Effects of Mechanical Site Preparation, Planting Stock, and Planting Aids on the Survival and Growth of American Sycamore in a Marginal Old Field Riparian Restoration

Survival and growth of planted tree species are common indices used to evaluate success wetland restoration efforts compensate for losses. Restoration on marginal agricultural lands have typically resulted in less than satisfactory survival desired species. In an attempt determine the effects bottomland hardwood silvicultural methods pioneer species, this study evaluated combinations five mechanical site-preparation techniques (mound, bed, rip, disk, pit), four levels planting stock (gallon, tubeling, bare root, direct seed), three aids (mat, tube, none) four-year American sycamore old field riparian area Piedmont Virginia. After growing seasons, results indicated that mounding site preparation combined with gallon (3.8 L) provided most positive influences mean (100%), height (4.72 m), groundline diameter (9.52 cm), greatest aboveground dry biomass accumulation (5.44 Mg/ha/year). These treatments may be economically viable mitigations efforts, could offer other economic alternatives such as short-rotation woody crops, which might make areas more attractive private landowners.