Hitchhiker planting: mixed-species container stock planting as a novel tool to increase plant diversity on industrially disturbed sites

Rapid establishment of closed canopy cover is a key goal in land reclamation. While re-establishment understory vegetation likely to positively contribute this goal, native herbaceous species are not typically planted on reclaimed sites though it an alternative reliance natural regeneration. The objective the present study was test principle hitchhiker production tree with recently industrial aim (1) understanding growth tradeoffs when mixing these same container and (2) if hitchhiking had negative survival outcomes for white spruce ( Picea glauca) seedlings compared singly grown seedlings. White seeds were sown nursery containers contrasting cavity sizes, followed by sowing forb Eurybia conspicua or Chamerion angustifolium) at different time intervals singly. Larger cavities earlier sow dates associated higher persistence forbs, while later larger We observed no evidence suggest that hitchhiked competitive disadvantage terms initially similar size.