Compatible diameter and height increment models for lodgepole pine, trembling aspen, and white spruce

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 180-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thompson K. Nunifu
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Volume Growth ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Stem Density ◽  
Average Height ◽  
Height Increment ◽  
Trembling Aspen ◽  
Diameter Increment

In this study, compatible height and diameter increment models were fitted for lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.), trembling aspen ( Populus tremuloides Michx.), and white spruce ( Picea glauca (Moench) Voss), using the relationship between diameter and height growth. It was assumed that tree diameter increment is directly proportional to height increment, and the proportionality constant is a function of competition and site productivity. The results showed that the fit statistics are comparable with results of other studies, with adjusted R2 ranging from 30% to 50%. A validation test of the models, using independent permanent sample plots data, showed that the short-term predictions of the models for both pure and mixedwood stands are fairly unbiased. The models also gave reasonable average height growth and diameter growth trajectories for pure stands of the three species and also projected long-term mixedwood (aspen – white spruce mixture) volume growth dynamics reasonably well. The models also projected reasonably well (i) the effect of increasing initial stem density on average diameter and height, and (ii) the stand volume compared with an older version the Mixedwood Growth Model (ver. 2000A). It was concluded that explicitly linking tree height and diameter increment models does not only have a solid ecological basis, but it also results in a compatible prediction of tree growth and stand dynamics.

Age structure and growth of understory white spruce under aspen

1996 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1002-1007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor J. Lieffers ◽  
Kenneth J. Stadt ◽  
Stan Navratil
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Height Increment ◽  
Stem Analysis ◽  
Diameter Increment ◽  
Understory Trees ◽  
Normal Forest

Juvenile white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss) under an aspen (Populustremuloides Michx.) overstory were studied in nine boreal mixedwood stands in west-central Alberta. In each stand, 50 understory white spruce were cut for stem analysis at ground level, 30, 70, 130 cm, and every 100 cm to tree height. In four stands, recruitment of these understory spruce occurred immediately after the disturbance, while in others the recruitment was delayed several decades. The period of recruitment was as short as 15–20 years or continued for decades, producing an uneven-aged understory. Trees initiated on rotten logs had a slightly lower initial annual diameter increment but did not differ in height growth compared with those initiated on normal forest floor. The annual height increment increased as the trees grew in height, presumably as they overtopped successive layers of shading vegetation. When seedlings were less than 30 cm tall they grew less than 10 cm per year, but attained growth rates of 30 cm per year or more when they were taller than 230 cm. Height growth rates for these understory trees were comparable to reported growth rates of white spruce of similar size and age from clearcut areas.

scholarly journals In-woods chipping: Possible evidence for allelochemical interaction of leachate generated from trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) bark and wood waste

2001 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 345-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy S. S. Conlin
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Trembling Aspen ◽  
Regenerative Capacity ◽  
Wood Residue ◽  
Calamagrostis Canadensis ◽  
Paper Birch ◽  
Tree Length

A portable delimber-debarker-chipper, designed for in-woods chipping operations, was used to produce waste bark and wood residue from winter-harvested tree-length trembling aspen logs. The residue was then utilized to create leachate, which was subsequently used to treat white spruce, lodgepole pine, paper birch, aspen and Calamagrostis canadensis seedlings grown in sand-filled pots. Treatment with the leachate significantly decreased height growth and shoot and root dry weights of all species relative to the control treatment. Root: shoot ratios of all tree species except lodgepole pine were increased significantly by application of leachate. The root: shoot ratios of treated C. canadensis were significantly increased during one season, but significantly reduced in the following season. The data indicated that leachate from aspen bark and wood residue contain allelochemical properties that could affect the regenerative capacity of aspen cutblocks harvested for in-woods chipping operations. Key words: aspen, leachate, allelochemistry, Populus tremuloides, in-woods chipping

scholarly journals Taper Equations for Five Major Commercial Tree Species in Manitoba, Canada

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 163-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan J. Klos ◽  
G. Geoff Wang ◽  
Qing-Lai Dang ◽  
Ed W. East
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Pinus Banksiana ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Volume Estimation ◽  
Trembling Aspen ◽  
Stem Form ◽  
Taper Equation ◽  
Taper Equations

Abstract Kozak's variable exponent taper equation was fitted for balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera L.), trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss), black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] B.S.P.), and jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) in Manitoba. Stem taper variability between two ecozones (i.e., Boreal Shield and Boreal Plains) were tested using the F-test. Regional differences were observed for trembling aspen, white spruce, and jack pine, and for those species, separate ecozone-specific taper equations were developed. However, the gross total volume estimates using the ecozone-specific equations were different from those of the provincial equations by only 2 percent. Although the regional difference in stem form was marginal within a province, a difference of approximately 7 percent of gross total volume estimation was found when our provincial taper equations were compared with those developed in Alberta and Saskatchewan. These results suggest that stem form variation increases with spatial scale and that a single taper equation for each species may be sufficient for each province.

Within-tree patterns of wood stiffness for white spruce (Picea glauca) and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides)

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 162-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek F. Sattler ◽  
Philip G. Comeau ◽  
Alexis Achim
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Radial Growth ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Vertical Position ◽  
Trembling Aspen ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Cambial Age ◽  
Rate Of Increase

Radial patterns of modulus of elasticity (MOE) were examined for white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) and trembling aspen (Populus tremuoides Michx.) from 19 mature, uneven-aged stands in the boreal mixedwood region of northern Alberta, Canada. The main objectives were to (1) evaluate the relationship between pith-to-bark changes in MOE and cambial age or distance from pith; (2) develop species-specific models to predict pith-to-bark changes in MOE; and (3) to test the influences of radial growth, relative vertical height, and tree slenderness (tree height/DBH) on MOE. For both species, cambial age was selected as the best explanatory variable with which to build pith-to-bark models of MOE. For white spruce and trembling aspen, the final nonlinear mixed-effect models indicated that an augmented rate of increase in MOE occurred with increasing vertical position within the tree. For white spruce trees, radial growth and slenderness were found to positively influence maximum estimated MOE. For trembling aspen, there was no apparent effect of vertical position or radial growth on maximum MOE. The results shed light on potential drivers of radial patterns of MOE and will be useful in guiding silvicultural prescriptions.

scholarly journals Effects of pH and Mineral Nutrition on Growth and Physiological Responses of Trembling Aspen (Populus tremuloides), Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana), and White Spruce (Picea glauca) Seedlings in Sand Culture

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 682
Author(s):  
Feng Xu ◽  
Maryamsadat Vaziriyeganeh ◽  
Janusz J. Zwiazek
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Pinus Banksiana ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Net Photosynthesis ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Sand Culture ◽  
Plant Responses ◽  
Trembling Aspen ◽  
High Ph

Responses of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides), jack pine (Pinus banksiana), and white spruce (Picea glauca) seedlings to root zone pH ranging from 5 to 9 were studied in sand culture in the presence of two mineral nutrition levels. After eight weeks of treatments, effects of pH on plant dry weights varied between the plant species and were relatively minor in white spruce. Higher nutrient supply significantly increased dry weights only in trembling aspen subjected to pH 5 treatment. There was little effect of pH and nutrition level on net photosynthesis and transpiration rates in white spruce and jack pine, but net photosynthesis markedly declined in aspen at high pH. Chlorophyll concentrations in young foliage decreased the most in trembling aspen and jack pine. The effects of high pH treatments on the concentrations of Mg, P, Ca, Mn, Zn, and Fe in young foliage varied between the plant species with no significant decreases of Fe and Zn recorded in trembling aspen and white spruce, respectively. This was in contrast to earlier reports from the studies carried out in hydroponic culture. The sand culture system that we developed could be a more suitable alternative to hydroponics to study plant responses to pH in the root zone. Plant responses to high pH appear to involve complex events with a likely contribution of nutritional effects and altered water transport processes.

Dynamics of regeneration gaps following harvest of aspen stands

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 1818-1833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel A MacIsaac ◽  
Philip G Comeau ◽  
S Ellen Macdonald
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Heterogeneity ◽  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Natural Disturbance ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Deciduous Trees ◽  
Trembling Aspen ◽  
Calamagrostis Canadensis ◽  
Edaphic Conditions ◽  
Over Time

This study assessed the dynamics of gap development in postharvest regeneration in five stands in northwestern Alberta dominated by trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.). The pattern of gap development over time was determined from analysis of air photographs taken preharvest and 1, 4, 10, and 12 years postharvest. The area of each stand covered by gaps increased after harvest because of the addition of harvest-related gaps over and above those that had been present prior to harvest. The blocks we studied had a combined gap area of up to 29% of stand area 12 years postharvest. We measured regeneration characteristics, microsite, soil, light, and browse conditions in 30 aspen regeneration gaps (gaps in regeneration that were not gaps preharvest and were not due to obvious harvest-related disturbance) 14 years following harvest. Although deciduous trees within postharvest regeneration gaps were the same age as those outside (i.e., in a fully stocked matrix of newly established even-aged aspen stems), they were often suppressed, with significantly lower density and growth. Within the 14-year-old postharvest regenerating aspen stands, aspen height varied from 1 to 11 m; this substantial variability appeared to be largely due to the influence of browsing. There was little evidence of ongoing regeneration within postharvest regeneration gaps, indicating that these gaps will probably persist over time. This may impact future deciduous stocking and volume. It is unknown what may have initiated the formation of these gaps, although results suggest that they are not due to edaphic conditions or disease in the preharvest stands. There is evidence that bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis (Michx.) Beauv.) cover and browsing are important factors in the maintenance of postharvest regeneration gaps. The spatial heterogeneity resulting from gaps could be advantageous, however, either as part of ecosystem-based management emulating natural disturbance or as a template for mixedwood management, where white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) are established in gaps.

Influence of feeding damage by small mammals on tree growth and wood quality in young lodgepole pine

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 799-809 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas P. Sullivan ◽  
Harry Coates ◽  
Les A. Jozsa ◽  
Paul K. Diggle
Keyword(s):  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Wood Quality ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Diameter Increment ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Small Diameter Trees ◽  
Severe Degree ◽  
The Impact

This study assessed the impact of feeding injuries by snowshoe hare (Lepusamericanus Erxleben) and red squirrel (Tamiasciurushudsonicus Erxleben) on diameter growth, height growth, and wood quality of juvenile lodgepole pine (Pinuscontorta Dougl. var latifolia Engelm.) at Prince George and in the Cariboo Region, British Columbia. In the Prince George control stand, severe girdling damage (50–99% stem circumference) suppressed diameter and height growth of small-diameter (4.1–6.0 cm) trees, but had no effect on larger stems (6.1–8.0 cm). In the spaced stand, diameter and height increments also declined significantly with degree of partial girdling, particularly in small-diameter (3.1–5.0 cm) trees. Paradoxically, diameter increment increased significantly with degree of partial girdling in both stands at the Cariboo study area. Presumably squirrels prefer to feed on vigorous stems, and the lost growth of these trees may be substantial. There was no significant difference in amount of compression wood nor total solvent and water extractives between undamaged and damaged trees. Fiber lengths in wound-associated wood were consistently 19–21% lower than in controls. Damaged trees had greater average ring width and density than undamaged trees. The average increase in relative density of damaged over undamaged trees was 0.0343. These results suggest that a severe degree of partial girdling (which likely occurs more often in small-diameter trees) may significantly affect growth of lodgepole pine, particularly small (<5.0 cm DBH) trees.

Effects of stock type and site preparation on growth to crown closure of white spruce and lodgepole pine

1989 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 262-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan J. Thomson ◽  
Robert G. McMinn
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Average Height ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Stock Type ◽  
Stock Types ◽  
Average Size ◽  
Crown Closure

Growth of white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss) and lodgepole pine (Pinuscontorta Dougl.) seedlings was studied on six installations, each containing different stock types and site-preparation treatments. Stock types included styroplugs from different cavity sizes, bare-root stock, and transplant stock; site preparations included no treatment, scalping, inverting, and mixing. Fertilizer was also used in combination with some of these treatments on some installations. Site-preparation treatments that gave some degree of vegetation control generally led to higher growth rates, but there was considerable variability among and within installations. The slope of the linear relationship of height versus age up to 10 years gave an estimate of early growth which was suitable for comparing treatments, whereas average height increment in a later measurement period gave a better estimate of growth for projection purposes. A normal distribution of growth rates around a mean for a particular stock type and site-preparation method was used in conjunction with height–dbh and crown width–dbh relationships to project growth of trees to crown closure, assuming different densities. The age at crown closure depended on both growth rate and density, and average size at crown closure depended primarily on density.

Modeling density-related Iodgepole pine height growth, using Czarnowski's stand dynamics theory

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (12) ◽  
pp. 2499-2506 ◽  
Author(s):  
C J Cieszewski ◽  
I.E. Bella
Keyword(s):  
Growth Model ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Annual Growth ◽  
Stand Dynamics ◽  
Height Increment ◽  
Density Dependent ◽  
Permanent Sample Plots ◽  
Breast Height ◽  
Variable Site

This paper presents a new density-dependent height-growth model for lodgepole pine (Pinuscontorta var. latifolia Engelm.) in Alberta. It predicts stand top height growth as a function of present top height, breast height age, and density. The model is an extension of Czarnowski's stand dynamics theory, using an iterative height increment model with variable site and density components. Using 946 annual growth periods from permanent sample plots, the calibration shows a good fit and simulates reasonable values, even beyond the database.

How well can we select undamaged site trees for estimating site index?

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (12) ◽  
pp. 1989-1992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon D Nigh ◽  
Bobby A Love
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Sufficient Data ◽  
Terminal Bud ◽  
Pine Trees ◽  
Unbiased Estimates

The best estimates of site index, an indicator of site productivity, are obtained from site trees. Undamaged site trees should be sampled to obtain unbiased estimates of site index. Two juvenile height growth modelling projects provided us with sufficient data to assess our ability to select undamaged lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia Dougl.) and white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) site trees. The sample trees were split open to measure height growth from the terminal bud scars. Splitting the stems also revealed damage that was not visible from the outside of the tree. Over 50% of the lodgepole pine trees and 75% of the white spruce trees had damage, which was much higher than expected. Possible causes of damage are frost and insects. The damage does not significantly reduce the height of the spruce trees, but there is evidence that the heights of the lodgepole pine trees are reduced.

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