Establishment trials on frost-prone sites.

Authors: M. I. Menzies, C. G. R. Chavasse
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 1982, Issue N.Z.J.For. 27(1) 1982, pp 33-49, May 1982
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

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Abstract: Trials were established in three successive years at Kaingaroa and Karioi Forests in the central North Island to evaluate problems in re-establishing cutovers and planting new areas where frost damage was a problem. The stock types used were radiata pine seedlings and cuttings, and lodgepole and muricata pine seedlings.
Radiata pine seedlings gave the best results overall, with higher survival and growth rates than other stock types.
Site cultivation improved the survival of all stock types, and exposure of mineral soil and keeping the site free of weeds raised the minimum temperature at ground level by up to 4°C.
The best time for planting frost sites was autumn or spring. The worst time was early winter, when seedlings came from a relatively frost-free environment in the nursery to temperatures of around —11 °C at the field sites.
The frost tolerance of radiata pine seedlings ranged from —6°C in the summer, to —14°C in the winter.

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