Sand Pine Survival and Growth on Prepared and Unprepared Sites

Abstract

Abstract Sand pine seedlings were planted on sites prepared by double chopping and on unprepared sites in scrub oak stands in the northwest Florida sandhills. Although survival was lower on unprepared areas, plantations of both Ocala (Pinus clausa var. clausa Ward) and Choctawhatchee sand pine (P. clausa var. immuginata Ward) still had acceptable stocking on unprepared sites at age 10. Thus, both varieties can be successfully established by underplanting among scrub hardwoods. Chopping, however, increased height, diameter, and volume growth. Total stem volume per acre was three to four times greater on chopped sites, and this difference continues to increase. Therefore, chopping prior to planting sand pine on these areas should be economically advantageous.