The red spruce-balsam fir forest of Maine: Evolution of silvicultural practice in response to stand development patterns and disturbances

1992 ◽  
pp. 217-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert S. Seymour
Keyword(s):  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Stand Development ◽  
Development Patterns ◽  
Silvicultural Practice

scholarly journals Density Management Diagram for Northeastern Red Spruce and Balsam Fir Forests

1999 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duncan S. Wilson ◽  
Robert S. Seymour ◽  
Douglas A. Maguire
Keyword(s):  
Stand Density ◽  
Maximum Size ◽  
Site Index ◽  
The Self ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Stand Development ◽  
Exponential Relationship ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Natural Stands

Abstract A stand-density management diagram is presented for use in northeastern red spruce and balsam fir forests. The diagram was derived from an extensive archived data set collected during the 1970s from fully stocked stands throughout northern Maine and a more recent study of precommercially thinned stands. The negative exponential relationship between mean stemwood volume per tree and stand density, commonly known as the "self-thinning rule, "was formulated to define a biological maximum stand density. The maximum size-density equation can be used to calculate the relative density of any stand and is accurate for thinned and unthinned natural stands as well as plantations. Equations for estimating quadratic mean diameter and stand top height are also derived for unthinned natural stands only. Data used to fit the self-thinning line are substantially above the A-lines on the familiar northeastern stocking guides, suggesting that these guides underestimate maximum density and thus overpredict self-thinning. Examples illustrate how to use the diagram to predict stand development under commercial and precommercial thinning scenarios, as well as natural stand development without thinning. Relevant site index and volume equations are included in an appendix. North. J. Appl. For. 16(1):48-56.

Growth Decline in Red Spruce and Balsam Fir Relative to Natural Processes

1986 ◽  
pp. 1479-1484
Author(s):  
J. W. Hornbeck ◽  
R. B. Smith ◽  
C. A. Federer
Keyword(s):  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Natural Processes ◽  
Growth Decline

Long-term outcome of precommercial thinning in northwestern New Brunswick: growth and yield of balsam fir and red spruce

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 592-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doug Pitt ◽  
Len Lanteigne
Keyword(s):  
Block Design ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Stem Volume ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Precommercial Thinning ◽  
Minimum Requirement

A study was established between 1959 and 1961 to study the long-term responses of balsam fir ( Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) and red spruce ( Picea rubens Sarg.) to precommercial thinning. Three nominal spacings of 4 ft (1.2 m), 6 ft (1.8 m), and 8 ft (2.4 m) were compared with an unthinned control in a randomized complete block design with five replicates. At the time of thinning, natural regeneration averaged 16 years of age, 8 years after harvest. Although thinning had minimal effect on gross total volume production over a 42 to 44 year observation period, actual spacings between 2.1 and 2.5 m produced an average of 360 m3·ha–1gross merchantable volume (GMV), representing a 21% gain over unthinned stands. The same spacings produced quadratic mean diameters of 21 and 23 cm, respectively, compared with 18 cm in the unthinned stands. These size increases translated to individual stem volume gains of 33% and 62%, significantly reducing the age at which thinned stands would meet a specified minimum requirement for merchantability or habitat. The mean annual increment of GMV ranged from 6 m3·ha–1·year–1in unthinned stands, to more than 7 m3·ha·–1·year–1in the thinned stands, and had not yet culminated an average of 50 years postharvest.

Effects of variations in stand structure on development of mixed-species stands in eastern Washington

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 545-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
David F. Cobb ◽  
Kevin L. O'hara ◽  
Chadwick D. Oliver
Keyword(s):  
Stand Structure ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Cascade Range ◽  
Stand Development ◽  
Mixed Species ◽  
Western Larch ◽  
Development Patterns ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Eastern Washington

The development of six mixed-species, even-aged stands was reconstructed in the eastern Washington Cascade Range. All stands were within the Grand Fir Climax Series and began following stand replacement disturbances. Western larch (Larixoccidentalis Nutt.) and lodgepole pine (Pinuscontorta Dougl. ex Loud.), when present, formed an upper stratum over interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco) and grand fir (Abiesgrandis (Dougl.) Lindl.) in all six stands. Establishment patterns and species composition affected stand development patterns. Douglas-fir benefitted from the absence of lodgepole pine; grand fir benefitted from the absence of Douglas-fir, but apparently not from the absence of lodgepole pine. Lodgepole pine had faster initial diameter growth rates than western larch when it became established relatively early and in large numbers.

CONTACT AND RESIDUAL EFFECT OF LOW-VOLUME DOSAGES OF PHOSPHAMIDON TO CHORISTONEURA FUMIFERANA (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE) ON TWO SPECIES OF CONIFERS

1972 ◽  
Vol 104 (7) ◽  
pp. 1051-1054
Author(s):  
J. F. Stewart ◽  
N. R. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Difference ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Residual Effect ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Picea Rubens ◽  
Fourth Instar ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Low Volume

AbstractA series of low-volume spray treatments were conducted to study the contact and residual effect of two concentrations of the insecticide phosphamidon to fourth instar spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), on balsam fir, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill, and red spruce, Picea rubens Sarg. Treatment of sprayed larvae on sprayed trees, unsprayed larvae on sprayed trees, and sprayed larvae on unsprayed trees, resulted in two principal conclusions: (a) Higher concentrations of phosphamidon (1% versus 0.5% active) accelerated mortality in all instances and (b) no statistical difference (P = 0.1%) was found in the final mortalities between treatments in which only the foliage was treated and where both larvae and foliage were treated with phosphamidon.

Changing perspectives on regeneration ecology and genetic diversity in western quaking aspen: implications for silviculture

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (12) ◽  
pp. 2011-2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
James N. Long ◽  
Karen Mock
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Stand Development ◽  
Quaking Aspen ◽  
Conventional View ◽  
High Severity ◽  
Low Expectations ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Regeneration Ecology ◽  
Silvicultural Practice

A conventional view of regeneration ecology of quaking aspen ( Populus tremuloides Michx.) in western North American holds that reproduction is strictly vegetative and, except on some marginal sites, only successful following high-severity disturbance. This view has strongly influenced silvicultural treatment of western aspen and has led to low expectations concerning genetic diversity of stands and landscapes. However, recent discoveries are fundamentally altering our understanding of western aspen regeneration ecology and genetics. For example, there are clearly multiple pathways of aspen regeneration and stand development. Research on a variety of fronts indicates that seedling establishment is common enough to be ecologically important and that genetic diversity is substantially greater than previously thought. We review conventional understanding of western aspen and put this into the context of silvicultural practice. We then review recent developments in aspen research and assess the silvicultural implications of these insights.

A study of fungal endophytes of needles of balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and red spruce (Picea rubens) in New Brunswick, Canada, using culture and electron microscope techniques

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (12) ◽  
pp. 3513-3516 ◽  
Author(s):  
John A. Johnson ◽  
Norman J. Whitney
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Fungal Endophytes ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Picea Rubens ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Intercellular Spaces ◽  
Parenchyma Cells ◽  
Spruce Needles ◽  
Petiole Segment

Endophytic fungi were isolated from the interiors of surface-sterilized needles of balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and red spruce (Picea rubens) in New Brunswick, Canada. Four different fungi were isolated frequently. One species, designated X-W, was isolated exlusively from the petiole segment of red spruce needles. There was no difference in the variety of species isolated from fir needles from two sites, but a difference in frequency of species did exist. Micrographs of the interior of balsam fir needles showed hyphae occupying intercellular spaces and adhering to the outer walls of parenchyma cells. No penetration of cells by either fungus was observed.

scholarly journals Influence of Soil Site Class on Growth and Decay of Northern White-Cedar and Two Associates in Maine

2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip V. Hofmeyer ◽  
Robert S. Seymour ◽  
Laura S. Kenefic
Keyword(s):  
Light Exposure ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
White Cedar ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Area Growth ◽  
Northern White Cedar ◽  
Mineral Soils

Abstract Basal area growth of outwardly sound northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.) was compared with that of balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.) and red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) across site and light exposure class gradients on 60 sites throughout northern Maine. Once adjusted for sapwood area, northern white-cedar basal area growth was not strongly affected by site or light exposure class; growth was similar to that of red spruce but generally lower than that of balsam fir. Site index did not differ appreciably among soil drainage classes for red spruce and northern white-cedar, although small sample size limited analysis on upland site classes. Incidence of central decay was higher in northern white-cedar than balsam fir, which was higher than red spruce. Incidence of decay in outwardly sound northern white-cedar and balsam fir was highest on well-drained mineral soils, and mean proportion of basal area decayed at breast height increased in outwardly sound northern white-cedar as drainage improved from poorly drained to well-drained soils. These data suggest that northern white-cedar on lowland organic and poorly drained mineral soils in Maine have less decay, similar basal area growth, and similar site index relative to upland northern white-cedar communities.

scholarly journals Mortality Patterns Following Spruce Budworm Infestation in Unprotected Spruce-Fir Forests in Maine

2003 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 148-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale S. Solomon ◽  
Lianjun Zhang ◽  
Thomas B. Brann ◽  
David S. Larrick
Keyword(s):  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Growth Function ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Stem Density ◽  
Cumulative Mortality ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Composition Classes ◽  
Annual Mortality

Abstract Cumulative and annual mortality of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) and balsam fir [Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.] were examined over a 10 yr period to follow the mortality patterns in unprotected spruce-fir forests in northern Maine. Different mortality patterns were determined based on stand composition classes and merchantability classes. In general, balsam fir was more vulnerable to budworm attack, and reached 92–100% basal area mortality and 84–97% stem density mortality 12 yr after the start of the outbreak. Red spruce, in contrast, had approximately 32–59% basal area mortality and 30–66% stem density mortality during the same time period. Balsam fir mortality started 1 to 2 yr before spruce, while spruce mortality continued 2 to 3 yr after fir mortality was completed. Higher mortality was found in smaller trees than sawtimber-sized trees. Stands with hardwood components (30–70% in basal area) had the lowest mortality rate for both species. Furthermore, Schnute growth function (Schnute 1981) was used to characterize the cumulative mortality trajectories after the defoliation of spruce and fir by stand composition classes. The models estimated the time when annual mortality achieved maximum, the cumulative mortality at that time, and the asymptotic mortality over a long time period after the start of the attack. The information can provide guidelines for predicting protection strategies and scheduling salvage harvests.

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