Impact of initial spacing and precommercial thinning on jack pine tree growth and stem quality

Tong, Queju; Zhang, S Y

doi:10.5558/tfc81418-3

Cited by 28 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…The impact of these larger knots is an important factor to take into account as in addition to affecting visual grading, this can also lead to a decrease in the mechanical properties of the wood (Chui 1995, Danborg 1996. For jack pine, Tong and Zhang (2005) observed that the increase in initial spacing had a positive effect on diameter growth, the width development of the crown and the size of knots, and that it caused a decrease in the quality of lumber. The increase in spacing in black spruce plantations and the resulting negative impacts on the quality of stems and of the wood were also observed by Zhang et al (2002).…”

Section: Differences Between Sitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the white pine weevil (Pissodes strobi Peck) on Norway spruce plantations (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) Part 1: Productivity and lumber quality

Daoust¹,

Mottet²

2006

The Forestry Chronicle

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A study to assess the effects that major deformations in merchantable stems of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.), caused by the white pine weevil (Pissodes strobi [Peck]), have on lumber productivity and quality was performed on logs obtained from a second commercial thinning operation in three weevil-affected plantations. Deformed stems were found to be 6.3% shorter than non-deformed stems and their lumber characteristics, i.e., merchantable volume, number of board feet and lumber monetary value, were 14.7%, 20.6% and 23.7% lower, respectively. However, when the respective proportions of deformed and non-deformed stems were analyzed for a given plantation over the time horizon of a complete rotation, these shortfalls almost disappeared, with a loss of less than 3% being noted for total merchantable volume. The presence/absence of major deformations had no effect on visual grading of the lumber, which takes defects such as wane, knots and compression wood into account. For two of the three sites studied, almost 75% of the lumber was graded as Select Structural, No. 1 or No. 2. The plantation site and its characteristics (spacing and level of thinning) were found to have a more significant effect than deformations on productivity, lumber quality and monetary value. Furthermore, using the same methodology, one of the Norway spruce sites was compared with a white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss) plantation containing trees of similar quality and height, but with no weevil problems. The Norway spruce stems, including those with deformations, were found to yield higher merchantable and usable log volumes, a larger number of board feet and a higher monetary value than white spruce. On average, for the diameter at breast height values tested -14 to 23 cm -the monetary value of the lumber was 26% higher for Norway spruce. These findings are largely attributable to the less pronounced taper of Norway spruce. In conclusion, in spite of weevil attacks and their negative impact, Norway spruce trees growing on sites of moderate to very good quality maintain lumber potential, in terms of both quantity and quality, for second thinning logs. The negative impact should gradually decrease at the time of next thinnings and final harvest. ] Karst.) sur la productivité et la qualité des sciages a été évalué à partir de billes récoltées lors de secondes éclaircies commerciales dans trois plantations affectées par l'insecte. Comparativement aux tiges non déformées, les résultats ont démontré que les tiges déformées étaient moins hautes de 6,3 % et avaient un volume marchand, un nombre de pmp et une valeur monétaire des sciages inférieurs de 14,7, 20,6 et de 23,7 %, respectivement. Toutefois, ces pertes deviennent presque négligeables et inférieures à 3 % au niveau de la production en volume marchand total de la plantation puisque les tiges déformées représentent une partie seulement de l'ensemble des tiges présentes ainsi qu'une faible proportion du volume total récolté sur un horizon correspondant à une rotation comp...

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Section: Differences Between Sitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the white pine weevil (Pissodes strobi Peck) on Norway spruce plantations (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) Part 1: Productivity and lumber quality

Daoust¹,

Mottet²

2006

The Forestry Chronicle

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“…Juvenile cleaning (i.e., a second release treatment applied between ages 10 to 15 years) is thus usually required to ensure longer-term control of competing vegetation, and that plantation productivity objectives are met (Newton et al 1992). Juvenile cleaning in conifer plantations also allows crop trees to reach their full potential of diameter growth (Pettersson 1993, Tong andZhang 2005) and can promote longer crown and branches (Lanner 1985, Fahlvik et al 2005. Although they have been studied in naturally regenerated stands (e.g., Daggett 2003), the combined long-term effects of release and juvenile cleaning on growth and stand structure have yet to be documented in spruce plantations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term black spruce plantation growth and structure after release and juvenile cleaning: A 24-year study

Cyr¹,

Thiffaul²

2009

The Forestry Chronicle

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Vegetation management is crucial to meet growth and yield objectives in conifer plantations. But, the combined and longterm effects of mechanical release and juvenile cleaning on growth and stand structure have yet to be documented in black spruce plantations. A long-term study was carried out in Quebec (Canada) to evaluate the interactions between initial mechanical release at age 2 years and juvenile cleaning at age 14 years (i.e., a second release treatment) on planted black spruce survival and dimensions at age 24 years. Population structure and stand species composition were also assessed. Results showed that release and juvenile cleaning had an additive, positive effect on survival, diameter at breast height (DBH), height, crown width, crown length, and the last 5-year DBH and height increments. Juvenile cleaning effects were of higher magnitude than release effects, especially on 5-year DBH increment. Combination of both treatments reduced DBH and height variability of saplings, whereas juvenile cleaning alone resulted in a higher proportion of saplings occupying higher height classes. Total merchantable basal area was constant among treatments. But, without juvenile cleaning, hardwoods occupied a higher proportion of the basal area and were taller than spruces. In a context of sustainable forest management, in which conifer plantations are expected to offer high wood yield, our results demonstrate the importance of juvenile cleaning following initial mechanical release to promote crop tree growth and yield.Key words: plantation, vegetation management, black spruce, growth, stand development RÉSUMÉ La gestion de la végétation est essentielle à l'atteinte des objectifs de rendement associés aux plantations de conifères. Cependant, les effets combinés à long terme du dégagement mécanique et du nettoiement sur la croissance et la structure des plantations d' épinette noire ne sont pas documentés. Une étude a été entreprise au Québec (Canada) afin d' évaluer les effets à long terme d'un dégagement mécanique réalisé à l'an 2 et d'un nettoiement réalisé à l'an 14 sur la survie et les dimensions d' épinettes noires, 24 ans après leur mise en terre. La structure de la plantation et la composition en espèces du peuplement ont également été mesurées. Les résultats montrent que le dégagement et le nettoiement ont un effet additif et positif sur le diamètre à hauteur de poitrine (dhp), la hauteur, la largeur et la longueur de la cime, la survie et l'accroissement en hauteur et en dhp des 5 dernières années. Les effets du nettoiement sont de plus grande amplitude que ceux du dégagement, particulièrement sur l'accroissement en dhp des 5 dernières années. La combinaison des deux traitements réduit la variabilité du dhp et de la hauteur des épinettes, alors que le nettoiement seul résulte en une plus grande proportion des épinettes occupant les classes élevées de hauteur. La surface terrière marchande totale du peuplement est similaire entre les traitements. Toutefois, en l'absence de nettoiement, une plus grande...

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“…Similar results were found by Viens (2001) for jack pine and by Bouillet and Lefevre (1996) who concluded that intensive and early thinning on khasi pine (JPinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon) did not induce form variation along the stem. Tong and Zhang (2005), studying pre-commercial thinning effects on jack pine stands, observed that precommercial thinning had little effect on diameter growth at the top of tree. For shadetolerant species such as black spruce, opening the canopy may not necessarily induce an effect on branch development, and by the way on taper or stem shape.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact des éclaircies commerciales sur la croissance et la qualité du bois de l'épinette noire (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) en forêt boréale /

Vincent¹

2010

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Ill caractéristiques des arbres résiduels et de leurs compétiteurs. Bien que l'accroissement radial observé suite au traitement soit plus important à la base de l'arbre, cela n'entraine pas de variation significative de la forme ou du défilement de la tige. Aucune variation significative du MOE et de la densité n'a été notée après le traitement. Finalement sous certaines conditions de marché, Péclaircie commerciale peut augmenter la valeur finale du peuplement par rapport à un peuplement non traité. Le "timing" de l'opération pourrait donc influencer la rentabilité des éclaircies commerciales.Mots Clés : Éclaircie commerciale, Épinette noire, qualité du bois, croissance radiale, module d'élasticité, défilement, densité de cerne, rendement, forêt boréale, défilement. IV ABSTRACTFor the last ten years the forests allocated to commercial interests have declined due land conservation, to respect the territorial claims of the First Nations and because the limits of exploitation were attained in certain regions. It is thus necessary to find strategies to increase the volume of wood produced in the remaining forests. The silvicultural practices, such as the thinning, have been effective for several decades in mixed and leafy forests in southern Quebec, but more recently have been used in a less informed way in the northern forests. The forestry companies of the region 02 (Saguenay Lac St-Jean) currently use treatments of commercial thinning in black natural spruce stands. The evaluation of the volume yield in volume remains a priority; on the other hand, the increase in radial growth caused by the thinning treatments can be associated with a decrease in mechanical wood properties. This has to be considered both during the first transformation and when evaluating the wood quality. Coniferous trees respond to increased light by producing some weaker density wood. If it turns out that thinning performed on thousands of hectares of land does not attain the industry standards in terms of mechanical resistance or depreciated quality, the impact on the market value of the wood coming from region 02 would be economically fatal. The main objectives of the thesis were to: 1) Establish radial and volume growth increment at the individual and at the stand scale using dendroecological methods. 2) Determine wood quality variations (modulus of elasticity -MOE -and ring density) before and after thinning. 3) Estimate economical returns in thinned and control stands based on recovery products available after CT and final harvest. The results suggest that commercial thinning leads to an increase of radial growth at the individual level. Response depends upon tree diameter and competition, with the biggest trees exhibiting the lowest response to the treatment.Growth increment in thinned trees appears to occur at the expense of natural radial growth in the upper part of the stem. However, no significant variation in taper or stem shape has been noticed. Moreover, no significant variation in average ring density due to CT was observed afte...

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Impact of initial spacing and precommercial thinning on jack pine tree growth and stem quality

Cited by 28 publications

References 9 publications

Impact of the white pine weevil (Pissodes strobi Peck) on Norway spruce plantations (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) Part 1: Productivity and lumber quality

Impact of the white pine weevil (Pissodes strobi Peck) on Norway spruce plantations (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) Part 1: Productivity and lumber quality

Long-term black spruce plantation growth and structure after release and juvenile cleaning: A 24-year study

Impact des éclaircies commerciales sur la croissance et la qualité du bois de l'épinette noire (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) en forêt boréale /

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