Effects of Shade and Competing Vegetation on Growth of Western Redcedar Regeneration

Abstract

Abstract Naturally regenerated western redcedar (Thuja plicata) is almost always subordinate to associated species that grow more rapidly. Management of competing vegetation will greatly enhance early development of western redcedar. We examined the effects of two vegetation reduction treatments and three artificial shade treatments on subsequent growth of naturally established western redcedar seedlings. Complete removal of competing vegetation resulted in nearly three times greater height growth for unshaded seedlings than did removing only shade competition by tying back shrub and tree crowns but leaving the rooted plants to occupy growing space. The addition of artificial shade did not significantly impact height growth. The vegetation treatment results support the hypothesis that transpirational stress is a more significant factor in the growth of these seedlings than is light competition. West. J. Appl. For. 6(1):21-22.