Crown structure in western hemlock, Douglas-fir, and grand fir in western Washington: trends in branch-level mass and leaf area

1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (12) ◽  
pp. 1897-1912 ◽  
Author(s):  
John A. Kershaw Jr. ◽  
Douglas A. Maguire
Keyword(s):  
Branch Length ◽  
Allometric Equation ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Crown Structure ◽  
Indicator Variables ◽  
Western Washington ◽  
Modified Likelihood ◽  
Individual Trees ◽  
Fertilization Effects

Extensions of a basic allometric equation applied in predicting total foliage of individual trees were developed to estimate foliage and woody components of individual branches in western hemlock (Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco), and grand fir (Abiesgrandis (Dougl. ex D. Don) Lindl.). Nine initial equations were fitted on both nonlinear and log-transformed scales to data collected in the western Cascade Mountains of Washington. In all cases, the logarithmic form of each equation provided the best fit to the data based on a modified likelihood criterion and residual patterns. Branch diameter was the overall best predictor of branch foliage and woody mass; however, significant (p = 0.05) improvements in fit were obtained when other structural and positional variables were included in the equations (e.g., foliated branch length and depth into crown). The effects of fertilization and site (locality) differences were explored using indicator variables for western hemlock branches. Significant site effects were observed for intercept terms for all three branch components (total foliage area, total foliage mass, and total woody mass), while fertilization effects were observed in interaction with relative height above crown base for both foliage components.

Litter decomposition and nutrient release in Douglas-fir, red alder, western hemlock, and Pacific silver fir ecosystems in western Washington

1980 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L. Edmonds
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Nutrient Release ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Rapid Weight Loss ◽  
Red Alder ◽  
Cellulose Decomposition ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Western Washington

Decomposition rates and changes in the nutrient content of needle and leaf litter were examined in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii Mirb. Franco), western hemlock (Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), Pacific silver fir (Abiesamabilis (Dougl.) Forbes), and red alder (Alnusrubra Bong.) ecosystems in western Washington, U.S.A. Nylon litterbags (1-mm mesh) were placed in the stands in November and December 1974. Bags were collected after 3, 6, 12, and 24 months and weighed, except in the Pacific silver fir stand when bags were collected after 6, 9, 14, and 24 months. Litter was analyzed for C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, lignin, and cellulose. Decomposition constants (k values) were determined. Fastest decomposition after 2 years occurred in red alder leaves, followed by Douglas-fir, western hemlock, and Pacific silver fir needles. There were significant differences in weight loss among species after 1 year, but no significant differences were evident after 2 years. Red alder leaves showed rapid weight loss in the 1st year but decomposed little in the 2nd year. Decomposition constants were highly positively correlated with minimum air temperatures and negatively correlated with C:N ratios. Low litter moisture tended to reduce decomposition in summer, particularly in the Pacific silver fir stand. Decomposition proceeded under snow in this ecosystem. The pattern of loss of elements from litterbags after 2 years varied from ecosystem to ecosystem, particularly for N. The following element mobility series resulted for the four ecosystems: red alder (K > Mg > Ca > P > N > Mn), Douglas-fir (K > P > Ca > Mg > Mn > N), western hemlock (K > Ca > Mg > N > Mn > P), and Pacific silver fir (K > Mg > Ca > Mn > P > N).

Multi-decadal establishment for single-cohort Douglas-fir forests

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (9) ◽  
pp. 1068-1078 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Freund ◽  
Jerry F. Franklin ◽  
Andrew J. Larson ◽  
James A. Lutz
Keyword(s):  
Pseudotsuga Menziesii ◽  
Temporal Patterns ◽  
Tsuga Heterophylla ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Old Growth Forests ◽  
Western Washington ◽  
Century Development ◽  
Single Cohort

The rate at which trees regenerate following stand-replacing wildfire is an important but poorly understood process in the multi-century development of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) forests. Temporal patterns of Douglas-fir establishment reconstructed from old-growth forests (>450 year) have generated contradictory models of either rapid (<25 year) or prolonged (>100 year) periods of establishment, while patterns of tree establishment in mid-aged (100 to 350 year) forests remains largely unknown. To determine temporal patterns of Douglas-fir establishment following stand-replacing fire, increment cores were obtained from 1455 trees in 18 mature and early old-growth forests in western Washington and northwestern Oregon, USA. Each of the stands showed continuous regeneration of Douglas-fir for many decades following initiating fire. The establishment period averaged 60 years (range: 32–99 years). These results contrast both with the view of rapid (one- to two-decade) regeneration of Douglas-fir promoted in the early forestry literature and with reports of establishment periods exceeding 100 years in older (>400 year) Douglas-fir–western hemlock stands. These results have important implications for management designed to create and promote early-seral forest characteristics.

THE 1951 AERIAL BAITING AND SEEDING PROJECT, ASH RIVER TRACT, MacMILLAN AND BLOEDEL LIMITED

1955 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. S. Allen ◽  
I. K. Barber ◽  
Ian Mahood
Keyword(s):  
West Coast ◽  
Forest Service ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Local Distribution ◽  
Rodent Control ◽  
Buffer Strip ◽  
Minimum Standards ◽  
Service Standards ◽  
Forestry Practice

An area of 738 acres about 20 miles north and west of Port Alberni on Vancouver Island was seeded by helicopter to Douglas fir (1/2 pound per acre) and western hemlock (1/5 pound per acre) in November 1951. One week earlier this area and a surrounding buffer strip, totalling 1760 acres, had been baited by helicopter using wheat treated with thallous sulphate and "1080".Baiting was successful and the roden:trap ratio dropped from 1:4.6 to 1:94.3 as a result. By April the ratio had climbed again to 1:18.7. By the first week of June 1952, a total of about 1400 Douglas fir and 840 hemlock had germinated per acre. By November 1952, this had dropped to 1000 Douglas fir and 198 hemlock per acre. A final extensive survey in June 1954, showed a total of 730 Douglas fir and 57 hemlock of the 1952 crop per acre with a milacre stocking of 42.0 percent for Douglas fir and 43.9 percent for Douglas fir and hemlock. The 4-milacre stocking due to the 1952 Douglas fir seedlings was 78.3 percent. Practically all of the seedlings that germinated in 1952 are attributed to the seeding operation because of the relatively uniform distribution of seedlings and the lack of seedlings on the control area.The seeding operation in itself restocked 628 acres to B.C. Forest Service minimum standards (31 percent by 1-milacres). It restocked 708 acres to U.S. "medium" or "good" standards. With natural trees included, only 28 acres are below B.C. Forest Service standards, and 6 acres below U.S. "medium" stocking. Total stocking, including natural trees, is 59.3 percent by 1-milacres and 88.6 percent by 4-milacres.The baiting and seeding operation can be considered highly successful. The surviving Douglas firs are healthy and vigorous and show little deer or grouse damage to date. Distribution of the seedlings is good and most gaps that occurred are believed due to uneven local distribution of seed. Considering that this experiment was carried out on a rather steep south exposure and that the first summer following seeding was unusually hot and dry, the satisfactory results suggest that direct seeding following rodent control has a definite place in West Coast forestry practice. It may well take the place of more expensive and troublesome planting on many areas that are slow to restock.

Xenomeris Abietis Associated with Dieback of Douglas Fir and Western Hemlock

Mycologia ◽  
1971 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 567-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Funk ◽  
R. A. Shoemaker
Keyword(s):  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Western Hemlock

Growth ofPseudotsuga menziesiiandTsuga heterophyllaseedlings along a light gradient: resource allocation and morphological acclimation

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (9) ◽  
pp. 1424-1435 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Mailly ◽  
J. P. Kimmins
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Morphology ◽  
Biomass Accumulation ◽  
Tsuga Heterophylla ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Low Light ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Light Levels ◽  
Light Gradient ◽  
Relative Light Intensity

Silvicultural alternatives that differ in the degree of overstory removal may create shady environments that will be problematic for the regeneration of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco). Gradients of light in the field were used to compare mortality, growth, and leaf morphological acclimation of two conifer species of contrasting shade tolerances: Douglas-fir and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.). Results after two growing seasons indicated that Douglas-fir mortality occurred mainly at relative light intensity (RLI) below 20%, while western hemlock mortality was evenly distributed along the light gradient. Height, diameter, and biomass of the planted seedlings increased with increasing light for both species but at different rates, and maximum biomass accumulation always occurred in the open. Douglas-fir allocated more resources to stem biomass than western hemlock, which accumulated more foliage biomass. Increases in specific leaf area for Douglas-fir seedlings occurred at RLI ≤ 0.4 and red/far red (R/FR) ratio ≤ 0.6, which appear to be the minimal optimum light levels for growth. Conversely, western hemlock seedlings adjusted their leaf morphology in a more regular pattern, and changes were less pronounced at low light levels. These results, along with early mortality results for Douglas-fir, suggest that the most successful way to artificially regenerate this species may be by allowing at least 20% of RLI for ensuring survival and at least 40% RLI for optimum growth. Key words: light, light quality, leaf morphology, acclimation.

R-55 Rodent Repellent: Effect on Germination in Douglas-fir and Western Hemlock.

1972 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 256-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. G. W. Edwards ◽  
Patricia E. Olsen
Keyword(s):  
Graphite Powder ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Repellent Effect ◽  
Dry Storage

Coating Douglas-fir and western hemlock seeds with R-55, a rodent repellent, seriously reduced normal germination. Acidifying the latex sticker, or adding graphite powder, had no effect. If seeds were coated first with latex, more R-55 could be applied without significantly increasing germination losses. Both stratification and dry storage of R-55 coated seeds increased germination losses. Treatment differences detected by normal germination percentages were also reflected in germination values. Observations based on total (normal + abnormal) germination obscured the effects of the various coatings.

Survival dynamics of mechanically topped Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) snags in Douglas-fir plantations, Oregon, USA

2019 ◽  
Vol 433 ◽  
pp. 105-110
Author(s):  
Matthew E. Hane ◽  
Andrew J. Kroll ◽  
Aaron Springford ◽  
Jack Giovanini ◽  
Mike Rochelle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudotsuga Menziesii ◽  
Tsuga Heterophylla ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Western Hemlock

Distribution of epicormic branches and foliage on Douglas-fir as influenced by adjacent canopy gaps

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (11) ◽  
pp. 1320-1330
Author(s):  
John W. Punches ◽  
Klaus J. Puettmann
Keyword(s):  
Branch Length ◽  
Canopy Gaps ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Canopy Gap ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Gap Size ◽  
Terminal Bud ◽  
Total Branch Length ◽  
A Minor ◽  
Epicormic Branches

The influence of adjacent canopy gaps on spatial distribution of epicormic branches and delayed foliage (originating from dormant buds) was investigated in 65-year-old coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Mirb.) Franco). Sample trees were selected across a broad range of local densities (adjacent canopy gap sizes) from a repeatedly thinned stand in which gaps had been created 12 years prior to our study. Lengths and stem locations of original and epicormic branches were measured within the south-facing crown quadrant, along with extents to which branches were occupied by sequential (produced in association with terminal bud elongation) and (or) delayed foliage. Epicormic branches, while prevalent throughout crowns, contributed only 10% of total branch length and 2% of total foliage mass. In contrast, delayed foliage occupied over 75% of total branch length, accounted for nearly 39% of total foliage mass, and often overlapped with sequential foliage. Canopy gap size did not influence original or epicormic branch length or location. On original branches, larger gaps may have modestly negatively influenced the relative extent of sequential foliage on branches and (or) slightly positively influenced delayed foliage mass. Delayed foliage appears to contribute substantially to Douglas-fir crown maintenance at this tree age, but canopy gap size had a minor influence, at least in the short term.

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