Influence of mulching and tree shelters on 4-year survival and growth of zeen oak (Quercus canariensis) seedlings

Abstract

We assessed the effect of mulching and tree shelters on the establishment and early growth of zeen oak (Quercus canariensis Willd.) during the first 4 years after planting in Northwestern Tunisia. Five mulch types (Italian Stone Pine (Pinus pinea L.), Lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus L.), and a combination of Italian Stone Pine and Lentisk (organic mulches), gravel (inorganic mulch) and control), and three tree shelter types (non-vented and vented tree shelters, and control) were tested. An increase in the number of internodes occurred under the gravel mulch, while a reduction in survival was found for the lentisk mulch. Tree shelters had no effect on survival, but increased mean height growth and reduced mean diameter growth during the 4 years (excepting a non-significant effect for vented tree shelter at year four). Comparison of the annual shoots and growth units (GU) between sheltered and unsheltered plants according to year of formation revealed two growth phases. In first phase, shoots were totally or partially inside the shelters; mean length of annual shoots and GU were greater for sheltered plants. The second phase was characterized by shoots emerging from shelters; mean length of annual shoots and GU were similar for all plants, with or without tree shelters. Results suggest that the use of tree shelters, particularly vented shelters, could contribute to the improvement of the artificial regeneration of zeen oak. The use of mulching alone or in combination with tree shelters did not improve zeen oak performance in the field.

Keywords

Zeen oak / Mulching / Tree shelters / Plantation / Survival rate / Growth

References

Albouchi A, Abbassi M. Effet du paillage plastique noir sur la survie et la croissance de six espèces forestières plantées en brise-vent en région semi-aride. Annales de l’Institut National de Recherches en Génie Rural, Eaux et Forêts, 2000, 4: 40-61.

Applegate GB, Bragg AL. Improved growth rates of red cedar (Toona australis (F. Muell.) Harms) seedlings in growtubes in North Queensland. Aust For, 1989, 52: 293-297.

Athy ER, Keiffer CH, Stevens MH. Effects of mulch on seedlings and soil on a closed landfill. Restor Ecol, 2006, 14: 233-241.

Balandier P, Guitton JL, Rapey H. Amélioration des tubes abris protégeant les jeunes arbres contre les animaux. Ingénieries EAT, 1995, 4: 41-48.

Bergez JE, Dupraz C. Effect of ventilation on growth of Prunus avium seedlings grown in tree shelters. Agric For Meteorol, 2000, 104: 199-214.

Borland J. Mulch: examining the facts and fallacies behind the uses and benefits of mulch. Am Nurseryman, 1990, 172(4): 132-143.

Burger DW, Suiha P, Harris R. Tree shelter use in producing container-gorwn trees. HortScience, 1992, 27(1): 30-32.

Burger DW, Forister GW, Kiehl PA. Height, caliper growth, and biomass response of ten shade tree species to tree shelters. J Arboric, 1996, 22(4): 161-166.

Burger DW, Forister GW, Gross R. Short and long-term effects of tree shelters on the root and stem growth of ornamental trees. J Arboric, 1997, 23(2): 49-56.

Chaar H, Mechergui T, Khouaja A, Abid H. Effects of tree shelters and polyethylene mulch sheets on survival and growth of cork oak (Quercus suber L.) seedlings planted in North-western Tunisia. For Ecol Manag, 2008, 256: 722-731.

Costello LR, Peters A, Giusti GA. An evaluation of tree shelter effects on plant survival and growth in a Mediterranean climate. J Arboric, 1996, 22(1): 1-9.

Davies RJ. Sheet mulching as an aid to broadleaved tree establishment. I. The effectiveness of various synthetic sheets compared. Forestry, 1988, 61(2): 89-105.

Davies RJ. Sheet mulching as an aid to broadleaved tree establishment. II. Comparison of various sizes of black polyethylene mulch and herbicide treated spot. Forestry, 1988, 61(2): 107-123.

Dupraz C. Les Protections de plants à effet de serre. Première partie: ce qu’en pensent les arbres. Revue Forestière Française XLIX, 1997, 5: 417-432.

Dupraz C. Les protections de plants à effet de serre. Deuxième partie: amélioration de leur efficacité par aération optimisée et luminosité accrue. Revue Forestière Française XLIX, 1997, 6: 3-14.

Dupraz C, Bergez JE. Carbon dioxide limitation of the photosynthesis of Prunus avium L. seedlings inside an unventilated treeshelter. For Ecol Manag, 1999, 119: 89-97.

Dupraz C, Guitton JL, Rapey H, Bergez JE, De Montard FX. 1993. Broad-leaved tree plantations on pastures: the treeshelter issue. In: Proceedings of the 4th international symposium on windbreaks and agroforestry, Viborg, pp 106–111. http://prodinra.inra.fr/record/112275

Duryea ML, English RJ, Hermansen LA. A comparison of landscape mulches: chemical, allelopathic, and decomposition properties. J Arboric, 1999, 25: 88-97.

Fang SZ, Li HY, Xie BD. Decomposition and nutrient release of four potential mulching materials for poplar plantations on upland sites. Agrofor Syst, 2008, 7: 27-35.

Gleason ML, Iles JK. Mulch matters: the proper use of organic mulch offers numerous benefits for your woody landscape plants. Am Nurseryman, 1998, 187: 24-31.

Green DS, Kruger EL, Stanosz GR. Effects of polyethylene mulch in a short-rotation, poplar plantation vary with weed-control strategies, site quality and clone. For Ecol Manag, 2003, 173: 251-260.

Greenly KM, Rakow DA. The effect of wood mulch type and depth on weed and tree growth and certain soil parameters. J Arboric, 1995, 21(5): 225-232.

Guitton JL. 1994. Essais de plantations agroforestières en Corse du sud. Revue Forestière Française, (Numéro special), pp 96–101. http://hdl.handle.net/2042/26621

Harmer R. Relation of shoot growth phases in seedling oak to development of the tap root, lateral roots and fine root tips. New Phytol, 1990, 115: 23-27.

Hemery GE, Savill PS. The use of tree shelters application of stumping in the establishment of walnut (Juglans regia). Forestry, 2001, 74(5): 479-489.

Jacobs DF. Reforestation of a salvage-logged high-elevation clearcut: engelmann spruce seedling response to tree shelters after 11 growing seasons. West J Appl For, 2011, 26: 53-56.

Jaffe MJ, Forbes S. Thigmomorphogenesis: the effect of mechanical perturbation on plants. Plant Growth Regul, 1993, 12: 313-324.

Kazarjan VO. Le vieillissement des végétaux supérieurs, 1969, Moscou: Editions NAVKA 194

Kerr G (1995) The use of treeshelters: 1992 survey. Forestry Commission Technical Paper 11. Forestry Commission Edinburgh, Edinburgh. https://www.forestry.gov.uk/PDF/FCTP011.pdf/$FILE/FCTP011.pdf

Mariotti B, Maltoni A, Jacobs DF. Tree shelters affect shoot and root system growth and structure in Quercus robur during regeneration establishment. Eur J For Res, 2015, 134: 641-652.

Mayhead GJ, Boothman IR. The effect of tree shelter height on the early growth of sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.). Forestry, 1997, 70(2): 151-155.

McCreary DD, Tecklin J (1997) Effects of seedling protectors and weed control on Blue Oak Growth and survival. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report PSW-GTR-160, pp 243–249. https://www.fs.fed.us/psw/publications/documents/psw_gtr160/psw_gtr160_04b_mccreary2.pdf

McCreary D, Costello LR, Tecklin J, Jones K, Labadie D (2002) The influence of treeshelters and irrigation on shoot and root growth of three California Oak Species. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report PSW-GTR-184. https://www.fs.fed.us/psw/publications/documents/gtr-184/034_McCreary.pdf

McDonald PM, Helgerson OT (1990) Mulches aid in regenerating California and Oregon forests: past, present and future. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report PSW-123, p 19. https://www.fs.fed.us/psw/publications/documents/psw_gtr123/psw_gtr123.pdf

Mechergui T (2016) Régénération artificielle du chêne-liège (Quercus suber L.) et du chêne-zéen (Quercus canariensis Willd.): impacts du paillage et des abris-serres sur l’installation, la croissance et le développement architectural des plants. Tunisie: Thèse de doctorat, Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, Tunisie, p 154

Mechergui T, Pardos M, Hasnaoui B, Jacobs DF. Development of cork oak (Quercus suber L.) seedlings in response to tree shelters and mulching in northwestern Tunisia. J For Res, 2013, 24(2): 193-204.

Oelbermann M, Voroney RP, Schlönvoigt AM, Kass DCL. Decomposition of Erythrina poeppigiana leaves in 3-, 9-, and 18-year-old alleycropping systems in Costa Rica. Agrofor Syst, 2004, 63: 27-32.

Oliet JA, Jacobs DF. Microclimatic conditions and plant morpho-physiological development within a tree shelter environment during establishment of Quercus ilex seedlings. Agric For Meteorol, 2007, 144: 58-72.

Opara-Nadi OA, Lal R. Influence of method of mulch application on growth and yield of tropical root crops in southeastern Nigeria. Soil Tillage Res, 1987, 9: 217-230.

Pemán J, Peguero-Pina JJ, Valladares F, Gil-Pelegrín E. Evaluation of unventilated tree shelters in the context of Mediterranean climate: insights from a study on Quercus faginea seedlings assessed with a 3D architectural plant model. Ecol Eng, 2010, 36: 517-526.

Ponder F Jr. Ten-year results of tree shelters on survival and growth of planted hardwoods. North J Appl For, 2003, 20(3): 104-108.

Potter MJ. Treeshelters improve survival and increase early growth rates. J Forest, 1988, 86: 39-41.

Potter MJ. Tree shelters. Forestry commission handbook 7, 1991, London: HMSO Publications 89

Rakocevic M. Photomorphogenetic responses in plant species of upland grasslands in Serbia. Rev Res Work Fac Agric Belgrade, 1997, 42: 111-125.

Santos DL, Rakocevic M, Takaki M, Ribaski J. Morphological and physiological responses of Cedrela Fissilis Vellozo (Meliaceae) seedlings to light. Braz Arch Biol Technol, 2006, 49(1): 171-182.

Seigue A (1985) La forêt circumméditerranéenne et ses problèmes. Edition: maisonneuve et Larose. Paris V, ACCT Paris XV, p 302

Sharpe WE, Swistock BR, Mecum KA, Demchik MC. Greenhouse and field growth of northern red oak seedlings inside different types of tree shelters. J Arboric, 1999, 25(5): 249-257.

Skroch WA, Powell MA, Bilderback TE, Henry PH. Mulches: durability, aesthetic value, weed control, and temperature. J Environ Hortic, 1992, 10(1): 43-45.

Sloan JL, Jacobs DF. Ontogeny influences developmental physiology of post-transplant Quercus rubra seedlings more than genotype. Ann For Sci, 2016, 73(4): 987-993.

Stinson JM, Brinen GH, McConnell DB, Black RJ. Evaluation of landscape mulches. In Proc Fl St Hortic Soc, 1990, 103: 372-377.

Sun D, Dickinson G, Bragg A. The establishment of Eucalyptus camaldulensis on a tropical saline site in north Queensland, Australia. Agr Ecosyst Environ, 1994, 48: 1-8.

Thimijan RW, Heins RD. Photometric, radiometric, and quantum light units of measure: a review of procedures for interconversion. HortScience, 1985, 18: 818-822.

Timbal J. Croissance comparée du Chêne rouge et du Chêne des marais sur un sol agricole de Chalosse (Landes). Revue Forestière Française LIV, 2002, 1: 86-92.

Tuley G. The growth of young oak trees in shelters. Forestry, 1985, 58: 181-195.

Van Lerberghe Ph. Les paillis biodégradables ont-ils un avenir en plantations ligneuses?. Forêt-entreprise, 2004, 157: 20-21.

Van Lerberghe Ph. Le paillage des plantations ligneuses, une alternative au désherbage chimique. Forêt-entreprise, 2004, 157: 22-26.

Van Lerberghe Ph, Balleux P. La protection totale des arbres contre les dégâts d’animaux. I. Les Manchons Grillagés en Plastique. Forêt-Entreprise, 2005, 161: 28-36.

West DH, Chappelka AH, Tilt KM, Ponder HG, Williams JD. Effect of tree shelters on survival, growth, and wood quality of 11 tree species commonly planted in the southern United States. J Arboric, 1999, 25: 69-75.