This study was carried out in order to explore and compare the correlation between each measured item of the above-ground and below-ground biomass of 13-year-old Pinus densiflora S. et Z. and prepare regression equations to identify differences of early growth characteristics on each slope aspect in the stand. The south-facing slope showed the highest above-ground and below-ground biomass, followed by the north-facing slope and ridge area. The root collar diameter showed the highest correlation between the biomass of the above-ground part and the below-ground part. In the linear regression equation on the root collar diameter and the biomass of the above-ground part and the below-ground part, the growth gradient was high in the south-facing slope and north-facing slope and low in the ridge area such that the biomass in the ridge area may well continue to be low in the future as the trees grow. The result of the study demonstrated that the differences in the growth environments associated with differences in the slope aspect had a significant influence on the early growth of trees. The results of this study further manifested the importance of the concept of slope direction in artificial forestation and could be used as preliminary data to support artificial forestation measures in the future.

Berberis koreana Palibin is an endemic plant native to Korea. In this study, we aimed to study the seed germination of this species using a water imbibition experiment, gibberellic acid (GA₃) treatment (0, 10, 100, or 1000 mg·L⁻¹), cold stratification (0, 2, 4, 8, or 12 weeks at 4 °C), move-along experiment, and phenology studies. In the water imbibition experiment, the weight of the seeds increased by more than 120% in 24 h. An analysis of the internal and external morphological characteristics of the seed revealed that the embryo was already fully grown from the fruit and did not grow thereafter. The final germination percentages for the cold stratification at 0, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks at 4 °C were 12 ± 3.65, 32 ± 9.09, 59 ± 1.00, 59 ± 9.59, and 71 ± 1.91%, respectively. In the move-along experiment and phenology studies, a longer low-temperature treatment period resulted in a higher germination percentage. However, the GA₃ treatment had little effect on the seed germination. Our results indicate that B. koreana exhibits an intermediate physiological seed dormancy.

Chamaecyparis obtusa is increasing the main reforestation species in the warmer southern part of the Republic of Korea because of its resistance to climate warming and economic value for timber. In this study, we investigated the growth response of Chamaecyparis obtusa 2-0 container seedlings to combined artificial shading (full sunlight, 35%, 55%, and 75%) and fertilization (no fertilization, 0.5 g/L, 1.0 g/L 1.5 g/L, 2.0 g/L, 3.0 g/L) treatments. Seedlings treated with 1.0 g/L fertilization and in full sunlight condition showed the highest height growth while seedlings treated with 0.5 g/L fertilization and in full sunlight condition showed the highest growth of root collar diameter. Seedlings treated with 1.0 g/L fertilization and in full sunlight condition showed the highest total dry weight while those treated with 0.5 g/L, 1.0 g/L and 1.5 g/L fertilization and in full sunlight condition and 0.5 g/L fertilization in 35% artificial shading showed the highest Height/Root collar diameter ratio. In addition, seedlings treated with 1.0 g/L fertilization and in full sunlight condition showed the highest seedling quality index. In general, the fertilization treatment effects on seedling growth characteristics were appreciably significantly different across the shading treatment conditions. The magnitude of the differences in the interaction effect of the fertilization treatments is higher in lower than in higher shading treatment conditions. The results suggest that 1.0 g/L seedling fertilization growing in full sunlight condition is the most appropriate nursery treatment level for producing superior quality Chamaecyparis obtusa 2-0 container seedlings. The suggested optimum artificial shading and fertilizer treatments level can be used as preliminary data for producing superior seedlings Chamaecyparis obtusa 2-0 container seedlings capable of achieving sustained reforestation and landscape restoration success in the southern part of the Republic of Korea and similar locations with warming climatic and conditions.