Ponderosa pine (Pinusponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) frequently grows in pure, multi-aged stands throughout its range. Sapwood–leaf area prediction equations were developed for multi-aged, multi-strata ponderosa pine stands in western Montana and central Oregon. No significant differences were found between equations for trees from lower or upper strata, or between equations for all trees and equations for upper or lower strata trees in either study location. These results indicate overstory ponderosa pine trees do not require significantly greater sapwood conducting tissue per unit of leaf area than understory trees. Single variable models using only sapwood area at breast height are recommended.

Background-Reduced arterial elasticity and endothelial dysfunction both may indicate early cardiovascular (CV) disease in young adults. Pulse waveform analysis estimates large (LAE) and small (SAE) artery elasticity noninvasively. We assessed the associations between LAE and SAE and markers of endothelial dysfunction and CV risk factors.

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Western larch (Larix occidentalis Nutt.) trees in western Montana, U.S.A., were monitored for 6 years following pruning to assess incidence of epicormic sprouting. Trees were pruned to either 2.4 or 5.5 m. Epicormic sprouts were more prevalent in smaller diameter trees and in trees pruned to shorter live crown lengths than larger or longer crowned trees. Number of sprouts declined since pruning, but over 30% of trees still had epicormic sprouts 6 years after pruning. Sprouts that did not extend from the bole were prone to becoming dormant or dying over time. Extended sprouts were more persistent and will probably form wood-quality defects that remain outside the defect core. Pruning of western larch may still be successful for enhancing clearwood production if trees are pruned to retain at least a 50% live crown ratio and if pruning is delayed until trees reach about 16 cm diameter at breast height for a short pruning lift (2.4 m) or 22 cm for a higher pruning lift (5.5 m).