Relating the survival and growth of planted longleaf pine seedlings to microsite conditions altered by site preparation treatments

Pine plantations in the southeastern United States are often created using site preparation treatments to alleviate site conditions that may limit survival or growth of planted seedlings. However, little is understood about how site preparations affect longleaf pine (Pinus palustris P. Miller) seedlings planted on wet sites. In a 2-year study (2004 and 2005) on poorly drained, sandy soils of Onslow County, North Carolina, we examined the effects of common site preparation treatments on microsite conditions and quantified relationships between microsite conditions and longleaf pine seedling survival and growth. Treatments used in the study included site preparations designed to control competing vegetation (chopping and herbicide) combined with those that alter soil conditions (mounding and bedding). During both years, mounding and bedding treatments reduced the amount of moisture within the top 6 cm of soil and increased soil temperatures when compared to flat planting (p < 0.001). Soil moisture was inversely related to seedling mortality in 2004 (r² = 0.405) and inversely related to root collar diameter in 2005 (r² = 0.334), while light was positively related to root collar diameter in 2005 (r² = 0.262). Light availability at the seedling level was highest on treatments that effectively reduced surrounding vegetation. Herbicides were more effective than chopping at controlling vegetation in 2004 (p < 0.001) and 2005 (p = 0.036). Controlling competing vegetation, especially shrubs, was critical for increasing early longleaf pine seedling growth.     

Potential use of visible and near-infrared spectroscopy for pine species discrimination by examination of needles

The correct identification of pine species is necessary for proper application of wood in forest?based industries, since the quality of each species’ wood depends on factors intrinsic to the material. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential use of near?infrared and visible spectroscopy in the discrimination of pine species planted in southern Brazil. Needles of Pinus clausa, P. glabra, P. kesiya, P. oocarpa, P. palustris, P. pseudostrobus, P. rigida, P. roxburghii and P. serotina were collected from experimental plantations located in the region of Rio Negro, Paraná, Brazil. The needles were dried and milled for analysis. The evaluation was performed with a spectral range of 400–750?nm (visible) and 1 000–2 500?nm (near?infrared). Analysis using the visible spectra resulted in two principal components explaining 95% of the variation between the needle samples. In the near?infrared analysis, it was possible to discriminate between all nine pine species studied using only two principal components, where the first explained 99% of the variation between species. Spectroscopy based on needles can be used for pine species discrimination, using the original data without mathematical treatment, in southern Brazil.     

Magnitude and efficiency of genetic diversity captured from seed stands of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus nigra</Emphasis> (Arnold) subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">pallasiana</Emphasis> in established seed orchards and plantations

To test how efficiently plantations and seed orchards captured genetic diversity from natural Anatolian black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold subspecies pallasiana Holmboe) seed stands, seed sources were chosen from 3 different categories (seed stands (SS), seed orchards (SO) and plantations (P)) comprising 4 different breeding zones of the species in Turkey. Twenty-five trees (mother trees) were selected from each SS, SO and P seed sources and were screened with 11 Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Estimated genetic diversity parameters were found to be generally high in all Anatolian black pine seed sources and the majority of genetic diversity is contained within seed sources (94%). No significant difference in genetic diversity parameters (numbers of effective alleles, % of polymorphic loci and heterozygosity) among seed source categories was found, except for a slight increase in observed heterozygosities in seed orchards. For all seed source categories, observed heterozygosity values were higher (H_o = 0.49 for SS, 0.55 for SO and 0.49 for P) than expected ones (H_e = 0.40 for SS, 0.39 for SO and 0.38 for P) indicating the excess of heterozygotes. In general, genetic diversity in seed stands has been transferred successfully into seed orchards and plantations. However, the use of seeds from seed orchards can increase the amount of genetic diversity in plantations further. The study also demonstrated that number of plus-tree clones (25–38) used in the establishment of seed orchards was adequate to capture the high level of diversity from natural stands.     

Stocking rate mediates responses of mid-rotation loblolly pine in west-central Arkansas. 2. Profitability

Further study is needed on loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) growth in a systematic array of plantation designs or stocking rates commonly used in temperate forestry and agroforestry practices. Our objective was to determine loblolly pine growth responses and agroforestry implications of 13 plantation designs (i.e., stocking rates in trees ha⁻¹ [TPH]) at mid-rotation (14 years old). Survival, diameter at 1.3 m above soil surface (dbh), height, basal area (BA), and volume (V) were measured in unthinned plantations ranging from 490 to 2,300 TPH. Stocking rate was positively correlated with BA (r ≥ 0.67) and V (r ≥ 0.55) and negatively correlated with survival (r ≤ −0.83) and dbh (r ≤ −0.83). Plantations with ≥2,000 TPH had closed canopies and excessively high BA and V at mid-rotation. The 4- and 5-row plantations (≥12 m alley spacing) had small dbh (≤17.5 cm). Single-row plantations with ≥3.6 m within row spacing and ≤700 TPH, and the 3-row multiple-row plantations (1,200 TPH), had acceptable BA (29.4–33.2 m² ha⁻¹) and V (127–136 m³ ha⁻¹). Basal area was ≥30 m² ha⁻¹ in most plantations indicating thinning is needed to optimize individual tree growth. Besides timber, an array of design-dependent agroforestry and forestry products should drive the selection of any one of these plantation designs: pine straw or biomass production at ≥1,800 TPH, and alley cropping or silvopasture in single-row (≤1,000 TPH) and multiple-row plantations (<1,400 TPH).     

Effects of spacing and genetic entry on radial growth and ring density development in Scots pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> L.)

• Introduction  

The objective of this work was to study how spacing and genetic entry and/or origin group affect radial growth (ring width and cumulative diameter development) and ring density from pith to bark in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and in what sense their annual variability could be explained by the climatic variables. The spacing trial was located in central Finland, with current stand density range of 2,000–4,000 trees per hectare. All the six genetic entries had Kanerva pine (plus tree S1101) as a father tree, whereas the mother tree represented Finnish plus trees from southern, central and northern Finland.     

Individual-tree diameter growth models for black spruce and jack pine plantations in northern Ontario

Individual-tree distance independent diameter growth models were developed for black spruce and jack pine plantations. Data used in this study came via stem analysis on 1170 black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] B.S.P.) and 800 jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) trees sampled from 75 stands of 25 even-aged monospecific plantations for each species in the Canadian boreal forest region of northern Ontario. Of the 75 stands, 50 were randomly selected for each species and all trees from these stands were used for model development. Trees from the remaining stands were used for model evaluation.A nonlinear mixed-effects approach was applied in fitting the diameter growth models. The predictive accuracy of the models was improved by including random effects coefficients. Four selection criteria - random, dominant or codominant, tree size close to quadratic mean diameter, and small sized - were evaluated for accuracy in predicting random effects for a new stand using the developed models. Random effects predicted based on trees selected using the random selection criterion provided more accurate diameter predictions than those using trees obtained via other selection criteria for both species. The models developed here are very important to forest managers as the diameters predicted by these models or, their stand-level summaries (i.e., basal area, average diameter), are used as inputs in any forest growth and yield models. In addition, individual-tree diameter growth models can be used to directly forecast changes in diameter distribution of stands.     

Wood properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pericopsis mooniana</Emphasis> grown in a plantation in Indonesia

The relationships between growth characteristics and wood properties were investigated for a threatened species, Pericopsis mooniana, to promote the establishment of plantations of this species in the tropics. Growth characteristics (diameter and height) and stress-wave velocity (SWV) of trees were measured for 22-year-old P. mooniana trees planted in Indonesia. The trees were categorized into three groups, fast-growing, middle-growing, and slow-growing trees, to investigate the effect of growth rate on the wood properties. In addition, radial variation of anatomical characteristics and wood properties were determined. No significant correlation was found between growth characteristics and SWV. The values for the vessel diameter, cell wall thickness of wood fibers, wood fiber length, basic density, modulus of elasticity, and modulus of rupture from wood at the bark side were higher than those at the pith side. On the other hand, vessel frequency gradually decreased from pith to bark. These results suggested that low-quality wood, such as juvenile wood, existed near the pith area.     

Stand Density Control Diagrams for Scots pine and Austrian black pine plantations in Bulgaria

Stand Density Control Diagram (SDCD) is a stand-level mathematical model, which describes the relationships between yield, density and mortality throughout all stages of stand development. The SDCD is primarily used to derive density control schedules by management objectives. The main objectives of the present study are to define a modified model of SDCD for application to Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Austrian black pine (Pinus nigra Arn.) plantations in Bulgaria, to examine the fitness of the model with representative experimental data sets from plantations of both species and to present a way of direct application of the SDCDs for practical purposes. The constructed SDCDs characterize the spatial-temporal dynamics of the pine plantations in a broad range of densities, forest sites and growth stages from 4 to 26 (28) m of dominant height class. The full density lines were fixed with self-thinning exponents α = 1.69 and α = 1.75 for Scots pine and Austrian black pine, respectively, and the trajectories of natural thinning for 23 initial densities (444-40000/ha) were determined. A direct way for application of the SDCDs to the plantation management was designed to estimate the optimal initial densities for the maximum attainable final yield and large-size wood production by self-thinning stands.     

Juvenile genetic parameter estimates for vigour,stem form,branching habit and survival in three radiata pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus radiata</Emphasis> D.Don) progeny tests in Galicia,NW Spain

Individual and family heritabilities, as well as phenotypic and genetic correlations were estimated 2 and 3 years after plantation, in progeny tests carried out in plantations of open-pollinated Pinus radiata D.Don progeny located at three different sites in Galicia (NW Spain). The following factors were considered: survival, growth (free growth, height, diameter, volume, height/diameter ratio), form (number of branches, number of whorls, number of branches per whorl, number of branches per tree height meter, number of ramicorn branches, diameter of the thickest branch, internode length, branch angle, stem straightness, stem sinuosity, number of forks) and resistance (frost and insect resistance). Each plantation contained 50 female parents that had been selected as plus trees in genetically unimproved plantations in Galicia, as well as 6 female parents selected from the radiata pine breeding programme in the Basque Country (northern Spain) and two commercial lots of seed from Galicia, as controls. Individual heritabilities varied from low to high levels for each trait studied. Family heritabilities followed similar trends for individual heritabilities, but were of much greater magnitude. The results suggested that all traits except the number of branches per whorl and insect resistance could be expected to respond to selection based on individual performance. The less heritable traits could be improved by progeny testing. Height and diameter were strongly and positively correlated, and both traits were also correlated with the number of branches, the number of whorls and the branch diameter. The results are compared with previously published data and discussed in relation to the implications for breeding activities.     

Sources of Diplodia pinea endophytic infections in Pinus patula and P. radiata seedlings in South Africa

Diplodia pinea, an opportunistic and latent pathogen, can significantly affect Pinus productivity worldwide. Despite being studied in South Africa for almost 100 years, the source of D. pinea inoculum responsible for seedling infection is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the role of seed in vertical transmission of D. pinea and to investigate sources of inoculum leading to horizontal transmission to pine seedlings. Surface‐disinfected seeds were inoculated with spore and mycelium suspensions of D. pinea to determine its effect on germination. In addition, isolation of the fungus was performed from surface‐disinfected seeds, asymptomatic seedlings collected from nurseries, plantations where pines naturally regenerate and recently established fields, to assess transmission and incidence of endophytic D. pinea infections. Inoculation of seeds with D. pinea spore suspensions affected speed and rate of germination. The fungus was isolated from surface‐disinfected seeds in only a few instances (2–3%) and was not found in healthy seedlings collected from greenhouses and nurseries, suggesting that vertical transmission of the fungus does not occur or is rare. In contrast, D. pinea was isolated from 40% of seedlings obtained from the understory of mature P. patula trees showing that horizontal transmission from mature to young trees sustains the D. pinea inoculum in South African pine plantations.     

Post-fire tree stress and growth following smoldering duff fires

Understanding the proximate causes of post-fire conifer mortality due to smoldering duff fires is essential to the restoration and management of coniferous forests throughout North America. To better understand duff fire-caused mortality, we investigated tree stress and radial growth following experimental fires in a long-unburned forest on deep sands in northern Florida, USA. We burned basal fuels surrounding 80 mature Pinus palustris Mill. in a randomized experiment comparing the effects of basal burning treatments on stem vascular meristems; surficial roots; root and stem combinations; and a non-smoldering control. We examined the effects of duration of lethal temperatures (>60 °C) on subsequent pine radial growth and root non-structural carbohydrates (starch and sugar). Duff and mineral soil temperatures in the experimental fires consistently exceeded 60 °C for over an hour following ignition, with lethal temperatures of shorter duration recorded 20 cm below the mineral soil surface. Duff heating was best explained by day-of-burn Oe horizon moisture (P = 0.01), although little variation was explained (R² = 0.24). Post-fire changes in latewood radial increment in the year following fires was related to duration of temperatures >60 °C 10 cm deep in the mineral soil (P = 0.07), but explained little variability in post-fire growth (R² = 0.17). In contrast, changes in non-structural carbohydrate content in coarse roots (2–5 mm diameter) 120 days following burning were more strongly correlated with the duration of lethal heating 5 cm below the mineral soil surface (P = 0.02; R² = 0.53). Results from this study implicate the role of mineral soil heating in the post-fire decline of mature longleaf pine following restoration fires in sandy soils.     

Diversity of northern plantations peaks at intermediate management intensity

Tree diversity is an important component of biodiversity. Management intensification is hypothesized to affect tree diversity. However, evidence to support the relationship between management intensity and tree diversity in northern forests is lacking. This study examined the effects of fertilization, site preparation, and brush control on tree species diversity, shade tolerance diversity and size diversity of jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] B.S.P.), white pine (Pinus strobus L.) and white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss) plantations, 15 years after planting in Ontario, Canada. Species diversity and shade tolerance diversity were highly correlated, so were diameter size diversity and height size diversity. Fertilization did not affect the tree diversity indices of any plantations. Species diversity and shade tolerance diversity was interactively influenced by site preparation and brush control in the black spruce, white pine, and white spruce plantations, showing that the highest diversity occurred on sites with intensive site preparation without brush control, whereas on sites with brush control, diversity was higher with least intensity of site preparation. However, in the jack pine plantation, neither species diversity nor shade tolerance diversity differed with management intensification, and is attributed to the fast capture of site resources by the planted crop trees of jack pine which minimized establishment of non-crop species. Tree size diversity increased with site preparation intensity in the jack pine and black spruce plantations, while it decreased with brush control in the white pine and white spruce plantations. We concluded that (1) the effects of management intensification on diversity of northern plantations differ with growth habit of planted crop tree species and (2) species diversity and tree size diversity tend to be highest at intermediate levels of silvicultural intensification during the stand establishment phase, supporting the intermediate disturbance hypothesis.     

Plastid DNA variation in Prunus serotina var. serotina (Rosaceae), a North American tree invading Europe

Black cherry (Prunus serotina) is a tree from North America, where it is often used for economical purposes, whereas it is widespread and invasive in Europe. Plastid DNA variation was first investigated in both its native and invasive ranges using microsatellite loci and sequences of three intergenic spacers (trnT-trnL, trnD-trnT and trnS-trnG). This analysis was focused on P. serotina var. serotina, with the inclusion of samples of closely related taxa. Length variation at a microsatellite locus (ccmp5) and a few sequence polymorphisms were identified among P. serotina samples. Four new primer pairs were then designed to specifically amplify variable regions and a combination of five markers was finally proposed for phylogeographic studies in P. serotina. These loci allow identification of six chlorotypes in P. serotina var. serotina, which may be particularly useful to depict the maternal origins of European invasive populations.     

A provisional growth model with a size–density relationship for a plantation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paraserianthes falcataria</Emphasis> derived from measurements taken over 2 years in Pare,Indonesia

A growth model for a plantation of Paraserianthes falcataria was provisionally derived from measurements of 32 permanent plots taken over a period of 2 years in Pare, Indonesia. This model first predicts height growth with the polymorphic site index equation. Then density-related growth and mortality, that is, diameter and stand density, are calculated to satisfy the mathematical relationship for the reciprocal and self-thinning equations, both of which were based on the maximum size–density line with the slope of −1.759 identified in this study. Cumulative predictions on diameter and stand density, starting with each of three age classes, 3, 4, and 5 years after planting, and continuing for the next 2 years, agreed well with the observations of age-class mean. An exception was for stands that were 7 years old, which were marginal, but closest to the rotation age of 8 years. Contrasting height/diameter relationships among the three age classes were described reasonably well with this model, and the predicted basal growth area was found to agree fairly well with observations. These results suggest that the growth model presented here has good potential for applying size–density control for plantations of P. falcataria. However, measurements for an additional few years might be necessary to derive a model that will more accurately predict diameter size at the rotation age.     

Regeneration dynamics in aging black pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus nigra</Emphasis> Arn.) plantations on the south slopes of the Middle Balkan Range in Bulgaria

To study the regeneration dynamics in mature black pine (Pinus nigra Arn.) plantations in the Middle Balkan Range, Bulgaria, a total of 48 research plots (sized 0.1 ha) were established; 26 plots were established in the foothills of the mountains (foothill zone) and 22 in the main massive (mountainous zone). Pine overstorey as well as advance regeneration in subplots were recorded. Analysis of variance and regression analysis showed that in general relative stand basal area (RSBA) was the most important predictor of deciduous advance regeneration density, top height as well as age span of the regeneration layer. In the mountainous zone soil depth (SD) and the presence of mature deciduous trees (MDT) explained a significant amount of the variation in regeneration features. Lower RSBA induced by earlier thinnings resulted in higher regeneration density, larger top heights and wider age span of deciduous species. Under the pine canopy oak regeneration can persist longer compared to natural broadleaved canopies. In the studied plantations pine regeneration was confined to few scattered seedlings and regeneration groups. Based on these findings silvicultural concepts for the further management of black pine plantations in the Middle Balkan Range are discussed.     

Beeting in Picea abies (L) karst. Growth and damage in a field experiment

A field experiment was established in two Picea abies (L.) Karst. plantations in southern Sweden to study yield and effects of competition on growth in beeted stands. Beeting was carried out in gaps where originally planted seedlings had been removed. Tree species used for beeting were P. abies, Pinus sylvestris L., Pinus contorta Dougl. and Larix decidua Mill × L. leptolepis Gord. The plantations were beeted when mean heights were 95 cm (Ullasjo) and 40 cm (Knäred). Effects of competition on diameter growth of P. abies were found when originally planted stands were 2.5 and 3.5 m in height. On both sites, diameter growth in stump height was significantly lower for seedlings beeted in small gaps (approx. 20 m²) than for seedlings beeted in the middle of large gaps (approx. 155 m²). This difference was larger at Ullasjo than at Knared. About 50 % of the P. sylvestris 70 % of the P. contorta and 80% of the L. decidua x L. leptolepis were dead or severely damaged six years after beeting. The main causes of damage were fraying and browsing by moose and roe‐deer.     

Quantifying the effect of pine mistletoe on the growth of Scots pine

Mistletoe infection results in substantial growth losses in mistletoe‐infected forests. This study reports and evaluates the results of retrospective analyses of radial growth of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) in relation to the level of infection of pine mistletoe (Viscum album ssp. austriacum). A total of 43 Scots pine trees were destructively sampled from different sites. Of these trees, 14 were uninfected and 29 were infected. Infection classes were determined using six‐class dwarf mistletoe rating system (DMRS). All needle and mistletoe biomass were removed completely and weighed for each sampled tree. Subsamples from needles and all mistletoe biomass were taken to the laboratory for oven‐dried weight determinations. Five‐cm‐thick wood discs were cut from the stem at the breast height (1.3 m) to determine annual basal area increment for the last 25 years. In addition to DMRS, new infection classes were created using mistletoe‐to‐needle biomass (MB/NB) ratio. The results showed that the radial growth losses could be as much as 41% to 64% at different infection levels. The rate of growth loss in relation to DMRS and MB/NB ratio was similar, but with a larger variability in DMRS values. The results showed that both DMRS rating and MB/NB ratio seem to be important for quantifying growth loss on Scots pine trees infected with mistletoe. The results of this study can also be invaluable in modelling the effects of mistletoe on the growth of Scots pine trees.     

Growth and wood density of Pinus taeda L. as affected by shelterwood harvest in a two-aged stand in Southern Brazil

Pine plantations are an important wood source in Brazil, with Pinus taeda being most frequently planted. Most pinewood is directed to the paper and pulp industry, but there is an increasing demand for wood for solid end-uses, requiring large stems from longer rotations which can be obtained using P. taeda as the canopy in two-aged stands. We evaluated radial growth and wood density at different stem heights of P. taeda in the highlands of Southern Brazil over a production period of 36 years and subjected to shelterwood harvest. Cross-sectional disks were obtained from 15 trees in different stem heights; 10 were used for growth analyses and 5 for growth and density analyses. We used disk images and X-ray techniques for growth and density analyses, respectively. Samples were analyzed for ring (width and density), earlywood, and latewood (width, density, and proportion). Ring width varied between 0.4 and 1.7 cm, with the widest rings in the first years (3–5 years.) of growth. Ring density increased with age, with higher densities on the lower stem portions. Mature wood started to be formed from the 16th ring onwards. Shelterwood harvest affected both ring width and density, but the effects on ring width lasted for at least 5 years, while the effects on wood density were short-lasting. Mature P. taeda trees increased their size after the shelterwood harvest without compromising their wood density. Longer production periods of P. taeda as retained trees in the canopy of two-aged stands provide high-quality wood for structural purposes.

     

Effect of spacing on 23-year-old lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. var. latifolia) in southern Sweden

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare volume growth and external timber quality properties of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. var. latifolia) stands planted in different spacings (1.41×1.41, 2.00×2.00, 2.83×2.83, 4.00×4.00) in southern Sweden. In northern Sweden lodgepole pine has been grown for a long time and shows superior volume production compared to Scots pine (Pinus Sylvestris L.). The Swedish Forestry Act restricts establishment of lodgepole pine plantations in southern Sweden. However, it is important to increase the knowledge about lodgepole pine and its potential use also in this part of the country. Two experiments in southern Sweden were studied. Each trial was designed as a random block experiment with two blocks. Both investigated stands had an age of 23 years at the time of assessment. The mean diameter and the volume production differed significantly between the spacings. The highest volume production was found in the narrowest spacing, 313% compared to the widest spacing. Significant differences between spacings were also found concerning external quality traits. The frequency of dominant and co-dominant trees without defects was 24% in the most open spacing compared to 46% in the narrowest one. Under current circumstances approximately 2500 seedlings/ha in the initial stand seems to be a reasonable compromise between growth, diameter development and timber quality.     

Ice Damage in a Chronosequence of Agroforestry Pine Plantations in Arkansas,USA

Abstract

Acute (broken and leaning) and transient (bending) damage to loblolly pine (Pinus taedaL.) were assessed in a case study of experimental agroforestry plantations following a December 2000 ice storm. Stand ages were 7-, 9-, and 17-years-old and tree density ranged from 150 to 3,360 trees ha^?1 in rectangular and multi-row configurations. Wider tree spacing or lower stand density of 7-year-old trees increased stem breakage, while closer spacing increased bending. There was substantial straightening of bent 7-year-old trees 8 months after the storm, and this recovery was determined more by degree of initial bend rather than height or diameter. Nine-year-old loblolly pine had 19% more top breakage and 59% more stem breakage than shortleaf pine (P. echinataMill.) (P < 0.001). Agroforestry design influenced ice damage in 7-year-old stands, but no design had catastrophic loss. Thinning from above caused an increased susceptibility of ice damage to a 17-year-old stand compared to a nonthinned stand. The case study supports the cultivation of loblolly pine in areas prone to ice damage.