Survival of longleaf and loblolly pines planted at two spacings in an East Texas bahiagrass silvopasture.

摘要

The practice of combining intensive timber and forage production on the same site, a silvopastoral system, offers landowners the potential for income diversification. The establishment of such a system in a pasture setting offers unique challenges compared with traditional timber or forage systems. In 2003, a silvopasture demonstration was established south of Carthage, Texas, in a pasture dominated by bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum). Four replications of treatments composed of open pasture, longleaf (Pinus palustris) and loblolly (Pinus taeda) pine planted at a traditional spacing, and longleaf and loblolly pine planted at a silvopastoral spacing were established. Due to high mortality rates, replanting of trees occurred in 2004 and 2005. Third-year seedling survival was highest for loblolly pine in both planting systems, and forage production levels did not significantly differ among treatments. Wild hog damage contributed to the low longleaf pine seedling survival rates. Based on these results, it is recommended that in considering a silvopastoral management option for East Texas, pastures should use loblolly pine containerized seedlings or prepare active hog control.