Establishment and growth of Quercus dentata planted on an open sandy hill and on the forest floor in a Pinus thunbergii coastal forest along the Japan Sea, in northern Japan

Abstract

Deciduous broad-leaved Quercus dentata seem to be excellent tree, because this species is common in coastal areas in northern Japan. However, it was confirmed that saplings could not be established due to a strong drought on an open sandy hill along the coast. We prepared four types of saplings with differently formed roots (saplings produced in a nursery, potted saplings and natural saplings) and four moisture treatments with wooden chips and pine leaves added to the soil. The saplings were planted and moisture treatments were conducted on the forest floor in a pine stand and in an open stand cleared of vegetation. We examined survival and growth of eight-year old saplings. The survival rate of Q. dentata saplings was higher in the pine stand (78 to 98 percent) than in the open stand (3 to 66 percent).
No significant differences in survival were found among the four types of saplings or among the four moisturizing treatments in the pine stand. These results suggested that the conditions under pine canopies are important for the establishment and growth of Q. dentata saplings.