RNGR.net is sponsored by the USDA Forest Service and Southern Regional Extension Forestry and is a colloborative effort between these two agencies.

U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA Forest Service Southern Regional Extension Forestry Southern Regional Extension Forestry

Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

Home → Publications → Forest Nursery Notes → 2008 Winter Forest Nursery Notes → 2008 Winter Forest Nursery Notes - New Nursery Literature → Early Performance of Native Birch (Betula Spp.) planted on Cutaway Peatlands: Influence of Species, Stock Types and Seedlings Size

Early Performance of Native Birch (Betula Spp.) planted on Cutaway Peatlands: Influence of Species, Stock Types and Seedlings Size

Renou, F., Scallan, U., Keane, M., and Farrell, E. P. European Journal of Forest Research 126:545-554. 2007.

The poor reputation of birch in Ireland is gradually changing, and the interest shown in it by foresters is growing, as is the recognition of the many advantages that this genus offers, especially from an afforestation and ecosystem development point of view. The potential of native birch species was investigated on industrial cutaway peatlands in the Irish midlands. Field experiments were established to evaluate differences (in terms of survival, growth attributes and form) between B. pendula and B. pubescens, between bare-root and container planting, and between small and medium size seedlings. After five growing seasons, B. pendula was found to be the superior species especially on well drained and shallow peat sites. Bare-root B. pendula will grow faster with reasonable form but containerised birch may be favoured on more difficult sites (with deeper and wetter peat). Larger seedlings performed better, regardless of species. This study demonstrated good growth potential for planted birch on cutaway peatlands and that this species should be integrated in further planting programmes.


Download this file:

PDF document Download this file — PDF document, 33Kb

Details

Author(s): F. Renou, U. Scallan, M. Keane, E. P. Farrell

Section: Outplanting Performance

* This publication is copyrighted.