The effect of wrenching on morphology and field performance of Douglas fir and loblolly pine seedlings

Abstract

Second-year Douglas fir and 1st-year loblolly pine nursery stock were undercut and wrenched while actively growing in nursery beds. Their morphology and field performance were compared with Douglas fir seedlings that had been undercut only and with loblolly pine seedlings that had been left intact.The treatment produced shorter, thinner-stemmed loblolly pine seedlings with reduced shoot dry weight. Height, diameter, and shoot dry weight of Douglas fir seedlings were virtually unaffected, but root dry weight was increased substantially. Development of fibrous lateral roots was stimulated in both species. As a consequence, shoot–root ratios were considerably improved, and the seedlings were better conditioned to withstand outplanting. On droughty sites, field survival of Douglas fir was increased by 20 percentage points and loblolly pine by 30 percentage points. Wrenching also extended by several weeks the fall and spring planting periods for loblolly pine and the fall planting period for Douglas fir.