Success of Hardwood Tree Plantations in Indiana and Implications for Nursery Managers

The purpose of our study was to address the lack of information on the success of hardwood tree plantations established on nonindustrial private forestlands as it relates to the silvicultural practices employed during the first 5 years following planting. Through a telephone survey of afforesting private landowners and a field assessment of their plantations in Indiana, we found that seedling survival was higher on those sites where a mechanical tree planter was used compared to sites where seedlings had been hand planted. Seedling vigor was enhanced through the use of herbicide prior to and subsequent to planting. Nursery managers can help to increase the success of plantation establishment by educating landowners about silvicultural practices and facilitating maintenance of the critical link between nursery production and field