Longleaf pine seedling 6-month and 1-year survival for containerized and bare-root seedlings on common planting densities in sandy soils

January 22, 2021

Seedling survival rates were evaluated between containerized and bare-root seedlings at 6-months and 1-year after planting in the Sandhill region of South Carolina. The selected study site was representative of the geographic region and characterized by drought-prone deep sandy soils. Seedlings were planted in one acre blocks. Blocks were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 common planting densities: 908, 545, or 436 trees per acre (6 ft x 8 ft, 8 ft x 10 ft, and 10 ft x 10 ft, respectively). Seedling types were alternated from row to row within each block to create pseudo-replications. Seedling survival was estimated at 6-months and 1-year after planting. Survival differed significantly between bare-root and containerized seedlings (P < 0.0001). Bare-root seedling survival was 38.78% at 6-months and 27.78% at 1-year. Containerized seedling survival was 99.43% at 6-months and 90.00% at 1-year. Planting density did not influence seedling survival (P = 0.1552 at 6-months, P = 0.1802 at 1-year). Based on the results of this study, landowners interested in restoring longleaf pine are encouraged to utilize containerized seedlings for sites subject to stressful growing conditions. Additionally, the lack of influence of planting density on seedling survival suggest landowners can utilize the plant spacing that best matches their management goals.