Two experiments relating to establishment that had been established in 1978 and 1981 were re-measured at least twice following the initial growth period in order to examine the effects of soil cultivation, fertilisation, and seedling quality on maturing crops of radiata pine. Cultivation improved survival, and ripping the subsoil decreased the likelihood of windthrow. In addition, there was a modest divergence in growth due to ripping at one site. Rough tree handling during transplanting markedly reduced tree survival following planting, reduced initial growth, and increased stand variability. The consequence of the increase in stand variability was an early onset of mortality among roughly handled trees. A simulation with the 3-PG model assuming that ripping increased maximum available soil moisture showed an increase in basal area due to ripping of 2.5 m2/ha by age 25. The measured increase was 3.3 m2/haTwo experiments relating to establishment that had been established in 1978 and 1981 were re-measured at least twice following the initial growth period in order to examine the effects of soil cultivation, fertilisation, and seedling quality on maturing crops of radiata pine. Cultivation improved survival, and ripping the subsoil decreased the likelihood of windthrow. In addition, there was a modest divergence in growth due to ripping at one site. Rough tree handling during transplanting markedly reduced tree survival following planting, reduced initial growth, and increased stand variability. The consequence of the increase in stand variability was an early onset of mortality among roughly handled trees. A simulation with the 3-PG model assuming that ripping increased maximum available soil moisture showed an increase in basal area due to ripping of 2.5 m2/ha by age 25. The measured increase was 3.3 m2/ha.Dos experimentos relacionados al establecimiento de plantaciones creadas en 1978 y 1981 fueron remedidos al menos dos veces siguiendo el período de crecimiento inicial, con el objetivo de examinar los efectos del cultivo del suelo, fertilización y calidad de plantas en el desarrollo de pino radiata cercano a la madurez. El cultivo del suelo mejoró la sobrevivencia y específicamente el subsolado disminuyó la probabilidad de caída de los árboles por viento. Adicionalmente, hubo una divergencia modesta en crecimiento, debido al subsolado en uno de los sitios. La manipulación indebida de plantas al momento de la plantación redujo marcadamente la sobrevivencia después de la plantación, redujo el crecimiento inicial y aumentó la variabilidad del rodal. La consecuencia del aumento en la variabilidad fue un inicio temprano de la mortalidad de los árboles manipulados indebidamente. Una simulación con el modelo 3-PG, asumiendo que el subsolado aumentó la máxima disponibilidad de humedad en el suelo, mostró un aumento en el área basal, debido al subsolado de 2,5 m2/ha a los 25 años. El incremento real medido fue de 3,3 m2/ha.