Riparian Woodland Restoration Project

The objectives of this project are to restore a parcel of land in Beale Air Force Base, California, to native habitat, and to compare the efficiency of high, medium and low-input methods of plant establishment. The present report summarizes the findings resulting from monitoring of oaks established from field-planted acorns and from nursery-grown seedlings. Both groups of trees were protected, subsequent to establishment in the field, with one of three different kinds of tree protectors. Monitoring at two dates included survival and vigor. Statistical analysis of results to date indicate that survival over the growing season is significantly better for acorns than for seedlings, but when survival is assessed over a 12-month period, there is no statistically significant difference. Type of tree protector did not have a significant effect on survival, but did have a significant effect on plant vigor. Challenges at the site include extremely low plant survival, thought to he due to high vertebrate pest populations. Comparable planting techniques used at other sites have resulted in survivals of 85 - 95 over a 2-3 year period, as compared with an average survival of approximately 26 at this site. Report includes suggestions for future plantings.