Shade has been shown to increase survival of conifers in northern California, Idaho, Montana and Oregon. Both live and dead shade have been used (Adams 1966, Minore 1969, Roy 1955, Ryher and Potter 1970, Wahlenberg 1930, Youngberg 1966). We knew that shade had potential but did not know if it would work in our area, or which soils needed it, or if it was cost effective. In 1973 the first trials were begun on shading in the Roseburg BLM District (Roseburg is located in Southwest Oregon). The trials used cedar shingles to shade 2-0 Douglas-fir seedlings. They were located on four major soil series south of Roseburg. The soils belonged to the Vermisa, Beekman, McGinnis and Pollard series. The first two are loamy-skeletal with a water holding capacity of 2 to 5 inches. The second two are high in clay. The McGinnis is clayey-skeletal and the Pollard is fine textured. Water holding capacity is h to 8 inches. Results after one year showed that shading increased survival on soils with a low water holding capacity, but not on soils that had a high water holding capacity. Survival was increased from h3% unshaded to 68% shaded on Vermisa and Beekman soils on southerly aspects. (Robert Lewis - report on file atRoseburg BLM. ) These results were from operational shading which means that the problems, i.e., poor planting, poor stock, are included. These figures are therefore conservative. The study also showed that shading is not a substitute for vegetation control. After these encouraging results, more operational shading was begun. More field trials were also installed that concentrated on the steep, loamy-skeletal soils.