Establishment of woody plants for secondary and tertiary dune stabilization along the mid-Atlantic coast

Abstract

Secondary and tertiary sand dunes along the Atlantic coast were originally covered with dense vegetation, including trees and shrubs. Most of this vegetation has been destroyed by various forms of development. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of various establishment techniques on the survival and growth of native and naturalized woody plants for secondary and tertiary dune stabilization, using bare root transplants. All plantings were made on sand dunes. The actual site was approximately 300 m from the ocean and was covered with a sparse stand of American beachgrass. Establishment variables were (a) peat moss applied in the fall, followed by fall plantings; (b) peat moss applied in the fall, followed by spring plantings; (c) peat moss applied in the spring, followed by spring plantings; and (d) no peat moss with either fall or spring plantings. Each planting included a fertilizer variable of (a) 30 g of magnesium ammonia phosphate placed 8 cm below the bottom of the planting hole; (b) 30 g of 10-6-4 fertilizer, which contained 50% of its nitrogen in an organic form, sprinkled around the base of the plant in the spring of the second growing season; and (c) no fertilizer. All plants used were 1- or 2-year-old seedlings. The use of organic soil amendments had a favorable affect on the survival of some species. Rugosa rose showed an increase in survival rate when the organic additive was added in the fall, followed by fall planting. Bayberry was favorably affected by the use of additive and regardless of planting time. The use of the two fertilizers produced no consistent or measurable response.