Survival and early growth of Pinus radiata D.Don in some plantations in New South Wales, Australia

<title>Abstract</title> <p> An 11×2×2 factorial experiment, with 460 plots, was laid out during 2005 − 2008 in southeastern New South Wales, Australia, in plantations of <italic>Pinus radiata</italic> D.Don. The first factor was the 11 plantation sites where plantings were done. The second factor was the two propagation methods used to grow tree stocks, from cuttings or from seed. The third factor was the two methods used to raise tree stocks in the nursery, either in containers or in-ground as open-rooted plants. At 10 years of age analysis of variance showed significant differences between survival on different sites, ranging over 61 − 95%. Trees propagated from cuttings were 7% more likely to survive than those raised from seed. There was a 9% advantage of survival by stock raised in containers compared with those raised open-rooted. A mixed model regression approach showed that stand stem wood volume at 10 years of age varied directly with survival on all sites and averaged 8.1 m ³ ha ^− 1 higher when open-rooted stock had been planted rather than container raised stock. Propagation method had no effect on volume yields by that age. The results suggested there is potential for further research on methods of raising stock in NSW to offer improved forest wood yields. </p>