Prescribed Burning for Stand Conversion in Budworm-killed Balsam Fir: An Ontario Case History

1986 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. McRae
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Fire Effects ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Prescribed Burn ◽  
Stand Conversion

Recent spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana [Clem.]) infestations have resulted in widespread areas of balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.) mortality in Ontario, and there is growing interest in reestablishing these areas quickly as productive forests. One technique being used is prescribed fire after a salvage and bulldozer tramping operation. A 445-ha prescribed burn was carried out under moderate fire danger conditions in northern Ontario. The site, which was covered by balsam fir fuel that had been killed by spruce budworm, was tramped to improve fire spread. Weather, fuel consumption, and fire effects are reported. The burn effectively reduced heavy surface fuel loadings and consequently planting on the site was easier. Key words: Prescribed burning, fire, spruce budworm. Choristoneura fumiferana, balsam fir, Abies balsamea, fuel consumption, site preparation, tramping, stand conversion.

Weather and Outbreaks of the Spruce Budworm in the Province of Quebec from 1939 to 1956

1961 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. Pilon ◽  
J. R. Blais
Keyword(s):  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
The Past ◽  
Forest Regions ◽  
Tree Component ◽  
Gaspe Peninsula ◽  
Gaspé Peninsula

Nearly all forest regions in the Province of Quebec where balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) is an important tree component have been subjected to severe defoliation by the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), during the past 20 years. These outbreaks have followed an easterly direction beginning near the Ontario-Quebec border in 1939 and ending in the Gaspé Peninsula in 1958.

LONG TERM STUDY OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AERIAL APPLICATION OF BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS – ACEPHATE COMBINATIONS AGAINST THE SPRUCE BUDWORM, CHORISTONEURA FUMIFERANA (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE)

1977 ◽  
Vol 109 (9) ◽  
pp. 1239-1248 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. N. Morris
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Thuringiensis ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Larval Mortality ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Population Densities ◽  
Long Term Study

AbstractBacillus thuringiensis (Dipel® 36B) mixed with a sublethal concentration of acephate (Orthene®) (O, S-dimethyl acetylphosphoramidothioate), an organophosphorous insecticide, was applied at 2.35–14 l./ha to white spruce (Picea glauca) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea) trees infested with spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.). The treatment rate was 20 Billion International Units of B. thuringiensis (B.t.) activity with or without 42 g of active ingredient of acephate/ha.The ground deposit of the standard Dipel wettable powder formulation was 12% of emitted volume compared with 21–32% for the Dipel 36B flowable. The viability of B.t. spores was drastically reduced after 1 day of weathering but a high level of biological activity by the spore–crystal complex persisted for up to 20 days post-spray due probably to crystal activity.The addition of about 10% of the recommended operational rate of acephate to the B.t. suspension increased larval mortality by 34% when applied at 4.7 l./ha. Reductions in budworm populations were 97–99% in B.t. + acephate plots and 86–90% in B.t. alone plots.Plots with moderate budworm densities of up to 27 larvae/100 buds on white spruce and 36/100 on balsam fir were satisfactorily protected from excessive defoliation in the year of spray by B.t. with or without acephate. Plots with higher population densities were not satisfactorily protected based on the branch sample examination but aerial color photographs indicated good protection to the top third of the trees. Population declines were greater and defoliation and oviposition were lower in the treated plots than in the untreated checks 1 year later without further treatment. Two years later the larval population densities in all plots were low but the density was twice as high in the untreated check as in the treated plots, indicating long term suppression by the treatments. Defoliation was negligible in all plots.The treatments had no deleterious effect on spruce budworm parasitism. The data indicate that the integrated approach using Bacillus thuringiensis – chemical pesticide combinations is a viable alternative to the use of chemical pesticides alone in spruce budworm control. Large scale testing is now warranted.

CHANGES IN SPRUCE BUDWORM DEFOLIATION WITH CROWN LEVEL

1996 ◽  
Vol 128 (6) ◽  
pp. 1109-1113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Piene
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Crown Length ◽  
Cape Breton ◽  
Cost Effective Approach ◽  
The Common

AbstractDetailed estimates of defoliation caused by spruce budworm [Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.)] over the crown length of young balsam fir [Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.] were made throughout a spruce budworm outbreak from 1976 to 1984 in the Cape Breton Highlands, Nova Scotia. The results show no clear tendency for a particular level of the crown to be damaged more heavily than any other. Thus, there is no reason to continue the common practice of taking samples from the mid-crown level on the assumption that they represent an ‘average’ level of defoliation either for high or low populations. Sampling from the bottom of the crown should provide a more convenient and cost-effective approach for estimating defoliation.

Demography and spatial dynamics in balsam fir stands after a spruce budworm outbreak

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 1112-1120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Rossi ◽  
Hubert Morin
Keyword(s):  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Spatial Dynamics ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Permanent Plots ◽  
Random Pattern ◽  
Advance Regeneration ◽  
Competition For Resources

The renewal of balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) P. Mill.) stands is related to the recurrent spruce budworm (Archips fumiferana Clemens [syn.: Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens)]) outbreaks that favour the growth of the regeneration following death of the dominant trees. The aim of this study was to investigate the population demography and the spatial relationships among individuals in four permanent plots of the boreal forest of Quebec, Canada, after a spruce budworm outbreak. This was realized by collecting data on trees and saplings every five years from 1994 to 2004 and by using Ripley’s K statistics. The younger plots showed recruitment of up to 90 new trees·ha–1·year–1, and mortality following competition among individuals affected up to 27% and 50% of the trees and saplings, respectively. In the plot with the lowest tree density, sapling recruitment was estimated as 378 new individuals·ha–1·year–1. Saplings were aggregated at all spatial scales, whereas trees showed a random pattern of stem distribution. A significant tendency to separation between saplings and trees was observed. The specific stand dynamics observed in balsam fir are connected to an abundant advance regeneration and an age-dependent competition for resources in a heterogeneous environment with different levels of resource availability.

CONTACT AND RESIDUAL EFFECT OF LOW-VOLUME DOSAGES OF PHOSPHAMIDON TO CHORISTONEURA FUMIFERANA (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE) ON TWO SPECIES OF CONIFERS

1972 ◽  
Vol 104 (7) ◽  
pp. 1051-1054
Author(s):  
J. F. Stewart ◽  
N. R. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Difference ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Residual Effect ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Picea Rubens ◽  
Fourth Instar ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Low Volume

AbstractA series of low-volume spray treatments were conducted to study the contact and residual effect of two concentrations of the insecticide phosphamidon to fourth instar spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), on balsam fir, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill, and red spruce, Picea rubens Sarg. Treatment of sprayed larvae on sprayed trees, unsprayed larvae on sprayed trees, and sprayed larvae on unsprayed trees, resulted in two principal conclusions: (a) Higher concentrations of phosphamidon (1% versus 0.5% active) accelerated mortality in all instances and (b) no statistical difference (P = 0.1%) was found in the final mortalities between treatments in which only the foliage was treated and where both larvae and foliage were treated with phosphamidon.

FIELD RESPONSE OF THE SPRUCE BUDWORM, CHORISTONEURA FUMIFERANA (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE), TO DOSAGE AND VOLUME RATES OF COMMERCIAL BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS

1984 ◽  
Vol 116 (7) ◽  
pp. 983-990 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. N. Morris
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Thuringiensis ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Forest Stands ◽  
Effective Application ◽  
Field Response

AbstractThuricide and Dipel, formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.), were applied aerially against the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), in forest stands of balsam fir, Abies balsamea L. A dosage of 30 Billion International Units (BIU) of B.t./ha applied in 2.4 to 4.7 L of spray/ha was most effective. Application of 20 BIU/ha was marginally effective against a population of 12 to 36 larvae/45 cm of branch.

Variations in the foliar amino acid composition of flowering and non-flowering balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) and white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) in relation to outbreaks of the spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem))

1971 ◽  
Vol 49 (7) ◽  
pp. 1005-1011 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Kimmins
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Apparent Correlation

The amino acids of new and old foliage of flowering and non-flowering balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) and white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) were investigated using two-dimensional descending paper chromatography. The data were analyzed for variation associated with age of foliage, age of tree, and flowering condition. The concentration of foliar amino acids was greater in balsam fir than in white spruce, and greater in new foliage than old foliage.The difference in concentration between foliage of flowering and non-flowering trees was smaller. However, the new foliage of flowering fir had higher levels of most of the amino acids examined than any other foliage category. This appears to reflect the known suitability of these foliage categories for spruce budworm larvae. While the data presented do not quantify the ecological significance of this apparent correlation, they do support the theory that variations in the nutritional quality of host plants play a very important role in the dynamics of herbivore populations.

One and two years impact of commercial thinning on spruce budworm feeding ecology and host tree foliage production and chemistry

1996 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 393-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Éric Bauce
Keyword(s):  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Soluble Sugars ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
First Year ◽  
Commercial Thinning ◽  
Mill Stand ◽  
Second Year

Field rearing experiments of spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), were conducted in conjunction with foliar chemical analyses, one and two years after a commercial thinning (removal of 25% stand basal area) in a 50-year-old balsam fir, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill., stand. The first year after thinning, spruce budworm larvae reared on the residual trees developed five days faster and removed 43% more foliage than those reared on control trees, but in the second year they developed two days faster and removed 37% more foliage. The increase in larval development rate was related to an increase in foliar soluble sugars while a reduction in foliar monoterpenes caused by the thinning apparently accounted for the greater amount of foliage ingested by the larvae. The first year after thinning, trees were more vulnerable to spruce budworm because there was no increase in foliage production and the trees were more heavily defoliated. However, in the second year trees were less vulnerable to the insect because there was an increase in foliage production that exceeded the increase in defoliation, hence a net gain in foliage. Results from this study showed that commercial thinning could reduce the vulnerability of balsam fir trees to spruce budworm if thinning is conducted two years prior to budworm outbreak, but the same silvicultural procedure could increase the vulnerability to the insect if it is conducted during an outbreak. Key words: spruce budworm, balsam fir, chemistry, thinning, defoliation

scholarly journals EFFECTS OF DEFOLIATION BY SPRUCE BUDWORM (CHORISTONEURA FUMIFERANA CLEM.) ON RADIAL GROWTH AT BREAST HEIGHT OF BALSAM FIR (ABIES BALSAMEA (L.) MILL.) AND WHITE SPRUCE (PICEA GLAUCA (MOENCH) VOSS.)

1958 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Blais
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Radial Growth ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
First Year ◽  
Growth Ratio ◽  
Breast Height

The relationship between spruce budworm defoliation and radial growth at breast height for balsam fir and white spruce trees of merchantable size was studied in various stands in northwestern Ontario. Defoliation was recorded yearly for these stands from the beginning of the infestation, and radial growth measurements were obtained from increment cores. The first year of radial growth suppression was calculated by comparing the growth of the affected species with that of jack pine and red pine trees by means of a growth-ratio technique. Apparent suppression in balsam fir and white spruce varied between stands, and, generally, occurred at the earliest in the second year and at the latest in the fourth year of severe defoliation. A wide ring at the base of the tree coinciding with the first year of suppression as reported by Craighead was non-existent.

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