Effects of tree guards and weed mats on the establishment of native tree seedlings: implications for forest restoration in Hong Kong, China

Published source details Lai P.C.C. & Wong B.S.F. (2005) Effects of tree guards and weed mats on the establishment of native tree seedlings: implications for forest restoration in Hong Kong, China. Restoration Ecology, 13, 138-143.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Use weed mats to protect planted trees Action Link
	Use tree guards or shelters to protect planted trees Action Link

Use weed mats to protect planted trees

A replicated, controlled study in 1999-2002 in a degraded tropical forest in Hong Kong (Lai & Wong 2005) found no effect of using weed mats on thick-leaved oak Cyclobalanopsis edithae seedling height. Seedling height was similar in control and weed mat treatments after 37 months (control: 58; weed mats: 57 cm) and after 44 months (control: 83; weed mats: 85 cm). Fifteen oak seedlings were planted in each of four replicates (rows) of each control (no treatment after planting) and weed mats (0.4 × 0.4 m hessian cloth around each seeding) treatments. Seedlings were planted in June 1999 and observed for approximately 3.5 years.
Use tree guards or shelters to protect planted trees

A replicated, controlled study in 1999-2002 in a degraded tropical forest in Hong Kong (Lai & Wong 2005) found that using tree guards increased the height of thick-leaved oak Cyclobalanopsis edithae seedlings, also covered with weed mats, but only in the first three years. After 37 months, seedling height was greater with tree guards (80 cm) than control (57 cm). However, after 44 months, there was no difference between treatments (control: 85; tree guards: 96 cm). Fifteen oak seedlings were planted in each of four replicate (rows) of each tree guards (45 cm high plastic tree guard) and control treatments. All rows were covered with weed mats (0.4 × 0.4 m hessian cloth around each seeding). Seedlings were planted in June 1999 and observed for approximately 44 months.