Objectives:

• To compare the initial performance and early growth of five different experimentally produced containerized stock types in comparison with operationally produced bare root seedlings.
• To assess the improvements in initial performance and early growth achieved by treating six different stock types with slow-release fertilizer at the time of planting.
• To assess the difference in performance of six stock types on two sites with different brush potentials resulting from different postharvest treatments.

Experimental Design:

Treatments

• Six stock types of spruce are being tested. These are 2+1 "standard" bare root, 313 plug, 415 plug, 415 copper pruned plug, 615 plug, and 1010 mechanically box pruned.
• In addition, half the seedlings were fertilized at the time of planting with 30 g of Osmocote 18-6-12.
• Two of the plots are on an unburnt portion of the opening, and two are on a portion that was burnt about 10 years before planting.

Layout:

There are four plots, each containing two lines of 25 seedlings of each stocktype. One line of each pair was fertilized at the time of planting.

History:

• 1983 Establishment and first assessments
• 1984 - 1992 Assessments at approximately two-year intervals
• 1992 - 1994 Climate assessments

Status: Dormant

Reports and Publications:

Thompson, C.F. 1984, Field performance of new stock types. Out-planting phase - Priest River location. B.C. Min. For. Unpubl. Rep. Nelson, B.C.

Comments:

This project was established by Chris Thompson. Since his retirement, it has been overseen by Deb Delong.