"Black Bark" Ponderosa Pine: Tree Grade Definition and Value Comparison with Old-Growth Trees

1994 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Willits
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Control Sample ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Pine Tree ◽  
Common Grade ◽  
Small Diameter Trees ◽  
Crown Characteristics ◽  
Eastern Washington

Abstract A ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) tree grade has been developed to separate lower value, small-diameter trees typical of young-growth stands from small-diameter old-growth trees. The tree grade uses a combination of bark, limb, and crown characteristics to identify the "black bark," trees. The tree grade was tested in two shop type mills and one dimension mill in southern Oregon and eastern Washington. Significant differences in value were found between the sample of black bark pine and the grade 5 control sample. Differences in value increased with diameter because of increased opportunities to recover high-quality lumber from the larger old-growth trees. The dimension mill recovered more lumber volume from the smaller diameter logs because of fewer sawlines and smaller rough-green sizes. Even though the shop mills recovered lower volumes, they did recover higher value by producing Shop and Common grade lumber rather than standard Dimension grades. Overall the differences compensated for each other, and both mill types recovered roughly equal value from logs of similar grade and size. West. J. Appl. For. 9(1): 8-13.

Fine root growth and mortality in different-aged ponderosa pine stands

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 1797-1806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris P. Andersen ◽  
Donald L. Phillips ◽  
Paul T. Rygiewicz ◽  
Marjorie J. Storm
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Standing Crop ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Pine Stands

Root minirhizotron tubes were installed at two sites around three different age classes of ponderosa pine ( Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) to follow patterns of fine root (≤2 mm diameter) dynamics during a 4 year study. Both sites were old-growth forests until 1978, when one site was clear-cut and allowed to regenerate naturally. The other site had both intermediate-aged trees (50–60 years) and old-growth trees (>250 years old). Estimates of fine root standing crop were greatest around young trees and least around intermediate-aged trees. Root production was highly synchronized in all age classes, showing a single peak in late May – early June each year. Root production and mortality were proportional to standing root crop (biomass), suggesting that allocation to new root growth was proportional to root density regardless of tree age. The turnover index (mortality/maximum standing crop) varied from 0.62 to 0.89·year–1, indicating root life spans in excess of 1 year. It appears that young ponderosa pine stands have greater rates of fine root production than older stands but lose more fine roots each year through mortality. The results indicate that soil carbon may accumulate faster in younger than in older stands.

Response of ground-dwelling spider assemblages to prescribed fire following stand structure manipulation in the southern Cascade RangeThis article is one of a selection of papers from the Special Forum on Ecological Studies in Interior Ponderosa Pine — First Findings from Blacks Mountain Interdisciplinary Research.

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 969-980 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy E. Gillette ◽  
Richard S. Vetter ◽  
Sylvia R. Mori ◽  
Carline R. Rudolph ◽  
Dessa R. Welty
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Prescribed Fire ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Growth Characteristics ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Low Diversity ◽  
High Diversity

We assessed spider (Arachnida: Araneae) responses to prescribed fire following stand structure treatments in ponderosa pine ( Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex P. & C. Laws.) stands in the Cascade Range of California. Stands were logged or left untreated to create three levels of structural diversity. We logged one treatment to minimize old-growth characteristics (low diversity) and one to enhance old-growth characteristics (high diversity) and we used unlogged Research Natural Areas (RNAs) as old-growth, highest-diversity reference stands. We conducted low-intensity prescribed fire on half of each plot following harvest. Spider assemblages in unburned, logged stands were similar to one another but diverged from those in RNAs, with increased abundance, species richness, and diversity in more structurally diverse stands. Prescribed fire, which altered habitat in the organic soil layer where many spiders forage, resulted in altered spider assemblages and population declines in most plots. Fire generally reduced spider species richness, evenness, and diversity. Several taxa were potential indicators of fire and old-growth structure, and we discovered one species and one genus that were previously unknown. There was evidence that old-growth characteristics intensified the effects of fire on spider abundance. This outcome probably results from the deep litter layers in high-diversity stands and RNAs, which constituted greater fuel loads than low-diversity stands.

Manufacture of laminated strand veneer (LSV) composite. Part 1: Optimization and characterization of thin strand veneers

Holzforschung ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shilo W. Weight ◽  
Vikram Yadama
Keyword(s):  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Phenol Formaldehyde ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Parent Material ◽  
Modulus Of Rupture ◽  
Formaldehyde Resin ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Platen Temperature

Abstract The forest resources are changing due to fire prevention and depletion of old growth forest. Applications for small-diameter juvenile timber, especially for low-value species, such as ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) are needed. In this study, a novel thin wood strand composite of P. ponderosa, 3.2 mm thick, is introduced as a veneer substitute. Optimization was performed for the processing parameters phenol formaldehyde resin content, platen temperature, and the aspect ratio strand length to thickness (L/t). Mean modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture values of 10.2 GPa and 79.1 MPa, respectively, were obtained with the optimized formulation (5.5% resin, platen temperature 152°C, and aspect ratio of 430). These values were approximately 2–2.5 times higher than the parent small-diameter ponderosa pine lumber. The results indicate that fast-growing low-density species – such as hybrid poplars, or small-diameter timber with predominantly juvenile wood – could potentially be used to manufacture strand veneers of consistent quality with significantly higher strength and stiffness than parent material.

Effects of fuel characteristics on ember generation characteristics at branch-scales

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 941 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler R. Hudson ◽  
David L. Blunck
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Quercus Alba ◽  
White Oak ◽  
Western Juniper ◽  
Crossflow Velocity ◽  
Fuel Characteristics ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Significant Factors

Spot fires caused by lofted embers (i.e. firebrands) can be a significant factor in the spread of wildfires. Embers can be especially dangerous near the wildland–urban interface (WUI) because of the potential for the fire to be spread near or on structures. This work sought to identify how ember generation changes for different fuel characteristics and environmental conditions. Samples were burned in a heated wind tunnel and the time required for the ember(s) to form was measured using a DSLR camera. A factorial analysis of variance was used to determine the sensitivity of the time to generation to species, diameter, moisture content, fuel condition (i.e. dowel v. natural sample), crossflow temperature and crossflow velocity. Four fuel species were evaluated: Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and white oak (Quercus alba). The diameter of the samples had the greatest effect on the time to generation and the fuel species had the second greatest effect. The small diameter samples were relatively insensitive to changes in other parameters. Natural samples required significantly longer time than dowels to generate an ember. These conclusions suggest that fuel morphology is one of the most significant factors influencing ember generation.

scholarly journals A note on the ecology and management of old-growth forests in the Montane Cordillera

2003 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 441-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
André Arsenault
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Natural Disturbance ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Old Growth Forests

The Montane Cordillera ecozone that spans British Columbia's central and southern interior and a portion of southwestern Alberta contains the greatest variety of old-growth coniferous forest types in Canada. The diverse climates of this region, which include some of the driest, warmest, wettest, and coldest found in southern continental Canada, have directly contributed to the richness of old forest types. Associated with this range in climatic conditions are radically different natural disturbance regimes that have profoundly influenced the distribution, abundance, and structural characteristics of old-growth forests. Old forests tend to be more abundant and to contain more old-growth-dependent organisms in wetter climates. The high number of old-growth-dependent epiphytic lichens in old inland rainforests is a clear expression of this phenomenon. Conversely, old forests are much less abundant in dry landscapes. These forests, often dominated by Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa P. Laws. ex C. Laws.) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), have been subject to more frequent natural disturbances, and have been more profoundly influenced by human activities. Although fewer species appear to be dependent on old growth in dry forests, a number of them require certain old-growth structural attributes for their survival. A better understanding of the ecological characteristics of the old-growth forests of Canada's Montane Cordillera will assist in developing informed land-use decisions. Key words: old-growth forest, Montane Cordillera, natural disturbance, landscape ecology and management

The dendroclimatic signal in Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine tree-ring chronologies from the southern Canadian Cordillera

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 1858-1874 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Watson ◽  
Brian H Luckman
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Summer Precipitation ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Drought Severity ◽  
Canadian Cordillera ◽  
Pine Tree

A network of 53 ring-width chronologies has been developed from low-elevation stands of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, n = 40) and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex P. & C. Laws., n = 13) in the southern Canadian Cordillera. Relationships between the chronologies and monthly, seasonal, and annualized climatic parameters (precipitation, temperature, and Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI)) were investigated using correlation analyses. The results indicate that tree growth at the sites is most strongly related to water availability during the growing season months. Although the response of the two species is similar, Douglas-fir show a slightly stronger correlation with seasonalized precipitation for the prior year and early summer whereas ponderosa pine correlate most strongly with current year and late (July) summer precipitation. Maximum correlations for both species occur with annual precipitation totals. The precipitation signal is slightly weaker in the more northerly Douglas-fir chronologies in British Columbia and the higher elevation sites in southwestern Alberta. Correlations with available PDSI records are generally comparable with those from precipitation variables, but the limited number of PDSI records and the availability of more proximal and better correlated precipitation records indicated that annual (summer–summer) precipitation totals provide the best possibilities to develop regional, moisture-related proxy climate records from these data. Analysis of earlywood and latewood chronologies for 28 sites (mainly Douglas-fir) indicates that earlywood width is most consistently and strongly correlated with precipitation in the previous summer (July and August), and latewood width is more strongly related to precipitation in the current summer (June and July). The results of these analyses demonstrate considerable potential for reconstructing annual (and (or) summer) precipitation for sites across the region.

scholarly journals Processing Value of Small-Diameter Sawtimber at Conventional Stud Sawmills and Modern High-Speed, Small-Log Sawmills in the Western United States—A Comparison

2000 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 208-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis G. Wagner ◽  
Carl E. Fiedler ◽  
Charles E. Keegan
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Fire Suppression ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Selective Logging ◽  
Western United States ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
Delivery Costs

Abstract Past selective logging of early successional species [e.g., ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)] and effective fire suppression have dramatically altered forest composition and health over millions of acres in the western United States. Implementation of ecological restoration treatments to address these conditions will produce large volumes of small-diameter sawtimber for processing. Since sawmills currently process a majority of sawtimber harvested in the West (more than 80% in some regions), this study concentrated on determining the value of small-diameter sawtimber delivered to sawmills. A conventional stud sawmill and a modern, high-speed, small-log sawmill were profiled. A simulator (MSUSP) was employed to describe these sawmills and to determine breakeven delivered-sawtimber values by dbh class for each sawmill. Data inputs included machinery type, mill layout, machine speeds, volume and grade recovery, product prices, and fixed and variable manufacturing costs. Results showed that sawtimber 9 in. dbh and under could not cover harvest and delivery costs and earn even a modest (10%) return on invested (ROI) capital at the conventional stud sawmill and that sawtimber 7.5 in. dbh and smaller had negative values. However with a 10% ROI capital, the value of all sizes of sawtimber at the modern, high-speed sawmill equaled or exceeded harvest and delivery costs. West. J. Appl. For. 15(4):208–212.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Physical Barriers to Protect Ponderosa Pine Seedlings from Pocket Gophers

1999 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 164-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Pipas ◽  
Gary W. Witmer
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Seedling Mortality ◽  
Pocket Gophers ◽  
Thomomys Talpoides ◽  
Pine Seedlings ◽  
Physical Barriers ◽  
Growth Of Seedlings ◽  
Medium Weight ◽  
Better Than

Abstract A 2 yr study on the Rogue River and Mt. Hood National Forests in Oregon evaluated physical barriers for protection of Pinus ponderosa seedlings against damage by Thomomys talpoides. Seedlings protected with one of three weights of: (1) plastic mesh tubing (Vexar®) or (2) sandpapertubing (Durite®) were evaluated against control seedlings. On the Rogue River sites, Vexar® seedlings had the highest survival (62.6%), followed by the controls (59.1%), then Durite® seedlings (17.9%). Gophers were the primary cause of death for the Vexar® seedlings, versus desiccation for the Durite® seedlings. On the Mt. Hood sites, heavyweight Vexar® seedlings had the highest survival (35.4%), medium-weight Durite® seedlings the lowest (2.7%). Seedling mortality caused by gophers was highest for controls (70.2%), followed by light-weight (62.2%) and heavy-weight (53.9%) Vexar® treatments. Overall survival was low (Rogue River = 42%, Mt. Hood = 19.8%). Growth was greatest for the control seedlings but only significantly greater than growth of Durite® seedlings on the Rogue River sites. Growth of seedlings was not compromised by the Vexar® tubing. Although neither type of tubing was highly protective, Vexar® tubes performed better than Durite® tubes. West. J. Appl. For. 14(3):164-168.

scholarly journals Germination, Establishment, and Mortality of Naturally Seeded Southwestern Ponderosa Pine

2003 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven J. Stein ◽  
Diana N. Kimberling
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Mortality Factors ◽  
Seedling Mortality ◽  
Prescribed Burns ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Northern Arizona ◽  
Lepidopteran Larvae

Abstract Information on the mortality factors affecting naturally seeded conifer seedlings is becoming increasingly important to forest managers for both economic and ecological reasons. Mortality factors affecting ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) seedlings immediately following natural germination and through the following year were monitored in Northern Arizona. The four major mortality factors in temporal order included the failure of roots to establish in the soil (27%), herbivory by lepidopteran larvae (28%), desiccation (30%), and winterkill (10%). These mortality factors were compared among seedlings germinating in three different overstory densities and an experimental water treatment. Seedlings that were experimentally watered experienced greater mortality than natural seedlings due to herbivory (40%), nearly as much mortality due to the failure of roots to establish in the soil (20%), less mortality due to winterkill (5%), and no mortality due to desiccation. The seedling mortality data through time were summarized using survivorship curves and life tables. Our results suggest that managers should consider using prescribed burns to decrease the percentage of seedlings that die from failure of their roots to reach mineral soil and from attack by lepidopteran larvae. West. J. Appl. For. 18(2):109–114.

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