Survival and growth of Atlantic white cedar plantings in Louisiana and Missisippi

Atlantic white cedar (cedar) is a native forest dominant in isolated areas throughout the Atlantic Coastal Plain and in a portion of the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Plain. Although the range of this species extends west to southern Mississippi, stands are uncommon in this area. In addition, most of the existing Mississippi stands are privately owned and afforded little long-term protection. To examine the feasibility of planting cedar at the western edge of its range and to determine if the species is a viable replacement for pine in wet areas, one-year-old seedlings were planted at three pine plantation sites in Louisiana and wildings at two bay-head locations in Mississippi. Overall, survival was high (87%), especially in the Louisiana sites, and after 10 growing seasons the trees averaged 5.3 m in height and 6.1 cm in diameter. This growth rate compared favorably with cypress and slash pine of other studies. The results of this study have shown that cedar can be a viable choice for restoration efforts or forest product plantings.