The adjustment of growth, sapwood area, heartwood area, and sapwood saturated permeability of balsam fir after different intensities of pruning

1988 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 723-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hank A. Margolis ◽  
Robert R. Gagnon ◽  
David Pothier ◽  
Marius Pineau
Keyword(s):  
Basal Area ◽  
Growth Increment ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sapwood Area ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Area Growth

Balsam fir trees established from advanced regeneration following a clear-cut in 1970 were pruned in June 1985 to live crown ratios of 0.6, 0.4, and 0.2 compared with control trees, which had live crown ratios of 0.8. After two growing seasons, we investigated the homeostatic adjustment of these trees to the loss of their foliage. The height growth, basal area growth, sapwood cross-sectional area, heartwood area, and sapwood saturated permeability of the trees that were pruned to a 0.6 live crown ratio were not significantly different from those of the controls. On the other hand, height growth increment following pruning was reduced 16.7 cm (23%) and 19.5 cm (27%) for the trees pruned to 0.4 and 0.2 live crown ratios, respectively. Furthermore, basal area growth following pruning was reduced 3.2 cm2 (30%) and 6.5 cm2 (61%), respectively. While trees in both the 0.4 and 0.2 live crown ratio pruning treatments did adjust their breast height sapwood area in response to the removal of foliage, the nature of this adjustment differed between the two treatments. For the trees with the 0.4 live crown ratio, sapwood area was reduced because of a reduction in basal area growth but the area of heartwood remained unchanged. For the trees with the 0.2 live crown ratio, the changes in sapwood area were due both to a reduction in basal area growth and an expansion of the heartwood. The saturated permeability of sapwood was not significantly affected by pruning. The adaptive implications of balsam fir's response to the loss of foliage are discussed in terms of the optimizing the allocation of a limited amount of available carbon.

Factors affecting the relationship between sapwood area and leaf area of balsam fir

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 1684-1693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie R. Coyea ◽  
Hank A. Margolis
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sapwood Area ◽  
Crown Length ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Area Growth

The ratio between projected leaf area (LA) and cross-sectional sapwood area (SA) of dominant and codominant balsam fir trees (Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill.) was determined in 24 forest stands across the province of Quebec. Various physical factors proposed in the Whitehead hydraulic model, and some of the easily measured surrogates of these factors, were tested for their influence on LA:SA ratios. Average growing season vapor pressure deficit, temperature, precipitation, and stand drainage class did not significantly influence LA:SA ratios. On the other hand, LA:SA ratios were positively influenced by sapwood permeability (k), tree height, and crown length. As suggested by the model, there was a positive correlation between sapwood permeability and LA:SA ratio and a negative correlation between tree height or crown length and LA/(SA k). Increases in sapwood permeability with tree age were associated with longer tracheids having larger lumen diameters. Of the various empirical factors tested, only site quality, 5-year basal area growth, and age had a significant influence on LA:SA ratios. Sapwood cross-sectional area at breast height by itself was a reasonable linear predictor of LA for all stands (LA = −0.158 + 0.709 SABH, R2 = 0.75). Using the variables that were previously determined to influence LA:SA ratios, stepwise regressions revealed that only crown length and 5-year basal area growth significantly improved linear predictions of LA based on sapwood area. However, the increase in R2 was relatively modest, i.e., 0.83 for all three independent variables versus 0.75 for SA alone. The results from this study will be useful in integrating physiologically based measurements, such as growth efficiency, into standard forest inventory practices for balsam fir and thus could be beneficial in developing new silvicultural strategies for protecting Quebec's forest resource.

scholarly journals Influence of Soil Site Class on Growth and Decay of Northern White-Cedar and Two Associates in Maine

2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip V. Hofmeyer ◽  
Robert S. Seymour ◽  
Laura S. Kenefic
Keyword(s):  
Light Exposure ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
White Cedar ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Area Growth ◽  
Northern White Cedar ◽  
Mineral Soils

Abstract Basal area growth of outwardly sound northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.) was compared with that of balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.) and red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) across site and light exposure class gradients on 60 sites throughout northern Maine. Once adjusted for sapwood area, northern white-cedar basal area growth was not strongly affected by site or light exposure class; growth was similar to that of red spruce but generally lower than that of balsam fir. Site index did not differ appreciably among soil drainage classes for red spruce and northern white-cedar, although small sample size limited analysis on upland site classes. Incidence of central decay was higher in northern white-cedar than balsam fir, which was higher than red spruce. Incidence of decay in outwardly sound northern white-cedar and balsam fir was highest on well-drained mineral soils, and mean proportion of basal area decayed at breast height increased in outwardly sound northern white-cedar as drainage improved from poorly drained to well-drained soils. These data suggest that northern white-cedar on lowland organic and poorly drained mineral soils in Maine have less decay, similar basal area growth, and similar site index relative to upland northern white-cedar communities.

scholarly journals EVALUATING THE COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR WILD PISTACHIO (Pistacia atlantica Desf.) SEEDLINGS IN THE CENTRAL FORESTS OF IRAN

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bahman Kiani ◽  
Asma Amiri
Keyword(s):  
Basal Area ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Good Precision ◽  
Pistacia Atlantica ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Area Growth ◽  
Amygdalus Scoparia ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Area Development ◽  
Competition Indices

ABSTRACT Wild pistachio (Pistacia atlantica Desf.) is an important tree species from dry forests of Eurasia. Seedlings must usually compete with other tree and shrub species in the dry harsh environment of mountain forests. In this study, we identified the main competitor species and evaluated some widely used competition indices, including distance-dependent and distance-independent ones, to quantify the relationship between the reference seedlings and their neighbors. The results indicated that the main competitors are mountain almond (Amygdalus scoparia Spach.), thorny almond (Amygdalus lycioides Spach.), montpellier maple (Acer monspessulanum subsp. cinerascens Boiss.) and other wild pistachio seedlings. We found that competition increases the height growth but reduces the diameter, basal area growth and crown development of wild pistachio seedlings. Some competition indices had a noticeable correlation with seedling growth, indicating that competition does exist. A combination of log-transformed indices could explain 85% of the diameter growth variations, 46% of height growth, 76% of basal area growth and 72% of crown area development with a good precision.

scholarly journals Coupe préparatoire et croissance en surface terrière d'une sapiniére de seconde venue à la forêt modèle du Bas-Saint-Laurent, Québec

2001 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 685-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Zarnovican ◽  
Jean-Martin Lussier ◽  
Claude Laberge
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Relative Size ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Periodic Growth ◽  
Area Growth ◽  
Crown Characteristics ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
The Impact

Balsam fir basal area growth was studied 5 years after the preparatory cut in the context of natural regeneration by the shelterwood system. The study was carried out in a 60-year-old second-growth balsam fir-yellow birch stand. The felling trials were realized in 16 plots and consisted of control and three felling regimes (15, 30 and 45% of removed basal area). The periodic (5 years) mean growth rate on dbh of trees in plots varies between 6 and 12% in response to felling intensity. The basal area of plots presents a mean periodic growth rate of 7.4% independently of felling intensity. There are highly significant correlations between the live crown characteristics and periodic basal area growth. This growth is highly correlated with inital diameter and intensity of felling. The trees of higher relative size are more productive than the others and the impact of felling on periodic basal area growth is significant when the intensity of felling is greater than 30%. Conversely, the ratio between periodic basal area growth after treatment and periodic basal area growth before treatment is correlated only with the intensity of felling. Finally, intensity of felling had no effect on periodic basal area growth per square meter of crown projected area. Key words: preparatory felling, basal area growth, balsam fir

scholarly journals Growth of Young Douglas-Fir Plantations Across a Gradient in Swiss Needle Cast Severity

2002 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas A. Maguire ◽  
Alan Kanaskie ◽  
William Voelker ◽  
Randy Johnson ◽  
Greg Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Volume Growth ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
North Coast ◽  
Needle Cast ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Area Growth ◽  
Swiss Needle Cast

Abstract During the past decade, Swiss needle cast (SNC) damage has intensified in many Douglas-fir plantations in the Coast Range of Oregon, particularly along the immediate north coast. In plantations with severe symptoms, growth losses and reduced tree vigor are evident, but the magnitude of growth losses associated with varying intensities of damage is not known. A growth impact study was conducted in 1997 to quantify retrospectively the relationship between growth losses and visual symptoms in 10- to 30-yr-old Douglas-fir plantations in coastal northwestern Oregon, a population totaling 75,700 ha. A random sample of 70 Douglas-fir plantations was selected from the population and evaluated for Swiss needle cast severity. One 0.02 ha plot was destructively sampled in each plantation to reconstruct past height and basal area growth trends and to characterize foliage loss and distribution. The SNC “effect” was assessed by comparing growth of plantations with varying degrees of Swiss needle cast to growth of those that retained maximal amounts of foliage, after correcting for initial stand density, Douglas-fir growing stock, age, and site index. Of numerous possible SNC indices, mean needle retention (yr) explained the largest amount of variation in both basal area and top height growth. Prior to 1990, top height growth was similar across all plantations after correcting for site quality and plantation age; but, by 1992, top height growth losses appeared and were proportional to apparent foliage losses. In 1996, top height growth was reduced by up to 25% relative to plantations with little or no SNC. Basal area growth reductions began to appear around 1990, and in 1996 basal area growth of the most heavily damaged plantations was 35% less than the growth that would be expected in absence of SNC damage. The inferred volume growth loss for 1996 averaged 23% for the 75,700 ha target population, but this loss averaged as high as 52% for the most severely impacted plantations. West. J. Appl. For. 17(2):86ߝ95.

An Annual basal area growth model with multiplicative climate modifier fitted to longitudinal data for shortleaf pine

2019 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 538-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pradip Saud ◽  
Thomas B Lynch ◽  
Douglas S Cram ◽  
James M Guldin
Keyword(s):  
Air Temperature ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Climate Variables ◽  
Pinus Echinata ◽  
Shortleaf Pine ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Area Growth ◽  
Maximum Air Temperature

Abstract Understanding climatic influences on annual basal area growth (ABAG) rates of individual trees is necessary to predict future stand dynamics. We fitted nonlinear ABAG models for shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) with climate variables linearly added to the arguments of logistic and exponential multiplicative functions of climate variables as climate modifiers to incorporate 14 growing seasons and 30 month-specific climate variables including standardized precipitation index. Data were collected from permanently established plots in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Six re-measurement events collected between 1985 and 2014 provided five growth periods (GPs) and ABAG models were fitted using a mixed-effects approach. Model performance was evaluated using likelihood ratio tests and fit statistics. Climate variables from GPs expressed as deviations from long-term means that performed better than other candidate variables included (1) month-specific: June mean maximum air temperature (°C) (DTMAX6), and September precipitation (mm) (DPPT9); and (2) growing seasons: mean maximum air temperature (°C) (DGTMAX) and precipitation (mm) (DGPPT). ABAG models fitted with multiplicative climate modifiers provided improved growth predictions compared with models fitted with climate variables linearly added to the argument of a logistic function. There was positive correlation with DGTMAX and negative correlation with DMPPT. In addition, 1°C increase in mean maximum temperature had a greater cumulative effect on ABAG rates of young versus old trees. Fitting ABAG models with climate modifiers are useful for assessing variations in productivity due to climate change in the future.

Responses of Red Alder to Thinning

1995 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
David E. Hibbs ◽  
William H. Emmingham ◽  
Michael C. Bondi
Keyword(s):  
Basal Area ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Alnus Rubra ◽  
Coast Range ◽  
Red Alder ◽  
Oregon Coast Range ◽  
Oregon Coast ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Area Growth

Abstract Responses of red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) to thinning were observed at two sites in the Oregon Coast Range. Five years after thinning in the 20-yr-old stand, mortality was observed only in control plots. Diameter growth of crop trees increased up to 54% with thinning. Trends toward less height growth at wider spacings and increased growth in basal area compared to controls appeared to be developing in thinned plots. Ten years after thinning in the 14-yr-old stand, the problems of flashback seen at year 5 in the chemically thinned plots had largely been overcome. Reduction in height growth in all thinned plots had been overcome. Net basal area growth was up to 60% greater in thinned treatments. Thinning appears effective for 10 to 15 yr in the narrow spacings and 15 to 20 yr in the wide spacings. West. J. Appl. For. 10(1): 17-23.

The historical reconstruction of growth efficiency and its relationship to tree mortality in balsam fir ecosystems affected by spruce budworm

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (11) ◽  
pp. 2208-2221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie R. Coyea ◽  
Hank A. Margolis
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Growth Efficiency ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Annual Growth Rings ◽  
Area Growth

The growth efficiencies (E; stemwood growth per unit leaf area) of balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill.) trees from 20 stands were reconstructed over the 30-year period from 1960 to 1989 in order to determine if E could be used to predict tree mortality occurring during and after an epidemic of eastern spruce budworm (Choristoneurafumiferana (Clem.)). Growth efficiencies were reconstructed based on the relationship between age and the number of annual growth rings in the cross-sectional area of heartwood at breast height (R2 = 0.97) and on the previously demonstrated relationship between sapwood area and leaf area of balsam fir across a wide geographic area. Profile and logistic regression analyses demonstrated that apparent E (i.e., the historically reconstructed E) of surviving trees was greater than that of dead trees for every year of the 30-year analysis period. For trees in the 25- to 35-year age-class in 1960, apparent E was the only variable measured prior to the epidemic that was significantly related to balsam fir mortality. For all trees (aged 11 to 46 years in 1960), both tree age and apparent E were significant factors prior to the epidemic. During and following the epidemic, several of the more standard mensurational variables (e.g., diameter and basal area growth) were also significantly associated with balsam fir mortality, but apparent E had the highest levels of significance. Using logistical regression, critical E values below which trees would be predicted to die were calculated as 5-year running averages for the period prior to the epidemic (1960–1968). These were stable at around 0.17 × 10−4 m2 basal area growth•(m2 leaf area)−1•year−1. Following the epidemic, critical E values were again stable but at a lower level of around 0.07. There was a negative exponential relationship between apparent E and leaf area. Furthermore, for the same level of leaf area, surviving trees had a higher apparent E than trees that died, up to approximately 30 m2 of leaf area. These results suggest that growth efficiency should be considered as part of standard forest inventories in the balsam fir zone because of its ease of measure and its apparent ability to provide a sensitive, physiologically based index of forest health. Furthermore, the technique of historically reconstructing E demonstrated in this study may be of interest for other types of dendrochronological research.

scholarly journals The relationship between leaf area and basal area growth in jack and red pine trees

1996 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Penner ◽  
Godelieve Deblonde
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area Index ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Growth Efficiency ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Red Pine ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Sapwood Area ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Area Growth

Relationships between leaf area and sapwood area, sapwood area and basal area, and leaf area and basal area growth are determined for jack pine and red pine. The relationships vary with species and stand origin. Growth efficiency (basal area growth per unit leaf area) is relatively independent of tree size under all but the densest conditions. Observed changes in the leaf area to leaf mass ratio from July to October indicate that allometric relationships vary seasonally. A procedure is outlined for obtaining estimates of stand leaf area index (LAI). These estimates may be used to calibrate instruments that measure LAI and, subsequently, to predict forest productivity. Key words: leaf area index, basal area, growth efficiency, red pine, jack pine, sapwood area

Field Notes: Predicted Vs. Actual Basal Area Growth in West Virginia

1988 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-222
Author(s):  
Arlyn W. Perkey ◽  
Kenneth L. Carvell
Keyword(s):  
West Virginia ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Area Growth ◽  
Field Notes
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