RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Transplant Season, Irrigation, and Planting Depth Effects on Landscape Establishment of Baldcypress and Sycamore JF Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF) FD International Society of Arboriculture SP 57 OP 65 DO 10.48044/jauf.2010.008 VO 36 IS 2 A1 Donita L. Bryan A1 Michael A. Arnold A1 Astrid Volder A1 W. Todd Watson A1 Leonardo Lombardini A1 John J. Sloan A1 Luis A. Valdez-Aguilar A1 Andrew D. Cartmill YR 2010 UL http://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/36/2/57.abstract AB Tree transplanting practices influence plant survival, establishment, and subsequent landscape value. The inability to adequately quantify effects of transplanting practices threatens long-term sustainability of landscape trees. Planting depth [i.e., location of the root collar relative to soil grade (soil surface)], is of particular concern for tree growth, development, and landscape performance. The authors of this study investigated the effects of planting depth and transplant season on landscape establishment of baldcypress [Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich.] and effects of planting depth and irrigation practices on landscape establishment of sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L.). Baldcypress planted above grade had reduced relative growth rate in height and diameter compared to those planted at or below grade during the first growing season, regardless of transplant season. Sycamore trees planted below grade had increased mortality and decreased growth compared to trees planted at grade or above grade, regardless of irrigation treatment. Even though trees of both species were grown under similar conditions, baldcypress was much more tolerant to belowgrade planting than sycamore. We suggest that this is related to the native habitat of both species, where baldcypress is frequently exposed to hypoxic conditions while sycamore is more prevalent on well-drained soils. Thus, it may be important to consider the native habitat of a species when evaluating the effect of planting depth.