The Effect of Site Preparation and Tending on the Growth of Pinus radiata in the Southern Cape: Five Year Results

Abstract

This paper details the latest results of site preparation and tending experiments in Pinus radiata on regenerated sites, on both Kruisfontein Plantation in the Southern Cape District of the Western Cape Forest Region and Blueliliesbush Plantation in the Tsitsikamma Forest Region. In the Kruisfontein experiment, significant differences in height and root collar diameter were observed for both the soil cultivation and phosphogypsum treatments. The soil cultivation treatments also showed significant differences in tree survival. The Blueliliesbush experiment showed significant differences in height and root collar diameter for the weed control treatments, as well as for the seedling size treatments, but not for the soil cultivation treatments. The seedling size treatments also showed significant differences in tree survival.