Long-term effects of superphosphate fertilization on stem form, taper and stem volume estimation of Pinus radiata

The long term effects of superphosphate fertilization on stem form, taper and stem volume estimation of Pinus radiata on a phosphorus-deficient site was examined using data from a fertilizer experiment which had been maintained for 30 years. The application of superphosphate resulted in long term and statistically significant changes in stem form. Mean cylindrical form factor ranged from 0.33 for the control trees up to 0.40 for trees fertilized with 100 kg P ha⁻¹. Stem form was also examined through taper curves which provided detailed depiction of average relative stem profiles. The increase in cylindrical form factor of fertilized trees was largely attributed to a significantly broader profile of the lower third of the stem. In comparison with the control trees, the fertilized trees also had a broader, although not statistically significant, profile of upper and middle stem which could also contribute to the increase in their cylindrical form factor. With increased form factor a greater proportion of the stem became merchantable because of increased log length to tree height ratio. Mean average taper of trees did not show a consistent trend with increasing lelevels of superphosphate application. It largely reflected the differential response of DBH and height growth to the treatments. The volume equation based on control trees underestimated the underbark stem volume of fertilized trees by 5–12% on average. Developing separate volume equations for the fertilized trees is warranted.