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Establishing trees in an Appalachian silvopasture: Response to grass control, mulch, and shelters

Establishing trees in an Appalachian silvopasture: Response to grass control, mulch, and shelters. by E. Bendfeldt, M. Dougherty, C. Feldhake, and J. Burger Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University USDA - Agricultural Research Service. Honey Locust.

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Establishing trees in an Appalachian silvopasture: Response to grass control, mulch, and shelters

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  1. Establishing trees in an Appalachian silvopasture: Response to grass control, mulch, and shelters by E. Bendfeldt, M. Dougherty, C. Feldhake, and J. Burger Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University USDA - Agricultural Research Service

  2. Honey Locust Kentland Farm Agroforestry Research and Demonstration Project Windbreak Wildlife Area Orchardgrass Black Walnut Bee Hives Silvopastoral Study Alleycropping Honey locust Black Walnut Black Walnut Honey locust Resource Allocation Study Hardwood Forest Orchardgrass N Black Walnut Honey locust Species Study 10 Hectare Area 100 m

  3. Kentland Farm Agroforestry Research and Demonstration Project • Resource Allocation Study • Alley Cropping Demonstration • Windbreak Demonstration • Forest Farming in Hardwood Forest • Species Study • Silvopastoral Study

  4. Silvopastoral Study • Long-term study • Tree/pasture/livestock interactions in an Appalachian silvopasture • Establishment Study • Tree Protection Study • Moisture Retention Study • Fertilization Study

  5. Tree Protection Study • Objective: To determine the most effective tree protection method for honeylocust and black walnut seedlings. • Treatments • Control (no tree protection) • 2-ft poultry wire cage • 4-ft tubex tree shelter

  6. Tree establishment and growth response for black walnut and honeylocust (1995-1998)

  7. Moisture Retention Study • Objective: To determine the effectiveness of grass control and mulching on soil water retention for better tree growth. • Treatments • Control • Herbicide (3-ft radius) • Mulch (3-ft radius)

  8. Results of moisture retention study (1997-98)

  9. Effect of grass control treatments on soil moisture content (black walnut site, 1997) 32 32 July 3 July 12 30 30 a 28 28 b 26 26 b a 24 24 ab Soil Moisture Content (%) 22 22 b 20 20 32 32 July 9 July 21 30 30 28 28 a 26 26 24 24 b a b a 22 22 b 20 20 524 526 528 530 532 536 538 524 526 528 530 532 536 538 534 534 Elevation (m) Elevation (m) TRT M S C

  10. Fertilization Study • Objective: To determine the effect of fertilization on early tree growth. • Treatments • Control (no fertilizer) • Fertilizer (diammonium phosphate)

  11. Results of Fertilization Study(1997-98) Treatment Diameter Height Stem Volume 3 (cm ) (cm) (m) Black Walnut Control 2.5 ns 0.9 ns 445 ns Fertilizer 2.8 1.0 542 Honeylocust Control 1.9 ns 1.1 ns 578 ns Fertilizer 2.0 1.2 872 ns = not significant

  12. Conclusions • Tree Protection Methods (4-year study) * Tubex tree shelters resulted in higher tree volume on black walnut and honeylocust compared to poultry wire or control * Tubex and poultry wire minimized deer damage on black walnut and honeylocust compared to control * Tubex shelters had a pronounced positive influence on tree height and stem form • Moisture Retention Study (2-year study) * Mulch and spray treatments increased tree volume 50-100% over control * Mulch treatment retained more soil water, but trees were no larger than those in the sprayed treatment • Fertilization Study (2-year study) * Fertilization did not increase tree volume

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