TY - JOUR T1 - Evaluation of Physiological Tests as Predictors of Young Tree Establishment and Growth JF - Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF) JO - JOA SP - 80 LP - 91 DO - 10.48044/jauf.2004.010 VL - 30 IS - 2 AU - Glynn C. Percival Y1 - 2004/03/01 UR - http://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/30/2/80.abstract N2 - High mortality rates of bare-root stock can occasionally occur post-planting due to poor plant vitality at the time of planting. Consequently, physiological tests of plant vitality, such as stem electrolyte leakage, root growth potential (RGP), and chlorophyll fluorescence, are valuable because of their ability to identify low-vigor or damaged plants that will perform poorly when planted into the landscape. The survival, growth, and foliar damage of three tree species commonly used in landscape plantings was accurately predicted by stem electrolyte leakage, RGP, and chlorophyll fluorescence 17 weeks post-planting under field conditions following freezing damage. Of the three physiological tests, correlation of field performance with stem electrolyte leakage had the highest mean r2 values, which, based on results of this investigation, was a marginally better predictor of future plant performance compared to chlorophyll fluorescence and RGP. Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements taken from woody tissue of birch (Betula spp.), a deciduous tree species, were highly predictive of subsequent survival, foliar damage, and height increment 17 weeks post-planting, indicating that chlorophyll fluorescence may have applications as a predictor of plant vitality and future growth in deciduous ornamental trees. The practical advantages and disadvantages offered by each plant vitality test to professionals involved in urban tree management are discussed. ER -