RESULTS 



Douglas-rir 



For the 3 study years, the average first-year survival of spring-planted 

 Douglas-fir (fig. 2) was 80 percent compared to a survival of 60 percent for fall- 

 planted trees. During the first 2 years of the study, 1967 and 1968, the average 

 differences in percent survival were 57 and 17 percent, respectively, above those of 

 fall plantings. The third year, however, fall plantings survived better than spring 

 plantings by a percentage difference of 17. Undoubtedly, the scarcity of precipitation 

 and attendant low soil moisture (fig. 1) in early June 1969 contributed to the poor 

 performance of these spring plantings. In addition, much of the stock was lifted 

 and planted in a nondormant condition and so was probably predisposed to heavy mortality 

 (see Methods) . 



Survival of Douglas-fir planted at various times within the fall planting period 

 was highly variable. Survival of the 1966 fall plantings was very poor--below 50 

 percent--with the early fall planting giving the best results. During the second and 

 third years of the study, all fall-planted Douglas-fir survived well, generally above 

 70 percent. There was a tendency for survival to decline significantly on moist sites 

 as the planting season progressed, but no significant change in survival was detected 

 for later fall planting dates on dry sites. 



Douglas-fir survived well within the spring planting season regardless of planting 

 date, as long as stock was lifted early and stored until planting time. On dry sites, 

 early planting resulted in a tendency (not statistically significant) for better sur- 

 vival; on moist sites, survival seemed to hold up well regardless of planting date. 



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