Spacing effects on planted pines of four species

Pine seedlings of four species were planted in two acre split plots at the Highland Rim Forest Experiment Station in 1965 using four spacings. At the end of the first growing season, all the dead trees were replanted. After five growing seasons survival count and height of living trees were taken. At the end of ten growing seasons, survival, height, diameter and pruning height of the living trees were recorded. Chi-Square contingency table tests indicated that survival, species, except for white pine, and spacings were dependent at the 5 percent level of probability. The same test at the same level indicated that self pruning is dependent on the species and the spacings used. The analysis of variance indicated that there were differences due to species for height to live crown, total height, diameter, basal area and volume. Spacing has a significant effect on the branch mortality, diameter, basal area and volume. The interactions between species and spacing was also significant for height to live crown and for volume. The result of this study could offer immediate guidance to the private, state and corporate land owners in choosing a spacing for planting any of the four species to meet their specific production needs.