Table 1.

Effect of retention time in containerz on post-landscape planting tree height increase, xylem water potential, and visual root imprint rating of Acer.

Retention time (months) in containerszTree height increaseΨ 5/19/10w (Mpa) 2011y,x (m)Ψ 6/7/10w (Mpa)Visual root imprint rating from 57 Ly,v container (1–5)
11 L57 L170 L
48200.7 bu−1.59 b−1.50 ab2.9 b
710150.8 ab−1.56 b−1.45 b2.2 b
912111.1 a−1.61 b−1.45 b4.0 a
121460.7 b−1.69 a−1.58 a4.2 a
  • z All trees were retained in three progressively larger containers (11, 57, and 170 L) for a total of 32 months with varying retention times in each.

  • y Tree attribute not affected for Magnolia and Ulmus (P > 0.07).

  • x Height increase 2011 growing season; height increase during 2010, 2012, and 2013 growing seasons not significant (P > 0.06).

  • w Ψ not significant October 2010, March and April 2011 (P > 0.08); Ulmus Ψ was not affected by retention time, and Magnolia was not measured.

  • v Imprint imposed on root system by roots deflecting at the 57 L nursery container wall; 1 = little imprint, 5 = highly visible imprint; imprint imposed by 11 L and 170 L containers not significant (P > 0.16).

  • u Means in a column with a different letter are statistically different at P < 0.05; n = 10, mean across root pruning treatment due to insignificant interaction (P > 0.41).