Best Practice Knowledge Base
1.2 Site preparation
Site preparation involves clearing and modifying an area to optimize conditions for planting or natural tree species regeneration. Among others, it allows to improve soil conditions, reduce competition from undesired species, and ensure better seedling survival. Key aspects include controlling vegetation, improving soil structure, and managing water availability. Proper site preparation increases the chances of success in forest restoration by promoting healthier growth and establishing a more resilient ecosystem.
I. Guidelines
| Nº | Title | Author | Year | Focus region | Language | Brief summary |
| 1 | Factsheet: Site selection and preparation | Green Municipal Fund | - | Canada | English | How to find and prepare sites for planting trees |
| 2 | How To Prepare Soil For Planting Trees, Shrubs & Hedges | Ashridge | - | UK | English | Preparing soil before planting trees |
| 3 | Clearing the way: Preparing the site for tree planting | LandOwner Resource Centre and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources | 1995 | Canada | English | Indications on how to prepare the site before planting |
| 4 | Step by step: A tree planter's handbook | Clark | 2024 | Canada | English | Extensive and detailed tree planting manual for Canadian reforestation workers, including a chapter on site preparation techniques |
II. Books or book chapters
| Nº | Title | Author | Chapter | Chapter author | Year | Focus region | Language | Summary |
| 1 | Silviculture: Concepts and applications | Nyland | Site preparation | - | 2016 | World | English | Detailed guidelines for site preparation |
| 2 | The practice of silviculture: Applied forest ecology | Ashton and Kelty | Site treatments | - | 2017 | World | English | Detailed guidelines for site preparation |
| 3 | Waldbau auf ökologischer Grundlage | Bartsch et al. | Bestandesbegründung - Vorbereitende Maßnahmen; Verfahren der Bodenbearbeitung | - | 2020 | Germany | German | Principles and main techniques of site preparation |
| 4 | Plantation silviculture in Europe | Savill et al. | Site preparaton | - | 1997 | Europe | English | Principles and main techniques of site preparation |
| 5 | Restoration of Boreal and Temperate Forests | Stanturf | Site preparation techniques for forest restoration | Löf et al. | 2016 | World | English | Review of main site preparation methods, focusing on reducing competition |
| 6 | Forest regeneration manual | Duryea and Dougherty | Prescribed burning for regeneration; Chemical and mechanical site preparation; Fertilization of southern pines at establishment | - | 1991 | US | English | Basics on site preparation for tree planting |
| 7 | Grundriss des Waldbaus | Burschell and Huss | Verjüngung - Vorbereitung der Verjüngungsflächen | - | 2004 | Europe | German | Main considerations for site preparation, including main methods and equipment |
II. Scientific articles
| Nº | Title | Author | Year | Focus region | Language | Type | Summary |
| 1 | Resilience impacts of a secondary disturbance: Meta-analysis of salvage logging effects on tree regeneration | Leverkus et al. | 2020 | World | English | Systematic review | Meta-analysis on how salvage logging impacts tree regeneration |
| 2 | Mechanical site preparation for forest restoration | Löf et al. | 2012 | World | English | Conceptual review | Synthesis of the current state-of-knowledge concerning mechanical site preparation in different forest restoration situations |
| 3 | Effects of scarification on soil properties, seedling growth and competition: a review of current knowledge and research in Quebec | Prévost | 1992 | Boreal forests from North America | French | Conceptual review | Review of effects of scarification, on soil properties and seedling performance |
| 4 | Effects of soil preparation methods and plant types on the establishment of poplars on forest land | Mc Carthy and Hjelm | 2017 | Sweden | English | Experiment | Investigates how different soil preparation methods (mounding, patch scarification, soil inversion, no preparation) affect poplar establishment |
| 5 | Influence of mechanical site preparation on regeneration success of planted conifers in clearcuts in Fennoscandia – a review | SIkström et al. | 2020 | World | English | Systematic review | Systematic review of the effects of main site preparation methods on survival and growth of planted seedlings of Norway spruce in Scandinavia |
| 6 | A Disturbance Ecology Perspective on Silvicultural Site Preparation | Cardoso et al. | 2020 | Boreal forests from North America | English | Conceptual review | Describes silvicultural site preparation techniques commonly used in boreal mixedwood ecosystems |
| 7 | The impact of organic amendments on forest soil properties under mediterrranean climatic conditons | Hueso-González | 2014 | Mediterranean forests | English | Experiment | Tests the effect of various organic amendments on select soil properties |
| 8 | Holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia Lam.) and Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) response to different soil preparation techniques applied to forestation in abandoned farmland | Bocio et al. | 2004 | Mediterranean forests | French | Experiment | Evaluates the effect of eight soil preparation methods for reforesting former agricultural with Holm oak and Aleppo pine |