Early stand production of hybrid poplar and white spruce in mixed and monospecific plantations in eastern Maine

Forest plantations in the northeastern United States comprise a small proportion of the total forest area. Most plantations are typically softwood dominated and managed for sawlog and pulpwood production, while high-yield hardwood plantations for bioenergy feedstocks have not been as widely investigated. The objective of this study was to compare the biomass production of planted white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) and hybrid poplar (Populus spp.) plantations (four clones) in monoculture, and in mixture of the two on a typical reforestation site in Maine. Three years following planting, hybrid poplar height and ground line diameter growth rates began to diverge among clones, and by 6?years, the Populus nigra?×?Populus maximowiczii (NM6) clone clearly outperformed three Populus deltoides?×?Populus nigra clones (D51, DN10 and DN70) both in pure stands and in mixtures with white spruce. In mixture, we found the yield of white spruce to decline as the yield of hybrid poplar increased. Overall, yields of white spruce monocultures were comparable to those reported in eastern Canada, while the hybrid poplar biomass yields were substantially lower than those reported from studies on abandoned agricultural lands, likely due to the harsher soil conditions at our site. The dominance of rocky and poorly drained sites (like the one tested in this study) across Maine will likely limit the feasibility of widespread hybrid poplar plantations, and thus constrains their potential use as a bioenergy feedstock.     

Planting spacing affects canopy structure,biomass production and stem roundness in poplar plantations

To improve the productivity and wood quality of poplar plantations, effects of four planting spacing on canopy characteristics, biomass production and stem roundness in poplar plantations were evaluated over 8 years. Planting spacing influenced canopy characteristics of the plantations, and further affected the understory vegetation and plantation productivity. Understory vegetation biomass and Shannon-Wiener index were negatively correlated with leaf area index, but both diversity indexes and aboveground biomass of understory vegetation were higher in stands with a wider spacing. Tree diameter growth increased with increasing planting spacing, while the increment in plantations of square configurations (5?×?5 m and 6?×?6 m) was higher than those with rectangular configurations (3?×?8 m, 4.5?×?8 m). The highest poplar biomass production was achieved in the plantation with 5?×?5 m spacing at age 8. Moreover, poplar trees showed a tendency with better stem roundness in a square configuration. The results suggest that planting spacing not only affect canopy characteristics, understory vegetation and tree growth but also wood quality, and square configurations (5?×?5 m and 6?×?6 m) could be a better option for poplar plywood timber production at similar sites.     

Composted biosolids as a source of iron for hybrid poplars (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus</Emphasis> sp.) grown in northwest New Mexico

Composted sewage sludge (biosolids) supply plant available Fe and may represent a sustainable alternative to more costly chelated Fe fertilizers currently used to supplement nutrition in hybrid poplar test plots of elevated soil pH. To test the response of poplars, field plots were amended with composted biosolids at two agricultural rates: 22.75 and 44.5 Mg ha⁻¹. Iron EDDHA served as a fertilizer check and control plots received no amendment. The hybrid poplar OP-367 (Populus deltoides × P. nigra) was planted on a 3.6 m grid spacing. Significant amounts of P and Fe originating from the sewage treatment process were detected in soils 13 months after amending. Chlorosis evaluated with a SPAD-502 meter, showed that poplars amended with biosolids remained the least chlorotic and had greater tree growth when compared to Fe EDDHA and control plots during two growing seasons. Biosolids show promise as a cost effective alternative for the remediation of Fe chlorosis in hybrid poplar agroforestry plantations and present new opportunities in northwestern New Mexico for municipalities seeking solid waste land disposal options.     

Growth, allocation and leaf gas exchanges of hybrid poplar plants in their establishment phase on previously forested sites: effect of different vegetation management techniques

The effect of different vegetation control methods (mowing and cultivation between plantation rows, herbicide application and cover plant sowing) on hybrid poplar (P. maximowiczii × balsamifera) growth, biomass allocation and leaf carbon assimilation was investigated in two plantations (1- and 2-year-old) established in previously forested sites of south-eastern Québec. Any vegetation control treatment applied the same year in which the plantation was established did not have an effect on hybrid poplar aboveground growth. However significant differences among treatments were observed belowground, where the removal of the competing vegetation at the tree base increased the fine root:leaf biomass ratio of plants, thus probably facilitating their establishment. In contrast, 2-year-old plants grew better when treated with herbicides, but no positive effect of the mechanical treatments was detected. In both sites, trees growing on herbicide-treated plots showed considerably higher leaf carbon assimilation and leaf N concentration which were both strongly correlated. We conclude that a strong vegetation competition for nutrients takes effect on hybrid poplar plantations on previously forested sites since there was no water shortage for any treatment during the study period.     

Intra-annual growth and mortality of four <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus</Emphasis> clones in pure and mixed plantings

Intra-annual growth rates were assessed during 3 years for four Populus clones grown in pure and mixed clonal stands at square spacings of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 m in western Washington, USA. Height growth rate peaked in August, except at the 0.5-m spacing where it peaked in July and June in years 2 and 3, respectively. Diameter growth rate generally peaked in June. Seasonal growth patterns in mixed clonal stands, relative to those in pure clonal stands, varied by clone. Following early season moisture stress in year 2, growth of a P. balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa clone declined significantly relative to three P. balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa × P. deltoides clones; this trend was most evident at the 0.5-m spacing. During this period of moisture stress, P. balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa had 11 and 36% mortality in pure and mixed stands, respectively, at the 0.5-m spacing; this clone had no mortality at wider spacings during the same period. Although height rankings among clones shifted during the first growing season, rankings at the end of year 1 were very similar to those at the end of year 3.     

Variation of soil enzyme activity and microbial biomass in poplar plantations of different genotypes and stem spacings

To improve the productivity of poplar plantations, a field experiment of split-plot design with four tree spacings and three poplar clones was established, and four soil enzyme activities and microbial biomass were monitored in the trial.Soil enzyme activities, in most cases,were significantly higher in topsoil(0–10 cm) than in lower horizons(10–20 cm).Soil cellulase, catalase and protease activities during the growing season were higher than during the non-growing season, while invertase activity followed the opposite trend.Soil invertase, cellulase and catalase activities varied by poplar clone but soil protease activity did not.Cellulase and protease activities in the plantation at 5×5 m spacing were significantly higher than in the other spacings.The highest catalase activity was recorded at 6×6 m spacing.At the same planting density, invertase activity was greater in square spacings than in rectangular spacings.Soil microbial biomass was also significantly affected by seedling spacing and poplar clone.The mean soil MBC was significantly lower in topsoil than in the lower horizon, while MBN showed the opposite pattern.Significantly positive correlations were observed among soil cellulase, protease and catalase activities(p0.01), whereas soil invertase activity was negatively and significantly correlated with cellulase, protease and catalase activities(p0.01).Soil microbial biomass and enzyme activities were not correlated except for a significantly negative correlation between soil MBC and catalase activities.Variations in soil enzyme activity and microbial biomass in different poplar plantations suggest that genotype and planting spacing should be considered when modeling soil nutrient dynamics and managing for long-term site productivity.     

无性系和株行距对杨树人工林生长和树冠结构的影响

【目的】探索无性系、株行距及两者交互作用对杨树人工林的林木生长和树冠结构的影响。【方法】采用双因素随机试验设计,通过调查36块13年生杨树样地胸径、树高、活枝下高和冠幅等指标,以综合指数法构建3个林分综合指数(生长指数、冠形指数、干冠协调指数)。【结果】南林95杨和南林895杨的胸径、树高和生长指数显著高于南林797杨(P <0.05)。南林797杨的冠幅、树冠体积和树冠圆满度显著高于南林895杨,与南林95杨差异不显著(P> 0.05)。株行距为6 m×6 m和4.5 m×8 m的林分胸径、冠形指数和生长指数均显著高于5 m×5 m和3 m×8 m林分,不同密度林分对树高影响不显著(P> 0.05)。在相同密度条件下,正方形和长方形配置对东西和南北冠幅有显著影响,较大株行距促进树冠生长,但对胸径、树高和平均冠幅等影响不显著(P> 0.05)。无性系和株行距对冠长、活冠比、树冠表面积和干冠协调指数影响均不显著,且无性系和株行距对林木生长和树冠结构均无显著交互作用(P> 0.05)。【结论】杨树无性系对林木胸径、树高和树冠结构的影响大于株行距。综合考虑林木生长和树冠结构等两个方面,在类似的立地条件上,相比于其它无性系和配置方式,以南林95杨在种植株行距为6 m×6 m(278株/hm^2)时具有培育大胸径林木的潜力,适于培育速生、优质大径材。     

Juvenile growth of hybrid poplars on acidic boreal soil determined by environmental effects of soil preparation, vegetation control, and fertilization

The silviculture of hybrid poplars and other fast-growing tree species is a promising solution to reduce the pressure on natural forests while maintaining wood supplies to industries. However, hybrid poplars are very sensitive to competing vegetation and to inadequate soil conditions and fertility. Possible management tools include mechanical site preparation (MSP), vegetation control (VC), and fertilization. Experimental plantations of hybrid poplars (one clone, Populus balsamea × Populus maximowiczii) were established at eight formerly forested sites on acidic soil in the southern boreal forest of Quebec, Canada. The objective was to test the response of hybrid poplars to the interaction of several silvicultural tools, which has been rarely done. Four MSP treatments (in decreasing order of intensity: mounding, harrowing, heavy disk trenching, light disk trenching) and a control (unprepared) were all combined with four different frequencies of plant competition control by brushing (from never up to once a year). Fertilization with N or N + P was also tested in three selected MSP treatments. After five years, hybrid poplar tree growth among MSP treatments increased in the following order: unprepared < light disk trenching < heavy disk trenching < harrowing < mounding. MSP was also essential in favouring early tree survival, as illustrated by mortality rates of over 20% in unprepared plots and below 5% in all other MSP treatments. The effect of competition control on hybrid poplar growth was greatest in the less intensive MSP treatments, where competing vegetation was the most abundant. On the contrary, fertilization effect was significant only in the most intensive MSP (mounding). Moreover, neither fertilization nor VC could compensate for inadequate soil preparation. Of all the silvicultural treatments tested, mounding provided the best tree growth despite a nitrogen and carbon impoverished surface soil.     

Towards practices favourable to plant diversity in hybrid poplar plantations

Much research effort is being devoted to developing forest management practices with limited impacts on biodiversity. While the impact of poplar Populus sp. plantations on biodiversity is relatively well-known at the landscape scale, the impact of alternative management practices at the plantation scale has received much less attention. Yet biodiversity is likely to be impacted by the choice of the poplar clone, stem density at plantation, type and duration of the understory control, and age at which the poplars are harvested. In this study, we investigated the impact of these factors on herbaceous plant communities with data from plant surveys conducted in 85 young (2–5 years) and 96 mature (11–17 years) hybrid poplar high-forest plantations in northern France. On average, ruderal or generalist plants contributed to 40.5% of the plot species richness; tall herbs (60.2%), forest (26%) and meadow plants (13.8%) contributed to the remaining 59.5% more specialised species. Soil moisture and soil nitrogen were major determinants of plant communities: wet soils were favourable to tall herbs, while meadow and forest species preferred moist soils; a significantly lower diversity of the three species groups was reported in the nutrient richer soils (in mature plantations only for forest plants). Mean species richness decreased with plantation age except for forest species. Plant communities in young plantations showed little differences in composition according to the type of understory control (chemical, mechanical or both). The development of a shrubby layer in mature plantations was restricted to the drier soils and was detrimental to both meadow plants and tall herb species. Effects of previous land use on forest and tall herb species were found only in young plantations, suggesting a rapid reset of plant communities for these two groups. This may not be the case for meadow species as the influence of previous land use was significant in mature plantations only. Finally, clone type and stem density at plantation had no significant impact on plant communities. Adjusting age at which the poplars are harvested seems the only effective way to drive plant communities in high-forest poplar plantations: delaying poplar harvest (probably beyond 15–20 years) would benefit forest plants, while advancing poplar harvest (about 10 years) would benefit tall herbs, especially in wet soil conditions.     

Relating visual crown conditions to nutritional status and site quality in monoclonal poplar plantations (Populus × euramericana)

The area covered by plantations of hybrid poplar in Europe is increasing greatly because of the high profitability of these trees. However, the productivity varies widely depending on nutritional status, and it is therefore essential to identify the limiting nutrients. The aims of this study were (a) to identify the main nutrients limiting the growth and vitality of monoclonal poplar (Populus × euramericana) plantations and (b) to develop a means of early detection of nutrition-related problems in growth, based on visual crown conditions (crown transparency, VCT, and visual crown discoloration, VCD). The study was carried out in one of the most suitable areas for this species in Southern Europe. Thirty-two Populus × euramericana (clone I-214) stands displaying different levels of decline were selected for study, and tree growth, nutritional status (soil properties and foliar nutrient concentrations) and crown conditions were assessed. The stands, which were growing in soils with high contents of coarse fragments, displayed low growth rates, poor crown conditions and deficiencies in Fe, B, N, P, K, and to a lesser extent, Zn and Cu. The deficiencies increased with the age of the stand, presumably because of the higher nutrient demand in older trees. Visual crown conditions were related to growth rates and nutritional status. Predictive models were developed to relate crown conditions to the nutritional status identified by analysis of soil properties and foliar concentrations of nutrients.     

Response of aspen stands to forest tent caterpillar defoliation and subsequent overstory mortality in northeastern Ontario,Canada

Overstory mortality, understory tree recruitment, and vegetation development were assessed in trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) stands following two recent episodes of forest tent caterpillar defoliation (Malacosoma disstria Hbn.) in northeastern Ontario. The results suggest that poplar (aspen and balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera L.)) mortality increased with consecutive years of insect defoliation occurring from the mid-1980s to mid-2000s and the proportion of poplars in the overstory, but decreased with improved pre-defoliation tree vigour (DBH increment). The first outbreak, which lasted from the mid-1980s to early 1990s, was more severe in terms of insect defoliation and contributed more to poplar mortality and decline. The decline began in the late 1990s and peaked in early 2000s. Poplar regeneration and understory shrubs responded rapidly to foliage loss to insect defoliation and mortality of overstory poplars. The regenerated poplars were able to maintain their growth under developing shrubs and residual overstory canopy and numbers were sufficient to compensate for the poplar trees lost to insect infestation. The defoliation-induced overstory decline will accelerate the transition of aspen stands to conifer dominance through enhanced conifer recruitment and growth, and reduced hardwood overstory in aspen-dominated stands, while hardwood dominance will persist in pure aspen stands. From a timber supply perspective, the decline caused by forest tent caterpillar defoliation could delay the availability of aspen stands for harvesting by 40–50 years.     

Variation in growth potential between hybrid clones of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus</Emphasis> trees in eastern South Africa

Growth of commercial forestry is highly dependent on the availability of fast-growing planting materials. Consequently, the efficient utilization of fast-growing plantations can greatly impact productivity. The objectives of this study were to evaluate variations in the growth potential of two clones and to estimate the average stem radial growth advantage of a fast-growing clone using data obtained from Sappi landholdings in eastern South Africa and a mixed modelling approach that permits the incorporation of covariance structure into the statistical model. During the first 2 years of growth, the stem radius of nine trees each of two clones was measured using dendrometer attached to the tree. A second-degree fractional polynomial model was chosen to show the functional relationship between stem radius and tree age. Growth of the two hybrid clones differed significantly. The Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla clone grew faster than the E. grandis × camaldulensis clone, indicating better genetic potential for rapid growth and yield. This study can be considered as starting point to further compare the potential for rapid growth of several hybrid clones using the longitudinal data modelling approach.     

Carbon sequestration potential of five tree species in a 25-year-old temperate tree-based intercropping system in southern Ontario,Canada

Carbon (C) sequestration potential was quantified for five tree species, commonly used in tree-based intercropping (TBI) and for conventional agricultural systems in southern Ontario, Canada. In the 25-year-old TBI system, hybrid poplar (Populus deltoides × Populus nigra clone DN-177), Norway spruce (Picae abies), red oak (Quercus rubra), black walnut (Juglans nigra), and white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) were intercropped with soybean (Glycine max). In the conventional agricultural system, soybean was grown as a sole crop. Above- and belowground tree C Content, soil organic C, soil respiration, litterfall and litter decomposition were quantified for each tree species in each system. Total C pools for hybrid poplar, white cedar, red oak, black walnut, Norway spruce and a soybean sole-cropping system were 113.4, 99.4, 99.2, 91.5, 91.3, and 71.1 t C ha^?1, respectively at a tree density of 111 trees ha^?1, including mean tree C content and soil organic C stocks. Net C flux for hybrid poplar, white cedar, red oak, black walnut, Norway spruce and soybean sole-crop were 2.1, 1.4, 0.8, 1.8, 1.6 and ?1.2 t C ha^?1 year^?1, respectively. Results presented suggest greater atmospheric CO₂ sequestration potential for all five tree species when compared to a conventional agricultural system.     

Effects of N, NP, and NPKS fertilizers applied to four-year old hybrid poplar plantations

Mineral fertilizers were applied to adjacent plantations of 2, 4-year old, hybrid poplars: clone 27 (Northwest, P. deltoides × P. balsamifera) and 794 (Brooks, P. deltoides × P. × petrowskyana), in north eastern Alberta. Fertilization was done in May 2003 to see whether growth rates could be increased and rotations shortened. Three fertilizers (N, NP and NPKS + Cu + Zn) were applied at each of three rates (supplying N at 0, 100 and 200 kg ha⁻¹) in a factorial randomized block design to the two separate plantations. Fertilization with 200 kg ha⁻¹ N and 100 kg ha⁻¹ P increased volume growth of clone 27 by 1 m³ ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ over 2 years. Clone 794 showed no volume response to fertilization, but produced 8.7 m³ ha⁻¹ more than clone 27. Leaf area, dry mass and nutrient concentrations of both clones increased in the first year after fertilization, showing that fertilizer uptake occurred. Decrease in leaf size between 2003 and 2004 was affected by fertilizer level in clone 794. There were differences between some nutrient concentrations in the soils occupied by the two clones, and clone 794 had higher leaf concentrations of N, K, Ca, S, Mn, Zn, B and Mo than clone 27. Fertilization of 4-year old plantations of either clone was unwarranted, and planting clone 794 would be likely to provide greater yield than planting and fertilizing clone 27.     

Growth and Yield of Mixed Polyclonal Stands of Populus in Short-Rotation Coppice

Eight clones of poplar were used to compare the growth and productivity of monoclonal and polyclonal mixed plantations in short-rotation coppice. At the end of the eighth growing season, the diameter at breast height (DBH) and height of trees were measured and dry weight and yield were estimated. Polyclonal mixtures did not affect mortality. Few differences in growth were observed between clones in monoclonal plots. Polyclonal mixture slightly affected the growth and tree size of the clones compared with monoclonal plots. No increase in stand heterogeneity in relation to clone deployment was observed. A neighbourhood index was calculated for each tree and was significantly affected by polyclonal mixture. However, the relationship between the neighbourhood index and the DBH indicated that this effect did not cause a great change in DBH. Consequently, dry weight and yield productivity were not affected by clone deployment.     

Planted forests: poplars

Poplars (Populus spp.) have been planted in Europe and Asia since very early times. Known in the Near East as the blessed tree, poplars have been the primary timber producer in regions lacking natural forests in the northern hemisphere. Now, though, we are seeing poplar plantations becoming part of the forest resources even in the abundantly forested Pacific Northwest. Though still a minor contributor to the world's timber supply, the area of land planted to poplars is, nevertheless, increasing rapidly, particularly in China, South Korea, and the United States. The 1992 report from the International Poplar Commission listed nineteen countries with at least 10,000 ha of planted poplars and seven with more than 100,000 ha. Much of the success of poplar plantations results from the breeding of fast-growing and disease-resistant poplar hybrids. Accordingly, at least eleven countries support poplar breeding programs. Uses of poplar wood range from peeled poles for rafters and other elements of construction in agrarian economies to the manufacture of paper, plywood, oriented strand board, and engineered lumber in industrial nations. Interest has also developed in poplar plantations as a renewable source of energy.     

Early growth and nutrition of hybrid poplars fertilized at planting in the boreal forest of western Quebec

In order to maximize growth and diagnose nutritional requirements of hybrid poplars (Populus spp.) grown in the boreal forest of western Quebec, the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) was evaluated in conjunction with N:P ratios of trees fertilized at planting. Three hybrid poplar clones (747210; P. balsamifera × trichocarpa, 915005; P. balsamifera × maximowiczii, and 915319; P. maximowiczii × balsamifera) were fertilized with 18 combinations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Fertilizers used were granules of ammonium nitrate (34.5-0-0) at 3 levels (0, 20 and 40 g tree⁻¹ of N), triple-superphosphate (0-45-0) at 3 levels (0, 25 and 50 g tree⁻¹ of P), and potassium sulfate (0-0-50) at 2 levels (0, 20 g tree⁻¹ of K). After two growing seasons, P fertilization was the most effective in promoting growth and 25 g tree⁻¹ increased mean stem volume by 41% compared to unfertilized trees. The predictive accuracy of the N:P and DRIS diagnosis methods was generally reliable, however they failed to predict some co-limitations of N and P.     

Predicting the productivity of a young hybrid poplar clone under intensive plantation management in northern Alberta,Canada using soil and site characteristics

Site productivity of the hybrid poplar clone Brooks6 was predicted using soil and site information from 6, 4-year-old plantations in north-east Alberta. Predictions were made at both the local and microsite scales. Percent sand (R ² = 0.352, P = 0.001) was the best single predictor of hybrid poplar productivity, showing a curved relationship. Soil pH also showed a curved but weaker relationship with hybrid poplar productivity (R ² = 0.133, P = 0.100). Maximum tree productivity occurred at sand contents between 55 and 70% and pH values near 6. Other variables, including foliar nutrient concentrations, foliar δ¹³C, electrical conductivity, depth of the A horizon and total chemistry of the soil, were also related to hybrid poplar productivity at the local and microsite scales. However, all of these variables were correlated to either soil texture (percent sand) or pH. At the microsite scale within plantations, percent sand was the most important predictor of tree productivity and explained more than 50% of the variability within plantations, although the relationship varied by plantation. In plantations with fine textures, sandier microsites were associated with increased growth while in sandy plantations, finer textured microsites were more productive. As a whole, the growth of the hybrid poplar clone Brooks6 appears to be mostly influenced by a combination of soil water and nutrient availability, the former being impacted by soil texture and the latter being governed by soil pH.     

Growth in supplementarily planted Picea abies regenerations

Abstract

An experiment was established in 1978 in two Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] plantations in southern Sweden to study yield after mortality in patches with and without supplementarily planted (SP) seedlings. Gaps of different sizes were created by removing the originally planted seedlings. The gaps were either left unplanted or a supplementary planting was performed with one of four species [Norway spruce, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl.) or hybrid larch (Larix deciduas Mill×L. Leptolepis Gord.)] 2 (at Knäred) or 6 years (at Ullasjö) after the original plantation. In 2002, most of the SP Scots pine, lodgepole pine and hybrid larch seedlings were dead or severely damaged by roe deer and moose. Survival was high among SP Norway spruces, but they had slower growth than the originally planted spruces. Growth was lower at Ullasjö than at Knäred. In Ullasjö, growth was lower in small gaps than in large gaps. Trees in original regeneration in areas surrounding unplanted gaps were larger than trees surrounding gaps with SP seedlings, which in turn were larger than originally planted trees in plots without gaps. In conclusion, because the original plantation surrounding unplanted gaps used a large part of the open space and growth of SP seedlings was slow, supplementary planting resulted in an insignificant growth increase. However, supplementary planting may increase the timber quality of trees surrounding the gaps, although this effect remains to be quantified.     

Sheep vegetation management for controlling competing vegetation in young conifer plantations in the central interior of British Columbia,Canada

In British Columbia, sheep vegetation management (SVM) is a relatively new technique; thus, limited data are available for examining its benefits on conifer growth. We collected field data from young mixed-conifer plantations of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) and hybrid spruce (Picea glauca × P. engelmannii) in blocks which had been grazed in 2005 and 2006 as well as from ungrazed blocks. Our main objective was to determine if sheep grazing had a significant effect on the growth of hybrid spruce. We measured stem diameter at 15 cm height above the root collar (D15) and cumulative internodal length (IL). Cumulative IL was calculated from the node corresponding to the year 2002–2010 (positions 2–10). The height to diameter ratio (height to the base of the leader (position 10)/D15; HDR) was calculated to determine if seedlings prioritized growth in terms of height or diameter. There was no significant grazing treatment effect on D15 and HDR when compared to the control treatment; however IL was significantly affected after the second grazing treatment in 2006 (position 6) and became increasingly important with time (positions 7–10). Based on our results, we suggest that SVM could be an effective method for controlling competing vegetation and thus, increase annual tree growth for areas with similar site characteristics as those found within the plantations sampled.