Pine Plantation Survival Related to Calculated Moisture Deficits on the Huron National Forest (1929-1976)
Soil moisture deficits are an important cause of seedling mortality on the sandy outwash plains typical of the Huron National Forest. Red and jack pine planting survival records from 1929 through 1976 were examined, and those years with two or more planting sites and consistent survival were chosen for study. Growing-season water deficit, expressed as the difference between precipitation and potential evapotranspiration, was significantly related to percentage survival using simple linear regression. Survival ranged from 30 to 95 percent, while moisture deficits ranged from + 0.40 to - 8.31 inches during the growing season. With a mean moisture deficit of - 3.82 inches during the growing season, the expected seedling survival is 80 percent. Based on available water contents in the sandy outwash soils, moisture deficits commonly exist during the growing season, and site preparation and planting practices should attempt to preserve surface organic layers. Tree Planters' Notes 37(3):23-26; 1986.
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Author(s): David T. Cleland, James E. Johnson
Publication: Tree Planters' Notes - Volumes 37, Number 3 (1986)
Section: General
Volume: 37
Number: 3
