scholarly journals A NEW APPROACH TO THE NORTHERN SPRUCE REGENERATION PROBLEM

1954 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 372-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henri LeBlanc
Keyword(s):  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Detrimental Effect ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Normal Concentration ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Seed Supply ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Intensive Work

Lack of reproduction of black spruce, Picea mariana, in pure black spruce stands in old cut-over areas, has always been a great subject of discussion and one for intensive work among foresters. Many reasons such as the absence of an adequate seed supply stored on top of humus, or adverse germination conditions are said to be partly responsible.This study on the humus of this unregenerated cut-over area, indicates clear cutting of this stand will influence the normal concentration of definite micro-nutrients such as manganese and magnesium.The augmentation of manganese in the soil has a detrimental effect on the growth of plants when, its concentration is too high. The diminution of magnesium, which is an element necessary to stimulate the growth, must create abnormal nutritive conditions of the habitat. This visible lack of equilibrium might be the cause of the absence of seedlings of Picea mariana on certain parts of this cut-over area.

Ten-year results of strip clear-cutting in Quebec black spruce stands

2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Pothier
Keyword(s):  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Advance Regeneration ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Harvesting Method ◽  
Cost Efficient ◽  
One Year ◽  
Cutting System

Regeneration of first-cut strips in a two-cut system of strip clear-cutting was compared to that of large clear-cutting in four different areas representative of the black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) stands of the boreal forest of Quebec. Seedlings were more evenly distributed in clearcut strips than in large clearcuts. Differences of about 10 000 black spruce seedlings per hectare and 20% of stocking were observed in favour of clearcut strips compared to large clearcuts. Black spruce stocking was about 14% larger on lowland than on upland sites but height growth was better on upland sites. A regeneration problem similar to that of large clearcuts was observed when the second strips were cut. One year after cutting these second strips, winter harvesting resulted in a 23% gain in black spruce stocking as compared to summer harvesting. Even if black spruce stocking marginally increased during the years following winter harvesting, the height advantage of the preserved advance growth justifies the application of this harvesting method. The strip clear-cutting system effectively improved the stocking of former black spruce stands but if the stocking level of advance growth is adequate, careful harvesting to preserve advance regeneration should be the preferred method since it would be more cost-efficient.

scholarly journals Comparative Height Growth of Eastern Larch and Black Spruce in Northwestern Ontario

1978 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 296-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas A. Mead
Keyword(s):  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Larix Laricina ◽  
Stem Analysis ◽  
Northwestern Ontario ◽  
Analysis Methods ◽  
Spruce Stands

Height growth of eastern larch (Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch) and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) was determined using standard stem analysis methods on trees from two sites in northwestern Ontario. The data were obtained from mixed larch-spruce stands which were relatively undisturbed. The larch exhibited substantially better height growth than the spruce through age 65.

Survey and ecological aspects of presumed ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with black spruce in northern Minnesota

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 825-831 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L. Doudrick ◽  
Elwin L. Stewart ◽  
Alvin A. Alm
Keyword(s):  
Ectomycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Selection Criteria ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Laccaria Bicolor ◽  
Site Preference ◽  
Geologic History ◽  
Aseptic Culture ◽  
Ecological Aspects ◽  
Spruce Stands

Twenty-two stands of black spruce, Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P., in northern Minnesota were surveyed for ectomycorrhizal fungi. Site selection criteria in black spruce stands included geologic history, soil type, stand origin, age, and productivity. Site preference relationships were noted for several of the 46 species of fungi collected during the 2-year study. Twenty-five isolates were tested in aseptic culture for their ability to form ectomycorrhizae with black spruce seedlings. Ectomycorrhizae were produced by Cenococcum sp., Laccaria bicolor (Maire) Orton, Laccaria laccata var. moelleri Singer, Rhizopogon sp., and Suillus cavipes (Opat.) Smith & Thiers.

Croissance en hauteur à long terme de la régénération préétablie dans des pessières noires boréales régénérées par marcottage, au Québec

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 613-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raynald Paquin ◽  
René Doucet
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Dominant Position ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Effective Age ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
To Come

Height-growth patterns of black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) in the boreal forest were studied in layer-origin stands released by clear-cutting in the first half of this century. Most stems responded to release brought about by clear-cutting of the main stand. Initially, small stems responded more rapidly and more strongly, but their height-growth rate culminated between 20 and 30 years following release, the same period when height-growth rate culminated for the taller, older stems. After the culmination period, growth rates were independent of height at the time of release. Consequently, the taller stems at time of release were able to maintain their dominant position. Height growth over the recent years indicates that this position could be maintained in the years to come, and even indefinitely. It seems that second-growth black spruce stands behave like even-aged stands despite their uneven-aged structure. Consequently, years since release and stem height are more accurate measures of stem effective age than total age. Moreover, the taller stems in the understory, which are usually considerably older, should be considered to be as valuable as smaller regeneration when a stand is cut.

Régénération des interbandes dans un système de coupe par bandes de peuplements d'épinette noire

1989 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 372-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Claude Ruel
Keyword(s):  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Moisture Regime ◽  
Spruce Stands

A study on the regeneration of leave strips in an alternate strip clearcutting system was conducted in black spruce stands (Picea mariana [Mill.] BSP) in Abitibi in northwestern Quebec. The study consists of 49 leave strips scheduled for harvesting and 24 adjacent first-cut strips. Winter harvesting gave the best results while a prescription aiming at preserving advance growth did not result in any gain. Site moisture regime and harvesting system had no effect on advance growth destruction. Regeneration on first-cut strips was not significantly affected by the cutting of the leave strip.

Dynamics and morphology of giant circular patterns of low tree density in black spruce stands in northern Quebec

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 420-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-François Giroux ◽  
Yves Bergeron ◽  
Jean J Veillette
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Tree Density ◽  
Surface Elevation ◽  
Organic Layer ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Spruce Mortality ◽  
Soil Measurements

Giant circular patterns of low tree density in black spruce (Picea mariana) stands were investigated in the Abitibi region of Quebec. We used dendrochronological techniques to test the hypotheses that ring patterns of low tree density are caused either by radial changes in spruce mortality or productivity. Seven circles were sampled. We found no gradient in the age of spruce along circle radii suggesting that rings of low tree density do not expand radially, that is, they are not spatially dynamic entities. The results indicate, however, that spruce trees were less dense and productive within the rings due to excessive moisture in the soil. Measurements of surface elevation, thickness of the organic layer and elevation of the mineral substrate across the circles revealed that a depression in the mineral soil beneath the rings traps the surface water and this area of poor drainage seems to prevent the establishment of black spruce within the rings. The origin of the ring-shaped depressions was attributed to geological or geomorphological causes.Key words: black spruce, Picea mariana, mortality, productivity, rings, geomorphology.

Comparing bird assemblages in successional black spruce stands originating from fire and logging

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (12) ◽  
pp. 1850-1860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Imbeau ◽  
Jean-Pierre L Savard ◽  
Réjean Gagnon
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Fire Suppression ◽  
Bird Abundance ◽  
Point Count ◽  
Bird Assemblages ◽  
Development Stages ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Open Land ◽  
Land Bird

Comparisons of the effects of logging and fire as disturbance agents on the composition of bird assemblages in boreal ecosystems are still lacking or are limited to the short-term impacts of clear-cutting. In Quebec, where the boreal forest is largely dominated by black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) stands, we surveyed 140 point-count stations in 3 postlogging and 4 postfire development stages determined according to the height of the regenerating spruce trees. Species richness did not vary among forest development stages, but bird abundance was higher in recent clearcuts. Recently disturbed areas were characterized by open-land bird assemblages dominated by Neotropical migrants, which reached their highest abundance in clearcuts. Moreover, logged stands were distinguished from burned sites by the absence of cavity-nesting birds. Forest-bird assemblages reestablished themselves as soon as young spruces reached the sapling stage. However, the Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus), Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus), and Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) were restricted to mature stands or recent burns and are thus likely to be negatively affected by modern forestry, which involves fire suppression and short logging rotations. We suggest that retention of larger areas of continuous mature forest might be essential to maintain these species in managed regions.

Mortality in black spruce stands of fire or clear-cut origin

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 539-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Martin Lussier ◽  
Hubert Morin ◽  
Réjean Gagnon
Keyword(s):  
Partial Correlation ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Predisposing Factor ◽  
Mortality Pattern ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Spruce Stands

The mortality pattern of 14 black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) stands from the Saguenay region (Quebec), originating from fire or clear-cutting in the early 20th century, was reconstructed based on the dendrochronological dating of dead trees. Most of the spruces died during the 1970s and 1980s, which suggests the possible impact of the most recent spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clem.) outbreak. This hypothesis is supported by the observation of major growth reductions synchronous with known outbreak periods and by the existence of a significant partial correlation between the mortality rates and the occurrence of outbreaks. A significant partial correlation between the mortality rates and the relative density of the studied stands suggests that competition amongst individuals might act as a predisposing factor to the death of trees, while the outbreaks act as an inciting factor. The observed mortality pattern is similar to self-thinning, since most of the dead trees were from the smallest size classes.

Notes on the Biology of Griselda radicana (Wlshm.) (Lepidoptera: Olethreutidae)

1961 ◽  
Vol 93 (8) ◽  
pp. 648-653 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Blais
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Host Tree ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Forest Insect ◽  
Picea Pungens ◽  
Disease Survey ◽  
Spruce Stands

In the course of studles on different species of defoliators in field-spruce stands on the Gaspé coast of the Baie des Chaleurs, Griselda radicana (Wlshm.) occurred fairly commonly in such stands. Although the principal host tree of this insect is white spruce, Picea glauca (Moench) Voss, records of the Forest Insect and Disease Survey show that it has been collected from black spruce, Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP., Colorado spruce, Picea pungens Engelm., and balsam fir, Abies halramea (L.) Mill. Although G. radicana is commonly found across Canada, there are no records that it has ever reached outbreak proportions. These investigations were undertaken since nothing was known on the life history and habits of this insect. The studies were carried out near New Richmond in the Gaspé Peninsula in the summer of 1959.

The effect of advance regeneration height on future yield of black spruce stands

1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 536-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Pothier ◽  
René Doucet ◽  
Jocelyn Boily
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Advance Regeneration ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Index Site ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Stand Height

The advance regeneration often present following clear-cutting in black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) stands is generally composed of individuals of various heights. This initial height difference is hypothesized to affect the yield of the future stand. Height of the advance regeneration at time of release was determined on several black spruce trees within 33 stands distributed across the boreal forest of the province of Quebec, Canada. From these data, a regeneration structure index was developed and used to explain a part of the variation in subsequent stand yield. Dominant trees of stands developing for 38 to 65 years since clear-cutting generally originated from the tallest advance regeneration at time of release. Stands with the tallest regeneration at time of release produced the largest yields for a given site quality and number of years since harvesting. A 3-m increase in advance-regeneration height resulted in a similar yield gain as a 3-m increase in site index. Site indices calculated from age-height relationships of dominant trees originating from tall advance regeneration were less than those calculated from trees that have undergone a relatively short period of suppression. These results suggest that traditional management tools developed for fire-origin black spruce stands, i.e., stands mainly composed of seed-origin trees established after perturbation, should be adjusted for clearcut-origin stands that largely develop from advance regeneration.

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