The Effects of Site Preparation on Survival and Growth of Selected Hardwood Species on Eroded Soil

Abstract

<p>Observational studies of numerous plantings of hardwood species for shelterbelts, woodlots, erosion control and in reforestation and afforestation projects have shown that, unless soil and climatic conditions are extremely favorable, planting without some attempt at site preparation is often disappointing. This is especially true i£ the soil conditions have been rendered extremely unfavorable by excessive sheet and gully erosion. Such a condition prevails in the erosion problem area of southern Iowa on sites usually selected for erosion control tree planting. In this and comparable areas, numerous examples can be found o£ plantings in gullies and on badly eroded slopes which show, after several years, a low rate of survival, poor establishment of many which did survive and inadequate growth o£ the occasional seemingly favored tree.</p>