Aspen Bibliography

SURVIVORSHIP OF SHRUBS AND TREES PLANTED WITHIN EXCLOSURES ON PINE CREEK ON THE ZUMWALT PRAIRIE PRESERVE

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

The Nature Conservancy

First Page

1

Last Page

11

Publication Date

2014

Abstract

In July 2014, trees and shrubs planted within six ungulate exclosures in the spring of 2008 were revisited to estimate the survivorship of the plantings. In total 1187 plants were counted of 9 taxon: red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), black cottonwood and aspen (Populus spp.), willow (Salix spp.), water birch (Betula occidentalis), golden currant (Ribes aureum), Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), ocean spray (Holodiscus discolor), blue elderberry (Sambucus cerulea), and chokecherry (Prunus virginiana). Five years after planting, average overall survivorship was 53%, 7% less than in 2010. The estimated rate of survival was highest for serviceberry (82%), chokecherry (70%), and dogwood (65%). Lowest rates of survival were observed for Populus spp. (36%), water birch (31%), and willow (23%). Species varied in survivorship trends over the past six years, with some experiencing major declines. Despite declining survivorship of planted Populus spp. and willows in some exclosures, casual observation showed that new recruitment of these species is high outside of the landscape fabric.

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