Betula alnoides Admixed with Castanopsis hystrix or Cunninghamia lanceolata from Two Reforestation Case Studies in Southeast China

Abstract

Background: There was no literature showed superior provenance or clone of B. alnoides selected for the development of southern Fujian, as well as no suitable reforestation mixed pattern for B. alnoides developed for preventing the trunk pests effectively. It is significant to select an optimal reforestation pattern for B. alnoides to be expanded in southern Fujian. Methods: The tissue-cultured seedlings of Betula alnoides were introduced to south-east China for reforestation mixed pattern tests. B. alnoides was admixed with Castanopsis hystrix with five patterns at Wanshiqing Area and admixed with Cunninghamia lanceolata with four patterns at Beijing Area. A sample plot of 20 m × 30 m was set in each experimental treatment and each tree was investigated in the sample plot, including tree height (m), DBH (cm), pests and diseases and freeze injury. Result: The effects of the pure forest were better than that of the cluster mixed forest in tree height. The cluster mixed pattern was not beneficial to the tree height growth of B. alnoides and DBH growth of C. lanceolata in early stage. The average annual growth of B. alnoides in tree height, DBH and individual volume achieved 2.2-2.5 m, 2.8-3.0 cm and 0.0061-0.0074 m3, respectively.