1955 spring 5 - O 2.5* e iileplacements - 10 - It can be seen that from the standpoint of tree survivals the results are quite unsatisfactory. Best results were obtained with plantations set out in 1952. Red pine planted this year has from 60 — 855 of the trees alive, while white pine also of this year has 28} yet alive, highest survival for that species on the Kellogg Tract. The only failures in plantations made in 1952 are in those of Norway Spruce, of which less than 5% has survived. Plantations of both red and white pine set out in 1955 have been failures. Only 165 of the red pine and 10% of the white pine is now alive. Similarly, the plantations set out in 1955 have been failures. Except for a relatively small num- ber of 4 year red pine transplants, losses in 1955 plantations are 82 and 923 for red and white pine respectively. So far, the red pine plantations of 1956 have proven sat- isfactory. Losses during their first year, characterized by severe droughts, were lower than those of the 1955 plantations. An important part of this study is to determine the causes of such wide differences in survivals among these four series of plantations. - 11 - EETHODS OF STUDY Permanent sample plots containing twenty-five trees each were staked out at the time of planting. Survival counts have been made twice each year. Thus there is a history of the losses on each plot dating from the time of planting to October, 1956. In the fall of 1956, data were taken on the soil, aSpect, slope, planting method, and intensity of competition on each plot. Soils were separated into two groups, heavy and light. The heavy soils are those having the physical characteristics of loam or heavier soils, in contrast to the predominantly sandy, unfriable soils. The lowlands are typically heavy, and the uplands typically light. ' ASpect data are combined into two groups: North and South. The former includes the N.W., N. and N.E. lepes; the latter includes the 3.3., S. and S.W. slopes. SIOpe classes are from 0 - 7%, and over 7%. Preparation of site includes furrowed and non-furrowed areas. In the latter case, no more sod was removed than that necessary to dig the planting hole. Therefore, it is described as having no preparation. Several areas were treated both ways. Survival records on these provide additional material. Intensity of competition is included in two classes, light and heavy. Plots were separated first on the basis of species and then year of planting. Each factor was analyzed independently by grouping together all plots similar in reSpect to that factor. - 12 - For purposes of comparison, the results were computed in four ways.' (1) The total mortality percent for the period, (2) The annual mortality percent, based on the number alive in the Spring of each year, (5) The deviation of the annual mortality percent from the average annual mortality percent, and (4) This deviation expressed as a percent of the average mortality percent. This last analysis serves as a basis for comparing the effects of the various factors. The losses of Norway Spruce were so nearly complete that no effort was made to summarize the data for that Species. It will be noted that occasionally in tables V and VII the deviations from average for the both conditions of a factor will be either above or below average. Since the annual mor- tality figures are calculated on the basis of the number of trees alive at the beginning of the year, the losses of each year will affect the percentage losses of the following years. lPlantations of several ages of white pine stock were made. These provide comparable data on the survivals of 5 - O, 2 - 1, and 2 - 2 stock. First year survivals of 28 red pine trees for each of ten different crews serve to bring out some of the results of good and poor planting. Studies were made of the root systems of dead trees. Many could be pulled up easily even after two years growth. Pulled trees were taken to the laboratory for study. Losses of the two species of pine were compared. These are presented by mortality percent, and by total loss, through 1956 in tabular and graphic form. Some data for Norway Spruce are included also. - 15 - It is necessary to include weather as a factor of primary importance. Konthly totals for each growing season, together with the averages and annual totals were available. These data are from a station three miles from the area. Mean annual averages based upon long time records were taken from the Battle Creek records. This station is approximately 10 miles from the tract. Rains of two tenths inches or less are considered as not significantly effective for vegetative growth. Drought effects were measured in the following three ways: (1) The total number of days in 10 days drought periods during the growing season. (2) The longest drought period during the growing season. (5) The average length of drought. maximum temperatures are used also in estimating severity of drought. Frost heaving resulting from alternate freezing and thaw- ing of the soil caused losses among fall planted trees. Compar- isons are made of losses among three classes of white pine stock for degree of site preparation, between mulched and non- mulched areas and according to planting method used. - 14 - Tag tv‘lfi'ffi "1 A ."17".-‘ V17 1:."1- Tn 1‘1 \ fir’v-‘L "' 1.)}.T I} 1.1018 ‘ .Lfiah I1“; 0-51:1.“ L J :1KI-LUALD Rainfall 100% 60% 20% Wide variations in rainfall occurred during the growing seasons between 1951 and 1957 (tableVI). Precipitation from April 1 to September 50 during 195& was 6% inches below average, and for July 1956 was 75 percent below average. Examinations of daily precipitation records (figures 5 - 7) show the occur- Annusl Mortality Percent of l and 2 year Plantations for the Period 1952 - 1956 100% n .L T A 50% .. 0 J» Jr 2% o T i 1' , 1952 1954 1956 1952 1954 1956 Fig. 1. 1 year-old plantations Fig. 2. 2 year-old plantations rence of these and other drought periods. Figure 8 compares the growing seasons from 1952-1956 with reSpect to droughts on the basis of the average length of dry period, the longest dry period, and the total length of all dry periods during any one year. The years of 1952 and 1955 appear to be quite favorable. 1954 and 1956 Show very severe conditions. From the standpoint of the longest drought period 1956 was outstanding. There oc- curred an interval of 40 days without a significant amount of rain. This period extended from July 4 to August 12, and was .002” .5 omah -14a- 2. usesueaem u. assess a. sash " once . has a Hanna 2 q . ., (1.11 . . _ .11» (Te _ . .. v _ . _. ._. _ . - _____ 3%: :. _T_.__ 2 :8H 1 .CN 8n .mnaa .e .waa pupaepaem u answsd ”1 hHSh a , mean 2 an: a Huum4 u — ._ ad Aud- . _ — ~_ _ d _. ._— .1 . q _— _ u- J1: :4.— d _ sea it” On .enaa .n .mem " unneepgom “ ausms< " haze « omen “ _hma u flayed u — _ —~_q.e; _ .e: ,.val A _ .qia .. .7 A _ _ ._ _q__ .— an -15.. .nnaH .e .maa u nonempqmm " «named u hash u mesa , n has « ahead w - ... . ,_ ._. ._ a _ _ _ __ a _ ; _ =d____=q11|1|11=41fi44:111 .. A .rea a s :.ea m .na n .mnaa .n .mae a neeaepeem " enemas " ease ” cash a an: a. Hanna « _ 1%. .e A _ __ . _ ___ _ .. .1. . . .1_ _ _ _ 111aqnqug e rsuaa .2 s.ea m .aa n .pnea 1 mama ceases one you “on .eaem 1 a aaaaav seesaw weapons as» sewage eeaeeeaaaeeam sages can .mmmH Me page as meownmm and wand hamamapxc gosh peep Seem Hash Some pom mpSmoamm hpaampnos mnabam gamed msficmoonmg .m was H weasmam .sHen peonpfis when mm mo Soaked e an cmsoaaom mes mane .naeu mo rm.mnpfis cacao pH .09 meg Op Ha mag Sony measampsm..epaasooo mama om Ho pnmdone m .wama SH .MOOOH nm>o Ho headpmacQSep Spas mass m an ccHSSQEOSSm - 15 - early periods as that of 1954 are most serious. Losses were considerably lower during 1955 although there was a 54 day drought period which lasted from August 9 to September 12, and the plantations in 1955 were one year younger than in 1954. It is apparent that very long droughts accompanied by high temperatures occurring in the middle of the summer, or shorter periods of drought early in the season result in greater loss than do August and September droughts. This is in agreement with Baker and korstians (2) findings. Insofar as average precipitation is concerned, however, drought should not prove a limiting factor in southern Michigan during normal years. In fact, average precipitation data show that conditions should prove distinctly favorable. Frost Heavigg Frost heaving proved to be a significant factor on the Kellogg Tract. The extent of this damage under various condi- tions is presented in Table III (next page). Losses from this cause < 1 - Fig. 19. Mortality Percent of White Pine Under Different Site Conditions Soil 100 100 I I I 60“ 204 3 l 3 Year after planting Year after planting Fig. 20. Heavy Soil Fig. 21. Light 8011 Aspect v ‘ 5 1 35 Year after planting Year after planting Fig. 22. North sapect Fig. 23. South Aspect Mortality Percent of White Pine Under Different Site Conditions (cont) Percent of Slape 100 100 3 ‘Yeer after planting Year after planting 1’13. 240 0 - n 'lope Fig. 250 0761' n 8101” Preparation of Site 100 100 ' 3 ‘Year after planting Year after planting Fig. 26. No preparation Fig. 27. Furrowed Mortality Percent of White Pine Under Different Site Conditions (cont) Intensity of Competition 100 100 604» I /\ 3 5 l 3 Year after planting Year after planting Fig. 28. Light Competition Fig. 29. Heavy Competition All Conditions J J _A fit ‘ 3 Year after planting Fig. 30. Cumulative Mortality Percent of Red and White Pine Under Different Site Conditions Red Pine White Pine Soil Condition 10 100 Aho' £:k1.- f—- .1 . .V 42M211221_- f 89/— 60. 97/ so. JHO/I’ Jof/ //’ 20” fl Ll’il/’.,y 201 L_—/ A I A v f v I I ' V r 1 a a 1 3 5 Year after planting Year after planting Fig. 31. Fig. 31. ASpect 10 - lOO eo»// 20 ‘/ _—A 0 b ‘P P L P v 1 3 Year after planting Year after planting Fig. 33. Fig. 54. - 54 - New plantations of the latter during 1936 suffered losses on north lepes 30 per cent lower than on south s10pes. SLOPJ PAR CEJT Slope per cent apparently had-some effect upon survival. The total survivals of red pine on level areas are from 4 to 50 per cent higher than those on slopes. The main differences occur during the years of critical droughts. For instance, in in 1933 losses of newly planted red pine on both conditions of slope were almost identical, while in 1935 a very dry year, losses in these same plantations on the slopes of over 7 per cent were 18 per cent higher than losses on the more level areas. Similarly, in 1935 losses of red pine were almost the same on both conditions of slope, and in 1936 on these same plantations, the more level areas had losses 48 per cent below those on the lepes. Differences in losses are slight between the two conditions of slope in white pine plantations. The total losses vary no more than 5 per cent from each other. The losses in the 1932 plantations, during the summer of 1934, were 13 per cent lower on O - 7 per cent lepes than on steeper lepes. Luring 1935 losses were 25 per cent higher on level areas of 1932 plantings, 60 per cent lower in 1933 plantings, and 8 per cent lower in 1935 plantings. During favorable years, these differences are less or even reversed. PhEEAhAQlUJ CF 31TH Preparation of the site previous to planting resulted in better survival as is shown by figures 35 and 35. In only three out of the 22 cases were the losses on furrowed areas above I ()3 ()1 I Cumulative Mortality Percenta of Red And White Pine Under Different Site Conditions (cont) Red Pine White Pine Percent of Slope 100 1, 100 60.-,// 60' 20 A A A v W ' 5 1 3 1 Year after planting Year after planting Fig. 35. Fig. 36. Preparation of Site 100 100 __A2£¢.—-—-- / / / / 60v / 60 / / I . ”on! 20 , , Jyrrawfo’ 20‘ 1 f fie ' '5 1 ' 3 ' 5 Year after planting Year after planting Fig. 37. (none in 1933) Fig. 38. -55- Cumulative Mortality Percents of Red and White Pine Under Different Site Conditions (cont.) Red Pine Intensity of Competition White Pine 100 , 100 A A A Year after planting Fig. 390 5 1 3 T 5 Year after planting Fig. 400 All Conditions 100 60“ l 100 ao- ZOq/ 20“ l 3 Year after planting Fig. 410 A A - v v v 1 3 5 Year after planting UH» Fig. 42. average. Jhile losses on unfurrowed areas ranged up to 17 per cent above the average for that year, losses on furrowed areas were from 3 to 30 per cent below average. Kore significant differences are brought out in figures 42 and 45 and fable VIII which compare the losses in 1922 and 1933 plantations for the entire period. Furrowed areas of red pine show losses iron 9 to 25 per cent lower than on un- furrowed areas. Jith white pine, differences up to 27 per cent occur in favor of the furrowed areas. The main reasons for the almost complete failure of the 1933 plantations may be due to the fact that no furrowing was done before planting. CCLPET TIUJ The intensity of competition is shown to have some effect on the survival of plantations on the Kellogg Tract. In the 1932-1933 plantations, losses are about 10 per cent lower on acres having light competition than on those having heavy competition. In the 1932 plantations, the differences in losses seem to occur mostly during years in which drought is not a serious factor. For example, in the case of the 1932 white pine plan- tations, losses during the favorable years of 1932 and 1933 are 25 to 30 per cent below average on areas of light competition, but in 1934, a year of severe drought, the losses are but 8 per cent below average. In contrast to the better results in the earlier planta- tions on areas of light competition, the 1935 plantations had losses 5 to 9 percent under similar conditions. It is logical that areas with heavy competition should - 38 - have greater losses than areas with light competition during years of favorable moisture conditions. In such years, a heavy stand of bluegrass would dry out the soil more rapidly than would the lighter growth. A condition similar to that produced by drought would soon result in the soil supporting the heavy cover, even While the less heavily vegetated area still had ample moisture. Thus there would be heavier losses on the areas with heavy vegetative cover. moist years also tend to promote a luxuriant develOpment of blue grass which often smothers the young trees eSpecially if there has been no site preparation. b? C) t‘J C ”:1 *0 .5 E h] H in G D U‘ ‘TOCK The 2 - 2 planting stock gave 15 per cent greater sur- vival than 3 - 0 stock and 12 per cent greater than 2 - 1 as shown in table IX and figures 46 and 48. Jhile age of planting stock is a factor of unquestioned significance, its effects may be easily outweighed. Older, larger stock gave best results under heavy competition but even 2 - 0 stock gave excellent results where competition was controlled by furrowing. CARE IN PLAJTING Table K gives the survival data during the first year on ten sample plots containing twenty-eight trees each, planted by different crews. Survival data vary from 57 to 89 per cent. Observations on extreme cases show almost complete losses for some crews and complete survivals for others. Furthermore, general successes of plantations using forest school students was higher than with ordinary labor. host dead -39.. ”ABLE VIII. MORTALITY PERCE-TT WIFE DIFFERENT METHOD? OF SITE PREFARATION 3 - 0 RED PINE Preparation Mortality percent each year, based on number of trees alive in the spring of each year. ho. of trees Years after planting Total Mortality'% lst 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Furrowed 300 18 O 9 0 0 25 None 300 29 13 23 0 O 52 Furrowed 85 6 5 4 O O 15 None 55 0 2 2 O O 6 3 - 0 WHITE PINE Furrowed 125 25 4O 0 39 -- 73 None 75 77 94 0 100 -- 100 Furrowed 65 3 6 26 5 7 40 None 70 O 13 16 6 12 4O -40- Mortality Percents of Furroeed and Un-Furrowed Plantations / five) 100 _ 100 //1Enmzufifan 50? ' ”JilrngéfiMQ («V 1 UV / r I (5‘1” 11/"; '"j 20 W?” 1 ' 5f I 3 ' 1 ' 3 5 Year after planting Year after planting Fig. 43. Red Pine Fig. 44. White Pine 100 100 J 1 60 _ 60 .L 1 4£Wfl£€35797 . , //wfl 20' L My.) (‘Z’flifl __ 20 -+ / / CWT!) .— // 1 j E 5 N 1 ' 75 ' '5 Year after planting Year after planting Fig. 45. Red pine (compet. light) Fig. 46. White pine (compet. light) -41- Mortality Percents of Different Age Classes Of White Pine Planting Stock 100 100 60 n 20 20 o . A 4 A A 1 T f v v ‘— 3 l 3 Year after planting Year after planting Fig. 47. 3 - 0 Stock Fig. 48. 2 - 1 Stock 100 60 20 A I V ' v L 1» Year after planting Fig. “49. 2 - 2 Stock. TABLE IX. SURVIVAL OF DIFFERENT AGE CIASSES OF WHITE PINE % Loss by Year Final % Survival based on original Stock lst 2nd 3rd number planted 3 - O 72 79 9 5 2 - l 83 91 12 9 2 - 2 88 92 16 21 trees from the larger stock had been shallowly planted and the root systems were bunched and knotted. Care in planting without doubt can be one of the major factors in the survival of forest plantations. -45.. TABLE. X. SURVIVAL DURT‘YG FIRST YEAR ON'TTN SANILE PLOTS OF 28 TREES EACH. PIANTED BY DIFFEREFT CREWS Actual Survival % Survival Row # l 17 61 - 8.3 2 18 64 - 5.3 3 17 61 - 8.3 4 18 64 - 5.3 5 18 64 - 5.3 6 24 86 o 16.7 7 21 75 e 5.7 8 25 89 O 19.7 9 16 57 r 12.3 10 20 72 v 2.3 Average 19.6 69.3 Mortality Percent of Different Species Annual Mortality Percent (based on number alive in Spring) 100 100 60,, ///\ Year after planting Year after planting Fig. 50. White pine Fig. 51. Red pine Cumulative Mortality Percent 100 100 ‘I Fhf—f so 60 // / / / / .. / / / / 20‘ 200’ I 1 ' :3 1 ' '3 I E Year after planting Year after planting Fig. 52. flhite pine Fig. 53. Red pine -45- TABLE XI. MORTALITY PERCENT BY SPECIES 1932 Planting Species No. of Mortality Percent each year Total.MOrtality trees based on number of trees alive percent in the spring of each year 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 Red Pine 618 10 4 9 O O 22 White Pine 520 16 13 4e 3 27 73 Spruce. 356 15 so so 0 o 94 1933 Planting Red Pine 325 43 67 0 ll 83 White Pine 350 47 66 O 39 89 1935 Planting Red Pine 399 4 64 65 White Pine 564 27 93 94 1936 Planting Red Pine 778 49 49 Mortality Percent of Different Species (cont) Norway Spruce 100 100 60 n 60‘ 207 ‘ A A A 41 A A ' V " f V 1 3 5 l 3 5 Years after planting Years after planting Fig. 54. Annual Mortality Per Fig. 55. Cumulative mortality cent (based on number percent alive in spring) 0'1 Table XI and figures 49 and 54 show the mortality per cents of the several series of plantations on the basis of Species. White pine suffered losses amounting to from 73 to 94 per cent. Red pine losses are from 6 to 51 per cent below those of white pine for similar conditions. On the whole, red pine is much more satisfactory than white pine for planting under conditions similar to those prevailing at the hellogg heforestation Tract. Losses of Jorway Spruce were even greater than for white pine. FACTORS I Insect damage was confined to that done by Tortrix pallorana, the larvae of which seriously damaged the buds and new growth of white pine, Scotch pine, ponderosa pine, pitch pine, Japanese red pine and others. Only red pine appeared immune to damage by this insect. The heavy mortality of white pine probably is due in part to this insect damage. Lowered vigor and reduced height growth no doubt lengthen the time required for the trees to become established and therefore the period during which losses occur. Rabbits have done only minor damage to the plantations. hice and other rodents likewise have done relatively little damage. Certainly they have not been serious factors in tree losses at the hellogg Reforestation Tract. SUI..3.~£ARY 1. The first three years after planting were the most critical. Jhite pine losses continued over a longer period of - 48 - years than red pine. Once established, forest plantations showed little loss from severe drought conditions such as those of 1956. 2. broughts of over 20 days when coming early in the season, or if accompanied by extremes of temperature caused heavy losses. jarly summer droughts were much more effective in causing losses of red pine and wnite pine than were late 5 summer droughts. Damage is greatest when severe droughts occur in the first or second year after planting. once. estab- lished, the plantations survived severe droughts with little or no loss. In so far as rainfall is concerned average years a should be favorable to the establishment of forest plantations in southern hiohigan. 5. Erost heaving damage was severe on plantations set out during the fall seasons of 1931 and 1956. hulching appears a necessary precaution for fall planting at the Kellogg hefor- estation Tract and probably applies for all of southern Kichigan. 4. Red pine showed slightly better survival on light soil than on heavy, whereas white pine did better on heavy soils. 5. Luring critical drought years losses on southerly as- pects were markedly higher than on northerly aSpects. hiffer- ences were less apparent in favorable years. 6. LlOpe had only a slight effect on establishment of plantations. As a whole, survivals were a little better on the more level areas. 7. site preparation was of extreme importance. Jhere furrowing had been done, losses were considerably lower than - 49 - where no attempt was made to remove the sod near the trees. The nearly complete losses of 19:3 plantations may be due to a lack of adequate site preparation, such as furrowing. 8. rhe losses of trees growing in competition with dense bluegrass sod have been higher than those 01 trees growing with less severe competition. This difference was less marked during the years of severe drought. 9. Losses of 2 - 2 White cine were lower than those of b - O and 2 - 1 on unfurrowed areas with heavy competition. Damage due to frost heaving was less with the larger stock. Un furrowed areas, 2 - 0 stock of red and white pine were used with very satisfactory results. 10. Poor planting has been an important cause of losses. Careful planting is essential if high survival is to be ex- pected especially during drought periods. 11. hed pine had better survival than did wnite pine. It became established more guickly than did white pine, and loss s occurred for a Shorter period of time. 2. dhite pine was sucject to severe damage by Tortrix pallorana, This damage resulted in reduced vigor and growth, and thus lengthened the period necessary for this Species to become established. Only red pine among the various conifers used appears immune to damage by this insect Species. 15. Rabbits and mice have so far done very little damage to trees on the Kellogg Reforestation Tract. l. 10. 15. 14. 15. LITSRATURE CITE Baker, F. S. 1929. Effect of excessively high temper- ature on coniferous reproduction. Jour. For. 27:949—975 - Fig. 1-3. Baker, F. S. and C. F. Korstian. 1951. Suitability of brusn lands in the intermountain region for the growth of natural or planted western yellow pine forests. U. S. Dept. Agric. Tech. Bul. 256. Bates, C. G. 1925. Physiological requirements of Rocky hountain trees. Jour. Agric. Res. 24 97-154. Bates, C. G. 1924. Forest types in the Central Rocky hountains as affected by climate and soil. U. S. Dept. Agric. dul. 1255. Bates, C. G., and J. R. Roeser. 1924. Relative resistance of tree seedlings to excessive heat. U. S. Dept. of Agric. Dept. Bul. 1265. Belyea, H. C., 1925. Wind and exposure as limiting fac- tors in the establishment of forest plantations. 1925. Ecology 6:3 p. 258-240. Carter, 3. E. 1915. Notes on the relation of planting methocs to survival. Proc. of the Soc. Amer. For. 10:1:9-17. Guise, G. H. 1918. First seasons growth and mortality of white pine and red pine plantations. Jour. For. 16:5:508-518. Haasis, F. W. 1914. Results of an experiment on the effect of drying of the roots of seedlings of red and white pine. For. Quarterly 12:5:311-518. Haig, I. T. 1936. Factors controlling initial establish- ment of western white pine and associated species. Yale School of Forestry Bul. 41. Hawley, R. C. 1924. Early deve10pments of white and red pine plantations. Jour. For. 22:5:275-281. Hilton, H. C. 1918. Furrow planting upon the sand plains of fiichigan. Jour. For. 16:8:915-919. hittredge, J. Jr. 1929. Forest planting in the Lake States. U. S. Dept. Agric. Dept. Jul. 1497 p. 1-88, p1. 1-6. Pickering, S. 1917. The effect of one plant on another. Ann. Bot. 51:72:181-187, Fig. 1-3. Rudolf, P. O. 1957. Lessons from past forest planting in the Lake States. Jour. For. 55:1:72-76. 18. 19. 20. Stone, G. 3. 1910. Sun Scorch of the pine. Kass. Agric. SXp. Sta. 22nd Ann. heport. iart 2:65-69. U. S. Dept. Agric., For. Ser. 1955, A National plan for American forestry. Senate Doc. 12, 75 Congress 1st Session, Vol. II, U. S. Gov't. Printing office, waShington, L. C. Young, L. J. 1921. Forest planting in southern Michigan. Jouro for. 19:2:131‘1580 Weaver, J. 3. 1926. hoot development of field crOps. ed., xii & 291 p., 116 Fig. Hcdraw--di11 Book 00., H. Y. Ziegler, E. A. 1915. Further notes on the effect of exposure on white pine seedlings. For. Quarterly 12:4:165-170. 109087 MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES III I w Ill ”mu 3 42 4892 3 1293