Test of western hemlock wildlings in brushfield reclamation

The response of western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla [Raf.] Sarg.) to two methods of site preparation for planting was compared. One site was cleared of mature brush by the "brown-crush-andburn" method. The other was partially cleared by spraying with herbicides. Seedlings lifted and planted in December, January, February, and April were compared, and lifting and planting dates were evaluated. Investigation of subsequent microenvironments and their interactions with seedling size showed that seedling size was critically important to the tolerance of residual vegetation.