Sugar Maple, Red Maple, and Yellow Birch Growth and Mortality in Even-Aged Adirondack Northern Hardwoods

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph D Nyland ◽  
Eddie Bevilacqua ◽  
David A Ruff ◽  
Diane H Kiernan
Keyword(s):  
Relative Density ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Large Diameter ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Northern Hardwoods ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Initial Diameter ◽  
Crown Thinning

Abstract Tree diameter growth models for northern hardwoods commonly used large data sets representing a composite of stands with varying management histories, structural characteristics, and age distributions. Yet common predictor variables like diameter can show differences in growth patterns for stands with different age structures and management histories. To address that, we modeled growth and mortality for sugar maple, red maple, and yellow birch in thinned even-aged Adirondack northern hardwoods. Findings indicate that change in diameter depends on initial diameter for sugar maple, with the rate decreasing exponentially from the largest size class to the smallest. Initial diameter did not prove significant with red maple and yellow birch in these thinned stands, perhaps because of the limited sample of trees of small diameter. Stand relative density and time since treatment affected growth for all three species. Those variables also proved significant for predicting mortality of sugar maple. Analyses revealed fewer losses of sugar and red maples among the larger diameter classes, but no relationship with diameter for yellow birch. Plot relative density did not affect mortality with red maple, but time after thinning had a significant effect on survival of all species. Study Implications Crown thinning and other methods that release upper canopy trees within even-aged stands should result in favorable postthinning growth of sugar maple, red maple, and yellow birch. Yet, the small trees of sugar maple will grow slower than larger ones after release by thinning, and small sugar and red maple have greater probability of dying. Residual stand density will temper the growth of all three species and the survival of sugar maple and yellow birch. Findings suggest that management strategies favoring removal of the large-diameter sugar maple trees of upper canopy positions from an even-aged stand (e.g., diameter-limit cutting) will result in lower rates of diameter increment within the residual stand. That should negatively affect stand dynamics and volume production and result in greater mortality among the remaining sugar and red maple. By contrast, crown thinning will enhance residual tree growth and survival, as well as stand development.

Sap yields, sugar content, and soluble carbohydrates of saps and syrups of some Canadian birch and maple species

1987 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. C. Jones ◽  
I. Alli
Keyword(s):  
Sap Flow ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrates ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
White Birch ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Total Carbohydrate ◽  
Total Carbohydrate Content ◽  
Maple Sap

During the spring of 1984 and 1985, white birch (Betulapapyrifera Marsh), sweet birch (B. lenta L), and yellow birch (B. alleghaniensis Britt.) were tapped to determine sap yields and syrup characteristics. These properties were compared with sap yields and syrup produced from sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh) and red maple (A. rubrum L). The sap flow seasons were as follows: white birch, 23 days (April 7–29, 1984) and 29 days (April 5 – May 3, 1985); sweet birch, 26 days (1984); yellow birch, 25 days (1985). The sap flow season for the maple species was much earlier than the birch species. Maple sap flow seasons were as follows: sugar maple, 16 days (March 28 – April 12, 1984) and 45 days (March 10 – April 23, 1985); red maple, 44 days (March 11 – April 23, 1985). Sap yields were as follows: white birch, 80.5 L in 1984 (1.0% sap) 51.0 L in 1985 (1.0% sap); sweet birch, 48.0 L in 1984 (0.5% sap); yellow birch, 28.4 L in 1985 (0.5% sap); red maple, 30.6 L in 1985 (2.3% sap); sugar maple, 53.5 L in 1985 (4.5% sap). Sap analyses showed the average total carbohydrate content of all birch saps and all maple saps was 9.2 and 24.5 g/L, respectively. The average sugar contents of the syrups from the birch saps and the maple saps were 302 and 711 g/L, respectively. The average pH of birch and maple saps were similar but the average pH of the syrups obtained from the birch saps was substantially lower than that of the syrups obtained from the maple saps.

scholarly journals Radial growth of hardwoods following the 1998 ice storm in New Hampshire and Maine

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin T Smith ◽  
Walter C Shortle
Keyword(s):  
Radial Growth ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Growth Index ◽  
Ice Storm ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Annual Increment ◽  
White Ash ◽  
Class A ◽  
Mean Annual Increment

Ice storms and resulting injury to tree crowns occur frequently in North America. Reaction of land managers to injury caused by the regional ice storm of January 1998 had the potential to accelerate the harvesting of northern hardwoods due to concern about the future loss of wood production by injured trees. To assess the effect of this storm on radial stem growth, increment cores were collected from northern hardwood trees categorized by crown injury classes. For a total of 347 surviving canopy dominant and subdominant trees, a radial growth index was calculated (mean annual increment for 1998–2000 divided by the mean annual increment for 1995–1997). Sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.), white ash (Fraxinus americana L.), and red maple (Acer rubrum L.) categorized in injury class A (crown loss of less than one-half) had mean growth index values of approximately 1.0, indicating no loss of mean radial growth after 3 years. For injury class B (crown loss of one-half to three-quarters) and class C (crown loss greater than three-quarters), growth index values significantly decreased for sugar maple, yellow birch, and red maple. For white ash, growth index values of classes B and C were not significantly different from those of class A trees. Growth index values of A. saccharum and A. rubrum in injury class C were the lowest of those measured. These results indicated that the severity of growth loss due to crown injury depends on tree species and crown replacement as well as the extent of crown loss.

Disturbance regime of a cold temperate forest as deduced from tree-ring patterns: the Tantaré Ecological Reserve, Quebec

1990 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 1228-1241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serge Payette ◽  
Louise Filion ◽  
Ann Delwaide
Keyword(s):  
Tree Ring ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Rotation Period ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Gap Dynamics ◽  
Disturbance Regime ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Ecological Reserve

The recent history and disturbance regime of an old-growth sugar maple – yellow birch forest located in the Tantaré Ecological Reserve, Québec, were determined using tree-ring growth patterns of individual trees that had undergone suppression and release. Within a sampling quadrat (0.25 ha) where all living and dead trees were mapped, the age, size, and spatial pattern of gaps formed since the mid-19th century were inferred from tree-ring signatures of standing trees. From 1860 onwards, more than 30 gaps of various form and size occurred, most gaps being < 200 m2 and covering a total area of 3775 m2. During the 1930–1985 period, the tree-fall frequency was 0.45 per year, the tree fall free interval was 3.2 years, and the tree-fall rotation period (turnover rate) was estimated to be 45 years. The rather short life-span of most trees (<125 years) may be attributed to the cool and humid conditions prevailing at the site, which stimulated self-pruning of mature trees. The spatiotemporal development of the sugar maple forest has been active during the past 2 centuries through small-scale disturbances associated with successve, often overlapping, single and multiple tree falls. This situation explains the uneven age distribution of sugar maple and yellow birch populations subjected to differential survival conditions caused by gap dynamics. It is concluded that tree-ring patterns corresponding to periods of suppression and release will likely give a finer resolution record of gap dynamics than other methods of determining natural disturbance regime and reconstruction of recent stand history.

scholarly journals Improving the Composition of Beech-Dominated Northern Hardwood Understories in Northern Maine

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 186-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew S. Nelson ◽  
Robert G. Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Optimal Treatment ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Hardwood Species ◽  
Understory Composition ◽  
Glyphosate Herbicide ◽  
Selection Harvesting

Abstract The natural regeneration that develops following the shelterwood and selection harvesting of northern hardwood stands across the Northeast is often plagued by an overabundance of American beech infected with beech bark disease. This regenerating beech typically dominates and interferes with the regeneration of more desired hardwood species (sugar maple, yellow birch, and red maple), lowering the productivity and value of future stands. We tested factorial combinations of glyphosate herbicide (Accord Concentrate) rate and surfactant (Entrée 5735) concentration to identify an optimal treatment that would maximize beech control while minimizing sugar maple injury. Third-year posttreatment results revealed that glyphosate rate was a more important factor than surfactant concentration in reducing beech abundance and preserving sugar maple. The optimal treatment (0.56‐1.12 kg/ha of glyphosate plus 0.25‐0.5% surfactant) selectively removed 60‐80% of beech stems, whereas sugar maple control was less than 20%. The five dominant hardwood species differed substantially in their susceptibility to the treatments in the following decreasing order: beech > striped maple > yellow birch > red maple > sugar maple. Similar results produced using a backpack mistblower suggested transferability of treatment effects to operational applications using a tractor-mounted mistblower. Our findings indicate that this relatively low-cost and effective treatment can substantially improve the understory composition of northern hardwood stands.

scholarly journals Height Development of Upper-Canopy Trees Within Even-Aged Adirondack Northern Hardwood Stands

2004 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 117-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph D. Nyland ◽  
David G. Ray ◽  
Ruth D. Yanai
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Fagus Grandifolia ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
White Ash ◽  
Advance Regeneration ◽  
Canopy Trees

Abstract Knowledge of the relative rates of height growth among species is necessary for predicting developmental patterns in even-aged northern hardwood stands. To quantify these relationships, we used stem analysis to reconstruct early height growth patterns of dominant and codominant sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton), white ash (Fraxinus americana L.), and America beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) trees. We used three stands (aged 19, 24, and 29 years) established by shelterwood method cutting preceded by an understory herbicide treatment. We analyzed 10 trees of each species per stand. Height growth was similar across stands, allowing us to develop a single equation for each species. Our data show that yellow birch had the most rapid height growth up to approximately age 10. Both sugar maple and white ash grew more rapidly than yellow birch beyond that point. Beech consistently grew the slowest. White ash had a linear rate of height growth over the 29-year period, while the other species declined in their growth rates. By age 29, the heights of main canopy trees ranged from 38 ft for beech to 51 ft for white ash. Both yellow birch and sugar maple averaged 46 ft tall at that time. By age 29, the base of the live crown had reached 17, 20, 21, and 26 ft for beech, sugar maple, yellow birch, and white ash, respectively. Live–crown ratios of upper-canopy trees did not differ appreciably among species and remained at approximately 40% for the ages evaluated. These results suggest that eliminating advance regeneration changes the outcome of competition to favor species other than beech. North. J. Appl. For. 21(3):117–122.

Regeneration of Northern Hardwoods in the Northeast with the Shelterwood Method

1991 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 99-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter R. Hannah
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Additional Treatment ◽  
Northern Hardwoods ◽  
Seedling Density ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
White Ash ◽  
Soil Scarification ◽  
Preferred Species

Abstract Study plots (1/4 ac) were located in four northern hardwood stands in Vermont, and shelterwood canopy covers of 40, 60, 80, and 100%, and a control (no cutting) were established. Regeneration on small plots within the treated areas was sampled over a 3-year period and the composition of saplings determined after 6 years. While there were substantial increases in amount of regeneration under most canopy covers, there was no significant differences due to treatment. Some important trends, however, were evident. Sugar maple showed some increase in seedling density under most canopy densities with up to 68,000 new sugar maple seedlings per acre under 60% canopy cover. Yellow birch did best under 40 to 80% canopy cover and with good soil scarification. White ash increased under most densities but was best at about 80% canopy cover. Competitors, beech, striped maple, and hobblebush, increased under most densities. At about 60% canopy cover and less, raspberries and blackberries, pin cherry, and other shade-intolerant species increase in abundance. Among regeneration less than 3 ft all after 3 years, preferred species outnumbered less preferred species by 5 to 1. Among regeneration over 3 ft tall when examined 6 years after treatment, the less preferred species, on average, outnumber preferred species by 2 to 1 (sugar maple 0-3430/ac, yellow birch 0-1920/ac, beech 200-2220/ac and striped maple 0-3130/ac). Most beech regeneration seemed to arise as root suckers. Small striped maple grew rapidly and assumed dominance among the regeneration when released. Northern hardwoods have diverse composition in the overstory, and much of the regeneration tallied after 3 years was already in place when the shelterwood cuts were made. Advanced regeneration as well as new regeneration is the key to success, or failure, if it is predominantly undesirable species. In implementing a shelterwood in northern hardwoods, 60 to 80% canopy cover seems good for most species. All trees below the main canopy should be cut to create a high canopy shade. Undesirable species should be controlled by cutting or possibly herbicides before or when the stand is cut, with additional treatment as necessary to maintain desired composition. North. J. Appl. For. 8(3):99-104.

scholarly journals Results of Research in Northern Hardwood Silviculture at Dudswell

1977 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 223-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Roberge
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Artificial Regeneration ◽  
Research Results ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Selection Cutting ◽  
Clear Cutting

The stand improvement and regeneration treatments carried out by the Department of Fisheries and the Environment of Canada at Dudswell Experimental Forest in cooperation with Domtar Ltd. are producing results after 15 years of observations. These are directly applicable to management for timber, recreation, wildlife, and water in Quebec hardwood stands dominated by sugar maple, beech, yellow birch, or red maple. Research results indicate marked advantages, in stands of good quality hardwoods, of thinnings taking 30 to 40% of the total volume and of group or strip selection cutting, and, in stands of poor quality hardwoods, of strip clear cutting. Site preparation and artificial regeneration are not required to obtain a stand of a quality at least equal to that of the original stand.

Regeneration of Northern Hardwoods Under Shelterwood Cutting

1969 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 333-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl H. Tubbs ◽  
Frederick T. Metzger
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Northern Hardwoods ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Advance Regeneration

Shelterwood regeneration cuts were made on hemlock-hardwood and sugar maple sites in mature timber. On both sites three understory treatments were compared: (1) no treatment, (2) all advance regeneration poisoned, and (3) all advance regeneration poisoned and the plots scarified.Sugar maple responded well on untreated plots of the sugar maple site. Removing competition by poisoning stimulated yellow birch establishment on both sites, and removing competition plus scarifying, yielded the most yellow birch on both sites. However, yellow birch regeneration predominated on the treated areas of the hemlock-hardwood site, while sugar maple regeneration predominated on comparable areas of the sugar maple site.

scholarly journals Long-Term Growth of Crop Trees After Release in Northern Hardwoods

1997 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
William B. Leak ◽  
Dale S. Solomon
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
White Ash ◽  
Paper Birch ◽  
And Control

Abstract Diameter growth of crop trees of paper birch, sugar maple, yellow birch, white ash, beech, and red maple was remeasured for 31 yr following a heavy release, light release, species removal, and control applied to an evenaged 25 yr old northern hardwood stand in New Hampshire. Under all regimes, final dbh of sampled crop trees was positively related to initial dbh. White ash showed no significant or consistent increase in final dbh in response to treatment, expressed in terms of residual basal area per acre. Paper birch, beech, and red maple had final average diameters up to about 2 in. larger due to heavy release as compared with the control. Sugar maple showed a gain of up to 1 in. in final dbh over the 3l yr period, while yellow birch showed a similar, though nonsignificant, gain. The study shows the long-term effects of release treatments, and the importance of releasing larger trees and responsive species. North J. Appl. For. 14(3):147-151.

scholarly journals Comparative growth trends of five northern hardwood and montane tree species reveal divergent trajectories and response to climate

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 743-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra M. Kosiba ◽  
Paul G. Schaberg ◽  
Shelly A. Rayback ◽  
Gary J. Hawley
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Heat Index ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Yellow Birch

In the northeastern United States, tree declines associated with acid deposition induced calcium depletion have been documented, notably for red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.). There is conflicting evidence concerning whether co-occurring tree species capitalized on these declines or suffered similar growth reductions and on how growth has fluctuated relative to environmental variables. We examined five species along three elevational transects on Mt. Mansfield, Vermont: sugar maple, red spruce, red maple (Acer rubrum L.), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton), and balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.). We found baseline differences in growth. Red maple and yellow birch had the highest growth, sugar maple and red spruce had intermediate growth, and balsam fir had the lowest growth. While some year-to-year declines were associated with specific stress events, protracted patterns such as recent increases in red spruce and red maple growth were correlated with increased temperature and cooling degree days (heat index). For most species and elevations, there was a positive association between temperature and growth but a negative association with growth in the following year. Based on our comparisons, for some species, growth at Mt. Mansfield aligns with regional trends and suggests that patterns assessed here may be indicative of the broader region.

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