Stand growth responses after fertilization for thinned lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir, and spruce in forests of interior British Columbia, Canada

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (11) ◽  
pp. 1471-1482
Author(s):  
Woongsoon Jang ◽  
Bianca N.I. Eskelson ◽  
Louise de Montigny ◽  
Catherine A. Bealle Statland ◽  
Derek F. Sattler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Picea Sitchensis ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Growth Responses

This study was conducted to quantify growth responses of three major commercial conifer species (lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon var. latifolia Engelm. ex S. Watson), interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco), and spruce (white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) and hybrid spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex. Engelm. × Picea glauca (Moench) Voss × Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carrière))) to various fertilizer blends in interior British Columbia, Canada. Over 25 years, growth-response data were repeatedly collected across 46 installations. The fertilizer blends were classified into three groups: nitrogen only; nitrogen and sulfur combined; and nitrogen, sulfur, and boron combined. The growth responses for stand volume, basal area, and top height were calculated through absolute and relative growth rate ratios relative to a controlled group. Fertilizer blend, inverse years since fertilization, site index, stand density at fertilization, and their interactions with the fertilizer blend were used as explanatory variables. The magnitude and significance of volume and basal area growth responses to fertilization differed by species, fertilizer-blend groups, and stand-condition variables (i.e., site index and stand density). In contrast, the response in top height growth did not differ among fertilization blends, with the exception of the nitrogen and sulfur fertilizer subgroup for lodgepole pine. The models developed in this study will be incorporated into the current growth and yield fertilization module (i.e., Table Interpolation Program for Stand Yields (TIPSY)), thereby supporting guidance of fertilization applications in interior forests in British Columbia.

scholarly journals Eighteen-year growth responses to thinning and fertilization of a height-repressed lodgepole pine stand in interior British Columbia

2019 ◽  
Vol 95 (03) ◽  
pp. 207-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy Prescott ◽  
Louise deMontigny ◽  
George Harper
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Yield Model ◽  
Timber Supply ◽  
Wild Fires

Challenges to the mid-term timber supply in interior British Columbia resulting from losses to insect outbreaks and wild-fires have prompted interest in silvicultural interventions to hasten growth of regenerating forests, including high-density(overstocked), height-repressed stands of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.). A trialwas established in a dense (4000 to 30 000 trees ha-1) 36-year-old wildfire-origin pine stand in the Cariboo-Chilcotinregion of interior BC to assess the efficacy of thinning, fertilization and a combination of the two treatments for improv-ing tree growth and stand development. Height and diameter of the 36 crop trees in each plot was greater in fertilizedplots then control plots for six years following fertilization, while the height and diameter responses to thinning and thin-ning + fertilization were sustained throughout the 18-year measurement period. Cumulative basal area and volumegrowth of crop trees and all stand trees over the 18-year period was significantly greater in thinned and thinned + fertil-ized treatments than control plots. Projections based on the TASS growth and yield model suggested that total stand vol-umes in thinned plots would surpass that of the control at age 74 and would surpass that of the fertilized treatment at 89years. Unthinned stands (i.e., control and fertilized treatments), did not accumulate significant merchantable volume; inthinned stands (i.e., thinned and thinned + fertilized treatments), the minimum harvest criteria of 80 m3 ha-1 for pine-leading stands in this region was reached at age 102 years. Repeated fertilization would be needed to further hasten standdevelopment. The potential long-term benefits of these silvicultural interventions for timber supply must be weighedagainst treatment costs and risks of mortality related to wildfire, insects and disease. These results highlight the value oflong-term research trials for informing silviculture decisions.

Postthinning growth and yield of row-thinned and selectively thinned loblolly and slash pine plantations

1989 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 247-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. C. Baldwin Jr. ◽  
D. P. Feduccia ◽  
J. D. Haywood
Keyword(s):  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Slash Pine ◽  
Pine Plantations ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Diameter Increment ◽  
Study Results

This study compared growth responses in planted loblolly pine (Pinustaeda L.) and slash pine (P. elliottii Engelm.) stands thinned by using three row-felling methods and at the same density levels, three selective felling methods. The study plots were in six plantations, aged 15–22 years, located in central Louisiana. Growth was measured 5 and 10 years after plot installation. Site index varied from 19.5 to 31.7 m (base age 50) and initial planting densities ranged from 1993 to 2989 trees/ha. Study results show there will likely be less diameter increment and less net basal area and cubic-metre volume per unit area growth and yield, and the growth will be in smaller-sized trees, if row thinning is used rather than selective thinning from below. These differences will probably be greater in slash pine plantations than in loblolly pine plantations.

Comparison of lodgepole pine yield tables

1987 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 1110-1114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan J. Thomson
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Iterative Solution ◽  
Variable Density ◽  
Productivity Index ◽  
Stand Development ◽  
Quadratic Mean ◽  
Solution Of Equations

Iterative solution of equations from Johnstone's variable-density yield tables for lodgepole pine permitted estimates of stand development index (DI) and productivity index (PI) from the volume, quadratic mean of diameter at breast height, basal area, or dominant–condominant height associated with a particular stand density at a particular age. Using such estimates, the yield tables of Smithers were compared with those of Johnstone. PI values associated with each of Smithers' site indices were calculated for British Columbia and Alberta. Results suggested that Johnstone's equations could be used in lodgepole pine stands in both British Columbia and Alberta, for PI values from 0.7 to 1.2, for densities up to 2500 stems acre−1 at age 70, and for ages up to 120. This considerably extends the range of application of these equations.

scholarly journals Simulating Multiaged Coast Redwood Stand Development: Interactions between Regeneration, Structure, and Productivity

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
John-Pascal Berrill ◽  
Kevin L. O'Hara
Keyword(s):  
Stand Structure ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Stand Development ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Coast Redwood ◽  
Stand Growth ◽  
Upper Limit

Abstract Multiaged management regimes and harvesting scenarios were simulated in coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens [D. Don.] Endl.) stands using models of stand growth and yield (CRYPTOS) and stocking assessment (redwood MASAM). Various stocking and age-class combinations were modeled on site index 100 and 130 ft (50 years). Results demonstrated how the number of cohorts, upper limit of stocking, and cohort densities affected growth and yield. Board foot volume increment reached a plateau in stands with a prescribed upper limit of stocking above leaf area index 7.2 to 8.6. Productivity did not differ between stands with two to five cohorts producing the same tree size at harvest. It was affected by stand structure when a cutting cycle of 20 years was prescribed in stands with three to five cohorts. Stands with the same density returned to the upper limit of stocking much sooner on better sites. Prolonging the cutting cycle by reducing stand density resulted in larger tree sizes at harvest and greater productivity. The growth of trees remaining after cutting 10–50% of stand basal area and growth of new stump sprouts were also simulated. Stands quickly returned to preharvest stocking after light cutting, implying that heavy or frequent light cutting is needed to sustain growth and vigor of regeneration in multiaged coast redwood stands.

scholarly journals RELATIVE QUALITY OF THE MAJOR FOREST ASSOCIATIONS OF THE SOUTHERN B.C. INTERIOR FOR GROWTH OF LODGEPOLE PINE, ENGELMANN SPRUCE, DOUGLAS-FIR AND ALPINE FIR

1966 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 306-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter Stanek
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Common Occurrence ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Relative Quality

Height growth of lodgepole pine, Engelmann spruce, Douglas-fir and alpine fir was investigated in the Douglas-fir and Engelmann Spruce-Alpine Fir Zones of the Interior of British Columbia. In the same forest association each species has a characteristic site index at the age of 100 years (SI/100). Regression equations were calculated for predicting SI/100 of several species in different associations. Regression equations were also developed for estimating SI/100 of Engelmann spruce, Douglas-fir and alpine fir from known SI/100 of lodgepole pine. The latter species was selected because of its common occurrence in the two zones. In addition regression equation was calculated for predicting SI/100 of lodgepole pine from known SI/100 of Engelmann spruce. All regression equations apply to naturally established stands in the study area.

Effects of Species Mixtures and Inventory Zones on Net Yields of British Columbia Forests

1982 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Harry G. Smith ◽  
Richard C. Yang
Keyword(s):  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Species Mixtures ◽  
Term Field

A least squares procedure developed to determine statistical significance of both qualitative and quantitative data was applied to find proportions of plots and amounts of wood yield by species mixtures and inventory zones. For 9 781 plots in Douglas-fir, spruce, and lodgepole pine forest types, sample volumes were highest in mixtures of these species with other conifers. However, small differences in age, site index, and stand density could account for much of the variation. When stand volumes were brought to common levels of age, site and density the need to recognize species composition classes and forest inventory zones diminished.If indicated gains from mixtures were real, stand managers could easily improve density of pure stands to exceed the increased yields indicated for conifer mixtures with Interior Douglas-fir (20.4%) and with lodgepole pine (3.4%). Because our analyses of regional inventories could not provide conclusive results, well designed long-term field trials would be needed to evaluate effects of species mixtures under fully comparable conditions.When stand density is used with age and site index to estimate yields there should be no need to recognize inventory zones within Coast and Interior races of the species tested.

Annual rates and elemental concentrations of litter fall in thinned and fertilized Douglas-fir

1991 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 1601-1615 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Trofymow ◽  
H. J. Barclay ◽  
K. M. McCullough
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Ammonium Nitrate ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilization ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Control Plot ◽  
Annual Rate ◽  
Litter Fall ◽  
Elemental Concentrations

Overstory litter fall, primarily needles, was collected for 15 years within control and treated plots in a stand of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) located near Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia. Treated plots were thinned or fertilized, or both; thinned plots had two-thirds of their basal area removed, fertilized plots were treated with 448 kg N•ha−1 of either urea or ammonium nitrate, and half the fertilized plots were refertifized at the same rate 9 years later. The annual rate of litter fall in control plots averaged 1890 kg•ha−1. In control plots significant yearly variations were observed in litter-fall mass and concentrations of K, Mg, and Ca but not N or P. Thinning decreased rates of litter fall by 80%, but rates returned to control-plot levels after 13–15 years in unfertilized plots and after 8–10 years in fertilized plots. Fertilization without thinning depressed litter fall in the year of treatment but increased the rate by 20–80% in subsequent years. Litter-fall N concentrations increased by 40–80% the year of fertilization and then began declining 3–6 years later. Nitrogen fertilization reduced litter-fall P, K, and Mg concentrations for 8, 4, and 1 year(s), respectively, following fertilization. The effects were greater in ammonium nitrate plots than in urea plots. Rates of litter fall correlated poorly with stand density but well with basal area and stemwood increment. Correlations with the latter two variables varied with time and treatment.

Predicted impacts of hard pine stem rusts on lodgepole pine dominated stands in central British Columbia

2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 476-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex J Woods ◽  
Albert Nussbaum ◽  
Bill Golding
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Volume Loss ◽  
Annual Increment ◽  
Yield Model ◽  
Blister Rust ◽  
Pine Trees

We developed two models to predict volume loss due to western gall rust (Endocronartium harknessii (J.P. Moore) Y. Hiratsuka) and comandra blister rust (Cronartium comandrae Peck) on juvenile lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.) dominated stands in central British Columbia. The models suggest that volume loss is significantly and positively correlated to the incidence of comandra blister rust. The relationship between volume loss and western gall rust incidence was weak. The addition of stand density data improved the statistical fit of the model. We used the growth and yield model Tree and stand simulator (TASS) to predict volume at culmination age (age at which the merchantable mean annual increment was maximized) in thirty 1-ha stem-mapped stands. The lodgepole pine trees we stem mapped were also assessed for hard pine stem rust incidence. We developed our volume loss functions assuming that trees with stem infections of both comandra blister rust and western gall rust were lethal, and that infected trees would die from ages 21 to 40. In areas where comandra blister rust is common, the losses due to the disease can be considerable. We predict that the volume losses due to hard pine stem rusts in lodgepole pine dominated stands are as high as 7.2% by culmination age.

scholarly journals Growth of Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, and ponderosa pine seedlings underplanted in a partially-cut, dry Douglas-fir stand in south-central British Columbia

2006 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 723-732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Vyse ◽  
Christine Ferguson ◽  
Suzanne W Simard ◽  
Tamaki Kano ◽  
Pasi Puttonen
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Light Level ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
South Central

The effects of partial cutting on seedling growth of three conifer species were studied at a very dry, hot interior Douglas-fir site near Kamloops, British Columbia. Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.), and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex. P. & C. Laws.) seedlings were planted in mechanically prepared 50 cm × 50 cm patches under different canopy conditions created by harvesting 60% of the original stand volume. The prepared areas were selected to represent canopy closures from open to closed, slopes from 0 to 60%, and all aspects. After six years, survival of Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine and ponderosa pine was 78%, 76% and 70%, respectively. Light level had a strong influence on survival and condition. Growth of all species increased linearly with light, and was greatest for lodgepole pine, followed by ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir. Multiple regression analysis showed that six-year seedling size was most significantly affected by total light, and only occasionally by aspect, slope, or crown closure. The best models explained 53%, 47% and 42% of the variation in diameter of lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, and Douglas-fir, respectively. Natural abundance 13C was positively correlated with light and soil moisture availability, reflecting higher photosynthetic capacity of all species in the wetter, open canopy conditions. Patterns in isotopic discrimination also indicated greater water use efficiency of Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine than lodgepole pine under low light conditions. Underplanting stands thinned to a basal area of less than 15m2 per ha offers a solution to regeneration difficulties on hot, dry Interior Douglas-fir sites. Key words: partial cutting, Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, light, soil moisture, 13C, growth, survival, Opax Mountain Silvicultural Systems Project

Preliminary DRIS norms for coastal Douglas-fir soils in Washington and Oregon

1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.S. Shumway ◽  
H.N. Chappell
Keyword(s):  
Basal Area ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Soil Test ◽  
Fertilizer Response ◽  
Response Data ◽  
Limiting Nutrient ◽  
Diagnostic Work

The Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) has been used successfully in agricultural crops and holds promise for use in forest stands. This study used soil tests to develop DRIS norms and evaluate their effectiveness in coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) forests. DRIS norms for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium were developed using soil test and site index data from 72 soil series that commonly support Douglas-fir in western Washington. The norms were tested using soil test and stand basal area growth response data from 20 thinned and 30 unthinned N fertilizer test sites in coastal Washington and Oregon. Response to urea fertilizer in thinned stands averaged 34% and 43% for 224 and 448 kg N•ha−1, respectively, when N was identified as the most limiting nutrient. When N was not the most limiting nutrient, N response averaged 8% and 10% for 224 and 448 kg N•ha−1, respectively. Results were similar in unthinned stands and thinned stands, although response to fertilizer appeared to be slightly less in unthinned stands when N was the most limiting nutrient. DRIS correctly classified 25 of the 33 sites (76%) where N fertilizer increased growth by more than 15%. More importantly, 13 of the 17 (76%) sites that responded by less than 15% were correctly identified by DRIS. The results clearly indicate that N fertilizer response is dependent on the interactions (balance) between soil nutrients at a given site. Future soil diagnostic work needs to focus on techniques, like DRIS, that provide an assessment of these interactions.

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