American Chestnut Seedling Survival

What elevation appears to be the best for growing seedlings?

What slope appears to be the best for growing seedlings?

What are the independent variables in this experiment?

What is the dependent variable?

Are the height of seedlings and survival related? Explain.

Which growers followed the planting guidelines of elevation and aspect as outlined by Dr. Griffin (see below)?

Does there seem to be any connection between the survival rates in the table and the guidelines? What is the connection?

What other factors may affect the survival of seedlings?

Planting Guidelines by Dr. Gary Griffin, VA Tech Plant Pathologist

One of the most important guidelines for planting American chestnut seedlings in Virginia is to plant them at altitudes of less than 2500 feet. The reason for this is that the stress that results from extremely cold temperatures in the winter can greatly lower the chestnut's resistance to the blight. Other planting location factors that are necessary for seedling survival include having proper soil conditions, amount of sunlight, and a certain aspect (direction that a slope is facing). Planting locations should have the following conditions: · well-drained (not too wet) sandy loam soils · full sunlight · slopes that face North, Northeast, or East · elevations below 2500 feet.