In contrast to the eVects of invasion on tree species regenerating
from seed, Microstegium invasion did not aVect the
survival or size of trees planted as saplings. This result was
generally expected because planted tree saplings already had
a well-developed root system for accessing water and nutrients
and were often tall enough to avoid shading by Microstegium.
We obtained tree saplings as bare root stock from a
local state tree nursery where trees were grown under highresource
conditions. At the time of planting, tree saplings
were 0.25–1.25 m tall with robust root systems, allowing
them to establish and grow rapidly. Thus, our measure of the
eVects of invasion on tree saplings may be conservative and
invasions may more eVectively suppress survival and
growth of tree saplings under natural Weld conditions.
Although there were no main eVects of invasion or interactive
invasion x species eVects, it is worth noting that there
were trends for reduced survival of hickory, white oak, and
sweetgum saplings. Further experimental work is needed to
more precisely evaluate the eVects of Microstegium on
established tree saplings under Weld conditions.