Impact of Pruning Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana)

Abstract In recent years, eastern redcedar has been the most rapidly expanding tree resource in the Great Plains from Oklahoma to South Dakota, primarily in rangelands and pastures. Based on these increases and potential management-related problems, eastern redcedar is perceived as a threat to the rangeland resource. Pruning eastern redcedar can allow for increased herbaceous growth under the eastern redcedar's crown, improve livestock handling, maintain the species for diversity and habitat contributions, and improve wood quality for potential future utilization by forest industries. To determine the effect of pruning to different heights on tree growth, we compared unpruned trees' total height and diameter to trees pruned from ground level to heights of 60, 90, 120, and 150 cm. No significant differences in the total height were found for all pruning treatments over all time periods. After more than 10 yr, trees pruned to 60, 90, and 120 cm had smaller diameters at ground level than unpruned trees. There were no differences in ground diameters for trees pruned to 150 cm compared to unpruned trees after 4 yr of growth. There were no significant differences in dbh for eastern redcedar trees pruned to all heights. Management of eastern redcedar, including pruning, is recommended as an alternative to control measures. West. J. Appl. For. 17(4):189–193.

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Expansion of Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) into the Deciduous Woodlands within the Forest–Prairie Ecotone of Kansas

Forests ◽

10.3390/f11020154 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 154 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

G. A. Pabodha Galgamuwa ◽

Jida Wang ◽

Charles J. Barden

Keyword(s):

Temporal Dynamics ◽

Control Measures ◽

Rapid Expansion ◽

Deciduous Forests ◽

Support Vector ◽

Juniperus Virginiana ◽

Eastern Redcedar ◽

Growing Stock ◽

Quercus Species ◽

Spatio Temporal

North America’s midcontinent forest–prairie ecotone is currently exhibiting extensive eastern redcedar (ERC) (Juniperus virginiana L.) encroachment. Rapid expansion of ERC has major impacts on the species composition and forest structure within this region and suppresses previously dominant oak (Quercus) species. In Kansas, the growing-stock volume of ERC increased by 15,000% during 1965–2010. The overarching goal of this study was to evaluate the spatio-temporal dynamics of ERC in the forest–prairie ecotone of Kansas and understand its effects on deciduous forests. This was achieved through two specific objectives: (i) characterize an effective image classification approach to map ERC expansion, and (ii) assess ERC expansion between 1986 and 2017 in three study areas within the forest–prairie ecotone of Kansas, and especially expansion into deciduous forests. The analysis was based on satellite imagery acquired by Landsat TM and OLI sensors during 1986–2017. The use of multi-seasonal layer-stacks with a Support Vector Machine (SVM)-supervised classification was found to be the most effective approach to classify ERC distribution with high accuracy. The overall accuracies for the change maps generated for the three study areas ranged between 0.95 (95 CI: ±0.02) and 0.96 (±0.03). The total ERC cover increased in excess of 6000 acres in each study area during the 30-year period. The estimated percent increase of ERC cover was 139%, 539%, and 283% for the Tuttle Creek reservoir, Perry reservoir, and Bourbon County north study areas, respectively. This astounding rate of expansion had significant impacts on the deciduous forests where the conversion of deciduous woodlands to ERC, as a percentage of the total encroachment, were 48%, 56%, and 71%, for the Tuttle Creek reservoir, Perry reservoir, and Bourbon County north study areas, respectively. These results strongly affirm that control measures should be implemented immediately to restore the threatened deciduous woodlands of the region.

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Biohydrologic effects of eastern redcedar encroachment into grassland, Oklahoma, USA

Biologia ◽

10.2478/s11756-013-0252-9 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 68 (6) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Michael Wine ◽

Jan Hendrickx

Keyword(s):

Great Plains ◽

Growing Season ◽

Livestock Grazing ◽

Woody Encroachment ◽

Rooting Depth ◽

Juniperus Virginiana ◽

Eastern Redcedar ◽

Deep Drainage ◽

Southern Great Plains ◽

The Usa

AbstractWoody encroachment affects the biohydrology of rangelands worldwide and can increase evapotranspiration by increasing plant rooting depth, increasing the duration of the growing season, or by initiating a process of hydrologic recovery in formerly overgrazed landscapes. Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) is encroaching rapidly into rangelands in the Southern Great Plains of the USA, and beyond, including Oklahoma. However, the degree to which increasing growing season duration causes higher evapotranspiration after encroachment is not known. Here we show that increasing the duration of the growing season in north-central Oklahoma’s water-limited climate from seven months (April–October) to 12 months increases modeled evapotranspiration only marginally, from 95% to 97% of precipitation. However, this increase in evapotranspiration with woody encroachment into grassland corresponded to a two-thirds reduction in deep drainage. This study’s estimate of the hydrologic effects of eastern redcedar encroachment is likely to be highly conservative because it does not take into account the runoff-inducing effects of livestock grazing. Comparing simulated hydrologic fluxes in the present study to past work measuring runoff from grazinglands suggests that eastern redcedar encroachment into overgrazed rangelands is likely to increase evapotranspiration significantly. Whether or not eastern redcedar encroachment effects on evapotranspiration are discernable at the watershed scale will depend on the extent of encroachment throughout the watershed. Further research is necessary to quantify how the hydrologic effects of eastern redcedar encroachment vary due to climatic gradient.

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Pattern of Growth of Sapwood, Heartwood, and Stem Volume of Open-Grown Eastern Redcedar in Grasslands

Southern Journal of Applied Forestry ◽

10.1093/sjaf/22.3.169 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 169-174 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dejene Alemayehu ◽

David M. Engle ◽

Robert F. Wittwer ◽

Steve Anderson

Keyword(s):

Control Measures ◽

Tree Age ◽

Stem Volume ◽

Juniperus Virginiana ◽

Exponential Rate ◽

Eastern Redcedar ◽

Commercial Harvest ◽

Management Alternative ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship

Abstract The relationship of sapwood width, heartwood width, and stem volume with tree age was studied in 141 open-grown eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) trees in central, eastern, and western Oklahoma. The rate of growth of sapwood and heartwood and the increase in stem volume were slow up to 15 to 20 yr of age and increased thereafter at an exponential rate until about age 27. These data reinforce the recommendation that control measures applied to invading eastern redcedar should be taken when the trees are less than about 10 yr old or less than 2 m tall. Allowing the trees to grow for commercial harvest may present a management alternative after the trees are 15 to 20 yr old. South. J. Appl. For. 22(3):169-174.

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Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) as a Substrate Component Effects Growth of Three Tree Species

Journal of Environmental Horticulture ◽

10.24266/0738-2898.30.4.189 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 189-194

Author(s):

Zachariah W. Starr ◽

Cheryl R. Boyer ◽

Jason J. Griffin

Keyword(s):

Great Plains ◽

Tree Species ◽

Crop Production ◽

The United States ◽

Limiting Factor ◽

Juniperus Virginiana ◽

Hammer Mill ◽

Eastern Redcedar ◽

Fertilizer Rate ◽

Fertilizer Rates

Sustainable and local alternative substrates are being explored for nursery crop production due to concern over pine bark (PB) supplies and costs. This study evaluated a tree species which is weedy in the Great Plains region of the United States, eastern redcedar, processed through a hammer mill equipped with a 19 mm (3/4 in) screen size to create six substrates consisting of 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80% eastern redcedar chips (ERC) and 20% sand; the remaining volume was composed of PB. Each of these substrates were then used to grow baldcypress (Taxodium distichum), Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis), and silver maple (Acer saccharinum) under two fertilizer rates: either a 4.5 kg·m−3 (7.5 lbs·yd−3) low fertilizer rate or a 8.9 kg·m−3 (15 lbs·yd−3) high fertilizer rate. Substrates composed of 40 and 80% ERC had reduced container capacity, resulting in less growth of all three species. Plants responded similarly to both fertilizer rates suggesting that the limiting factor to plant growth is substrate physical properties. Plants grown in 5–20% ERC were of comparable size and quality to those grown in the control substrate. Therefore, ERC can be recommended as a PB substrate supplement, but not as a full replacement at this time.

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Post Harvest Processing of Eastern Redcedar and Hedge-Apple Substrates Affect Nursery Crop Growth

Journal of Environmental Horticulture ◽

10.24266/0738-2898.31.1.7 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 7-13

Author(s):

Zachariah W. Starr ◽

Cheryl R. Boyer ◽

Jason J. Griffin

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Plant Species ◽

Great Plains ◽

Crop Production ◽

The United States ◽

Common Species ◽

Juniperus Virginiana ◽

Particle Sizes ◽

Eastern Redcedar ◽

Industry Standard

Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) could be a viable container substrate for nursery crop production. It is a local, sustainable resource in regions distant from timber production areas where pine bark (PB) is processed. However, eastern redcedar chips (ERC) as a substrate have been associated with decreased container capacity and increased air space. Manipulating particle size could result in a substrate comparable to the current PB industry standard. Additionally, hedge-apple [Maclura pomifera (Raf.) C. K. Schneid.], a common species found in the Great Plains region of the United States, could also be used as a resource for substrate construction. This study evaluated four particle sizes, 4.8, 9.5, 12.7, and 19.1 mm (3/16, ⅜, ½, and ¾ in) ERC and hedge-apple chips (HAC), and compared them to a PB control in the production of 5 plant species. Plants grown in both ERC and HAC showed few differences in growth based on substrate particle size; when growth was affected, plants grown in 4.8 mm (3/16 in) and 9.5 mm (⅜ in) particle sizes were larger than those grown in coarser 12.7 mm (½ in) and 19.1 mm (¾ in) material. However, both ERC and HAC often produced smaller plants compared to those grown in PB. Results of this study demonstrate that ERC and HAC can be viable substrates or substrate components for some plant species when the trees are processed to small particle sizes, particularly if small plants are an acceptable tradeoff for lower overhead costs.

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Production and Landscape Establishment of Nursery Crops in Eastern Redcedar-Amended Substrates

Journal of Environmental Horticulture ◽

10.24266/0738-2898.32.2.77 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

pp. 77-83

Author(s):

Travis R. Carmichael ◽

Cheryl R. Boyer ◽

Jason J. Griffin ◽

Stuart L. Warren ◽

Catherine C. Lavis

Keyword(s):

Great Plains ◽

Ornamental Plants ◽

Growth Index ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Miscanthus Sinensis ◽

Juniperus Virginiana ◽

Eastern Redcedar ◽

Production Phase ◽

Nursery Crops ◽

Landscape Establishment

Substrate material used for the purpose of growing ornamental plants in the Great Plains is generally shipped a significant distance, primarily from the Southeastern United States. Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana; ERC) chips have been identified as a possible alternative to pine bark (PB) for nursery substrates. Landscape establishment of Ulmus parvifolia ‘Emer II’ (elm), Rosa ‘Radtkopink’ (rose), Ilex glabra ‘Compacta’ (holly), Miscanthus sinensis ‘Little Kitten’ (maiden grass), Gaillardia ×grandiflora (blanket flower), Sedum ‘Autumn Fire’ (sedum), Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’ (hosta), and Hemerocallis ‘Charles Johnston’ (daylily) plants were grown in three substrate mixes. Substrate mixes were composed of 80:20 PB:sand (PBS), 40:40:20 PB:ERC:sand (PBERCS) or 80:20 ERC:sand (ERCS) (by vol). The study was split into production and landscape phases. During the production phase, pH and EC were among the parameters measured. For both phases of the study, growth index (GI), SPAD, caliper and shoot- and root dry weight were measured. At the end of the production phase, differences in growth were observed in elm, holly, and maiden grass where substrates containing PB or a mixture of PB:ERC resulted in greater growth over a primarily ERC-based substrate. Sedum also exhibited growth differences, with plants growing larger in ERCS as a production substrate. At the conclusion of the landscape establishment phase, there were no observed differences in growth for tested species with the exception of holly and hosta which grew best if produced in PBS and/or PBERCS prior to transplanting based on shoot- and root dry weights as well as GI on most evaluation dates. The majority of species in this study overcame any growth shortages present at the end of production within the first growing season in the landscape. Therefore, ERC is a viable substrate option for producing and planting many nursery crops, though it is advisable for each nursery to evaluate their particular crops for production in alternative substrates.

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An Eastern Redcedar and Rocky Mountain Juniper Provenance Test for Windbreak Suitability in Eastern South Dakota

Northern Journal of Applied Forestry ◽

10.1093/njaf/5.2.129 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 129-132

Author(s):

Peter R. Schaefer ◽

Norman B. Baer

Keyword(s):

South Dakota ◽

Great Plains ◽

Rocky Mountain ◽

Black Hills ◽

Large Area ◽

Eastern Redcedar ◽

Large Numbers ◽

Suitability Index ◽

Provenance Test ◽

Natural Stands

Abstract Eastern redcedar and Rocky Mountain juniper are the two most commonly planted conifers east of the Black Hills in South Dakota. They are also planted in large numbers throughout the rest of the Great Plains. Despite their widespread use, practical genetic information for these species is limited. A regional provenance test of 118 eastern redcedar and 26 Rocky Mountain juniper sources was established in eastern South Dakota in 1980 to address this problem. Eastern redcedar exhibited better combinations of traits, with greater height growth, larger crown spread, a wider branch angle, and a stronger tendency toward producing a single terminal leader than Rocky Mountain juniper. Based on a windbreak suitability index the best performing seedlots collected from natural stands were all eastern redcedar from a large area of the central Great Plains. These results indicate that eastern redcedar should be favored over Rocky Mountain juniper for planting in eastern South Dakota. Sources of eastern redcedar south of central Kansas should be avoided. North. J. Appl. For. 5:129-132, June 1988.

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