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.

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.

Examining 40-year stand development following vegetation control: white spruce planted in a trembling aspen dominated cutover

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 728-739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L. Fleming ◽  
Allister D. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Stand Development ◽  
Trembling Aspen ◽  
Herbicide Application ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Mechanical Site Preparation ◽  
Age Shift

Many of the major questions regarding stand establishment practices involve implications for longer-term ecosystem development. We examined 41-year treatment effects on stand composition and dynamics using a white spruce ( Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) planting, mechanical site preparation (MSP) – herbicide (2,4-D plus 2,4,5-T) trial in a trembling aspen ( Populus tremuloides Michx.) dominated mixedwood. Both barrel and blade MSP with planting increased total and white spruce year 41 stand-level biomass over that in untreated areas. Year 2 herbicide application reduced year 41 trembling aspen biomass without substantially increasing that of white spruce, resulting in total yields similar to those in untreated areas. Barrel MSP increased year 41 trembling aspen biomass over that of untreated areas whereas blade MSP reduced it. Herbicide-related declines in trembling aspen biomass persisted or increased with time whereas white spruce response to herbicide varied with time and MSP. By accounting for inherent growth patterns, age shift calculations gave more balanced temporal depictions of planted white spruce response than effect size or percentage gain calculations. With barrel MSP, stand composition demonstrated a degree of mixedwood homeostasis whereas with blading, trembling aspen composition declined unilaterally from year 20 to 41.

Establishment of white spruce and black spruce in Boreal Ontario: Effects of chemical site preparation and post-planting weed control

1993 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 554-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E Wood ◽  
F. W. von Althen
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Chemical Release ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
The Difference

Five-year results of a field experiment to evaluate the effects of vegetation control either before or after planting on the performance of planted white spruce (Piceaglauca [Moench] Voss) and black spruce (P. mariana [Mill.] B.S.P.) transplants and black spruce containerized seedlings are reported. Annual vegetation control with and without chemical site preparation significantly (P < 0.05) improved height growth, ground-level stem diameter, and health of the planted seedlings. Survival and seedling growth were significantly (P < 0.05) higher with chemical site preparation than with chemical release in August of the year after planting. From the beginning of June to the first half of August, soil temperatures were higher in the plots with no competing vegetation than in the control plots. The difference in temperature reached a maximum of 5 °C at 5 cm of depth and 4 °C at 12 cm of depth. Key words: black spruce, chemical site preparation, glyphosate, growth response, Picea glauca, Picea mariana, release, tending, vegetation management, weed control, white spruce

Effects of overtopping on growth of white spruce in Alaska

2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (9) ◽  
pp. 861-871 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.C. Cole ◽  
M. Newton ◽  
A. Youngblood
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Volume Growth ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Maximum Growth ◽  
Hardwood Species ◽  
Stock Types ◽  
Bare Root

Early establishment of competing vegetation often presents an obstacle to the success of planted white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) seedlings. We followed growth and development of white spruce and associated vegetation for up to 17 years in Alaska’s boreal forests to quantify roles of overtopping plant cover in suppressing conifers. The three study areas represented a range of site conditions of varying productivity and species of competing cover, different site preparation and release treatments, and different bare-root and container white spruce stock types. Herbaceous overtopping peaked early after planting and decreased as white spruce were able to outgrow competitors. Overtopping by shrubs and hardwoods, especially aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and resin birch (Betula neoalaskana Sarg.) peaked somewhat later than herbaceous overtopping and decreased over time for most sites and treatments. In a model that combined all sites, vegetation management treatments, and years, overtopping and previous year’s volume explained approximately 85% of the variation in volume growth. Increasing the size of planting stock helped reduce overtopping, hence suppression, even in treatments dominated by hardwood species. Results suggested that control of overtopping was essential for maximum growth and long-term or increasing levels of overtopping severely suppressed white spruce seedling growth.

Effects of climate on growth of lodgepole pine and white spruce following site preparation and its implications in a changing climate

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 180-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Cortini ◽  
Philip G. Comeau ◽  
Jacob O. Boateng ◽  
Lorne Bedford ◽  
John McClarnon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Climate Variables ◽  
Boreal Zone ◽  
Vegetation Control

Site preparation and vegetation control can be used to mitigate climate change effects on early plantation growth in boreal forests. In this study, we explored growth of lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) and white spruce ( Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) in relation to climate and site preparation using 20 years of data collected from studies in British Columbia. Results indicate that up to 45% of the variation in spruce growth and up to 37% of the variation in pine growth over this 20-year period can be explained by selected climatic variables. Monthly climate variables showed a stronger relationship to conifer growth than seasonal and annual variables. Climate variables related to the preceding year accounted for more than half of the variables in the final equations, indicating a lagged response in conifer growth. Future projections indicated that height growth of young lodgepole pine plantations in the sub-boreal zone could benefit (in the short term) from longer growing seasons by up to 12% on untreated stands. Untreated young white spruce plantations in the boreal zone may suffer height growth decreases of up to 10% due to increased drought stress. Vegetation control and mechanical site preparation treatments appear to mitigate effects of climate change to some extent.

scholarly journals Vegetation Management Improves Early Growth of White Spruce More Than Mechanical Site Preparation Treatments

2006 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Macadam ◽  
Richard Kabzems
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Soil Density ◽  
Vegetation Control

Abstract The Inga Lake trial was one of a series of site preparation trials established in the northern interior of British Columbia during the 1980s to determine effective means of establishing conifer plantations on sites with severe vegetation competition and unfavorable soil conditions. Vegetation control, burned windrows, high-speed mixing, bedding plow, breaking plow, and disk trenching treatments were evaluated on a site with high brush potential, relatively dense soils, and average nutrient availability. This article summarizes impacts of treatments on soil density, soil chemical properties, and tree nutrition 5, 10, and 15 years after treatments and on the growth of planted white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss) after 15 growing seasons. Mixing, bedding plow, and disk trenching treatments decreased soil density and improved nutrient availability relative to no treatment, and effects were still significant after 15 years. Soil carbon and nitrogen increased substantially over time in treatments where there was a vigorous re-establishment of the plant community after disturbance. Although vegetation control did not improve soil physical or chemical properties relative to no treatment, it ranked among the top four treatments, with burned windrows, mixing, and breaking plow, in terms of white spruce growth after 15 years.

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 Mechanical Site Preparation and Early Chemical Tending in White Spruce: 19-year Results

1988 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 177-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Wood ◽  
S. W. J. Dominy
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Weed Control ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Woody Vegetation ◽  
Herbicide Application ◽  
Shrub Species ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Preparation Methods ◽  
Mechanical Site Preparation

A white spruce outplanting trial, with about 480 trees, was established on a fertile mixedwood site in Ontario (47°N, 84°W) in 1967 to study the effects of two site preparation methods and early chemical tending on the development of the crop species and non-crop woody vegetation. Nineteen-year results are presented. Early chemical tending of white spruce resulted in a significant increase in growth on the drum-prepared block, but not on the blade-prepared block. On the drum-prepared block, mortality of white spruce outplants did not differ significantly between herbicide-treated and untreated plots. On the blade-prepared block, mortality was significantly greater with herbicide application than without it. Similar non-crop tree and shrub species were found on sites prepared with both sharkfin drums and angle-dozer blades. However, woody weeds were less abundant on the herbicide-treated plots than on the untreated plots. Key words: white spruce outplant performance; chemical weed control; 2.4-D and 2,4,5-T; mechanical site preparation; herbicide efficacy; silvicultural efficacy; early tending; sharkfin drum; angle-dozer blade.

scholarly journals Effects of substrate availability and competing vegetation on natural regeneration of white spruce on logged boreal mixedwood sites

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 324-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola A. Kokkonen ◽  
S. Ellen Macdonald ◽  
Ian Curran ◽  
Simon M. Landhäusser ◽  
Victor J. Lieffers
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Solid Wood ◽  
Seedling Mortality ◽  
Competing Vegetation ◽  
Survival And Growth

Given a seed source, the quality of available substrates is a key factor in determining the success of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) natural regeneration. We examined the influence of substrate and competing vegetation on survival and growth of natural regeneration of white spruce up to 4 years following harvesting in deciduous-dominated upland boreal mixedwood sites. Feather moss, thick soil surface organic layers, litter, and solid wood were poor substrates for establishment. Early successional mosses establishing on mineral soil, thin organics, and rotten wood were generally favourable microsites but were not highly available on postharvest sites. Mineral soil substrates were not as suitable as expected, likely because on a postlogged site, they are associated with unfavourable environmental characteristics (e.g., low nutrient availability, exposure). There was some evidence that survival and growth of seedlings were improved by surrounding vegetation in the first years, but heavy competing vegetation had a negative impact on older seedlings. Burial by aspen litter greatly increased seedling mortality, especially when combined with a brief period of submergence due to heavy spring snowmelt. The results provide insight into conditions under which natural regeneration could be an option for establishing white spruce following harvesting of deciduous-dominated boreal mixedwood forests.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document