problem on some sites, particularly with small plants. Inspection and 

 removal should be practiced during the period of establishment. Prun- 

 ing of established plants may be continued where mangroves play an 

 ornamental role. The black and white species will tolerate severe 

 selective pruning; the red should be pruned with care, cutting only 

 branches smaller than 2.5 centimeters. 



4. Marsh Maturation . 



The first stage in marsh creation, the development of a full cover 

 of marsh plants with a standing crop approaching that of a natural 

 marsh, may be completed rather rapidly. Smooth cordgrass plantings on 

 the south Atlantic and gulf coasts often reach this stage by the end 

 of the second growing season, 15 to 20 months after planting (Figs. 33, 

 34, and 35) . Pacific cordgrass apparently takes longer, perhaps an 

 additional year. However, the time required for such stands to become 

 fully functioning marshes will not be known until new stands, under a 

 variety of conditions, can be followed through to maturity. 



. ' M- i ' ■ 



Figure 33. Smooth cordgrass 8 weeks after planting. 



