The effects of early and intense pruning on light penetration,tree growth,and epicormic shoot dynamics in a young hybrid larch stand |
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Authors: | Mika Takiya Hiromasa Koyama Kiyoshi Umeki Michiyasu Yasaka Yasuyuki Ohno Ichiro Watanabe Kazuhiko Terazawa |
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Institution: | (1) Doto Branch Station, Hokkaido Forestry Research Institute, Nishi 2, Shintoku, Hokkaido 081-0038, Japan;(2) Faculty of Agriculture, Yamagata University, 1-23 Wakabamachi, Tsuruoka 997-8555, Japan;(3) Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University, 648 Matsudo, Matsudo, Chiba 271-8510, Japan;(4) Hokkaido Forestry Research Institute, Koshunai Bibai, Hokkaido 079-0198, Japan |
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Abstract: | We examined the effect of early and intense pruning on light intensity under the canopy, individual growth, diameter–height
relationships, and epicormic shoot dynamics in young hybrid larch (Larix gmelinii var. japonica × L. kaempferi) to establish a new effective management method for hybrid larch plantations. The objective is to produce high-quality wood
while reducing silviculture costs using a combination of low-density planting and early and intense pruning. In a young hybrid
larch plantation, we pruned branches to two different heights (2 and 4 m above ground level) using a no-pruning treatment
as a control. Although the growth rates were lower in the heavy pruning treatment (4 m above the ground level) than in other
treatments in the year following pruning, when measured 4 years later, growth did not differ between treatments. The number
of epicormic shoots increased in the year following pruning, as did the relative photosynthetic photon flux density (rPPFD).
The number of epicormic shoots was also dependent on the size of individual trees. However, survival of epicormic shoots was
not sufficiently high to be problematic for high-quality timber production. If branches are pruned carefully such that the
rPPFD does not rise above 20%, the emergence of epicormic shoots can also be controlled. Our results indicate that early and
intense pruning is an effective component of a new management system for hybrid larch plantations. |
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