Atlantic White-Cedar cones

On-line Proceedings of the
2009 Atlantic White-Cedar Symposium

The Ecology and Management of
Atlantic White-Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) Ecosystems

A Symposium held on June 9, 10, and 11, 2009 at the
City Hotel and Bistro in Greenville, North Carolina - USA

Table of Contents and Conference LInks

Performance of Atlantic White-Cedar Seedlings and Rooted Cuttings after 20 Years in the Field

Bill Pickens, NC Division of Forest Resources; Eric Hinesley, NC State University, Department of Horticultural Science; Kenneth O. Summerville, NC Division of Forest Resources - Retired

Presented by Bill Pickens

Containerized Atlantic white-cedar rooted cuttings (Weyerhaeuser Corporation) and bare-root seedlings (North Carolina Division of Forest Resources) were planted on a peat soil (Croatan series) in Hofmann Forest in Onslow County, NC in 1989 and 1990 (spacing 6 x 9 ft; 1.8 x 2.7 m)). Seedlings had a small height advantage over cuttings after 2 to 3 years in the field. In April 2009, after 20 years, average height of dominant and co-dominant trees in the 1989 planting was 34 ft (10.4 m) both for cuttings and seedlings; in the 1990 planting, seedlings were taller (33.7 vs. 29.3 ft)(10.3 vs. 8.9 m) (P = 0.01). Multiple stems were common, but there was no clear difference between cuttings and seedlings. In the 1990 planting, average stem diameter at 4.5 ft (1.3 m) was largest for seedlings (5.7 vs. 4.9 inches) (14.4 vs. 12.5 cm)(not significant (P = 0.05). The largest tree had a single stem 9.2 inches (23.4 cm) in diameter. Bedding (1989) did not affect height or diameter. Total cross-sectional area of stems at 4.5 ft (1.3 m) was greater for seedlings in 1990 P = 0.01), but not 1989. Survival was 70% to 87% for seedlings; 80% to 90% for cuttings. Although cuttings and seedlings grew similarly in this study, a series of similar experiments would be needed over a period of years to firmly ascertain the long-term performance of seedlings and cuttings. This approach would more adequately sample the year-to-year range in initial plant quality for seedlings as well as cuttings.
Proceedings Table of Contents and Conference Links