Three-Year Survival and Growth of Douglas-Fir Seedlings Under Various Vegetation-Free Regimes

Abstract Responses of Douglas-fir seedlings were studied for 3 yr following eight vegetation-control treatments in three western Oregon clearcuts. The objectives were to determine seedling growth response to different areas of spot vegetation control and to determine the relative influence of early woody and herbaceous competition on seedling growth. Herbicide treatment areas varied in size from those receiving no control to full control (9.3 m2). Controlled areas were maintained free of herbaceous vegetation for 2 yr and all woody vegetation was controlled for 3 yr. Two additional treatments, complete control of woody vegetation only and complete control of herbaceous vegetation only, were also examined. On two sites (Summit and Marcola), seedling growth parameters were maximized at or near full vegetation control with a tree spacing of 3 m x 3 m. On the third site (Pedee), maximum growth response occurred between 5 and 6 m2; of control. Herbaceous vegetation control resulted in increased seedling growth at all sites while woody vegetation control yielded increased seedling growth only at the Pedee site. Cumulative 3 yr herbaceous cover accounted for 68% and 41% of the variability in stem volume at Summit and Marcola, respectively. Adding cumulative 3 yr woody cover to the model accounted for an additional 18% and 49% of the variability in stem volume at Summit and Marcola, respectively. At Pedee, neither herbaceous nor woody cover significantly influenced 3 yr stem volume, suggesting that factors other than vegetation cover were responsible for differences measured. For. Sci. 45(1):117-126.