Various synthetic mulches were tested on an alluvial site in three studies to examine survival and growth of cottonwood and hybrid poplar seedlings. Blue, clear, and yellow waste plastics; black, brown, and gray/black polyethylene; and polypropylene fabric weed barrier were compared with cultivation; sod; or isoxaben orazalin (Gallery Surflan) or sulfometron methyl (Oust) herbicide weed control treatments. After five years, cottonwood seedling survival was moderately high (50 to 91%) for all synthetic mulch types, whereas seedling survival with cultivation and Oust treatments ranged from 60 to 76%. Seedling growth was best with Oust herbicide, slightly less for cultivation, and nearly the same for all plastics. Planting in sod or use of Gallery Surflan is not advisable, as these treatments yielded the poorest results. Oust provided the best environmental conditions for growth. Synthetic mulches seem to be practical for use in tree establishment under environmental conditions found in the central Great Plains, although three-year maintenance costs were least with Oust herbicide