This study investigated the growth of Pinus elliottii and Eucalyptus tereticornis from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and tested their capacity for reducing the arenization process. The treatments consisted of planting two species on: (i) arenization-degraded soil (DS); (ii) native grassland (C); (iii) native grassfield associated with cover crops (C+PC); and (iv) degraded soil associated with cover crops (DS+PC). Black oat ( Avena nuda) and Lupinus albescens were used as cover crops. The survival rate, height, basal diameter and productivity factor of tree species were obtained 30 days, 6 months and 12 months after planting. In relation to initial survival, only pine showed significant differences, with lower percentage in the treatment C+PC. Eucalyptus benefited from the consortium with cover crops, while pine presented higher sensibility to interspecific competition.
