scholarly journals Ten-Year Response of Sugar Maple–Yellow Birch–Beech Stands to Selection Cutting in Québec

2001 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 119-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Bédard ◽  
Zoran Majcen

Abstract Experimental blocks were established in five regions of southern Québec to determine the response of hardwood stands to selection cutting. The blocks contain five control stands (no cut) and five treated stands, composed mainly of sugar maple in association with yellow birch and American beech. Treated stands were harvested using single tree selection to a residual density varying from 16.8 to 21.2 m2. Results obtained 10 yr after treatment demonstrate that the annual gross growth rate was not significantly different between treated and control stands. However, net annual growth rate was higher in four out of five cut stands, because the annual mortality rate was less in these stands than in controls. Cutting significantly enhanced the growth of stems with an initial diameter at breast height (dbh) of 10 to 28 cm and favored the development of sugar maple saplings in all blocks and yellow birch saplings in three blocks. North. J. Appl. For. 18(4):119–126.

2013 ◽  
Vol 89 (04) ◽  
pp. 512-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Béland ◽  
Bruno Chicoine

We examined applicability of various partial cutting systems in order to regenerate tolerant hardwood stands dominated by sugar maple (Acer saccarhum), American beech (Fagus grandifolia) and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) on northern New Brunswick J.D. Irving Ltd. freehold land. Sampling of 1065 one-m2 plots in 31 stands managed by selection cutting, shelterwood method and strip or patch cutting and in six control stands allowed a 15-year retrospective study of natural regeneration in stands of low residual densities and with minimal soil disturbance and no control of competing vegetation. Beech regeneration was most abundant in the patch cuts, yellow birch in shelterwood stands and sugar maple in the selection system areas. Results suggest that initial stand conditions influence the composition of the regeneration more than the prescribed treatment. At the stand scale (a few hectares), sugar maple recruitment was positively influenced by its proportion in the initial stand, and negatively by the cover of herbs and shrubs. Yellow birch regeneration was mainly affected by shrub competition. At the plot (1 m2) scale, mineral soil and decayed wood substrates and ground-level transmitted light were determinant factors for yellow birch regeneration. Beech-dominated stands were likely to regenerate to beech. A dense beech sucker understory was promoted in harvested patches. Areas with dense understory of American beech, shrubs, or herbs require site preparation to reduce interference either before or at the time of partial cutting. Shelterwood seed cutting and selection cutting should leave a residual of 12 m2/ha and 17 m2/ha respectively in seed trees uniformly distributed.


2003 ◽  
Vol 79 (5) ◽  
pp. 898-905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Bédard ◽  
Zoran Majcen

Eight experimental blocks were established in the southern part of Québec to determine the growth response of sugar maple (Acer saccharum) dominated stands after single tree selection cutting. Each block contained eight control plots (no cut) and eight cut plots. The intensity of removal varied between 21% and 32% and residual basal area was between 18.2 and 21 m2/ha. Ten year net annual basal area growth rates in cut plots (0.35 ± 0.04 m2/ha) were significantly higher (p = 0.0022) than in control plots (0.14 ± 0.06 m2/ha). The treatment particularly favoured diameter growth of stems between 10 and 30 cm in dbh, whose crowns were released by removing neighbouring trees. These results show that if the same net growth rate is maintained in the next decade most of the cut plots will reach their pre-cut basal area in about 20 years after cutting. Key words: northern hardwoods, selection cutting, uneven aged silviculture, basal area growth, diameter growth


1996 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 1670-1676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hélène Simard ◽  
André Bouchard

A method based upon the use of wood sales, recorded by notary deeds, was used to describe how the precolonial forest of the Upper St. Lawrence Region of Québec changed during the 19th century. The notary deeds, covering the period of 1800 to 1880, are conserved in the National Archives of Quebec, in Montréal. Wood sales of the different species were compared, for each decade, as well as the fluctuations of volumes sold in relation to price. The results show a succession of species, appearing and disappearing, in the recorded wood sales. The sales began, in the early 1800s, with bur oak (Quercusmacrocarpa Michx.), eastern white cedar (Thujaoccidentalis L.), white pine (Pinusstrobus L.), sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.), yellow birch (Betulaalleghaniensis Britton), and American beech (Fagusgrandifolia Ehrh.). Oak sales reached their highest level in the first decade of the century, but this species was rapidly exhausted and disappeared completely from the market by the end of the 1840s. Similarly, pine was sold mostly during the 1820s. Sugar maple, yellow birch, and beech, sold for firewood during the 1820s and 1830s, were replaced gradually in the following decades by other species also used for firewood, such as black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) BSP), tamarack (Larixlaricina (Du Roi) K. Koch), hemlock (Tsugacanadensis (L.) Carrière), "plaine" (a mix of Acerrubrum L. and Acersaccharinum L.), American elm (Ulmusamericana L.), and ash (Fraxinus). The most valuable species were the first exploited for wood sales, and as they were depleted from the forest, they were replaced by others of less value. Throughout the 19th century, under the influence of this harvesting, the composition of the Upper St. Lawrence forest changed to become what it is today.


2010 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karla J. Falk ◽  
Ken A. Elliott ◽  
Dawn M. Burke ◽  
Erica Nol

We evaluated the immediate effects of group selection harvesting on the establishment of yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) and black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) seedlings in maple-dominated hardwood stands of Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario. Group selection gaps were compared to single-tree selection cutting and uncut reference stands pre-harvest and one growing season post-harvest using a before-after-control-impact (BACI) design. The percent cover of yellow birch seedlings increased significantly more in gaps than in single-tree selection and reference plots. Black cherry seedling cover increased significantly more in gaps than in reference plots, but increased at a similar rate in gaps and single-tree selection plots. Increased soil exposure and closer seed trees resulted in increased yellow birch recruitment when harvesting occurred in the late-summer-fall. These factors had little influence on yellow birch recruitment when harvesting occurred in the winter. The proportion of black cherry in the stand overstory had the greatest influence on black cherry recruitment; however, the uneven distribution of black cherry between stands may have precluded our ability to reliably test the influence of other factors. Concomitant increases in potential competitors such as wild red raspberry (Rubus strigosus Michx.) and sedges (Carex spp.) and the continued dominance of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh) in gap openings may limit yellow birch and black cherry regeneration in successive growing seasons. While continued monitoring is required, our short-term results demonstrate that fall harvesting with group selection is effective at stimulating natural regeneration of yellow birch and black cherry. Key words: yellow birch, black cherry, seedling recruitment, group selection, single-tree selection, mid-tolerant, shadeintolerant


Oryx ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles A. H. Foley ◽  
Lisa J. Faust

AbstractWe studied the demography of a subpopulation of African elephants Loxodonta africana in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania, from 1993 to 2005. The Tarangire elephants had been affected by heavy poaching prior to 1993. We monitored 668 individually known elephants in 27 family groups. The population increased from 226 to 498 individuals, with mean group size increasing from 8.4 to 18.3. The average annual growth rate was 7.1% (range 2.0–16.9%). This approaches the maximal growth rate for African elephants, with corresponding minimal values for demographic parameters. The mean interbirth interval was 3.3 years, mean age of first reproduction 11.1 years, average annual mortality of elephants younger than 8 years 3%, and average annual mortality of adult females 1%. Probability of conceiving was positively correlated with annual rainfall. No significant density-dependent effects were recorded. Rapid growth was aided by high rainfall, low population density and release from the stresses of poaching. These results demonstrate that elephant populations are capable of rapid population increases for extended periods of time given the right ecological and social conditions. This has consequences for elephant conservation and management.


2003 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. 1093-1106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Raymond ◽  
Alison D Munson ◽  
Jean-Claude Ruel ◽  
Philippe Nolet

In mixed tolerant hardwood – white pine stands of Southwestern Quebec, the effects of group selection cutting on eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.), red oak (Quercus rubra L.), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton) and paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) regeneration are compared to the currently used single-tree selection cutting. The experimental design, initiated in 1998, comprised three cover reduction treatments (circular gap (45 m, 1590 m2)), 25% and 35% single-tree selection cutting), two scarification treatments (scarified and non-scarified) and two seeding treatments for white pine (seeded and non-seeded). The effect of white pine seed predation was studied in the gaps and the adjacent understory, with exclosures for small mammals. After three years, scarification had a positive effect on white pine, yellow birch and paper birch regeneration but also on aspen (Populus spp.) and pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica L.f.) in the three cover reduction treatments. Red oak regeneration was negatively affected by scarification. Shade-tolerant species (sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.)) tended to be less present in the regeneration gaps than in the single-tree selection cutting. Considering that white pine seed predation can be critical in mixed tolerant hard-wood – white pine stands, a greater rate of seeding is recommended for direct seeding. Key words: group selection cutting, regeneration gap, single-tree selection cutting, tolerant hardwoods, eastern white pine, yellow birch, paper birch, red oak, scarification, direct seeding, regeneration, seed predation


2008 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 886-899 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Guillemette ◽  
Steve Bédard ◽  
Mathieu Fortin

A tree classification system was developed in the 1980s as part of a guide for tree-marking in the rehabilitation of unevenaged northern hardwood stands in Québec. It differentiates trees that are at high and low risk of mortality, trees with sawlog potential and cull trees. The risk class was assessed based on the presence of major crown and bole defects. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate this system with respect to its capacity to predict the probability of tree mortality. The variables used to classify the trees were observed in 88 experimental plots (0.5 ha) established between 1983 and 1999. Tree-level mortality probabilities were modelled for sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.), American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) to test the significance of the classification variables. The presence of decay, fungus or canker, wounds, uprooting, the death of at least 30% of the crown or of the roots, and the product class had significant (p < 0.05) effects on mortality probabilities for at least one of the 3 species studied. In the main, the results supported the tree classification system. However, this system could be modified to differentiate not only trees with a high or low mortality risk, but also to identify some very high-risk trees. Key words: northern hardwood, mortality, defect, quality, classification, selection cutting, partial cut, sugar maple, American beech, yellow birch, uneven-aged, tree-marking


1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 1623-1629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoran Majcen ◽  
Yvon Richard

To study the effects of selection cutting and to determine the optimal residual basal area after such cuttings, an experimental area was established in Sainte-Véronique (Quebec) in 1983. Five-year results indicate that the gross rate of growth increases when residual basal area decreases. The best net annual basal area growth lies between 0.40 and 0.43 m2/ha in selection plots; this is almost twice the growth of control plots. Sugar maple regeneration is excellent no matter the residual basal area. Selection cuttings also resulted in a good yellow birch regeneration, and survival is better, after 5 years, in high residual basal area plots. Yellow birch regeneration is almost absent in control plots. When all factors (growth in basal area, regeneration, and tree injuries) are considered, block 2, with a residual basal area of 19.3 m2/ha, gives the best results after 5 years.


1977 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 223-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Roberge

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.


Holzforschung ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 449-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Mäkinen ◽  
P. Saranpää ◽  
S. Linder

Summary To study the effect of growth rate on fibre characteristics and their variations in Norway spruce, trees were sampled in a nutrient optimisation experiment in northern Sweden. Data was collected from 24 trees (40 years old) from fertilised and control plots after 12 years of annual nutrient application, as well as from older trees outside the experimental area. Fibre length, fibre diameter, cell wall thickness, lumen diameter and cell wall percentage were measured from every third annual ring at breast height and at a height of 4 m. Fibre properties, as well as their standard deviation, were closely related to ring number and distance from the pith. Intra-ring variation of fibre characteristics was high compared to their variation between trees. Fertilisation reduced fibre length and cell wall thickness, but increased fibre and lumen diameter in rings of the same age. The difference in fibre width, cell wall thickness and lumen diameter between fertilised and control trees was less apparent, but a greater difference in fibre length was found between the treatments with regard to distance from the pith. There was a similar effect of fertilisation on fibre properties in early- and latewood. The effect of enhanced growth rate was less pronounced at a height of 4 m (near the pith) than at breast height (in older rings). It was demonstrated that it is possible to model intra-tree variability of fibre characteristics using ring width and cambial age as independent variables. Models presented are, however, limited by the relatively young age of the sample trees used.


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