Site preparation of abandoned fields and early establishment of planted small-sized seedlings of silver birch

Field experiments at two sites in Sweden investigated the possibility of establishing silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) on abandoned fields by planting small (5–10 cm tall) seedlings. The effects of five modes of soil preparation (no preparation, rotary cultivation, deep ploughing, soil inversion, and removal of topsoil) with or without preliminary herbicide weed control on seedling performance were studied for three growing seasons following plantation. Both a split-plot design and a randomized block design were used to evaluate the experiments. Where there was no site preparation, seedling survival was close to nil. The highest seedling survival rates on the site with sandy soil were obtained on sites prepared by removing topsoil, or by transposing it by deep ploughing. On the site with silty soil, the best survival was observed on sites created by soil inversion or rotary cultivation. The tallest seedlings were found on sites with topsoil retained within the soil profile. Herbicide application with glyphosate promoted seedling survival and seedling height in combination with no soil preparation, but was of little effect when followed by mechanical soil preparation.     

Distribution of ectomycorrhizas and ectomycorrhizal fungal inoculum with soil depth in a birch forest

The distributions of ectomycorrhizas and ectomycorrhizal fungal inoculum with soil depth (0–45 cm) were determined in a 40-year-oldBetula platyphylla var.japonica forest. Mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal fine roots were measured in each soil core sample that was collected at soil depths of 0–5, 5–10, 10–15, 15–20, 20–25, 30–35, and 40–45 cm. The ectomycorrhizas were mainly distributed (>50%) in the top soil (0–5 cm) of organic forest floor horizons. Below 5 cm the quantity of ectomycorrhizas decreased sharply. The percentage of fine roots which were ectomycorrhizal gradually declined with the depth of soil. The ectomycorrhizal fungal inoculum was evaluated by a bioassay method, measuring the lengths of the entire root system and of the ectomycorrhizal roots of birch seedlings planted in each soil sample. The soil samples were collected from 0–5, 10–15, 20–25, 30–35, and 40–45 cm depths of the soil profile. Ectomycorrhizal formation on birch seedling roots in the bioassay was high in both the soil depth intervals 0–5 cm and 10–15 cm, while the amount was lower in the soil depth interval from 20–45 cm. The results of these investigations show that the amount of the ectomycorrhizas in soil, and the ectomycorrhizal fungal inoculum potential as determined by bioassay, are not always consistent with each other.     

Early performance of native birch (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Betula</Emphasis> spp.) planted on cutaway peatlands: influence of species,stock types and seedlings size

The poor reputation of birch in Ireland is gradually changing, and the interest shown in it by foresters is growing, as is the recognition of the many advantages that this genus offers, especially from an afforestation and ecosystem development point of view. The potential of native birch species was investigated on industrial cutaway peatlands in the Irish midlands. Field experiments were established to evaluate differences (in terms of survival, growth attributes and form) between B. pendula and B. pubescens, between bare-root and container planting, and between small and medium size seedlings. After five growing seasons, B. pendula was found to be the superior species especially on well drained and shallow peat sites. Bare-root B. pendula will grow faster with reasonable form but containerised birch may be favoured on more difficult sites (with deeper and wetter peat). Larger seedlings performed better, regardless of species. This study demonstrated good growth potential for planted birch on cutaway peatlands and that this species should be integrated in further planting programmes.     

Growth,stem quality and nutritional status of Betula pendula and Betula pubescens in pure stands and mixtures

The growth, technical quality and nutritional status of pure and mixed silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) and downy birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) plantations were studied 21 and 22 years after planting on afforested organic soil arable land and on upland forest soil. In mixtures, 50% of both birch species was planted. Silver birch trees grew better, but had higher mortality than downy birch trees on both sites. Mortality of both species was highest, and the difference in their growth smallest, on organic soil. In pure stands on organic soil, downy birch dominant height, diameter and mean volume were 96%, 92% and 82% of those of silver birch and on mineral soil 87%, 84% and 60%, correspondingly. On mineral soil, silver birch had a higher mean annual increment (MAI) (5.8 m³ ha^?1a^?1) than downy birch (3.9 m³ ha^?1a^?1), but on organic soil the MAI of both species was similar (3.3–3.4 m³ ha^?1 a^?1). Planting birches in mixture did not affect the growth of the trees on organic soil. On mineral soil, the mean diameter and mean volume of silver birch trees were higher in mixed than in pure plantations. The technical stem quality of both tree species was low. On mineral soils, pure silver birch is more productive than mixture, but on peat soil the higher growth of silver birch could contribute to increased productivity and downy birch would ensure sufficient survival for future timber production.     

Pre-commercial thinning,birch admixture and sprout management in planted Norway spruce stands in South Sweden

Early management of the regenerated seedlings shapes the future stand properties. To address these issues, pre-commercial thinning (PCT) and control treatments were applied to planted Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) and naturally regenerated birch (Betula pendula Roth., Betula pubescens Ehrh.) stands in forest experiments in southern Sweden (lat. 56–57?N) containing 1.1–5.5?m tall saplings. The treatments were retention of 1000 or 2000?stems?ha^?1 of Norway spruce, with no birch or birch at 1000?stems?ha^?1. Treatments were replicated with and without annual removal of birch sprouts from stumps. The periodic annual increment (PAI) over five years was calculated for total stand volume and individual trees. The mean PAI of dominant trees was significantly higher both following all PCT treatments than controls, and following low rather than high-density PCT. Birch retention did not affect growth of the dominant trees but PAI was lower in plots with uncontrolled sprouting. The PAI of birch was significantly higher in low-density Norway spruce plots than in control plots and the high-density plots. The treatment response was significant even in stands with initial heights of only 1–2?m.     

Four glucosides ofp-hydroxyphenyl derivatives from birch leaves

The extractive of shirakamba (Betula platyphylla Sukatchev var.japonica Hara) leaves was investigated. Four glucosides ofp-hydroxyphenyl derivatives were isolated, and their structures were indentified as betuloside (I), 3,4-dihydroxy-propiophenone-3--d-glucopyranoside (II), salidroside (III), and arbutin (IV). Arbutin was newly found in the leaves of shirakamba.     

光皮桦生长与环境因子的关系研究

以雅长林场九龙分场13 a光皮桦纯林作为研究对象,探索土壤酶活性、土壤化学元素以及林分温度对光皮桦生长的影响,采用相关性分析探究影响光皮桦生长的主要环境因子。结果表明,土壤酶活性与光皮桦树高、胸径、冠幅呈正相关,且相关性均较高,光皮桦生长受土壤酶活性的影响作用较大;除速效磷外,土壤中其他化学元素含量与光皮桦生长量相关性较高,其中总氮含量相关性最高,对光皮桦的生长起主导作用;光皮桦林分内地表温度、空气温度与其生长量的相关系数均较低,其与光皮桦的生长没有直接影响;土壤中的蔗糖酶活性、酸性磷酸酶活性、土壤总氮与光皮桦的相关性相对较高,因此,土壤蔗糖酶活性、酸性磷酸酶活性、总氮含量可能是影响光皮桦生长的主导环境因子。     

Effect of seed coverings and seed pretreatments on the germination response of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alnus glutinosa</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Betula pubescens</Emphasis> seeds

The germination of common alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) and downey birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) seeds is often poor in bare-root nurseries. The effect of a variety of seed coverings and a few seed pretreatments on seedling emergence was examined in this study in an attempt to address this problem. Seeds of each species were sown in trays containing nursery soil, covered with grit, gravel, sand, combinations of these coverings, a hydromulch or a sealed plastic cloche and then incubated for 6 weeks at 17–20°C. The grit combined with sand or gravel, the hydromulch and the cloche increased seedling emergence when compared with the standard grit. In another experiment, seeds of each species were fully imbibed (FI) (>50% moisture content, MC), as per standard practice, or adjusted to target MC (TMC) (30–35% MC) levels, and then chilled to release dormancy. Some seeds of each MC treatment were primed at 20°C for 2 days following chilling, after which all seeds were evaluated in laboratory tests and a nursery trial. Germination potential of the FI seeds declined in the lab tests by the second test date, which was reflected in low seedling emergence in the nursery in birch. The primed FI seeds of alder germinated most rapidly in the nursery, but other effects were not significant. Seedling emergence was better in the nursery in response to the TMC than the FI pretreatment in birch.

Pinus contorta growth in northern Sweden as affected by soil scarification

The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of different soil scarification methods on tree growth. Soil scarification influenced stem volume and stem biomass yield of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. var. latifolia Engelm.) in a 17-year-old field trial in boreal Sweden. Soil scarification (disc trenching, mounding and ploughing) resulted in an average stem volume yield of 3.1 and 34.2 m³ ha^–1 on the poor and intermediate sites, respectively, while corresponding values for no soil scarification were 0.9 and 16.7 m³ ha^–1. In comparison to no scarification, ploughing increased volume yields by 500% on the poor site and by 200% on the intermediate sites. The ranking according to stem volume yield was ploughing > disc trenching = mounding no soil scarification. Averaged over the two sites, the mean annual increment of stem biomass was 219% and 145% higher (in d.w., 0.26 kg and 0.34 kg per sample tree) after ploughing compared with no soil scarification, for the average and dominant sample trees, respectively. Although not significant, the increased growth rate after soil scarification decreased the average stem basic wood density of the sample trees with 1.6% and 5.3%, at the poor and intermediate sites, respectively. In conclusion, soil scarification significantly increased the 17-year stem volume yield compared with no scarification. The results also indicate that the difference in stem biomass yield between ploughing and the other methods, especially no soil scarification, will increase even more in the near future.     

Effects of coppicing on the root and stump carbohydrate dynamics in birches

Whole birch stems were cut off in order to determine how coppicing affects root and stump starch, glucose, fructose and sucrose concentrations and their correlation with shoot regeneration capacity. The Betula pubescens Ehrh. and B. pendula Roth studied included intact trees, trees that had been coppiced 8 years earlier, trees coppiced at the beginning of the experimental season, and birches that had been coppiced twice, 8 years earlier and at the beginning of the experimental season. Carbohydrate accumulation differed between 8 years earlier coppiced and intact trees. Recent coppicing clearly decreased the starch and sugar concentrations of the roots, which were often highest in the thin roots. The concentrations of these compounds in the stumps were always low, although the carbohydrate concentrations of stumps, in particular, correlated with shoot regeneration capacity. Starch was the most labile of the carbohydrates measured and most clearly reacted to coppicing. Differences in starch- and sugar-reserve dynamics indicate a difference between these birch species in the use and replenishing of root and stump reserves. This information may also be of help when the effects of other stresses, for example, severe animal damage or burning, on the regrowth of young birch stands are estimated.     

Changes in stem taper for birch plants growing in tree shelters

Plantings with pendula (Betula pendula Roth) and pubescent (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) birches were studied on five localities (Lat. 57–60 ° N) in Sweden. Seedlings were planted in 1988 or 1989. The experiment contained 50 plants per parcel and five replications per treatment. Among treatments harrowed area and birches covered with tree shelter were included. In spring 1993 five plants growing on harrowed area, with and without tree shelter, respectively were randomly chosen on each parcel. A total of 25 birches per treatment, species and locality were used. The trial was replicated in 1994 and 1995. The plant height was estimated and diameter at 20 and 60% of tree height was measured each year for 4 yr. The stem taper was calculated by the quotient D₆₀/D₂₀. The stem taper for birches without tree shelter was 0.5 for both species on all localities. The quotients for birches, which have grown in tree shelter, were 0.6–0.75 the first years of the trial. Then the quotients decreased and 2–3 years later they were on the same level as for birches planted without tree shelters. The results of the studies indicate that tree shelters should be removed two to three years after the plant has reached the top of the shelter. The height of the tree shelter might be shortened to 0.8–1.0 m to stabilise the plant earlier than with the conventional shelter height of 1.2 m.     

Investigation of change in tangential strain on the inner bark of the stem and root ofBetula platyphylla var.japonica andAcer mono during sap season

Although it is well known that sap exudation during early spring in temperate deciduous trees occurs in response to daytime warming and nighttime cooling, the mechanisms of the process are not yet fully understood. Previous theories suggested that changes in stress in the wood caused by daytime heating and nighttime cooling might be linked with sap flow. Consequently, a study of itaya-kaede maple (Aver mono) and shirakamba birch (Betula platyphylla var.japonica) looked at tangential strains. One-hour intervals for 3 years of the tangential strains on the inner bark of stem and root were measured in itaya-kaede maple and shirakamba birch during the sap exudation season. The measurements indicated different mechanisms of sap exudation in these two trees. During the sap exudation season in late March, when the temperature fluctuated around 0°C, the tangential strain in the root of itaya-kaede maple showed expansion in the daytime and contraction at night. Conversely, in early April the tangential strain in the root of shirakamba birch exhibited contraction in the daytime and expansion at night. The changes in tangential strains in itaya-kaede maple were attributed to conditioning, a known concept used to explain the uptake mechanism of soil water in maple and its exudation during early spring. However, because the change in tangential strain in the roots of shirakamba birch was similar to that found during the rampant season, sap exudation was not attributed to conditioning but to the plentiful supply of water from the roots. The implications of these mechanisms are that different sap harvesting techniques may be appropriate for different tree species.     

Effects of acid rain treatments on the birch rust,Melampsoridium betulinum and birch,Betula pendula

Effects of acidic rain on birch rust and on the growth of Betula pendula seedlings were studied by irrigating with acidic water at pH 3, 4 and 5.6. The seedlings were inoculated with uredospores of Melampsoridium betulinum and the development of rust and the severity of rust infection was examined. The increasing acidity of the irrigation water did not affect on the development of the rust, but the nitrogen in the acidified water resulted in an extension of seedling growth, and hence the leaves became senescent at a later date in autumn and the rust grew for a longer time.     

Biomass production, foliar and root characteristics and nutrient accumulation in young silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) stand growing on abandoned agricultural land

The above-ground biomass and production, below-ground biomass, nutrient (NPK) accumulation, fine roots and foliar characteristics of a 8-year-old silver birch (Betula pendula) natural stand, growing on abandoned agricultural land in Estonia, were investigated. Total above-ground biomass and current annual production after eight growing seasons was 31.2 and 11.9 t DM ha⁻¹, respectively. The production of stems accounted for 62.4% and below-ground biomass accounted for 19.2% of the total biomass of the stand. Carbon sequestration in tree biomass reaches roughly 17.5 t C ha⁻¹ during the first 8 years. The biomass of the fine roots (d < 2 mm) was 1.7 ± 0.2 t DM ha⁻¹ and 76.2% of it was located in the 20 cm topsoil layer. The leaf area index (LAI) of the birch stand was estimated as 3.7 m² m⁻² and specific leaf area (SLA) 15.0 ± 0.1 m² kg⁻¹. The impact of the crown layer on SLA was significant as the leaves are markedly thicker in the upper part of the crown compared with the lower part. The short-root specific area (SRA) in the 30 cm topsoil was 182.9 ± 9.5 m² kg⁻¹, specific root length (SRL), root tissue density (RTD) and the number of short-root tips (>95% ectomycorrhizal) per dry mass unit of short roots were 145.3 ± 8.6 m g⁻¹, 58.6 ± 3.0 kg m⁻³ and 103.7 ± 5.5 tips mg⁻¹, respectively. In August the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, accumulated in above ground biomass, was 192.6, 25.0 and 56.6 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. The annual flux of N and P retranslocation from the leaves to the other tree parts was 57.2 and 3.7 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (55 and 27%), respectively, of which 29.1 kg ha⁻¹ N and 2.8 kg ha⁻¹ P were accumulated in the above-ground part of the stand.     

Effect of CCC and daminozide on growth of silver birch container seedlings during three years after spraying

Applications of growth retardants, daminozide and CCC (chlormequatchloride), were studied in order to determine their effects on morphology and post-planting growth of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) container seedlings. Daminozide was sprayed once (on 28 June at concentrations of 1.0 – 6.0 g l^–1) and CCC was sprayed twice (on 29 June and 27 July at concentrations of 0.5–3.0 gl^–1). Height growth, morphology of seedlings at the end of the growing season, the shoot and root growth potential the following spring and field performance during the following seasons were measured. During the first summer in the nursery, both daminozide and CCC retarded height growth,but daminozide was more effective. The effects of compounds on stem diameter during the summer of application were small. Neither of the compounds affected the field performance of seedlings. The most suitable applications for retardation of height growth, without negative effects on other morphological variables, were 4 g l^–1 (32 mg per seedling) for daminozide and 2 g l^–1 (16 mg per seedling), sprayed in two applications, for CCC.     

Connection of growth and wood density with wood anatomy in downy birch grown in two different soil types

Soil affects the anatomy of downy birch wood (Betula pubescens), which raises the question whether the growth of this species differs between mineral and peat soils. The aim of this study was to compare growth, density and structure of xylem of B. pubescens between trees grown in different soils. Both growth and density differed between trees grown in different soils. All measured anatomical characteristics, except double thickness of fibre walls, percentage vessel area and ray number, showed differences between the soil types: the cell dimensions were larger and numbers smaller in trees grown in mineral soil. In peat, high growth rates decreased the wall:lumen ratio of fibres in maturing wood, while no such correlation was observed in trees grown in mineral soil at any studied cambial age. In addition, axial parenchyma may have a different role in trees grown in different soils, as the rapid growth decreased and increased axial parenchyma in mineral and peat soil, respectively. The characteristics affecting wood strength were more similar between trees grown in different soils than those affecting water conductance. The observed differences between trees grown in different soils emphasise rapid growth particularly at young ages and shorter reasonable rotation period in mineral soil.     

Influence of different nursery container media on rooting of Scots pine and silver birch seedlings after transplanting

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) seedlings were grown in containers filled with growth media based on medium-textured sphagnum peat, coarse perlite and fine sand. The seedlings were then planted into fine and coarse sandy soils in 2.2 l pots, which were subjected to two water-content treatments (only one for birch). After the seedlings had grown five weeks in a greenhouse, rooting into the surrounding soil and shoot growth were measured. Addition of perlite and sand to peat medium slightly affected rooting; thus suggesting minor effects on seedling establishment. However, nitrogen concentration of the seedlings varied between growth media and correlated positively with rooting into the soil. The particle size and water content of the soil affected considerably rooting of the seedlings. Seedling height at the time of planting did not affect rooting or shoot growth. The fact that the fewest out-grown roots occurred in the dry fine sandy soil, suggests that dry soil together with high strength and resistance to root penetration reduce rooting and water uptake by container seedlings most and may thus cause water and nutrient stresses to seedlings after outplanting.     

The effects of species mixture on the growth and yield of mid-rotation mixed stands of Scots pine and silver birch

The effect of tree species mixture on stand volume yield and on tree-species-specific diameter and height growth rates were analysed in managed mixed stands of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and silver birch (Betula pendula Ehrn.).Data were obtained from 14 repeatedly measured stands located in Southern Finland on mineral soil sites with varying admixture of Scots pine and silver birch. Statistical analysis was carried out for studying the effect of species mixture on the development of stand characteristics. For the analysis, the plots were categorised into three groups (plot types) according to the species dominance. In order to analyse species-specific growth rates, individual-tree mixed linear growth models for tree diameter and height growth were developed for both tree species.The results clearly show that the yield of the managed mid-rotation, mixed stands was greater for stands dominated by Scots pine than for stands dominated by birch, and the stand volume increment decreased with an increasing proportion of silver birch. Analysis of diameter and height growth by tree species revealed that the main reason for this pattern is the negative impact of birch competition on the growth of pine trees. The increase in diameter of pine was clearly hampered if the proportion of birch was high. An abundance of birch also slightly decreased the growth in height of Scots pine, although the effect was less than on diameter growth. Species mixture did not affect the diameter growth of birch but did have a significant effect on height development. Height growth of birch was considerably greater in pine-dominated stands than in birch-dominated stands. In pine-dominated mixed stands, the height growth of birch was quite close to that of dominant pine trees, and birches can endure in competition with pines for light.The results apply for even-aged and single-storey managed stands, where stocking density and structure are controlled with pre-commercial and commercial thinnings. The results are not applicable to unmanaged mixed stands undergoing self-thinning. This study provides new information on mixed stands from a silvicultural perspective, which can be applied in decisions involving the management of mixed stands.     

Effects of log storage and drying on birch (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Betula pendula</Emphasis>) wood proanthocyanidin concentration and discoloration

In conventional drying, sawn birch (Betula sp.) timber darkens and reddens from the inside while the layer a few millimetres under the yellowish surface remains light in color. Lack of information concerning the chemical basis of the discoloration hinders the development of a reliable solution for this problem. In this study, the role of soluble proanthocyanidins in discoloration of birch wood was investigated because the polymerization and oxidation of these compounds are known to yield insoluble reddish compounds. Different periods of log storage affected the synthesis of soluble proanthocyanidins during conventional drying. Concentration of proanthocyanidins also correlated with changes in the color of birch wood. Discoloration appeared differently in conventionally dried and vacuum-dried wood, which indicates that the discoloration mechanism in these drying methods may differ chemically, and/or the compounds that take part in discoloration may be different at different drying temperatures.     

Deciduous trees affect small-scale floristic diversity and tree regeneration in conifer forests

Abstract

There is a growing interest in the effects of deciduous trees on biodiversity, soil processes and long-term productivity in boreal, conifer-dominated forests. This study investigated whether individual birch trees allowed to grow to maturity in the coniferous forest can have a local effect on floristic richness and regeneration of tree saplings. The ground vegetation was compared in 2?m radius plots around the stem under the canopies of matched conifer–deciduous trees in a mature, conifer-dominated forest, and included in the analysis variables that could potentially mediate the tree effect (soil pH, cover of lichens, bryophytes, leaf and needle litter). The field layer vegetation was more species rich under birch (Betula pendula and B. pubescens) than under conifers (Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris), and several vascular plant species (including saplings of tree species) occurred more often under birch than under conifers. However, when the effect of the number of subordinate trees was taken into account the difference between birch and pine was not significant. The number of tree regenerations (saplings) was lowest under pines, but did not differ between spruce and birch. There were no effects of the canopy species on soil pH or on cover of lichens and bryophytes. The difference in diversity may be caused by the different effects of leaf and needle litter, and it is also likely that canopy structure has an influence via interception and throughfall and by affecting the light and microclimate.