Modelling primary branch frequency and size for five conifer species in Maine,USA

Quantitative models of crown structure have been developed for several conifer species, but these studies have rarely simultaneously fit the models across multiple species. This study used extensive crown structure data for the five primary conifer species in Maine to test for species differences in maximum branch diameter profile, branch density, and relative branch diameter distribution. The species included balsam fir [Abies balsamea (L.) Mill], northern white-cedar [Thuja occidentalis (L.)], eastern hemlock [Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr.], eastern white pine [Pinus strobus (L.)], and red spruce [Picea rubens (Sarg.)]. After accounting for key covariates, significant species differences were found in all crown structural attributes examined in this study. Profiles for the mean tree indicated that northern white-cedar had the smallest maximum branch diameters throughout the crown and white pine had the largest, except near the base of the crown where the species switched in rank. The density of live branches in a crown had the widest range of variation of the examined crown structural attributes. Red spruce had a significantly higher density of primary branches than the other conifers, particularly in the upper crown. The relative branch diameter distribution indicated that balsam fir had a distribution more skewed towards larger relative branch sizes, while eastern hemlock and red spruce had distributions shifted towards smaller relative branches. This study highlights the range of variability in key crown structural attributes due to inherent species differences, but indicates that models fit across multiple species can perform quite well as the amount of explained variation was relatively high.     

Decaying wood and tree regeneration in the Acadian Forest of Maine,USA

We examined the effect of management history on the availability of decayed downed wood and the use of downed wood as a regeneration substrate in mixed-species stands in the Acadian Forest of Maine. Regeneration of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.), eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr.), balsam fir (Abies balsamea L. Mill), and red maple (Acer rubrum L.) was quantified. Treatments included variants of selection cutting, commercial clearcutting (unregulated harvesting), and no harvesting for >50 years (reference). Area of wood substrate (wood ≥ Decay Class III and ≥10 cm on at least one end) was less in the commercial clearcut than in the reference; other treatments were not differentiated. Spruce and hemlock seedlings were found at higher densities on wood than paired forest floor plots of equal area, regardless of treatment. Conversely, fir and maple were less abundant on wood than forest floor plots in reference and selection treatments, but more or equally abundant on wood than forest floor plots in the commercial clearcut. These findings suggest that silvicultural treatment affects both the availability of decayed downed wood and seedling-substrate relationships, and that forest management in the Acadian Region should consider availability of downed woody material.