Brothers International LTD

"We specialize strictly in Paulownia, helping others who wish to start their own plantation"

Tubex® Tree Shelters Continue

…… of environmental support such as tree shelters and possibly mulch on particularly hostile sites is required. Often times Paulownia spp. Can do quite well on hostile sites, such as surface mines, once they become established. The tree shelter helps the newly planted seedling to maintain its water content, avoid desiccation, while establishing a root system and research shows that these shelters aid in plantation establishment over a wide range of planting sites.

Tree shelters have been researched for the establishment of several hardwood species. Many of these regeneration efforts require that seedlings be kept in relatively tall shelters for one or more years. However, in the case of Paulownia spp. The seedlings may need the shelter only during the first week or two after outplanting. This makes it possible to reuse the shelters for several years of outplanting.

First and second years growth and survival of Paulownia tomentosa float tray containerized seedlings, established with and without one foot hgh Tubex® tree shelters, were monitored on 5 sites in eastern Kentucky.

David Sutton

PO Box 100

Parrottsville, TN 37843

USA

Formally Early Bird Nursery

Three of the sites were coal surface mines (site 1, 2, and 3), one site was an alluvial bottom site dominated by tall fescue (4), and a hardwood tree nursery bed site (5). Site 5 was the only site where irragation was used. Float tray seedlings 1.5 months old and less than about 5 inches in height were outplanted in May.

After one month data averaged over all sites showed a significant (p<0.01) survival differenc between sheltered versus nonsheltered seedlings, averaging 80% and 40%, respectively. It should be noted that no rainfall occurred for a 3 week period after planting. In all probability this had a mayor impact on survival and height growth for the unirrigated sites (sites 1-4). All the mortality occurred during the first two weeks. Only one seedling died after the initial establishment period. Heights were also significantly greater (p,0.01, after one month, for sheltered compared to non-sheltered seedlings. Within one to two weeks after planting the seedlings on all sites emerged from the top of the shelters. One year data un Fig 1. (page 4) shows that sheltered seedlings survived better and with one exception grew taller than unsheltered seedlings.

This indicates that problems during the initial establishment phase of the unsheltered seedlings were perpetuated throughout the growing season. Second year survival did not significantly differ from the first year. Again this shows that plantation mortality, in this instance, was directly related to mortality occurring during initial seedlings establishment.

The effect of the shelters could also be seen in the second years coppice growth. (Fig. 2) Sheltered seedlings were significantly taller (p<0.01) on 3 sites after the second year.

These data show that tree shelters can improve both survival and height growth of Paulownia tomentosa. While the shelters surrounded the leaves of the trees only during the first several weeks after outplanting the effects on height growth can be followed into the second year. The site used in this study encompassed a broad range of environmental conditions, and shelters improved seedling establishment in all cases. He use of tree shelters is highly recommended for use in establishing float tray Paulownia tomentosa seedlings”

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Voice: 1-423-278-8891

Fax: 1-423-623-5465

DavidSutton@paulowniaseed.com