Effects of Canopy Treatments on Early Growth of Planted Longleaf Pine Seedlings and Ground Vegetation in North Carolina: a Preliminary Study

We installed a field experiment to support the development of protocols to restore longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) to existing mature loblolly pine (P. taeda L.) stands at Camp Lejeune, NC. Seven canopy treatments included four uniform and three gap treatments. The four uniform treatments were defined by target residual basal area (BA) [control (uncut), BA9, BA4.5, and BA0 (clearcut) m2/ha] and three gap treatments: designated large-gap (5027 m2), medium-gap (2827 m2), and small-gap (1257 m2). We quantified treatment effects on planted longleaf pine seedlings and ground vegetation after the firstgrowing season. Canopy treatments significantly affected the growth of planted longleaf pine seedlings, with the largest rootcollar diameter on BA0 (12.4 mm) and the smallest on control (10.6 mm). Total vegetation cover and total herbaceous cover, measured in both May and September 2008, were also significantly influenced by canopy treatments.