Planting: Stock and Procedures 



Douglas-fir, Engelmann spruce, grand fir (2-0 stock), and western larch U-^l stock) 

 were planted on each of three dates in the fall and in the spring for 5 successive \cais. 

 (see figure 1 for specific dates). Fall planting conmenced on or about Sopt cr.be r I?- 

 with successive plantings about October 1 and October 15. Spring plant in;; dates ucro 

 more variable, beginning as early as May 14 and as late as May 26. Approximately _ uecks 

 intervened between plantings. Thirty-five trees of each species were planted about 1 t't . 

 apart in adjacent rows up and down the slope. Two replications of the species-row plots 

 were established on each site and planting date. 



Fall-planted trees were lifted from the nursery beds and planted within 2 to 3 Jays. 

 Trees planted in the spring of 1967 and 1968 were lifted early (late March-early April), 

 packed, and stored in the nursery cold storage rooms at 35° F. until just before plant- 

 ing. In the spring of 1969, trees for the first two spring plantings were lifted on 

 May 12 and stored until planting time. Trees for the last spring planting in 1969 were 

 lifted fresh from the nursery beds and planted within 2 or 3 days. Most of the 1969 

 spring-lifted trees were in some stage of bud burst or shoot elongation when planted. 



Special care was taken at all times to avoid heating and drying of the planting 

 stock. Roots were wrapped in wet burlap before placing them in the planting bag. Trees 

 were stored in the shade on the planting site prior to planting and the kraft paper 

 polyethylene bags were kept closed. No drying of the roots was observed. 



A short-handled planting bar was used for all planting, which was done either by 

 or under the direct supervision of the senior author. 



Measurements and Analysis 



Survival was determined for each treatment after the first field growing season. 

 Trees were simply tallied as dead or alive. No attempt was made to determine relative 

 vigor or cause of mortality. No frost heaving or animal damage was observed in any 

 planting. 



At the time of planting, soil moisture samples were taken at the 0- to 4-inch level, 

 the 4- to 8-inch level, and the 8- to 12-inch level at three locations within each block. 

 Soil moisture percentages were determined gravimetrical ly . Moisture retention values 

 at one-third and 15 atmospheres were determined for the 4- to 8-inch soil level. 



Statistical design and analysis of the data followed the procedures used in 

 factorial experiments. 



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