Survival and growth of seven tree species from three stocktypes planted in created wetlands in Loudoun County, Virginia

Successful establishment and growth of trees in created wetlands is an important factor in efforts to compensate for forested wetland losses. Proper selection of seedlings to be planted in a replacement wetland, including tree species and stocktype, is essential to the ecological and economic viability of a wetland afforestation project. In this study seven commonly-planted forested wetland tree species and three stocktypes were planted in three created wetlands in the Piedmont region of Virginia. Quercus bicolor in 1-gallon container stocktype had the highest survival rate (96.2 ± 2.13% SE) and Quercus phellos planted as tubeling stocktype had the lowest survival rate (18.8 ± 3.33% SE). High survival rate occurred in 1-gallon stocktypes overall and may be related to larger initial seedling height and root collar diameter. Both tree species and stocktype explained a significant amount of variation in relative growth rates (RGR) of height (H), root collar diameter (RCD), and canopy diameter (CD), with the exception of RCDRGR for stocktype. Salix nigra and Betula nigra were good performers overall, and exhibited moderate survival and growth rates across stocktypes. These survival and growth results should be considered when tree species and stocktypes are selected for seasonally flooded or saturated sites.