Growth and Survival of Picea glauca following Thinning of Plantations Affected by Eastern Spruce Budworm

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony W. D'Amato ◽  
Stacy J. Troumbly ◽  
Michael R. Saunders ◽  
Klaus J. Puettmann ◽  
Michael A. Albers
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Volume Growth ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Eastern Spruce Budworm ◽  
Individual Tree Growth ◽  
Volume Production ◽  
Stand Conditions

Abstract The effects of thinning treatments on growth and survivorship of white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss) plantations affected by recent eastern spruce budworm (SBW) outbreaks were examined over a 5-year period in northern Minnesota. Thinning treatments increased individual tree growth, live crown ratios (LCRs), and survival relative to unthinned stands. Overall, stands affected by SBW had lower rates of volume production than unaffected stands. In addition, individual tree volume growth was greater in thinned SBW-affected stands relative to unthinned SBW-affected stands. Across stand conditions, individual tree postthinning volume growth response was best predicted by the interaction of prethinning LCR and postthinning relative density (RD). In particular, at low stocking levels (RD = 0.20) higher live crown values resulted in the highest volume growth ratios. On the other hand, at higher stocking levels (RD 0.40–0.55) volume growth was fairly consistent, regardless of LCRs. Across all stocking levels, a minimum LCR of 40% appears to ensure high tree and stand growth rates and is also an indicator of a tree's ability to respond positively to thinning. This plasticity of white spruce suggests that stands maintained at these crown target levels can achieve high levels of stand and individual tree productivity as long as appropriate LCRs are maintained.

scholarly journals Modeled diameter growth response to intermediate treatments of planted white spruce (Picea glauca) affected by eastern spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) in Minnesota, U.S.A.

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (12) ◽  
pp. 1633-1637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie R. Patton ◽  
Matthew B. Russell ◽  
Marcella A. Windmuller-Campione ◽  
Christopher B. Edgar
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Native Forest ◽  
Eastern Spruce Budworm

White spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) plantations have historically been an important source of high-quality forest products in the Great Lakes Region of North America. Thinning in spruce plantations is a common silvicultural practice for reducing competition and promoting resiliency to forest health threats such as eastern spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clemens), a native forest pest of eastern North America. Spruce budworm larvae feed on the foliage of trees, which reduces growth and potentially causes mortality during an outbreak. There has been continual spruce budworm defoliation in northern Minnesota, U.S.A., since the mid-1950s, with higher levels of defoliation in the late 1990s. This research modeled the diameter growth response of white spruce 18 years after initial thinning in stands that presently range between 44 and 64 years old. Some stands received a second thinning in recent years. We used generalized nonlinear least squares and nonlinear mixed-effects models to estimate annual diameter growth using common tree and stand metrics. Growth model performance was improved by including thinning and frequency of spruce budworm defoliation as modifiers of diameter growth. Results of this study highlight how thinning in combination with insect disturbance affect diameter growth in white spruce plantations of northern Minnesota.

An endophytic fungus interacts with crown level and larval density to reduce the survival of eastern spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), on white spruce (Picea glauca)

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Quiring ◽  
Leah Flaherty ◽  
Greg Adams ◽  
Andrew McCartney ◽  
J. David Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endophytic Fungus ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Significant Interaction ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Larval Density ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Larval Survival ◽  
Total Survival ◽  
Eastern Spruce Budworm

A two-year field study was carried out to determine whether inoculating white spruce, Picea glauca (Moench) Voss, with a native endophytic fungus, Phialocephala scopiformis DAOM 229536 Kowalski & Kehr (Helotiales, Ascomycota), decreased the performance of eastern spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana Clemens, developing on these trees. Second instars were reared at three densities in the mid crown and at one density in the lower, mid, and upper crown. Larval survival (i.e., survival of larvae to pupation) was lower on endophyte-inoculated trees than on control trees in the mid crown and especially the upper crown but was similar in the lower crown, resulting in a significant interaction between endophyte and crown level. A similar but marginally insignificant interaction was observed for overall survival up to adult emergence (i.e., total survival). Larval survival and total survival were approximately 22% and 19% lower, respectively, when developing in the upper crown of endophyte-inoculated trees than in control trees. Larval survival remained relatively constant, with increased density on control trees but decreased with density on endophyte-inoculated trees, resulting in a significant interaction between endophyte and larval density. Sex ratios of emerged adults and wing lengths of emerged females were not influenced by the endophyte. Our results suggest that endophytic fungi could be useful additions to integrated pest management programs.

scholarly journals A Foliar Endophyte of White Spruce Reduces Survival of the Eastern Spruce Budworm and Tree Defoliation

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Quiring ◽  
Greg Adams ◽  
Andrew McCartney ◽  
Sara Edwards ◽  
J. David Miller
Keyword(s):  
Endophytic Fungus ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Adult Emergence ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Tree Defoliation ◽  
Eastern Spruce Budworm

Wild eastern spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clemens) were reared on white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) trees, half of which had been previously inoculated with a native endophytic fungus, Phialocephala scopiformis DAOM 229536 Kowalski and Kehr (Helotiales, Ascomycota). Survival up to pupation and up to adult emergence was approximately 27% higher for budworm juveniles that developed on control trees compared to trees inoculated with the endophyte. The endophyte did not influence the size or sex of survivors but did reduce defoliation by approximately 30%. Reductions in defoliation on endophyte-inoculated versus control trees, due to reductions in survival of juvenile budworms, suggests that tree inoculations with P. scopiformis could play an important role in integrated management programs against the eastern spruce budworm.

scholarly journals Spruce Budworm Defoliation and Growth Loss in Young Balsam Fir: Estimation of Volume Growth Based on Stem Analysis and Increment Cores at Breast Height

1996 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Piene ◽  
Janine D'Amours ◽  
Alan A. Bray
Keyword(s):  
Volume Growth ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Stem Analysis ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Breast Height ◽  
Individual Tree Growth ◽  
Growth Loss ◽  
Changes Over Time

Abstract Comparisons of estimates of volume and volume increment, based on increment cores sampled at breast height and on stem analysis, were made in a young balsam fir stand that had been defoliated by spruce budworm. Use of increment cores is not recommended to estimate individual tree growth, because large errors, ranging from 20.9 to 57.2%, and error variability can be expected. The inability, when using increment cores, to estimate basal area is the major source of this variation. Although large uncertainties are associated with future growth predictions, on a per ha basis, changes over time based on increment cores may in some instances give comparable results to those based on stem analysis due to the canceling effect of trees being approximately equally overestimated and underestimated. However, a prerequisite is that the defoliation history and the year of individual tree death are known in detail to aid in the correct dating of ring widths. North. J. Appl. For. 13(2):73-78.

WHITE SPRUCE AND THE SPRUCE BUDWORM: DEFINING THE PHENOLOGICAL WINDOW OF SUSCEPTIBILITY

1997 ◽  
Vol 129 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert K. Lawrence ◽  
William J. Mattson ◽  
Robert A. Haack
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Shoot Elongation ◽  
Larval Survival ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Foliar Traits

AbstractSynchrony of insect and host tree phenologies has often been suggested as an important factor influencing the susceptibility of white spruce, Picea glauca (Moench) Voss, and other hosts to the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). We evaluated this hypothesis by caging several cohorts of spruce budworm larvae on three white spruce populations at different phenological stages of the host trees, and then comparing budworm performance with host phenology and variation of 13 foliar traits. The beginning of the phenological window of susceptibility in white spruce occurs several weeks prior to budbreak, and the end of the window is sharply defined by the end of shoot growth. Performance was high for the earliest budworm cohorts that we tested. These larvae began feeding 3–4 weeks prior to budbreak and completed their larval development prior to the end of shoot elongation. Optimal synchrony occurred when emergence preceded budbreak by about 2 weeks. Larval survival was greater than 60% for individuals starting development 1–3 weeks prior to budbreak, but decreased to less than 10% for those starting development 2 or more weeks after budbreak and thus completing development after shoot elongation ceased. High performance by the budworm was most strongly correlated with high levels of foliar nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, copper, sugars, and water and low levels of foliar calcium, phenolics, and toughness. These results suggest that advancing the usual phenological window of white spruce (i.e. advancing budbreak prior to larval emergence) or retarding budworm phenology can have a large negative effect on the spruce budworm’s population dynamics.

scholarly journals Genetic control and evolutionary potential of a constitutive resistance mechanism against the spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) in white spruce (Picea glauca)

Heredity ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Méndez-Espinoza ◽  
Geneviève J. Parent ◽  
Patrick Lenz ◽  
André Rainville ◽  
Laurence Tremblay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Control ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Resistance Mechanism ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Evolutionary Potential ◽  
Constitutive Resistance

The Sensitivity of Young White Spruce to Spruce Budworm Defoliation

1991 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 168-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Piene
Keyword(s):  
Volume Growth ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
First Year ◽  
Average Volume ◽  
Shoot Production ◽  
Prolific Shoot

Abstract Relationships between defoliation and volume growth were determined for 68 young white spruce trees in a 20-year-old plantation defoliated over a 2-year period by the spruce budworm. In the first year of defoliation, intensities ranging from 7 to 89% of the current foliage did not influence volume growth significantly. Two consecutive years of defoliation, averaging over the 2-year period from 0-33, 34-66, and 67-100% of the current foliage, reduced average volume growth by about 6, 11, and 27%, respectively. White spruce is much less sensitive to defoliation than balsam fir. This is partly due to white spruce's ability to compensate for even moderate defoliation intensities by a prolific shoot production. North. J. Appl. For. 8(4):168-171.

scholarly journals Increased Individual Tree Growth Maintains Stand Volume Growth after B-Level Thinning and Crop-Tree Management in Mature Oak Stands

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
pp. 784-795
Author(s):  
Jeffrey S Ward ◽  
Jessica Wikle
Keyword(s):  
Tree Growth ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Volume Growth ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Red Oak ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Stand Volume ◽  
Tree Management ◽  
Individual Tree Growth ◽  
Partial Release

AbstractSix study areas were established in 80–125-year-old upland oak stands on average sites to compare stand and individual tree growth response following two active treatments (B-level thinning, crop tree) with an unmanaged control. Initial stocking of 104 percent was reduced to 62 percent and 60 percent on the B-level and crop-tree-management plots, respectively. Approximately 7,200 board feet per acre (International ¼) were harvested on the actively managed plots with upland oaks accounting for 81 percent of pre- and 86 percent of residual stand. Eleven-year diameter and volume growth of oak sawtimber trees was greater on actively managed plots. Growth response increased with degree of release and was maintained for the length of the study. Because of the increased individual tree growth of oaks in response to release, stand volume growth of oak sawtimber did not differ between treatments. In contrast to an 11-year decline of poletimber stocking on unmanaged plots, poletimber stocking increased on managed plots as diameter growth increased in response to partial release. This may increase difficulty of regenerating oak in the future. For those mature red oak stands where traditional regeneration prescriptions will not be implemented or will be delayed, commercial harvests can be conducted without compromising stand volume growth of oak.

Variations in the foliar amino acid composition of flowering and non-flowering balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) and white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) in relation to outbreaks of the spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem))

1971 ◽  
Vol 49 (7) ◽  
pp. 1005-1011 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Kimmins
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Apparent Correlation

The amino acids of new and old foliage of flowering and non-flowering balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) and white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) were investigated using two-dimensional descending paper chromatography. The data were analyzed for variation associated with age of foliage, age of tree, and flowering condition. The concentration of foliar amino acids was greater in balsam fir than in white spruce, and greater in new foliage than old foliage.The difference in concentration between foliage of flowering and non-flowering trees was smaller. However, the new foliage of flowering fir had higher levels of most of the amino acids examined than any other foliage category. This appears to reflect the known suitability of these foliage categories for spruce budworm larvae. While the data presented do not quantify the ecological significance of this apparent correlation, they do support the theory that variations in the nutritional quality of host plants play a very important role in the dynamics of herbivore populations.

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