Influence of precommercial thinning grade on branch diameter and crown ratio in Pinus sylvestris in southern Sweden

Precommercial thinning is regarded as one of the most important measures for influencing timber quality in stands of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). The present study considers the influence of both thinning intensity and tree height at the time of thinning on diameter of the thickest branch and crown ratio. A total of 115 plots (either naturally regenerated, planted or sown, and either thinned down to 528–8000 stems?ha^?1 or untreated) included in 20 sites in southern Sweden were analysed. The average tree height after thinning varied from 1.2 to 8.3?m. An increasing number of remaining stems resulted in a reduction in branch diameter, although the reduction appeared to be only minor if the number of stems after thinning was more than 3000 stems?ha^?1. It was found that late thinning reduced the diameter of the thickest branch. The crown ratio decreased with stand height, number of stems after thinning and average height at thinning. The results were consistent for all trees and for the 500 thickest trees per hectare.     

樟子松人工林一级枝条基径模型的研究

以东北林业大学帽儿山实验林场樟子松人工林为研究对象,采用树干解析、枝解析的方法,分别于2007年和2008年在老山施业区选择不同年龄、不同立地和不同密度的樟子松人工林有代表性的林分设置固定标准地15块（其中,2007年设置7块,2008年设置8块）,共获取解析样木53株,实测了2298个一级枝活枝条变量因子（包括总着枝深度（DINC）、方位角（φ）、着枝角度（θ）、基径（BD）、枝长（BL）、弦长（BCL）、弓高（BAH））数据资料。基于理论或经验生长方程,建立了樟子松人工林树冠结构一级枝条基径静态模型,包括平均基径模型和最大最小一级枝条基径模型,并对模型进行了检验,结果表明模型预估效果良好。     

Modelling probability of snow and wind damage in Scots pine stands using tree characteristics

Predictions of damage risk from snow and wind at sites using tree characteristics of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), were made using a subset of data from permanent sample plots within the Swedish National Forest Inventory (NFI). The plots were sampled twice at five-year intervals between 1983 and 1992. A logistic risk assessment model was developed using data originating from 286 plots, dominated by Scots pine (> 65% of basal area), within one county situated in the boreal zone in northern Sweden (Västerbotten). The model was evaluated with NFI-data from two other counties, one adjacent to Västerbotten (Västermorrland, 99 plots), which is also in the boreal zone, and one (Kalmar, 138 plots) in the hemi-boreal zone in southern Sweden. In each plot, measurements at first inventory of tree characteristics for the largest undamaged sample tree, and measurements at second inventory of damage from snow and wind on all sample trees were used to develop a logistic model that predicts the damage probability for each site. The best predictors were upper diameter (ud, diameter at 3 or 5 m) and the ratio of height/diameter at breast height (rhd). According to the model calculations, the overall damage probability never exceeded 0.26 for any of the sample plots used for model development. At a given ud the probability of damage is higher for a site with trees of low rhd. The fit of the model was better for the adjacent Västernorrland county than for the southern county, Kalmar. This inferior predictability was explained by differences in tree characteristics between Kalmar and the other counties. The results show that it is possible to predict damage from snow and wind at a site by using only single tree characteristics.     

落叶松人工林整枝研究

根据落叶松人工林不同林龄的10块样地50棵树的节子数据和19块样地95棵树的圆盘数据,建立树高曲线模型、有效冠高的预估模型、林龄与死枝高度的曲线模型,各模型的判定系数均大于0.8,检验精度均大于95%。根据节子高度中的最低节子高度的平均值确定落叶松人工林的整枝起始高度（h1）,用林龄与死枝高度的曲线模型计算该高度上的枝条死亡的时间（t1）为起始整枝时间,t1=14 a。整枝的间隔时间随着林龄的增加先增大,当林龄达在40 a时开始减小。整枝强度也是随林龄的增加先增大,当林龄达到40 a时开始下降,说明林龄在35~40 a是该落叶松人工林生长最旺盛的时期,在这段时期可以考虑该落叶松人工林的主伐问题。当林龄达到47 a后,整枝强度降到1m以下。     

不同密度杉木林分下套种闽楠的生长分析

以福建省顺昌县杉木-闽楠复层林为研究对象,对不同保留密度杉木林下套种闽楠的林分生长进行调查分析。结果表明,随着杉木保留密度的增加,闽楠的平均胸径、树高、单株材积、冠幅、枝下高以及最大分枝粗均降低。西坑试验点内,1~6号样地(杉木保留密度为180株·hm^-2)的林下闽楠平均胸径和树高较7~8号样地(杉木保留密度为480株·hm^-2)的分别增加149.01%和88.95%;八一工区试验点内,1~2号样地(杉木保留密度为485株·hm^-2)的林下闽楠平均胸径和树高较3~4号(杉木保留密度为630株·hm^-2)、5~6号样地(杉木保留密度为825株·hm^-2)分别提高了19.75%、7.02%和40.04%、42.46%;西坑试验点内,1~6号样地,胸径超过30 cm的杉木株数占杉木总株数的88.30%,径阶分布更集中,7~8号样地,这一比例则仅为69.40%;八一工区试验地内,1~2号样地,胸径30~40 cm的杉木株数占杉木总株数的比例较3~4号、5~6号样地分别提高了70.89%和221.29%。结果表明,降低杉木保留密度(或增加间伐强度)有利于下层闽楠的生长和上层杉木大径材的培育。     

Estimation of a basal area growth model for individual trees in uneven-aged Caspian mixed species forests

The aim of this study was to estimate a basal area growth model for individual trees in uneven-aged Caspian forests. A survey was conducted in order to find a natural forest without any harvesting activities, a so called ‘untouched forest’ and an area was selected from the Iranian Caspian forest. Three sample plots in the same aspect and of the same forest type were selected. In each plot, total tree height, diameter at breast height, distance of neighbor trees and azimuth were measured. Thirty trees were selected and drilled with increment borer to determine the increment model. Regression analysis was used to estimate the growth model. Results show that, for individual trees, there is a significant nonlinear relationship between the annual basal area increment, as the dependent variable, and the basal area. The results also show that the basal area of competing trees has a positive influence on growth. That the increment is higher with more competing neighboring trees is possibly because plots with higher volume per hectare and more competition, most likely also have higher site index or better soil or better site productivity than the plot with lower volume per hectare.     

Growth projection of a selectively cut-over forest based on residual inventory

This paper describes a growth projection model derived for a selectively cut-over dipterocarp forest in Northern Luzon, The Philippines. In developing the model, different variations of the general functional relationship between stand yield as a dependent variable and initial basal area, site quality and time as explanatory variables were tested. The final form of the functional relationship is a linear model involving the logarithm of stand yield as a function of the logarithm of the initial basal area and time, and the ratio of site quality and time. A set of abstracted time series data from sample plots based on actual logging settings was used. Time was expressed in terms of the number of years elapsed after logging operations. A site indicator for the selectively cut-over dipterocarp forest was developed using the average total height of the dominant and codominant dipterocarp trees which were left after logging.     

Modeling Branch Length and Branch Angle with Linear Mixed Effects for Dahurian Larch

In this study,the sample data was based on 2 190 branch length and angle samples of 30 trees from dahurian larch（Larix gmeiinii） plantations located in Wuying Forest Bureau in Heilongjiang Province.The stepwise regression techniques were used to develop branch length and branch angle models:BL= b₁ + b₂ DINC + b₃ DINC² + b₄ DBH·DINC²,BA = b₁ + b₂ DINC + b₃ DINC² + b₄ DBH·DINC.Then,the developed models were fitted using linear mixed-effects modeling approach based on LME procedure of S-PLUS software.Evaluation statistics,such as AIC,BIC, Log Likelihood and Likelihood ratio test were used for model comparisons.The results showed that the branch length and branch angle models with parameters b₁,b₂,b₃ as mixed effects showed the best performance.Exponential and power functions were incorporated into mixed branch length and branch angle model.The addition of the exponential and power functions significantly improved the mixed-effects model.The plots of standardized residuals indicated that the mixed-effect model with exponential and power functions showed more homogeneous residual variance than the mixed-effects model.Validation confirmed that the mixed model with calibration of random parameters could provide more accurate and precise prediction.Therefore,the application of mixed model not only showed the mean trends of branch length and branch angle,but also showed the individual difference based on variance-covariance structure.     

A model for the relationship between branch number and biomass in Pinus sylvestris crowns and the effect of crown shape and stand density on branch and stem biomass

The branch biomass of young Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris L.) was inversely related to the branch number per projected crown area giving greater branch density and smaller branch biomass for narrow crowns than for broad crowns. In particular, in dense stands the small share of branches from the total biomass of narrow‐crowned trees was emphasized. The productivity of narrow crowned trees was, however, smaller than that of trees with broad crowns. The concept of the tree ideotype has been discussed on the basis of theoretical calculations.     

Growth of advance regeneration of Norway spruce after clear-cutting

We developed a basal area growth model for recovery of advance growth of Norway spruce trees after clear-cutting. Stem diameter growth at ground level and needle-mass characteristics were measured on permanent sample plots in Estonia. Both tree ring analysis (destructive sampling on one sample plot) and yearly repeated measurement data (two plots) were used to quantify advance growth. Basal area growth of small trees was estimated by multiple regression analysis. Previous-year basal area of the tree and basal area growth explained tree performance the next year. Tree needle-mass variables characterizing the acclimation status of the tree were included in the model as explanatory factors. Needle samples (one shoot from the upper third of each tree crown) were collected each year after the growth period from all sample trees. Needle masses of shoots from consecutive years were correlated and this variable was used as a predictor in the simulation model. Accelerating growth was observed in trees that exceeded the growth threshold in the year after release: the greater the needle mass per shoot, the greater the acceleration in growth. Competition among advance regeneration trees was included in the model: small trees under taller neighbors exhibited reduced growth. We found that trees released from a long period of heavy shade can survive, but the time needed for acclimation and resumption of competitive growth rates is considerably longer than for trees released from light shade. Such trees can be used for forest regeneration, but competition control (particularly reducing the proportion of fast-growing hardwoods) is required.     

Height models for Red Alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) in British Columbia

Interest in managing red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) for pulp, lumber and improving site quality is increasing. Proper management of this species requires growth and yield information. Height-age and years to breast height models developed for western Washington and northwestern Oregon are being used in British Columbia. It is unknown whether these models are suitable for British Columbia's conditions. Therefore, new models were developed from thirty stem analysis plots established in red alder stands in coastal areas of British Columbia. The sample trees in the plots were intensively sampled by taking sections out of the tree stems and counting the annual growth rings on each section. This led to height-age data for each tree, which was then averaged by age to get plot height-age data. Years to breast height and height-age models were developed from these data and are summarized in this paper. The height-age model was anamorphic, which contrasts with the model previously used in British Columbia. The new years to breast height model provides more resolution than the previous model.     

Carbon isotope variation in Douglas-fir foliage: improving the delta(13)C-climate relationship

The natural abundance of stable carbon isotopes in the annual rings of forest trees is used as a tracer of environmental changes such as climate and atmospheric pollution. Although tree-ring delta(13)C varies by about 2 per thousand from year to year, variability within the foliage can be as high as 6 per thousand. Recent studies have shown that branch length affects stomatal response, which influences the integrated foliar delta(13)C signal. To improve the ability of delta(13)C to predict climate differences, we examined the relationship between branch length and foliar delta(13)C in Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco from four sites across a steep climate gradient in Oregon. The transect spanned the boundary between the ranges of the coastal variety, P. menziesii var. menziesii (three sites), and the Rocky Mountain variety, P. menziesii var. glauca (one site). At the most maritime site, branch length explained 76% of within-site variation of 5 per thousand, whereas at the harshest site, branch length accounted for only 15% of this variation. We considered the possibility that cavitation in the water-conducting xylem obscures the branch length effect in the harsher climates. Cavitation, as measured by dye perfusion, was most extensive at sites where the branch length effect in the coastal variety was weakest. Trees at the site with the most substantial cavitation displayed seasonal xylem refilling. Branch length standardization significantly improved the relationship between delta(13)C and climate. With standardization to constant length, delta(13)C values were significantly related to the degree that climatic variables, as modeled with a forest growth simulation model, constrain transpiration (R(2) = 0.69, P < 0.0001). Without standardization, the R(2) was 0.27. We conclude that sampling standard length branches or tree rings from trees of similar shape and size is desirable when seeking correlations between isotopic composition and climate.     

Competition control in juvenile hybrid poplar plantations across a range of site productivities in central Saskatchewan,Canada

The response of hybrid poplar plantations established on former agricultural land in Saskatchewan to competition from weeds on a range of site productivities was studied. The short-term impact of competition control on the growth of juvenile trees and how tree responses to competition control differed across the productivity gradient was of particular interest, as was the determination of which resource was most highly competed for and was most important in determining tree growth. Eight sets of paired plots in juvenile hybrid poplar plantations were established in central Saskatchewan across a range of site productivities. In each pair, one plot had complete weed control (weed-free) while in the other plot weeds were allowed to grow. The best soil predictor of tree growth was soil texture, represented by a combination of the percentage silt and clay, with finer textures showing better growth. Competition control significantly increased tree growth on all sites with the benefit being greatest on the higher productivity sites. Soil water appeared to be highly competed for between trees and weeds and was a dominant resource controlling growth. For soil nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorous were highly competed for between trees and weeds. However, leaf phosphorous concentration of the weed-free plots had a strong positive relation to tree growth while nitrogen did not, indicating that when trees are free of competition they can access sufficient nitrogen from these soils.     

樟子松人工林生物量模型的研究

以不同年龄、不同密度的樟子松(Pinus sylvestris var.mongolica)人工林为研究对象,基于8块标准地40株标准木的树干解析、枝解析的生物量数据,通过比较分析,研究不同大小树木因子(胸径、树高、冠幅等)与单木各分量(树干、枝、叶)生物量之间的关系,应用统计分析软件建立樟子松单木各部分生物量的回归模...     

桉树纸浆用材林树冠枝生长规律初步研究

以雷州林业局纪家林场1~5年生的华桉1号、DH32-29无性系为研究对象,从一级枝数量长度直径、二级枝数量长度直径等方面研究其枝生长规律,结果表明：华桉1号一级枝、二级枝各特征指标值及树冠小于 DH32-29,华桉1号枝条的柔韧性强于 DH32-29,表明树冠结构与林木的抗风性有关,华桉1号比 DH32-29抗风性强,在林业实践中已得到验证;两个无性系一级枝、二级枝结构因子之间的相关性呈现规律均基本一致,华桉1号一级枝、二级枝各结构因子之间的相关度低于 DH32-29。本研究可为桉树合理栽植密度的确定、空间结构优化及可持续经营提供参考和依据。     

基于线性混合模型的落叶松枝条基径模型

以黑龙江省五营林业局丽林林场30株人工落叶松2 190个枝条基径数据为例,利用逐步回归技术建立了落叶松枝条基径模型:BD=b1+b2DINC+b3DINC2+b4DBH.DINC2。然后,利用S-PLUS软件中的LME过程,拟合线性枝基径模型。采用AIC、BIC、对数似然值和似然比检验等模型评价统计指标对不同模型的拟合效果进行比较分析。结果表明:当拟合枝条基径模型时,b1、b2、b3同时作为混合参数时模型拟合最好。为了矫正混合模型构建过程中产生的异方差现象,把幂函数和指数函数加入到枝条基径混合模型中。指数函数显著提高了枝条基径混合模型的拟合效果,并且消除了异方差现象。模型模拟表明:对于大小相同树木,枝条基径随着着枝深度(DINC)的增加而增大,对于大小不同的树木,枝条基径随着胸径(DBH)的增加而增大。林木的胸径变量很好地反映了不同大小树木的枝条基径的变化。在不知道详细林分信息的前提下,可以利用树木变量合理地预测兴安落叶松人工林的枝条基径的变化规律。     

Morphological and physiological adjustment to N and P fertilization in nutrient-limited Metrosideros polymorpha canopy trees in Hawaii

Leaf-level studies of Metrosideros polymorpha Gaud. (Myrtaceae) canopy trees at both ends of a substrate age gradient in the Hawaiian Islands pointed to differential patterns of adjustment to both nutrient limitation and removal of this limitation by long-term (8-14 years) nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and N + P fertilizations. The two study sites were located at the same elevation, had similar annual precipitation, and supported forests dominated by M. polymorpha, but differed in the age of the underlying volcanic substrate, and in soil nutrient availability, with relatively low N at the young site (300 years, Thurston, Hawaii) and relatively low P at the oldest site (4,100,000 years, Kokee, Kauai). Within each site, responses to N and P fertilization were similar, regardless of the difference in soil N and P availability between sites. At the young substrate site, nutrient addition led to a larger mean leaf size (about 7.4 versus 4.8 cm2), resulting in a larger canopy leaf surface area. Differences in foliar N and P content, chlorophyll concentrations and carboxylation capacity between the fertilized and control plots were small. At the old substrate site, nutrient addition led to an increase in photosynthetic rate per unit leaf surface area from 4.5 to 7.6 micromol m(-2) s(-1), without a concomitant change in leaf size. At this site, leaves had substantially greater nutrient concentrations, chlorophyll content and carboxylation capacity in the fertilized plots than in the control plots. These contrasting acclimation responses to fertilization at the young and old sites led to significant increases in total carbon gain of M. polymorpha canopy trees at both sites. At the young substrate site, acclimation to fertilization was morphological, resulting in larger leaves, whereas at the old substrate site, physiological acclimation resulted in higher leaf carboxylation capacity and chlorophyll content.     

Climate influences the leaf area/sapwood area ratio in Scots pine

We tested the hypothesis that the leaf area/sapwood area ratio in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is influenced by site differences in water vapor pressure deficit of the air (D). Two stands of the same provenance were selected, one in western Scotland and one in eastern England, so that effects resulting from age, genetic variability, density and fertility were minimized. Compared with the Scots pine trees at the cooler and wetter site in Scotland, the trees at the warmer and drier site in England produced less leaf area per unit of conducting sapwood area both at a stem height of 1.3 m and at the base of the live crown, whereas stem permeability was similar at both sites. Also, trees at the drier site had less leaf area per unit branch cross-sectional area at the branch base than trees at the wetter site. For each site, the average values for leaf area, sapwood area and permeability were used, together with values of transpiration rates at different D, to calculate average stem water potential gradients. Changes in the leaf area/sapwood area ratio acted to maintain a similar water potential gradient in the stems of trees at both sites despite climatic differences between the sites.     

Relation between length and diameter of Pinus radiata branches

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to construct a model for the architecture of branches in Pinus radiata D. Don and to use it as a part of a modelling effort to relate timber quality as a function of growth and development. Diameter of branches at the insertion point and their length were measured from two types of branches on 2127 normal, healthy and growing branches of different ages, on 15-year-old radiata pine growing in a good and medium productive site in Chile, in stands that either were left without management or had been thinned and pruned. Statistical analysis showed a simple linear relationship between length and diameter with a common proportionality coefficient (slope) in both types of branches, different sites and management regimens. The equation for order 2 branches differed from that of order 3 branches only in the intercept. The results suggest that the uniform linear relationship between branch length and branch diameter could be applied to radiata pine stands of different site fertility and management regimens.     

Provisional yield models of Teak (Tectona grandis Linn F.) plantations in northern Ghana

Teak (Tectona grandis Linn F.) is a popular exotic species in Ghana, widely grown in industrial plantations and small scale community woodlots. In spite of its importance, local information on the growth and yield of this species is lacking. Presented here are the results of a preliminary investigation into the growth and yield of teak in northern Ghana. Data were collected from 100 temporary sample plots from plantations ranging in age from 3 to 40 years. A standard volume equation, site index curves and provisional empirical yield tables were developed and presented. Site index curves were used to classify plantations into site classes of I, II and III, in order of decreasing productivity. Yield functions indicate that teak can be grown on biologically optimum rotations of 31, 38 and 48 years on site classes I, II and III, respectively. At extended rotations with the adoptions of suitable thinning schedules, trees of sawlog sizes could be obtained on site class I.