Stock size affects outplanting survival and early growth of fascicle cuttings of Pinus radiata

Four outplanting experiments in the North Island of New Zealand were examined to determine the effects of stock size on survival and early height growth of rooted fascicle cuttings of Pinus radiata D. Don. Survival and third-year tree height were examined in relation to (a) initial diameter, (b) initial height, (c) initial diameter squared, (d) bulk index (diameter squared × height), and (e) sturdiness index (height/diameter). Of the five attributes examined, initial diameter was correlated with survival on two sites, while height and sturdiness index were not correlated with survival. Cutting morphology was more consistently correlated with growth than with survival. On all sites, growth of cuttings after outplanting was positively related to size (e.g., diameter, height, bulk-index). Results from these trials suggest good performance of rooted fascicle cuttings can be expected when stem diameters (at the soil surface) range from 8 to 10 mm and heights range from 25 to 40 cm.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]