Effects of Root Pruning, Stem Cutting and Planting Density on Survival and Growth Characteristics in Kalopanax septemlobus Seedlings

Kalopanax septemlobus (Thunb. ex Murray) Koidz. is natively distributed in Korea. The importance of this species has been increased not only for high quality timber but for medicinal and edible uses. However, increasing market demand of K. septemlobus with illegal cutting and overexploitation has resulted in its rapid depletion and destruction of natural habitat. This study was conducted to understand the survival rate and growth characteristics of planted K. septemlobus seedlings with treatment of root pruning, stem cutting and planting density. The survival rate and growth of height and root-collar diameter for one- and two-year old seedlings with different planting densities were investigated in the clear-cut area of a Pinus densiflora stand for five years. One-year-old seedlings were treated with or without root pruning and planted with three density levels (5,000 trees , 10,000 trees , and 40,000 trees ). Two-year-old seedlings were treated with and without stem cutting and planted with the density of 5,000 trees . The survival rate of one-year-old seedlings with root pruning treatment in the density of 10,000 trees was 92%, while that without root pruning in the density of 40,000 trees was 67% after five years. The height of one-year-old seedlings has been significantly affected only by planting density in the year. The survival rate of the two-year-old seedlings with stem cutting was 75.5% and greater than control (67.3%) in the year but no difference in height was shown between the two treatments from three years after plantation.