In forestry, the purpose of site preparation is to ameliorate environmental conditions which limit tree seedling survival and growth. In subalpine and boreal forests, low soil temperature in particular is widely held to be a major limiting factor and frequently cited as rationale for the widespread use of site preparation prior to planting. However, the literature suggests that under field conditions higher soil temperatures and/or site preparation are not always associated with improvements in tree seedling performance. The purpose of this bibliography is to compile studies that may help to clarify the effects of soil temperature and site preparation on subalpine and boreal species. The bibliography contains more than 300 references and emphasizes North American experience, but has been supplemented with related studies from Fennosandia.