Long-term differential stem growth responses in mature eastern white pine following release from competition

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 511-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eddie Bevilacqua ◽  
David Puttock ◽  
Terence J Blake ◽  
Darwin Burgess
Keyword(s):  
Volume Growth ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
White Pine ◽  
Eastern White Pine ◽  
Stem Form ◽  
Allocation Pattern ◽  
Growth Allocation ◽  
Canopy Position ◽  
Volume Increment

The magnitude and duration of the growth response in residual trees following silvicultural release treatments are measures used to assess the success of silvicultural practices. Eighty-eight eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) trees, representing three different dominance classes, were sampled destructively from stands from a single study site that included areas of both unharvested (control) and silvicultural release treatments. The study area consisted of several pine mixedwood stands with understory white pine growing in association with an overstory of predominantly intolerant hardwoods. Annual height, diameter, basal area, stem and sawtimber volume increment, pattern of stem increment allocation along the bole, stem form, and height–diameter ratio were reconstructed over a postrelease period of 23 years using detailed stem analysis. Within 3 years of release, white pine in all dominance classes showed significant increases in diameter, basal area, and volume increment compared with control trees. Differences in the volume increment between released and control trees varied with canopy position, with emergent trees showing the greatest increased volume growth, followed by dominant and intermediate classes, respectively. A temporary shift in the growth allocation pattern along the bole varied depending on crown class, suggesting a period of growth adjustment during which trees are acclimating to changes in resource availability and wind exposure. The shift in growth allocation contributed to increased stem taper, resulting in decreased form class and height–diameter ratios in the released trees.

Response of Eastern White Pine to Nitrogen Fertilization

1991 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-85
Author(s):  
Robert K. Shephard ◽  
Gregory A. Reams ◽  
Ronald C. Lemin
Keyword(s):  
Volume Growth ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
White Pine ◽  
Eastern White Pine ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
Volume Response ◽  
Pine Stands ◽  
Area Response

Abstract Plots were established in nine eastern white pine stands; six on outwash soils and three on till soils. Nitrogen was applied to the plots at rates of 0, 50, 100, and 200 lb/ac. Four-year growth response functions for basal area/ac and merchantable cubic ft volume/ac were developed. Basal area growth was 9.2 ft²/ac greater and volume growth was 235 ft³/ac greater on the till soils compared with the outwash soils, regardless of application rate Both basal area and volume growth increased as basal area/ac increased. Maximum basal area response, 5.7 ft²/ac, and maximum volume response, 198 ft³/ac, was estimated to occur at an application rate of approximately 160 lb of nitrogen/ac, with incremental response being greater at lower application rates. Fertilization at a rate of approximately 100 lb of nitrogen/ac appears to be a cost effective practice for many white pine stands. North. J. Appl. For. 8(2):83-85.

Influences of paper birch competition on growth of understory white spruce and subalpine fir following spacing

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (10) ◽  
pp. 1962-1973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip G Comeau ◽  
Jian R Wang ◽  
Tony Letchford
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Volume Growth ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Light Transmittance ◽  
Height Increment ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Volume Increment ◽  
Paper Birch

Five years after spacing a young, 11 m tall paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) stand, we examine relationships between growth of understory white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss), subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.), and level of birch retention. Our objectives were to evaluate the effectiveness of selected measures of competition for estimating the effects of the residual birch and to evaluate the influence of residual birch densities on growth responses of naturally regenerated subalpine fir and white spruce. Basal area of Scouler willow (Salix scouler iana Barratt) and birch were found to effectively predict light transmittance (diffuse noninterceptance). The best models for predicting 4-year volume growth of subalpine fir and white spruce incorporate initial crown volume of the subject trees and transmittance as independent variables. Lorimer's index and Hegyi's index gave similar results to those obtained using basal area and transmittance, suggesting that there is little benefit in including measurements of proximity in a competition index. For both species, the correlation between basal area increment and light was substantially stronger than observed for volume increment. However, height increment of both subalpine fir and spruce was only weakly correlated with measured light levels. The ratio of height increment to volume increment decreased with both increasing initial height and transmittance for subalpine fir and white spruce.

Thinning Eastern White Pine in the Southern Appalachians

1981 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-73
Author(s):  
Lino Della-Bianca
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Volume Growth ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Pinus Strobus ◽  
Southern Appalachians ◽  
White Pine ◽  
Eastern White Pine ◽  
Growth Trends

Abstract Standing volumes and 80-year growth trends and yields are given for three eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) study plots in the Old Orchard Plantation at Biltmore, North Carolina. The site 71 plot was thinned seven times and its yield compared with two unthinned plots, one each on site 75 and site 56. Site strongly influenced stand densities, average stand diameters, and stand volumes. Results showed that on site 71 at age 75 a heavy thinning from 184 to 126 ft²/A of basal area appreciably increased diameter and volume growth of eastern white pine. Between age 72 and 80, ingrowth on site 56 substantially contributed to board-foot yield.

Growth Responses of Northern Hardwoods to Fertilization

1979 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 597-604
Author(s):  
R. Lea ◽  
W. C. Tierson ◽  
A. L. Leaf
Keyword(s):  
New York State ◽  
Volume Growth ◽  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Fagus Grandifolia ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Growth Data ◽  
Stem Form ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract A 70-year-old thinned Fagus-Betula-Acer stand in the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York State was fertilized with varying amounts and combinations of N, P, K, and dolomitic limestone in the spring of 1976. Betula alleghaniensis, Acer saccharum, Acer rubrum, and Fagus grandifolia growth data were obtained for two growing seasons after fertilization. Comparisons were made within species and among treatments, expressed as basal area and cross-sectional area (at 5.27 m height) growth, specific volume growth, and stem form ratio. The overall results indicate that 275 kg/ha N significantly increases radial growth with minor responses to 138 kg/ha P and lime. Potassium additions, on the whole, did not significantly alter growth rates, and individually fertilized trees grew slightly more than trees receiving entire plot applications. No changes in stem form induced by fertilization have been detected. Forest Sci. 25:597-604.

Effects of Crown Thinning on Baldcypress Height, Diameter, and Volume Growth

1988 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 252-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen G. Dicke ◽  
John R. Toliver
Keyword(s):  
Volume Growth ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Taxodium Distichum ◽  
Volume Increment ◽  
Crown Thinning ◽  
Epicormic Branching

Abstract Crown thinning a 63-year-old stand of baldcypress (Taxodium distichum [L.] Rich.) averaging 220 ft²/ac of basal area to 180, 140, and 100 ft²/ac resulted in 5-year diameter growths of 0.44, 0.51, and 0.77 in., respectively. The unthinned control was significantly less at 0.31 in. Six-year height growth averaged 3.1 ft and was not influenced by treatment. Thinning to 140 and 100 ft²/ac stimulated epicormic branching on many trees, which may lower log quality. All crown thinning treatments appeared to increase sawtimber volume increment and sawtimber volume/ac over the control 5 years after thinning. South. J. Appl. For. 12(4):252-256.

Fertilization of Established Southern Pine Stands: Effects of Single and Split Nitrogen Treatments

1993 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 135-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric J. Jokela ◽  
Stephen C. Stearns-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Volume Growth ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Pinus Elliottii ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Southern Pine ◽  
N Application ◽  
Pine Stands ◽  
Pinus Taeda L ◽  
Nitrogen Treatments

Abstract Data from six fertilizer trials established in semimature southern pine stands (five slash pine, Pinus elliottii Engelm. var. elliottii; one loblolly pine, Pinus taeda L.) were analyzed to determine the efficacy of single vs. split fertilizer treatments. Both fertilizer treatments supplied an elemental equivalent of 200 lb nitrogen (N)/ac and 50 lb phosphorus (P)/ac; however, the first treatment was delivered as a single dose, and the second treatment was a split N application (i.e., 50 lb N and 50 lb P/ac (initial); 150 lb N/ac (2 yr later). Cumulative responses of fertilized plots were still significantly greater than the controls in five trials after 8 yr and averaged 43% (15.7 ft²/ac) and 39% (607 ft³/ac) for basal area and stand volume growth, respectively. In general, no significant differences in either the magnitude or duration of response were detected between the single and split N fertilizer treatments. This suggests that delaying a portion of the N application for 2 yr will not diminish the level of growth responses attained. Therefore, land managers have flexibility in using either application method when implementing midrotation fertilizer prescriptions. South. J. Appl. For. 17(3):135-138.

Different nitrogen sources for fertilizing western hemlock in western Washington

1984 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Radwan ◽  
D. S. DeBell ◽  
S. R. Webster ◽  
S. P. Gessel
Keyword(s):  
Forest Floor ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Volume Growth ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Total N ◽  
Area Growth ◽  
Western Washington

Effects of different sources of fertilizer N on selected chemical characteristics of soils and foliage, and on growth of western hemlock (Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) were compared at three different sites in western Washington. Treatments were the following: untreated control (O), ammonium nitrate (AN), ammonium sulfate (AS), calcium nitrate (CN), urea (U), and urea – ammonium sulfate (US). Fertilizers were applied in the spring (April–May) at 224 kg N/ha. Forest floor and mineral soil, to a depth of 5 cm, and foliage were sampled periodically for 2 years. Height and diameter of selected trees were measured periodically for 4 years. Results are reported mostly for two sites, one in the Cascade Range and one in the coastal zone in western Washington. The pH of forest floor and mineral soil varied by treatment, and the two urea fertilizers caused substantial initial rise. Effects on soil and foliar nutrients varied by fertilizer, sampling date, and location. In general, all fertilizers increased NH4 N, N03 N, and total N in the forest floor and mineral soil, and total N in the foliage. Also, with some exceptions, especially with foliar P in the Cascade site, fertilization reduced foliar content of important nutrients. At the Cascade site, 4-year growth responses in height, basal area, and volume averaged over all fertilizers were 30, 34, and 32%, respectively. AN, AS, CN, and urea resulted in height growth significantly (P < 0.20) higher than that of the control. Significant basal area growth and volume-growth responses were produced by AN, CN, and US. No significant height-growth response to any fertilizer occurred in the coastal stand; basal area growth and volume-growth responses averaged 27 and 21%, respectively, and best response occurred with urea. These results suggest that the low and inconsistent response of hemlock to N fertilization cannot be improved by applying some N fertilizer other than urea. Factors limiting response to N fertilization may be associated with availability of native N and other nutrients or other characteristics of hemlock sites and stands.

Effects of chronic ammonium sulfate treatment on basal area increment in red spruce and sugar maple at the Bear Brook Watershed in Maine

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 862-869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Alexander Elvir ◽  
G Bruce Wiersma ◽  
Alan S White ◽  
Ivan J Fernandez
Keyword(s):  
Ammonium Sulfate ◽  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Basal Area Increment ◽  
Internal Stresses ◽  
Ice Storm ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Growth Allocation

Responses in basal area increment (BAI) of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) to chronic ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) treatment were examined at the Bear Brook Watershed in Maine. The Bear Brook Watershed is a pair-watershed forest ecosystem study with West Bear watershed treated with (NH4)2SO4 at a rate of 1800 equiv.·ha–1·year–1 since 1989, while East Bear watershed serves as a reference. Following 10 years of treatment, BAI was significantly higher for sugar maple trees growing in the treated watershed, with yearly increases relative to the reference watershed ranging from 13% in 1999 to 104% in 1996. The increase in sugar maple radial growth was attributed to a fertilization effect from the (NH4)2SO4 treatment. A reduction in BAI in sugar maple growing in the treated watershed observed in 1998 and 1999 was attributed to internal stresses and growth allocation to crown recovery after the severe 1998 ice storm. Red spruce showed no BAI growth responses to the treatment. Lower foliar Mg and Ca concentrations in red spruce in the treated watershed and lower soil responses to N enrichment in treated softwood stands compared with treated hardwood stands could explain the lack of BAI response in red spruce.

Growth response of young, thinned Douglas-fir stands to nitrogen fertilizer in relation to soil properties and tree nutrition

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 1684-1688 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Hopmans ◽  
H.N. Chappell
Keyword(s):  
Basal Area ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Relative Volume ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Total N ◽  
Soil Variables ◽  
Volume Increment ◽  
Area And Volume

Application of 224 kg N/ha to young, thinned stands of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) at 35 sites in western Oregon and Washington significantly increased basal area and volume increment over 8 years following treatment. However, response varied considerably between sites, and relative volume increment exceeded 10% at only 19 of the 35 sites. Response to applied N was evaluated in relation to forest floor and soil variables as well as to levels of N in foliage. Relative responses in basal area and volume were significantly correlated with total N concentration and the C/N ratio of the soil. However, these relationships explained only part (18–22%) of the observed variation in response. In contrast, relative response was strongly correlated with the level of N in the foliage of nonfertilized trees at 11 sites, accounting for 94% of the variation between sites. Use of foliar N data clearly has potential to predict growth responses to N fertilization of young thinned Douglas-fir stands, although further work is needed to test the relationship for a wider range of sites and stands.

scholarly journals Practical Extension of a Lake States Tree Height Model

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 186-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Don C. Bragg
Keyword(s):  
Basal Area ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Individual Response ◽  
White Pine ◽  
Eastern White Pine ◽  
Tree Model ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Height Model

Abstract By adapting data from national and state champion lists and the predictions of an existing height model, an exponential function was developed to improve tree height estimation. As a case study, comparisons between the original and redesigned model were made with eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.). For example, the heights predicted by the new design varied by centimeters from the original until the pines were more than 25 cm dbh, after which the differences increased notably. On a very good site (50-year base age site index [SI50] = 27.4 m) at the upper end of the range of basal area (BA; 68.9 m2/ha) for the region, the redesigned model predicted a champion-sized eastern white pine (actual measurements: 97.0 cm dbh, 50.9 m tall) to be 51.3 m tall, compared with 38.8 m using the original formulation under the same conditions. The NORTHWDS Individual Response Model (NIRM) individual tree model further highlighted the influence of these differences with long-term simulations of eastern white pine height. On a moderate site (SI50 = 18.7 m) with intermediate (BA = 15 m2/ha) stand density, NIRM results show that the original model consistently predicts heights to be 20–30% lower for mature white pine.

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