%0 Articles
%T The effects of planting practices and growing environment on the early performance of boreal tree seedlings
%A Pikkarainen, Laura
%D 2022
%J Dissertationes Forestales
%V 2022
%N 327
%R doi:10.14214/df.327
%U http://dissertationesforestales.fi/article/10750
%X <p>In Finland, there is a desire to extend the planting season from spring and early summer to autumn, and to use the closed cardboard box storage method for both dormant and non-dormant seedlings. This thesis examined the effects of planting practices and the growing environment on the early performance of boreal container seedlings, and specifically: i) What are safe durations for the field storage of non-dormant Norway spruce (<em>Picea abies</em> (L.) Karst.) and Scots pine (<em>Pinus sylvestris</em> L.) seedlings in closed cardboard boxes and open tray storage for different planting seasons (I); ii) How planting success differs in one-year-old spring, summer, and autumn plantings of Norway spruce and Scots pine in practical forestry (II); iii) How the planting depth and/or planting season affect the early field performance of small-sized silver birch (<em>Betula pendula </em>Roth) and Scots pine container seedlings (III) and iv) How warmer growing conditions affect the growth and emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds in boreal seedlings in a controlled field experiment (IV). Non-dormant conifer seedlings can be stored in closed boxes for three days in August and a week in May, September, and October, whereas for open-stored seedlings the duration is a couple of days longer (I). Norway spruce plantings can be successful from spring to autumn if seedling storage, duration, and planting instructions are followed carefully. In Scots pine, it is still recommended to plant seedlings only in spring and early summer due to the higher failure risk (II). Deeper planting (60-80 % of shoot underground) may also enhance the early field performance of small-sized seedlings (III). Silver birch might benefit more from climate warming compared to conifer seedlings (IV). To ensure forest regeneration success with boreal tree species, recommendations for seedling materials, storage, and planting practices in different planting seasons should be carefully followed.</p>