Influences of gap position, vegetation management and herbivore control on survival and growth of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) seedlings

▶ This study has implications for the timing and intensity of silvicultural treatments using natural or artificial regeneration methods that involve canopy retention. ▶ The southern edge gap position provides the best initial conditions for spruce establishment. ▶ Seedlings planted in the northern and southern understory positions exhibited significantly lower growth and survival than in the gap positions. ▶ It would be difficult to justify the costs of planting seedlings in the understory when such losses in survival and growth are sustained.