Height, Caliper Growth, and Biomass Response of Ten Shade Tree Species to Treeshelters

Ten tree species common to the California landscape were grown from liners with or without treeshelters in the landscape for 2 years. Periodic (~ every 2 months) height and caliper measurements were taken and, at the end of the 2 years, all trees were harvested for fresh and dry weight biomass determinations. Response to the treeshelter microenvironment was species dependent. Height was greater for sheltered versus unsheltered trees during the first 30 to 250 days for all species After 2 years, only Ginkgo biloba and Pinus canariensis trees grown in shelters were taller than their unsheltered counterparts. Stem caliper was often reduced for sheltered trees. Treeshelters may be useful for tree establishment in the landscape, but should be removed once the tree has grown out of it. Staking likely will be required after removal of the treeshelter.