Early growth of planted western hemlock in relation to stock type and controlled-release fertilizer application

Abstract

Four types of western hemlock (Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) nursery stock, differing in size, morphology, and root growth capacity were planted on a clear-cut forest site on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The stock types were: (i) 1-year-old, plug-rooted seedlings raised in 36-cm3 containers; (ii) as (i) but transplanted to a bareroot nursery for 1 year; (iii) 1-year-old, bareroot seedlings raised in 1000-cm3 containers; (iv) as (iii) but raised in containers coated on the inside with copper paint to inhibit lateral root elongation upon contact with the container wall. Survival and growth of seedlings with and without fertilization at planting with 50 g of a slow-release (Nutricote®, 12-month release at 25 °C) N–P–K fertilizer were observed for 3 years. Neither stock type nor fertilizer had a statistically significant (P < 0.05) effect on seedling survival. At planting, plug seedlings were significantly (P < 0.01) shorter and smaller in stem volume than the other stock types. These differences were no longer evident by the end of the third growing season because of more rapid growth by the plug stock. The largest differences between the plugs and the other stock types in height and diameter relative growth rates occurred during the first growing season. Fertilization significantly (P < 0.01) increased height and stem volume relative growth rates of all stock types during the first growing season. During the third growing season fertilization had a significant (P < 0.01) negative effect on height, and diameter and stem volume relative growth rates of all stock types, but not on absolute rates. At the end of three growing seasons, fertilized trees remained significantly (P < 0.01) larger in all stock types than in the controls.