Growth of Silver Maple and Boxelder Taxa in Tennessee
Several commercially available Acer saccharinum and A. negundo taxa were established with 10 single-plant replications in a cultivar trial at the TSU–NCRS in 1993 and 1994. Each plant was fertilized in spring and early summer with 100 gm 15–15–15 beginning Summer 1993. Drip irrigation was applied as needed beginning Summer 1993. Vegetation within tree rows was controlled with preemergent and postemergent herbicides, while grassed middles were mowed. Growth data were recorded in Fall 1993 and 1994 and height and caliper increment calculated for the 1994 season. In the silver maple group with most height growth were: `Silver Queen', `Skinneri', and `Silver Pyramid'. These differed significantly from a group of four slower growing cultivars. Cultivars with the most height growth also had the most caliper growth. Seedling boxelder grew faster than one accession of `Flamingo', while three other cultivars were intermediate. Data will also be presented on insect and disease ratings.