Spruce budworm defoliation and growth loss in young balsam fir: recovery of growth in spaced stands

1989 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 1616-1624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Piene
Keyword(s):  
Volume Growth ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Complete Recovery ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Growth Recovery ◽  
Shoot Production ◽  
Volume Increment ◽  
Growth Loss ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Foliar Biomass

Trees defoliated by the spruce budworm (Choristoneurafumiferana (Clem.)) for 1 to 4 years and subsequently protected rapidly regained foliar biomass. Three plots of 25- to 30-year-old balsam fir (Abiesbalsamga (L.) Mill.) trees, on the Cape Breton Highlands of Nova Scotia, were studied. Two major factors contributed to the rapid growth recovery rates: the ability to produce epicormic shoots, combined with increased retention of older age-classes of needles, and the development of new foliage at the expense of volume growth. A complete recovery of volume increment occurred after 2 years of extreme defoliation, but not after 4 years of severe defoliation. Epicormic shoot production was only associated with shoot and bud destruction and therefore, growth recovery was slow after partial defoliation of only current foliage. In all plots studied, there was a lag of 2 to 3 years between increased foliar biomass and significant increases in volume increment.

Growth loss and recovery following defoliation by the balsam fir sawfly in young, spaced balsam fir stands

2001 ◽  
Vol 133 (5) ◽  
pp. 675-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Piene ◽  
Don P. Ostaff ◽  
Eldon S. Eveleigh
Keyword(s):  
Volume Growth ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Recovery Rates ◽  
Wood Supply ◽  
Growth Recovery ◽  
Neodiprion Abietis ◽  
Volume Increment ◽  
Growth Loss ◽  
Intensively Managed

AbstractTwo stands of intensively managed balsam fir [Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. (Pinaceae)] in western Newfoundland, located within an area infested by the balsam fir sawfly, Neodiprion abietis (Harr.) (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae) complex, were selected to study growth loss and recovery following severe defoliation by the balsam fir sawfly in the early 1990s. Four years after the start of the outbreak, volume increments were reduced by 78–81%. The decreased volume increment and recovery coincided well with the balsam fir sawfly outbreak and decline. The growth recovery rates following severe balsam fir sawfly defoliation were slow due to the absence of bud destruction, which triggers the release of suppressed buds, and thus increases foliage production. It is imperative that the severe losses in volume growth caused by balsam fir sawfly defoliation are incorporated into wood supply analyses so that future annual allowable cuts may be adjusted. In addition, to ensure maximum recovery rates at the end of an outbreak, future populations must be kept at a minimum to avoid additional foliage loss.

The Sensitivity of Young White Spruce to Spruce Budworm Defoliation

1991 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 168-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Piene
Keyword(s):  
Volume Growth ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
First Year ◽  
Average Volume ◽  
Shoot Production ◽  
Prolific Shoot

Abstract Relationships between defoliation and volume growth were determined for 68 young white spruce trees in a 20-year-old plantation defoliated over a 2-year period by the spruce budworm. In the first year of defoliation, intensities ranging from 7 to 89% of the current foliage did not influence volume growth significantly. Two consecutive years of defoliation, averaging over the 2-year period from 0-33, 34-66, and 67-100% of the current foliage, reduced average volume growth by about 6, 11, and 27%, respectively. White spruce is much less sensitive to defoliation than balsam fir. This is partly due to white spruce's ability to compensate for even moderate defoliation intensities by a prolific shoot production. North. J. Appl. For. 8(4):168-171.

scholarly journals Spruce Budworm Defoliation and Growth Loss in Young Balsam Fir: Estimation of Volume Growth Based on Stem Analysis and Increment Cores at Breast Height

1996 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Piene ◽  
Janine D'Amours ◽  
Alan A. Bray
Keyword(s):  
Volume Growth ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Stem Analysis ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Breast Height ◽  
Individual Tree Growth ◽  
Growth Loss ◽  
Changes Over Time

Abstract Comparisons of estimates of volume and volume increment, based on increment cores sampled at breast height and on stem analysis, were made in a young balsam fir stand that had been defoliated by spruce budworm. Use of increment cores is not recommended to estimate individual tree growth, because large errors, ranging from 20.9 to 57.2%, and error variability can be expected. The inability, when using increment cores, to estimate basal area is the major source of this variation. Although large uncertainties are associated with future growth predictions, on a per ha basis, changes over time based on increment cores may in some instances give comparable results to those based on stem analysis due to the canceling effect of trees being approximately equally overestimated and underestimated. However, a prerequisite is that the defoliation history and the year of individual tree death are known in detail to aid in the correct dating of ring widths. North. J. Appl. For. 13(2):73-78.

Spruce budworm defoliation and growth loss in young balsam fir: defoliation in spaced and unspaced stands and individual tree survival

1989 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 1211-1217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Piene
Keyword(s):  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Shoot Elongation ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Cape Breton ◽  
Tree Survival ◽  
Growth Loss ◽  
Individual Trees ◽  
Foliar Biomass

A severe outbreak of spruce budworm (Choristoneurafumiferana (Clem.)) began in 1976 in young, spaced and unspaced stands of balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill.) located on the Cape Breton Highlands, Nova Scotia, Canada. A study was initiated that year to relate decreases in foliar biomass, caused by defoliation, to reductions in annual volume increment. Detailed defoliation assessments on individual trees from 1976 to 1984 showed severe defoliation of the current foliage in 1976. In 1977 and 1978, current foliage was destroyed in the early part of shoot elongation and severe back-feeding occurred on older age-class needles. After 1978, defoliation decreased as a result of a decline in budworm populations and, in general, only the current foliage was defoliated until the populations decreased to low levels in 1983. Defoliation was significantly higher in spaced than in unspaced stands in 1977, 1978, and 1980, and as a result, by 1984, average tree mortality caused by spruce budworm was 43.8% in spaced and 18.9%.in unspaced stands. The survival of some balsam fir trees and not others following a budworm outbreak is not related to differential defoliation, but to the ability of some balsam fir trees to rapidly increase foliar biomass through prolific epicormic shoot growth.

Spruce budworm defoliation and growth loss in young balsam fir: artificial defoliation of potted trees

1990 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 902-909 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Piene ◽  
C.H.A. Little
Keyword(s):  
Specific Volume ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Volume Increment ◽  
Defoliation Treatment ◽  
Growth Loss ◽  
Foliage Weight

To simulate feeding by the spruce budworm (Choristoneurafumiferana Clem.), potted, 5-year-old balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill.) trees were artificially defoliated at the peak of the sixth instar period in the first 1, 2, or 3 years of a 3-year experiment. This schedule allowed trees that were defoliated in the first 1 or 2 years to recover for 2 years and 1 year, respectively. Seven treatments were applied: 0, 33, 66, 90, or 100% of the current-year needles were manually removed, all current-year needles were clipped using scissors (clip treatment), or all current-year shoots were severed at their base (100+ treatment). The dry weights of stem axis, branch axes, and roots were measured at the end of the 3rd year, and current-year and total foliage weight, height growth, and specific volume increment were determined for each year of the experimental period. Needle removal decreased growth throughout the tree, the growth loss increasing with increasing intensity and frequency of defoliation. In the 1st year of defoliation, all treatments reduced specific volume increment, whereas only the 100+ treatment decreased height growth. In every defoliation year, specific volume increment, height growth (manifested in the year following the defoliation), and the final weights of stem axis, branch axes, and roots were generally related curvilinearly to total foliage weight. The 100% and 100+ treatments induced the sprouting of axillary and nodal buds that remained dormant in undefoliated trees. Retaining the defoliated shoot axes (100% treatment), compared with removing them (100+ treatment), increased specific volume increment. Retaining the needle base (clip treatment) prevented the apex necrosis that occurred in some shoots subjected to the 100% treatment. In trees allowed to recover, specific volume increment increased in the 1st year, the degree of recovery increasing with decreasing intensity and frequency of prior defoliation treatment. After 2 recovery years, specific volume increment and height growth were not affected by any previous defoliation treatment, and current-year foliage weight and stem axis weight were decreased only by the 100+ treatment; however, there was still an inhibitory effect of all treatments on the weights of total foliage, branch axes, and roots. The growth responses found in the present investigation were compared with those observed in balsam fir trees defoliated by the spruce budworm.

Réduction de croissance en volume occasionnée au sapin baumier, suite à la défoliation par la tordeuse des bourgeons de l'épinette

1985 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Archambault ◽  
Jean Beaulieu
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Volume Growth ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Ottawa River ◽  
Epidemic Period ◽  
Growth Loss

A method was developed to determine the growth losses in volume in surviving balsam fir following a spruce budworm outbreak that occurred in the Ottawa River Valley in Quebec. Equations expressing the diameter growth rate had there been no infestation were developed. These equations were applied to balsam fir surviving the epidemic so as to determine what their diameters would have been without defoliation. Subsequently, the theoretical volumes were assessed using these diameters. The method was validated for the pre-epidemic period and precision was superior to 90%. Analyses revealed the outbreak caused a 49% volume growth loss to balsam fir for a period of approximately 10 years. Key words: Spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.)), balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), growth losses.

Electrical resistance measurements on young balsam fir trees in relation to specific volume increment, foliar biomass, and ion content of bark and wood

1984 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Plene ◽  
R. G. Thompson ◽  
J. E. McIsaac ◽  
D. S. Fensom
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Resistance ◽  
Specific Volume ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Ion Content ◽  
Volume Increment ◽  
Electrical Resistance Measurements ◽  
Foliar Biomass

Electrical resistance in young balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill.) trees was inversely (nonlinear) correlated with specific volume increment, total foliar biomass, and the combined weight of the current and 1-year-old foliage. These relationships were stronger before budbreak than after. No relationship existed between concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg in the bark and wood collected around time of budbreak, and electrical resistance.

Stochastic simulation of growth loss in thinned balsam fir stands defoliated by the spruce budworm in Newfoundland

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 703-710 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erhard John Dobesberger
Keyword(s):  
Stochastic Simulation ◽  
Larval Density ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Damage Function ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Negative Exponential Function ◽  
Attack Pattern ◽  
Growth Loss ◽  
The Impact

A stochastic simulation model was developed to derive a damage function for the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana Clem. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), and balsam fir, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill., herbivore interaction at the stand level for open-grown trees. Both aggregated and uniform models of attack pattern by late-instar larvae based on k of the negative binomial were evaluated to determine the impact of larval density and attack pattern on the loss in stemwood volume increment of young, thinned balsam fir stands in Newfoundland. Percentage loss in stemwood increment was a nonlinear, negative exponential function of initial larval density. Implementation of control measures to prevent 50% defoliation that is caused by about 14 larvae/branch tip would result in saving 24% of the annual stemwood increment after 1 year of defoliation and about 32% after 2 years of cumulative defoliation. Aggregation of spruce budworm larvae among trees within a forest stand results in less growth loss compared with a uniform pattern of attack. The nonlinear damage function may suggest tolerance and possibly compensatory growth after herbivory by low population levels of the spruce budworm.

Patterns of balsam fir foliar production and growth in relation to defoliation by spruce budworm

1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 1128-1136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald P. Ostaff ◽  
David A. MacLean
Keyword(s):  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Radial Increment ◽  
Cape Breton Island ◽  
Cape Breton ◽  
Absolute Volume ◽  
Volume Increment ◽  
Previous Decade ◽  
Maximum Increment

Changes in foliar production caused by spruce budworm (Choristoneurafumiferana (Clem.)) defoliation and patterns of volume increment of surviving trees during and after the outbreak were determined in 20 mature balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill.) stands on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Following the cessation of defoliation, the number of shoots increased 4-fold and mean shoot length doubled, resulting in a 12-fold increase in needle biomass. Average specific volume increment declined from 0.17–0.25 to 0.02–0.04 cm3•cm−2•year−1 after 4 years of severe defoliation; maximum increment reduction was 74–92%. Periodic radial increment and volume increment reduction (percent of mean increment in the previous decade) were both significantly related to cumulative (summed current annual) defoliation; a logistic regression equation explained 77% of the variation in volume loss. Differences in growth recovery among trees were determined by the temporal patterns of defoliation, with a 1-year lag before the beginning of volume increment recovery. Following 5 to 8 years of recovery, surviving trees had regained 48–82% of their predefoliation increment; however, absolute volume losses during the outbreak averaged 12–33 dm3/tree, or 32–48%.

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