Factors influencing tree species diversity and Betula alleghaniensis establishment in silvicultural openings

We examined the short-term effects of group-selection harvestingwith seed tree retention on the diversity, abundance and establishmentof tree seedlings in a northern hardwood forest in the UpperPeninsula of Michigan (49 openings, 20 closed canopy referencesites). Three opening sizes were examined – opening radius0.5 x canopy height (267 ± 62 m², n = 16), 0.75 x canopyheight (642 ± 85 m², n = 17) and 1.0 x canopy height(1192 ± 155 m², n = 16) (canopy height = 22 m). A singleyellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) seed tree was retainedin the centre of each opening. Tree seedling density was significantlyhigher in the largest group-selection opening than at the closedcanopy reference sites (P < 0.05), the main factor for thiswas the increased proportion of yellow birch, red maple (Acerrubrum L.) and other minor species. Nevertheless, yellow birchwas still a minor component of the developing gap cohort, comprising5.9 per cent of the seedlings and 1.1 per cent of the saplings.Within openings, microsite variables, such as per cent coversof bare soil and coarse woody debris, were the best predictorsof yellow birch occurrence and density. Our results suggestthat microsite limitations and competing vegetation may greatlyreduce the efficacy of openings for ensuring the maintenanceof mid-tolerants.     

Growth and mortality in underplanted tree seedlings in response to variations in canopy closure of Norway spruce stands

Six broadleaved tree species and Picea abies (L.) Karst. wereplanted under spruce plantations of varying densities, in Sweden.Treatments included control (994 stems ha^–1), dense (538stems ha^–1), sparse (294 stems ha^–1) and gap (0stems ha^–1) overstory treatments. There was an increasein height and diameter growth from control to sparse overstorytreatment of all underplanted tree species except for ash (Fraxinusexcelsior L.) and Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.). Site conditionsmay have hampered the growth of these species, as well as wildcherry (Prunus avium L.). Both oak (Quercus robur L.) and sprucehad greater growth in the gap treatment, relative to the othertreatments. Insecticide application did not influence seedlinggrowth or survival. The performance of beech (Fagus sylvaticaL.), lime (Tilia cordata Mill.), spruce and oak was consistentwith shade tolerance ranking. Beech and lime had a very highsurvival rate, even under the densest canopy. The growth andmortality of ash, maple and wild cherry differed significantlyfrom what was expected. This experiment demonstrated significantvariation in interspecific growth and mortality between sevenplanted tree species in relation to canopy density. Correctsite and species selection is crucial when underplanting inshelterwood systems.     

Characteristics of lowland broadleaved woodland being restocked by natural regeneration

A survey of 78 sites in southern England with approved managementplans for restocking by natural regeneration was made duringthe summers of 1993 and 1994. The following features were recorded:species, stocking, canopy cover and seed-bearing potential oftrees present in the overstorey; species and canopy cover ofthe understorey; ground cover; species, browsing damage, numberand heights of tree seedlings. In general, sites were poorlystocked with overstorey trees having an average of 135 stemsha^–1 and a mean canopy cover of 36 per cent. Similarly,the understoreys were poorly developed with an average coverof only 23 per cent. Twenty-nine species of tree were foundin the overstorey, Quercus spp. and Fraxinus excelsior werethe most common. Many of the stems present had poor seed-bearingpotential. Cover of the ground flora often exceeded 75 per cent.Seedlings were present on most sites, with F. excelsior andBetula pendula being most abundant with mean seedling densitiesexceeding 10000 ha^–1. Most seedlings were >20 cm tall,few exceeded 120 cm. About 30 per cent of seedlings were browsed.The results are related to current guidance and the future prospectsfor use of natural regeneration.     

The carbon sink provided by plantation forests and their products in Britain

The rate of accumulation of carbon in forest plantations inBritain is estimated using the record of forest planting since1925 and a model that calculates the flow of carbon from theatmosphere to trees, litter, soil, wood products and back tothe atmosphere. It is assumed that all trees planted so farhave the carbon accumulation characteristics of P. sitchensis,Yield Class 14 m³ ha^-1 a^-1, but that future planting could includeF. sylvatica Yield Class 6 and Populus Yield Class 12. It isfurther assumed that conifer plantings increase surface litter,but not soil organic matter, whereas broadleaved tree plantings(on mineral soils) increase both. Because the current forest estate is relatively young, it isestimated to be accumulating about 2.5 million tonnes of carbonper year (1990), and to be still increasing in carbon density(tonnes C ha^-1). In order to maintain this rate of carbon removalfrom the atmosphere, planting would need to continue at a rateof 25–30 thousand ha of conifers or (theoretically) 10thousand ha of poplars per year (on good mineral soils). Itis noted that 2.5 million tonnes C is about 1.5 percent of theUK carbon emission, and may be similar to the natural carbonsink in Britain represented by wetlands and rivers.     

The tolerance of young trees to applications of clopyralid alone and in mixture with foliar-acting herbicides

The selective herbicide clopyralid is often used to controlcompeting Cirsium arvense in newly planted woodlands. When appliedas an overall spray at different dates in the spring (at 0.2kg acid equivalent (a.e.) ha^–1) to 10 tree species (Fraxinusexcelsior, Prunus avium, Quercus robur, Acer pseudoplatanus,Populus x canadensis cv. ‘Ghoy’, Pseudotsuga menziesii,Pinus nigra ssp. laricio, Larix kaempferi, Picea abies and Piceasitchensis) it did not reduce survival, and had little effecton growth. However, some species showed distortion of the youngestsprayed leaves or needles for several weeks after treatment,particularly F. excelsior, L. kaempferi and P. x canadensis.Sequential applications of clopyralid (first at 0.1 kg a.e.ha^–1 followed by 0.2 kg a.e. ha^–1 after 3 weeks),which are often required to control C. arvense, did not leadto increased leaf damage or growth reduction. Mixtures of clopyralidwith selective graminicides (cycloxydim at 0.45 kg active ingredient(a.i.) ha^–1; fluazifop-p-butyl at 0.38 kg a.i. ha^–1and propaquizafop at 0.15 kg a.i. ha^–1) did not causesignificant adverse effects on survival or growth of any species.If herbicides are required to control mixed stands of susceptibleproblem weeds such as C. arvense and grasses which are overtoppingyoung trees, these herbicide mixtures, applied as overall sprays,are less likely to cause damage to trees than attempts to usedirected applications of broad-spectrum foliar-acting herbicides.     

Overstorey density influence on the height of Picea abies regeneration in northern Sweden

The study aimed specifically at investigating if canopy opennesswas a better predictor of the height growth of Norway spruce(Picea abies (L.) Karst.) advance regeneration than overstoreybasal area or overstorey standing volume. In 1990, a field experimentwith 3 x 2 factorial design and two replications (blocks) wasestablished in an uneven-aged Norway spruce forest. Plots hada net plot area of 30 x 30 m, each with a 10-m-wide treatedbuffer zone. Three overstorey density levels retained approximately15, 40 and 70 per cent of the pre-harvest overstorey standingvolume and were allotted to the plots. Two types of thinningthat harvested smaller trees or harvested larger trees wererandomly allocated to each pair of overstorey density plots.In mid-June 2000, canopy openness was estimated from hemisphericalphotographs taken at five marked points in the centre of eachof the plots at 0.9 m from ground to the top of the ‘fish-eye’camera lens. Regression results showed that canopy opennesswas a better predictor of height increments of spruce seedlings(0.1< height < 0.5 m), saplings (0.5 height < 2.0m), and small trees (height 2.0 m, diameter at 1.3 m height< 5 cm) than with overstorey basal area (m² ha^–1) oroverstorey standing volume (m³ ha^–1). The height incrementof the spruce advance regeneration was not significantly correlatedto stand basal area or to standing volume. Overstorey basalarea in the net plots was significantly negative (P 0.05) withmean canopy openness estimates, and the r² value was 0.40. Resultsindicated that basal area was not linearly related to canopyopenness as it increased, which might explain the lack of predictivepower of retained basal area on spruce regeneration height indense stands in boreal Sweden.     

Diversifying native pinewoods using artificial regeneration

Little is known about broadleaf establishment within the nativepinewoods of Scotland, yet such information is critical to currentrestoration initiatives. A 2-year field trial was set up toassess the growth and performance of seedlings of four broadleavedspecies within different developmental stages of Pinus sylvestris(Scots pine) woodland in the Scottish Highlands. The developmentalstages included stem initiation (establishment stage), stemexclusion (thicket/pole stage) and canopy break up (old-growthcanopy), providing sites of varying shade and resource availability.It was predicted that differences in establishment between siteswould occur due to species-specific differences in ‘tolerance’of shade, low-nutrient availability and poor soil drainage.Analysis of trial results showed high survival but growth rates(relative stem height and basal diameter growth) declined rapidlyin year two. In year two, Ilex aquifolium achieved the highestmean growth rates in the stem exclusion stands (average 15 percent light) where there was a lower percentage of Phytomyzailicis (holly leaf miner) infection and frost damage. Sorbusaucuparia exhibited generalist behaviour with similar growthand performance across all stand treatments. Betula pubescensmaintained similar growth rates across stand types but was moresusceptible to insect damage in deeper shade. Overall, Alnusglutinosa grew more successfully than the other species andachieved highest mean growth rates in canopy break up (average44 per cent light) and stand initiation (average 71 per centlight) stages. Broadleaf establishment within pinewood standsis challenging on account of acidic nutrient-poor soil regimes,and in places, poor drainage, aggressive understorey competitionand canopies that restrict light availability and insect herbivory.Forest restoration techniques, including matching species tosite, accelerating establishment and using framework species(individuals of high field performance that are able to restoresite productivity and nutrient cycles), are discussed.     

Response of oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) seedlings to canopy gap size

The response of nursery seedlings and wildings of oriental beech(Fagus orientalis Lipsky) to canopy gap size was studied ina climax beech forest in northern Iran with respect to seedlingsurvival, shoot growth and vitality. These parameters were followedfor 2 years after planting in gaps of 50, 200 and 600 m², aswell as in the open field. Foliage coloration was used as acriterion for vitality. The survival rate of nursery seedlingsand wildings dropped rapidly with increasing gap size from 84per cent in 50-m² canopy openings to     

Carbon storage and sequestration in the forests of Northern Ireland

The rate of accumulation of carbon in forests and woodlandsin Northern Ireland was estimated using the record of forestplanting since 1900 and a model that calculated the flow ofcarbon from the atmosphere to trees, litter, soil, wood productsand back to the atmosphere. It was assumed that all coniferforests had the carbon accumulation characteristics of Piceasitchensis, and upper and lower estimates of carbon storagewere calculated assuming Yield Class 16 m³ha^–1 a^–1unthinned and Yield Class 14 m³ ha^–1 a^–1 thinned.Broadleaved woodlands were assume to have the carbon accumulationcharacteristics of Fagus sylvatica, Yield Class 6 m³ha^–1a^–1. Northern Ireland currently has about 78 300 ha offorest, 83 per cent of which is coniferous, 77 per cent state-owned,mostly planted since 1945, with peak planting in 1960–1975.In 1990, conifer forests contained 3–4 MtC (trees + litter)and broadleaved wdlands contained about 0.8 MtC (trees + litter+ new forest soil). In 1990, conifer forests were sequestering0.15–0.20 MtC a^–1 and broadleaved woodlands about0.025 MtC a^–1. To maintain these sink sizes, new coniferforests need to be planted at 1500–2000 ha a^–1,and new broadleaved woodland at100–150 ha a^–1 inaddition to full restocking. Current carbon sequestration byNorthern Ireland forests represents around 6.5–8.2 percent of the total for UK forests and is greater per hectar thanin Britain because the average forest age is younger in NorthernIreland     

Regeneration and gene transformation systems of Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Idaho’ mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Idaho’ is one of several multi-purpose trees used in ornamental, soil and water conservation, fodder and nectar sources. Plant abiotic stress tolerance transformed by genes could meet the requirements for reclamation of arid or alkalid lands and vegetation restoration. For this paper, we studied the effects of auxin and cytokine on Idaho locust in vitro regeneration and the establishment of gene transformation systems for plants mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Results showed that the ratios of cytokinin and auxin were the major factors affecting adventitious bud differentiation on a MS medium; the concentration of 0.5 mg&#8226;L^–1 6-BA benefitted callus proliferation and 0.25 mg&#8226;L^–1 IBA promoted shoot rooting; however, a higher IBA concentration will inhibit rooting. The most effective antitoxin for screening transgenic Idaho locust shoots was G418 and the most sensitive concentra-tion of it was 8 mg&#8226;L^–1.     

Non-random Height Pattern Formation in Even aged Scots Pine (Pinus syhestris L.) Nelder Plots as affected by Spacing and Site Quality

A competition experiment with even age Scots pine (Pinus sylvestrisL.) in Nelder design was established on a poor arid a rich site.The experiment was of 4 years' duration. Size of neighbouringtrees were compared by means of a function of differences intheir heights. A computer intensive statistical test was developedto examine the existence of clusters of trees of uniform height.The test estimated the probability of the measured variabilityin height resulting from random processes within applied spacings. Site fertility affected the appearance of significantly non-randomheight patterns, i.e. tree groups of several large and smallindividuals. The patterns first appeared on the rich site atspacings from 0.157 to 0.396 m²/tree and widened on spacingsfrom 0.046 to 1.365 m²/tree during the experiment. The appearanceof the pattern was delayed on the poor site until the thirdyear and was confined to the spacing of 0.085 m²/tree. Evenafter the fourth year of the experiment the pattern was confinedto spacing from 0.046 to 0.291 m²/tree. The results suggest that there is an early phase of tree populationgrowth during which the appearance of clusters of trees of fairlyuniform size is promoted.     

The relative efficacy of herbicides for the control of Deschampsia flexuosa (L.) Trin. in woodland establishment in the UK

Deschampsia flexuosa is a commonly occurring calcifuge grasswhich can be detrimental to tree regeneration. In the work reportedhere, two experiments using pot-grown plants and one field experimentwere set up to investigate the relative efficacy of variousherbicides in controlling D. flexuosa. Cycloxydim, glyphosateand imazapyr applied in the summer killed virtually all pot-grownplants of D. flexuosa within 1 year of treatment. Hexazinoneand propyzamide were also effective at the recommended doses.Mixture B enhanced the efficacy of several herbicide treatmentsbut pre-spraying plant moisture stress had no effect on subsequentherbicide activity. Cycloxydim and imazapyr applied in springor summer gave excellent long-term control in the field. Itis concluded that if non-chemical approaches such as canopymanipulation or cultivation fail to give adequate control ofD. flexuosa and herbicide use becomes necessary to allow treeregeneration, then cycloxydim applied at 0.45 kg a.i. ha^–1appears to be an effective alternative to the use of more broad-spectrumproducts, and gives very good tree tolerance. If herbicide useis required prior to tree establishment, glyphosate may be acheaper option and will control a broader spectrum of weeds,although it is slightly less effective than cycloxydim on D.flexuosa.     

The effect of heavy or 'free growth' thinning on oak (Quercus petraea and Q. robur)

Free growth is a type of heavy thinning which aims to maximizediameter increment and produce valuable timber on a relativelyshort rotation. An experiment is described which investigatedthe application of free growth to a stand of oak {Quercus petraeaand Q. robur) planted in 1930. At age 58 free growth thinninghad resulted in a mean diameter at breast height of 39.0 cmwith an estimated mean tree volume of 0.98 m³, compared with29.3 cm and 0.52 m³ for equivalent crown thinned trees. Discountedcash flow calculations showed that free growth thinning of oakcould be justified using a 3 per cent discount rate assumingthat the increased intensity of pruning results in a large proportionof veneer quality timber; an independent assessment indicatedthis may be possible. Free growth thinning of oak is not a commonpractice in British broadleaved silviculture probably becauseof the cost of controlling epicormic shoots. It is suggestedthat it may be more appropriate to other species such as ash,sycamore and wild cherry.     

An economic evaluation of alternative genetic improvement strategies for farm woodland trees

A cost-benefit analysis (CBA), focusing on the Net Present Value(NPV) of a current genetic improvement programme for broadleavedtrees was performed using Monte Carlo simulation, with an add-onsoftware package (‘@RISK’) specifically designedto take account of the uncertainty associated with long-termprojects. The CBA was undertaken by evaluating the total costof achieving a given estimated genetic gain via each of thebreeding strategies considered. The estimated values of geneticgain were then expressed in terms of the increased value oftimber output. Cash flows were based on current estimated treeestablishment costs and anticipated productivity of the fourtree species included in the programme (ash, Fraxinus excelsior;sycamore, Acer pseudoplatanus; wild cherry, Prunus avium; andsweet chestnut, Castanea sativa), when grown primarily for atimber crop. The results of the NPV analysis indicated thattree improvement could be cost-effective for small genetic gains,but that current breeding strategies differed markedly in theircost-effectiveness. Improvement scenarios based on conventionalselection and testing techniques, such as simple mass selectionand recurrent selection (seed orchards), were found to be themost cost-effective at a discount rate of 6 per cent. In contrast,tree improvement scenarios based on clonal techniques consistentlyranked lowest, despite the much higher genetic gains achieved.The use of clonal techniques was found to be particularly hardto justify with broadleaved tree species of relatively low timbervalue. Overall, with the current state of broadleaved timbermarkets in the UK, and the current areas being planted, investmentin basic genetic improvement of high-value timber species appearsfinancially worth while. The estimated direct additional financialbenefit to growers, if new planting is undertaken with improvedstock as opposed to unimproved stock, is estimated to rangefrom £38 ha^–1 with Simple Mass Selection to £100ha^–1 with Simple Recurrent Selection.     

Biomass production and allometric above- and below-ground relations for young birch stands planted at four spacings on abandoned farmland

The objective of the study was to quantify above- and below-stumpbiomass of silver (Betula pendula Roth) and downy (Betula pubescensEhrh.) birches planted at four spacing intervals and growingon two soil types on an area of farmland. The 12-year-old bircheshad been grown at four spacings (1.3, 1.5, 1.8 and 2.6 m) ontwo sites: one on medium clay soil and the other on fine sandsoil. The dry weight of the stem, branches, leaves, stumps androots was estimated by drying and weighing sub-samples. Theprojected leaf area (PLA) m^–2 of trees, leaf area indexof stands and basic density (kg m^–3)of stems were alsoestimated. A significant greater dry weight of stem, branches,stump and roots and species and spacing for pendula birch werefound. The root length of silver birch was significantly greaterthan that for downy birch and for both species the root lengthwas greatest at the widest spacing (2.6 m). There was also asignificant difference between leaf weights of birch of thesame species growing on the two soil types. Significant differenceswere also found between PLA and species, and for both species,between PLA spacing. Basic density of stems was significantlydifferent between soil types. Equations for estimating the above-groundbiomass and root biomass from diameter at breast height weredeveloped for birches growing on fine sand and on medium claysoils. The total biomass production per hectare on fine sandwas higher for silver birch (19.9–65.9 tonnes ha^–1),than for downy birch (13.0–48.3 tonnes ha^–1). Onmedium clay soil, total biomass production for silver and downybirches was 30.8–52.8 and 16.8–42.8 tonnes ha^–1,respectively.     

Comparison between empirical and theoretical biomass allometric models and statistical implications for stem volume predictions

Comparisons between empirical and theoretical allometric modelsfor estimating tree biomass and the statistical caveats attachedto empirical stem volume equations are presented in this paper.First, the elastic and stress similarity models, derived fromfirst biomechanical principles, as well as predictions obtainedfrom geometric similitude, were validated against allometricequations that relate dry above-ground tree biomass M to stemdiameter D. In addition, a recent geometric model which predictsthat M D^8/3 was also validated against a pooled dataset whichconsisted of 764 M-D pairs compiled from empirical studies conductedthroughout the globe and for several tree species. Moreover,59 empirical equations which relate M to D were selected froma European database to validate the aforementioned theoreticalmodels. The analysis indicated that the biomechanical and thegeometric models failed to describe the shape in M-D allometryfor the empirical datasets. Finally, the multicollinearity problem,which is directly related to the reliability of the predictions,was analysed for stem volume equations (V). In total, 23 empiricalmodels based on the six-parameter formula V = a + bD + cD² +dD³ + eH + fD²H were used in order to pinpoint the dependencybetween the parameters. It is illustrated that parameters a,b and c are highly related to each other, and parameter e isalso related to parameter f. It is concluded that the interrelationshipbetween D and stem height (H) could be one of the reasons forthis dependency and scepticism should be placed in the reliabilityof V estimates derived from these models.     

榕树 Ficus microcarpa 在城市园林绿化的应用及适地适树栽植

榕树Ficus microcarpa是华南地区的乡土树种,在广州栽植历史久远,形成了具有地方特色的榕树景观,但在适地适树栽植方面存在较多问题,破坏或影响了一些市政设施的使用功能。梳理榕树在广州城市园林绿化的应用,指出其中存在的突出问题——榕树生长空间严重受限,支柱根和板根破坏力强,以及修枝整型不规范。基于适地适树原则,提出解决突出问题的相应技术措施:从根据特性选择合适栽植地、合理规划设计榕树生长空间、选择适合的栽植土壤、科学规范的适养措施。     

Sweet chestnut: silviculture, timber quality and yield in the Forest of Dean

The silviculture, performance and value of sweet chestnut (Castaneasativa Miller) are reviewed in the light of experience in theForest of Dean in Gloucestershire. The many advantages of includingthe species within broadleaved woodland include its ease ofestablishment, fast growth rate, and the high value of its timber.Veneer and first quality planking material fetch premium prices.That it is not more widely planted is mainly due to the widelyheld view that it is difficult or impossible to grow chestnutlogs that are not shaken. Shake is shown to be mainly a problemof overmature trees. Ink disease (Phytophthora sp.) is not regardedas a major limitation, especially in new plantings. Guidanceis given on the conversion of chestnut coppice to high forest.Yield tables are presented which may be applied to chestnuthigh forest of coppice origin in the Forest of Dean, and withcaution elsewhere in southern England. The data for the bettersites in the Forest of Dean indicate possible yields of up to11 m³ ha^–1 a^–1, and a dominant diameter incrementof up to 1 cm a^–1.     

Growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Euterpe edulis</Emphasis> Mart. (Arecaceae) under forest and agroforestry in southern Brazil

The palm Euterpe edulis has high ecological and economic importance in Brazil. Currently, this species is being cultivated and managed for spontaneous regeneration in banana plantations. However, there are no data comparing its plantation growth performance to its native forest growth. We evaluated growth and mortality (M) of individuals of E. edulis planted in secondary dense ombrophilous forest and in banana plantations, as well as their relationships with site variables (canopy opening, soil nutrient availability, density of existing E. edulis, and herbivory). Twelve banana plantation sites and 12 sites in secondary dense ombrophilous forests were selected. At each site, 25 young individuals of E. edulis were planted in 2003. Annually until 2008, morphometric, herbivory, and M of the individuals were evaluated. In 2008, canopy and soil variables were measured at each plot. E. edulis growth was five times higher in banana plots compared to forest plots; current annual increment on height reached 38.9 cm in banana plots, compared to 7.3 cm in forest plots. M was relatively low and similar at both sites, presenting an intraspecific density-dependence pattern. Significant correlations were found between morphometric variables, M, and herbivory of E. edulis and canopy and soil variables. Euterpe edulis presented plasticity that allows for its establishment in banana plantations, indicating high potential for management in agroforestry consortia. Such management may be a useful conservation strategy for this and other shade-tolerant species.     

11种乡土阔叶树在广州南沙的早期生长表现

于2008—2011年连续监测了广州南沙黄山鲁森林公园11种乡土阔叶树种的高生长、胸径生长及冠幅生长,及与邻近白楸次生林的根区土肥力比较研究,探讨这些树种的生长特点及改良土壤的潜力。结果表明,千果榄仁和白锥生长不适,死亡率较高,其他树种大都生长良好。其中,楝叶吴茱萸、西南桦、米老排和山杜英等表现出较快的树高、胸径和冠幅生长。与邻近的白楸次生林相比,3年生试验林林木根区土的有机质较低;不同树种的根区土肥力比较结果表明,火力楠和米老排的根区土肥力较高,生长快速的西南桦和楝叶吴茱萸次之,生长缓慢的白锥的根区土肥力较低,反映了不同树种改良土壤的潜力有较大差异。初步研究结果表明,火力楠和米老排等树种有利于土壤肥力的改良,西南桦和楝叶吴茱萸等速生树种有利于快速提高植被的覆盖率。