Aspen sucker production from root fragments was three times higher at a salvage/placement depth of 40 cm compared to 15 cm.
Successful suckering occurred only on root fragments with little damage and that were located in the upper 20 cm of the soil. In addition, fragments from the deeper 40 cm salvage treatment grew taller and had lower mortality.
Improved contact between roots and the soil, and a lower risk of drying out, were key factors contributing to the greater success of fragments in the 40 cm salvage depth. More specifically, the 15 cm salvage depth resulted in more aspen root fragments in the top 5 cm of soil, exposing them to significant variation in moisture conditions. This variation in moisture negatively affected the survival of root fragments and their ability to produce suckers.