The effect of mechanical site preparation on ectomycorrhizae of planted white spruce seedlings in conifer-dominated boreal mixedwood forest

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 2072-2079 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lance W. Lazaruk ◽  
S. Ellen Macdonald ◽  
Gavin Kernaghan
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Untreated Control ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Organic Layer ◽  
Root Tips ◽  
Mechanical Site Preparation ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Mixed Treatment ◽  
Boreal Mixedwood Forest

We characterized the ectomycorrhizae (ECM) of planted white spruce ( Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) seedlings as affected by mechanical site preparation (MSP) of clear-cut conifer-dominated boreal mixedwood forest. Relative abundance, richness, and composition of the ECM community were compared among untreated control, mixed, mounded, and scalped site preparation treatments. On >11 000 root tips, we observed 16 ECM morphotypes. Those common to the nursery in which the seedlings were raised were most abundant ( Thelephora americana , Wilcoxina -like (E-strain), Amphinema byssoides , Phialocephala -like (MRA)). Seedlings in the untreated controls had lower abundances of these, but higher abundances of other ECM, which were not present in the nursery of origin but were indigenous to these forest stands. In terms of ECM composition, the “mixed” treatment was most similar to the untreated control, while the “scalped” and “mound” treatments showed significantly different ECM communities than the controls. Our results suggest that MSP may facilitate continued dominance by ECM that establish on seedlings in the nursery while slowing the natural succession towards the natural forest ECM. MSP treatments that leave some surface organic matter relatively intact may impact ECM less than those that remove or bury the organic layer.

scholarly journals White spruce establishment in two boreal Ontario mixedwoods: 13-year results

2003 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-131
Author(s):  
R F Sutton ◽  
T P Weldon
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Untreated Control ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Mechanical Site Preparation ◽  
Treatment Performance ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Control Growth ◽  
Herbicide Treatments

An experiment to investigate techniques for establishing white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss) in boreal Ontario mixedwood was begun in 1985 in Oates Twp. Eight 25-tree plots were established in each of nine treatments: three mechanical site preparation treatments (none, disk- trenching, and toothed-blading) in combination with three kinds of chemical weed control (none, Velpar L® at the time of planting, and Vision® during the second growing season). The experiment was repeated the following year in the adjacent township of Oswald. The mechanical treatments were applied as planned, but the herbicide treatments deviated somewhat from the plan. Fifth-year results were reported in this journal in 1995. In the eighth growing season, a ground-spray release treatment with Vision® was applied to four randomly selected 25-tree plots in each original treatment. Performance of white spruce after 13 growing seasons was significantly influenced by site preparation: survival averaged 65 and 79% without release in the blading and trenching treatments, respectively, and 22% in the untreated control; with release, survival averaged 74 and 80% in the blading and trenching treatments, respectively, and 24% in the untreated control. Growth was greatest in the bladed treatment, poorest by far in the untreated control. The ineffectiveness of herbicides in these experiments is surprising in view of successes elsewhere. The modest response to release was significant for 13th -year increment. Key words: site preparation, toothed blading, trenching, release

White spruce establishment in boreal Ontario mixedwood: 5-year results

1995 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 633-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. F. Sutton ◽  
T. P. Weldon
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Relative Effectiveness ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Mechanical Site Preparation ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Silvicultural Treatments ◽  
Block Experiment

Five-year results of a study to evaluate the relative effectiveness of nine silvicultural treatments for establishing plantations of white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss) in boreal Ontario mixed-wood are presented. The experimental design provided three levels of mechanical site preparation (none, disk trenching, and toothed-blading) in all combinations with three kinds of chemical weed control (none, Velpar L© at the time of planting, and Vision© during the second growing season). A randomized block experiment using 0.8-ha plots and two replications was established in Oates Twp. in 1985 and repeated in adjacent Oswald Twp. in 1986. Bareroot white spruce was planted throughout. Four 25-tree sub-plots, located systematically from a random start, were established in each plot. White spruce performance was monitored for five years. Fifth-year survival rates averaged 34% and 84% without and with mechanical site preparation, respectively. Mean total heights after five growing seasons differed significantly (P < 0.01) by category of mechanical site preparation: teeth > trencher > none. Other criteria of performance showed the same pattern. Because of operational exigencies, the herbicide treatments were not applied as scheduled, which might account for the apparent ineffectiveness of those treatments in the particular circumstances of this study. Key words: Site preparation, disk trencher, Young's teeth, herbicides

White spruce artificial regeneration options on river floodplains in interior Alaska

1991 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 423-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew P. Youngblood ◽  
John C. Zasada
Keyword(s):  
White Spruce ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Artificial Regeneration ◽  
Basal Diameter ◽  
Cutting Method ◽  
Mechanical Site Preparation ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
River Floodplains ◽  
Interior Alaska

Reforestation options for artificial regeneration of white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss) were tested on three floodplain sites near Fairbanks, Alaska. Survival of containerized seedlings after outplanting was above 96%, regardless of harvest cutting method or mechanical site preparation, and declined little between the third and fifth growing seasons. Establishment and survival after direct seeding on seed spots was more variable and differed by harvest cutting method, by type of site preparation, and by the use of plastic seed shelters for seedling protection. Maximum terminal leader growth, seedling total height, and basal diameter were found on planted seedlings in clear-cut units on the better site. In clear-cut units prepared by blading on one site, basal diameter of seedlings five seasons after outplanting was almost 50% more than on similar surfaces in shelterwood units. Planted seedlings on unscarified surfaces and in small scalped patches generally had similar basal diameters. Results suggested that similar interior Alaska floodplain forests of white spruce can be successfully regenerated by using the clear-cutting harvest method and planting nursery-reared seedlings without mechanical site preparation.

Fungal colonization of aspen roots following mechanical site preparation

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (12) ◽  
pp. 2372-2379 ◽  
Author(s):  
J M Pankuch ◽  
P V Blenis ◽  
V J Lieffers ◽  
K I Mallett
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Fungal Colonization ◽  
Preparation Technique ◽  
Mechanical Site Preparation ◽  
Armillaria Ostoyae ◽  
Root Tissues

Fungal colonization of aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) roots was examined in boreal mixedwood sites that were mechanically site prepared 8–10 years earlier for white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) regeneration using disc trenchers or ripper plows. A survey of root wounds determined that Armillaria sinapina Bérubé & Dessureault and Armillaria ostoyae (Romagn.) Herink were both wound pathogens of aspen; however, A. sinapina was more frequently associated with wounds than was A. ostoyae. Armillaria ostoyae was more common on unwounded root tissues. Sixty percent of wounds infected by A. sinapina were not compartmentalized and the likelihood of an A. sinapina infection did not increase with increasing wound size. Pathogenic fungi other than Armillaria were rarely associated with root wounds. Sever wounds were associated with furrows; scrape wounds were located both along and between furrows irrespective of the site-preparation technique (ripper plow vs. disk trencher).

Twenty year responses of white spruce to mechanical site preparation and early chemical release in the boreal region of northeastern British Columbia

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 2386-2399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob O Boateng ◽  
Jean L Heineman ◽  
John McClarnon ◽  
Lorne Bedford
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Mechanical Site Preparation ◽  
Chemical Release ◽  
Early Results ◽  
Stock Type ◽  
Survival And Growth

The effects of six mechanical site preparation treatments, two stock-type treatments, and early chemical release on survival and growth of planted white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) were studied in the BWBSmw1 biogeoclimatic zone of northeastern British Columbia. After 20 years, spruce height and diameter were larger in all mounding treatments than in the control. Early results suggested better spruce performance on large than small mounds, but after 20 years, growth was equally good on small mounds as on mounds with 20 cm mineral capping. Spruce planted on hinge positions in the Bräcke patch and blade scarification treatments did not survive or grow well. Early chemical release improved spruce growth equally as well as the mounding treatments. Twenty year spruce survival averaged 71% in the 14 and 20 cm mound treatments, 60% in the early chemical release treatment, and ≤35% in the Bräcke patch and blade scarification treatments. A large stock type was also planted in untreated ground and, after 20 years, had similar survival and growth as the standard stock type. Differences in survival had a large effect on basal area at age 20 years. Trend analysis showed that treatments diverged into two distinct groups with regard to spruce size during the 20 year span of the study.

scholarly journals Four-year-performance of oak and pine seedlings following mechanical site preparation with lightweight excavators

Silva Fennica ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noé Dumas ◽  
Mathieu Dassot ◽  
Jonathan Pitaud ◽  
Jérôme Piat ◽  
Lucie Arnaudet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Untreated Control ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Pinus Nigra ◽  
Quercus Petraea ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Pteridium Aquilinum ◽  
Preparation Methods ◽  
Basal Diameter ◽  
Mechanical Site Preparation

Mechanical site preparation methods that used tools mounted on lightweight excavators and that provided localised intensive preparation were tested in eight experimental sites across France where the vegetation was dominated either by (L.) Moench or (L.) Kuhn. Two lightweight tools (Deep Scarifier: DS; Deep Scarifier followed by Multifunction Subsoiler: DS+MS) were tested in pine ( L., var. (Loudon) Hyl. or Aiton) and oak ( (Matt.) Liebl. or  L.) plantations. Regional methods commonly used locally (herbicide, disk harrow, mouldboard plow) and experimental methods (repeated herbicide application; untreated control) were used as references in the experiments. Neighbouring vegetation cover, seedling survival, height and basal diameter were assessed over three to five years after plantation. For pines growing in , seedling diameter after four years was 37% and 98% greater in DS and DS+MS, respectively, than in the untreated control. For pines growing in , it was 62% and 107% greater in the same treatments. For oak, diameter was only 4% and 15% greater in , and 13% and 25% greater in , in the same treatments. For pines, the survival rate after four years was 26% and 32% higher in and 64% and 70% higher in , in the same treatments. For oak, it was 3% and 29% higher in and 37% and 31% higher in . Herbicide, when applied for three or four years after planting, provided the best growth performances for pines growing in and and for oaks growing in . For these species and site combinations, DS+MS and DS treatments reduced the neighbouring vegetation cover for one to four years following site preparation.Molinia caeruleaPteridium aquilinumPinus sylvestrisPinus nigracorsicanaPinus pinasterQuercus petraeaQuercus roburM. caeruleaP. aquilinumM. caeruleaP. aquilinumM. caeruleaP. aquilinumM. caeruleaP. aquilinumM. caerulea P. aquilinumP. aquilinum

Pre-dispersal seed predation of white spruce cones in logged boreal mixedwood forest

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Peters ◽  
Stan Boutin ◽  
Ellen Macdonald
Keyword(s):  
Seed Predation ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Tree Crowns ◽  
Tree Retention ◽  
Boreal Mixedwood Forest ◽  
Mixedwood Boreal Forest

Predation of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) cones by red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus Erxleben) was quantified in the mixedwood boreal forest of Alberta in cutblocks with seed tree retention and in adjacent uncut forest, during 3 years with varying levels of cone crop (1998, 1999, 2000). Percent cone loss was quantified by comparison of paired pre- and post-caching photographs of tree crowns. Cone loss from seed trees in cutblocks was significantly lower than from control trees in adjacent uncut forest (48.5 vs. 54.9%). Although the number of cones produced per tree declined by 42% and the percentage of trees producing cones declined by approximately 48% between 1998 and 2000, there was no corresponding increase in the percentage of cones harvested by squirrels. Percent cone loss was significantly lower from single seed trees in cutblocks, as compared with seed trees left in patches of more than 20 trees (33.4 vs. 50.5%). Cone predation significantly reduced the amount of seed available for natural regeneration using a seed tree system. Although blowdown may be reduced if seed trees are left in patches, leaving white spruce seed trees as singles in cutblocks may reduce the level of cone predation.

Survival and growth response of white spruce stock types to site preparation in Alaska

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 793-809 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Youngblood ◽  
Elizabeth Cole ◽  
Michael Newton
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Herbicide Application ◽  
Preparation Methods ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
Stock Types ◽  
Bare Root

To identify suitable methods for reforestation, we evaluated the interacting effects of past disturbance, stock types, and site preparation treatments on white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) seedling survival and growth across a range of sites in Alaska. Replicated experiments were established in five regions. At each site, two complete installations differed in time since disturbance: “new” units were harvested immediately before spring planting and “old” units were harvested at least 3 years before planting. We compared mechanical scarification before planting, broadcast herbicide application during the fall before planting, and no site preparation with 1-year-old container-grown seedlings from two sources, 2-year-old bare-root transplants from two sources, and 3-year-old bare-root transplants. Seedlings were followed for 11 years on most sites. Based on meta-analyses, seedling survival increased 10% with herbicide application and 15% with mechanical scarification compared with no site preparation. Scarification and herbicide application increased seedling height by about 28% and 35%, respectively, and increased seedling volume by about 86% and 195%, respectively, compared with no site preparation. Soil temperature did not differ among site preparation methods after the first 7 years. Results suggest that white spruce stands may be successfully restored through a combination of vegetation control and use of quality planting stock.

Regenerating white spruce, paper birch, and willow in south-central Alaska

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 993-1001 ◽  
Author(s):  
E C Cole ◽  
M Newton ◽  
A Youngblood
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Volume Growth ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Stem Volume ◽  
Dendroctonus Rufipennis ◽  
Relative Growth Rates ◽  
South Central ◽  
Interior Alaska ◽  
Paper Birch

The current spruce bark beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis Kirby) epidemic in interior Alaska is leaving large expanses of dead spruce with little spruce regeneration. Many of these areas are habitat for moose (Alces alces). To establish spruce regeneration and improve browse production for moose, paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh), willow (Salix spp.), and three stocktypes (plug+1 bareroot, and 1+0 plugs from two nurseries) of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) were planted in freshly cutover areas on Fort Richardson, near Anchorage. Four vegetation-management treatments were compared: broadcast site preparation with herbicides, banded site preparation with herbicides, mechanical scarification, and untreated control. Spruce seedlings had the greatest growth in the broadcast site preparation treatment (p < 0.01). Stocktype was the most important factor in spruce growth, with bareroot transplant seedlings being the tallest and largest 5 years after planting (p < 0.001). In the first 3 years, relative stem volume growth was greater for plug seedlings than for bareroot seedlings (p < 0.001). By year 4, relative growth rates were similar among all stocktypes. Treatment effects for paper birch and willow were confounded by moose browsing. Results indicate spruce can be regenerated and moose browse enhanced simultaneously in forests in interior Alaska.

scholarly journals A partial deciduous canopy, coupled with site preparation, produces excellent growth of planted white spruce

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 270-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor J. Lieffers ◽  
Derek Sidders ◽  
Tim Keddy ◽  
Kevin A. Solarik ◽  
Peter Blenis
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
High Speed ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Stem Volume ◽  
Soil Mixing ◽  
Excellent Growth ◽  
Total Growth ◽  
Best Estimates

Survival and growth of planted white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) were assessed at year 15 in boreal mixedwood stands of northern Alberta, Canada, in stands that were deciduous-dominated prior to logging or were conifer-dominated. Three overstory retention levels (0%, 50%, and 75% retention) and four site preparation treatments (mound, high speed mix, scalp, and no treatment) were evaluated. In deciduous-dominated stands, planted spruce performed best in the 50% retention; here, stem volume was at least double that of any other retention treatment after 15 years. In contrast, spruce had reduced growth in coniferous-dominated stands in both 50% and 75% retention treatments compared with the 0% retention. Survival of planted spruce was unaffected by level of retention, but survival was lower in coniferous-dominated stands than in deciduous-dominated stands; in the coniferous-dominated stands, survival was better with mounding and mixing and lowest with scalp treatments. All height variables tended to be greater in the mix and mound site preparation treatments. Finally, the best estimates of future total growth (regenerated spruce and deciduous combined) in the coniferous-dominated stands were in the clearcut treatment. In terms of regenerated spruce growth, the best estimates occurred in the deciduous-dominated – 50% retention stand planted with soil mixing–mounding treatments, where projected growth of spruce was comparable with that of open-grown and tended stands in Alberta’s boreal forests.

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