Management and Use of Aspen Poplar in North America

Abstract

Aspen poplar, although widely distributed over the northern half of North America, is greatly underutilized. However, because of its ease of reestablishment through vegetative reproduction, its short rotation management on appropriate sites and new technological development favouring such uses as chemimechanical pulp and waferboard, the forest industry will probably pay more attention to it in the future. Regional differences throughout its range are discussed for Ontario, the Prairie Provinces and the U.S. Lake States.

Regeneration Silviculture of Aspen

“…Dominant height on average sites is from 1 to 2 m at age 2, and from 3 to 5 m at age 5 (Alban 1985, Bella Morley 1986). Good stands may attain a height of 9 m at age 8 (Perala 1983), while even on poor sites height can be 5,5 m at age 6 (Doucet 1977).…”

“…Because of past under-utilization, large areas of aspen are overmature (Morley 1986, Jones 1987. Other stands, while not being decadent, may be poorly stocked.…”

“…When brush is abundant summer harvesting with full tree skidding will help control it and stimulate aspen suckering (Perala 1977, Morley 1986). However, only the amount of disturbance necessary to control brush should be used, since too much heavy traffic may damage shallow roots and thus decrease suckering (Jones 1976).…”

“…Traditionally, it has been much underutilized throughout its range. But dramatic increases in use have occurred recently (Morley 1986;Rinfret 1987;Smith 1987). And with the mills already under construction or planned for the near future, this increase will continue to the point where local shortages may well develop, or have even already occurred.…”

Canadian Silviculture Research: Accomplishments and Challenges

“…Competition from an overstory, however, may affect survival and growth ) and very short rotations of less than 15 years will adversely affect suckering (Stiell and Berry 1986). Only a limited number of stems are needed in the parent stand to insure full stocking by suckering, but deteriorating stands that are invaded by brush may not regenerate satisfactorily (Morley 1986). Herbicides can be used to control brush (Basham 1982a).…”