The effect of different methods of soil preparation on the growth of Scots pine during first years after planting

The paper provides a comparison of growth and survival of Scots pines during first four years after planting in response to two methods of soil preparation using a double mouldboard plough (a conventional method) and by rotary type disc plough. The studies were carried out in the poor fresh coniferous forest habitat. The discussed soil preparation methods had a significant impact on tree height and diameter, however they did not affect pine survival. Pine growing in furrows made by the disc plough exhibited better height growth; the furrows were shallower than those made by the double mouldboard plough. After four years, the height growth of pines in both experimental variants reached the same level which indicates a short-term effect of soil preparation on pine growth.