Reestablishment of Bottomland Oak Species in Lower Mississippi Valley Alluvial Soils.
Abstract
The majority acreage of bottomland hardwood forests in the lower Mississippi Valley have been cleared. Several Government programs now encourage reforestation of formerly cleared areas, especially to large seeded tree species. Research is needed to identify optimal planting methodologies to utilize soil and hydrologic gradients and species diversity if bottomland forests are to be economically reforested and managed. Cherrybark oak, Nuttall oak, Shumard oak, and water oak were direct seeded (December 1991) and seedling planted (March 1992) onto Dundee, Forestdale, and Sharkey soil plots. Replicated treatments were oak species, soil species, and planting methodology. Soil physical, hydrologic, and fertility properties were correlated with plant germination and growth for each species. Optimal soil moisture conditions during the spring and growing season of 1992 enhanced germination, survival, and growth and minimized treatment differences. Nuttall and water oak seemed to exhibit germination and growth patterns that may enhance their survival under more stressful growing conditions. Differences in soil type and planting methodology were generally nonsignificant.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA303612
Entities
People
- Masato Miwa
Organizations
- Mississippi State University