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Acorn Strategies. How Acorn Size Influences Seedling Size and Possible Choices. Acorns Sized by Round Hole Screens . Four nurseries in Study Wilson, JP : Red oak only Valonia, Penn : Red and white oak Made as many sizes as possible with round hole screens
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Acorn Strategies How Acorn Size Influences Seedling Size and Possible Choices
Acorns Sized by Round Hole Screens • Four nurseries in Study • Wilson, JP : Red oak only • Valonia, Penn : Red and white oak • Made as many sizes as possible with round hole screens • All lots floated to remove poor seeds • Planted by hand for precise placement • Fall 2001
Hand planted acornsMeasured plot marked with pink flagging held by a nail
2-0 white oak, Penn NurseryLarger acorns planted on leftSmaller acorns planted on right
Data from Wilson and JP • Red Oak only • 1-0 seedlings • Wilson 8 sizes and 10 blocks • JP 10 sizes and 8 blocks • Trees undercut with tractor, lifted by hand, bagged by plot • Measured at Purdue • Plot means analyzed by regression
So What? • Larger acorns on the average give bigger average seedlings. • Aid in getting bigger trees • Tailor fertilizer and water to the acorn size for uniform crop. • Smaller acorns can be stored “on the stump” • Large acorns 1-0 • Smaller acorns 2-0
Next Step • Size larger seed lots with mechanical sizer • Plant larger plots • Test how the procedure goes operationally • Two more nurseries to lift • Take data on white oak • JP seedlings have been outplanted • Does this treatment effect field performance?