Recently, the advisability of fall planting in other western forested regions has 

 been questioned (Stone 1963, 1964; Stone and Benseler 1962; Stone, Schubert, Benseler, 

 and others 1963), but it has also been stoutly defended (Wagener 1964). In the northern 

 Rocky Mountain area, the question continues to be privately debated, with little 

 consensus of opinion. Schopmeyer ' s results are inadequate for guiding the present-day 

 planting program. More information is needed on Engelmann spruce, Douglas-fir, grand 

 fir (Abies grandis (Dougl.) Lindl.), and western larch. Since Schopmeyer published, 

 planting stock production has shifted from the Savenac Nursery in western Montana to 

 the Coeur d'Alene Nursery in Idaho where the growing season is longer and stock can be 

 lifted earlier in the spring. Many nursery practices have changed since the 1910-1937 

 period on which Schopmeyer based his conclusions. Of particular note was the change 

 to early spring lifting and cold storage of stock, a practice begun at Savenac about 

 1936. Prior to that time, stock was lifted just ahead of spring planting regardless 

 of its state of dormancy. 



The study reported in this paper was designed to evaluate the relative merits of 

 spring and fall planting of Douglas-fir, Engelmann spruce, grand fir, and western larch 

 at high elevations in northern Idaho. In addition to broad comparisons of the perform- 

 ance of spring- and fall-planted trees, we sought further insight by planting at various 

 dates within the fall and spring seasons, on botTi moist and dry sites. 



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