Mature shrubs can provide microhabitats that are beneficial to seedling growth and development. Sugar pine trees (Pinus lambertiana ) grow in a narrow zone on the eastern slope of the Carson Range in extreme western Nevada, an area extensively disturbed by logging and fire. This study identified the most favorable growth conditions for sugar pine seedlings relative to mature shrubs. Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi ) is the dominant tree species in the Carson Range near Reno, Nevada, and was used as a basis for comparison. In the fall of 2002 (cohort 1) and 2003 (cohort 2), 13,600 seeds of both species were planted in wire mesh enclosures, at three replicate sites, under a variety of microhabitat treatments, under shade and in the open. Seedlings were monitored for survival through two growing seasons. I separated the experiment into three studies. Study 1 tested the effects of litter and shade on sugar pine and Jeffrey pine seedling emergence and survival across microhabitats, study 2 tested the effects of water and shade on sugar pine and Jeffrey pine seedling survival across microhabitats, and study 3 tested the effects of pulling shrub foliage back on sugar pine and Jeffrey pine seedling survival. Radiant energy levels, soil moisture, and soil temperatures were monitored throughout the experiment and a soil particulate size was evaluated. Results indicate that even though more sugar pine seedlings emerged, more Jeffrey pine seedlings survived and were the more drought resistant species, better suited for the xeric climate found in the Carson Range. Litter slightly hindered emergence but had no effect on survival and there was no significant species x litter interaction. Supplemental water facilitated survival in all treatments with highest survival in shade treatments. Sugar pine seedlings showed a significant increase in survival over Jeffrey pine seedlings with the addition of water, particularly in open treatments and more of both species survived under