Results of the research of Douglas-fir in the Czech Republic and Slovakia: a review

Research Highlights: In Central Europe, Douglas fir became more responsive to summer drought in recent years. Background and Objectives: Until now, Douglas fir has been considered a tree species resistant to drought. However, how Douglas fir will be able to cope with the increasing frequency and intensity of summer heat waves remains a question. The long-term variability in the climate response of Douglas fir in Central European conditions has not been fully explored. The aim of the study was to identify climatic factors controlling the stem radial growth of Douglas fir and Norway spruce, and to examine the temporal changes in tree responses to key climatic variables related to drought stress. Materials and Methods: We analysed the pattern of the climate–growth relationship of Douglas fir and Norway spruce, growing in mixed stands distributed between 260 and 600 m above sea level, which corresponds with the altitudinal zone of intensive spruce dieback in the Czech Republic. Nine-site tree-ring-width chronologies were developed for each tree species. Pointer year analysis and correlation analysis in combination with principal component analysis were used to identify climatic factors limiting their growth. Moving correlation function was computed to assess temporal changes of the climate–growth relationship. Results: In the entire 1961–2015 period, growth of both species was positively related to summer precipitation. The response to temperature differed between species. While spruce was negatively affected by the temperatures in summer months, the increments of Douglas fir were positively correlated with the temperatures in February and March. However, moving correlation analysis revealed recently increasing sensitivity to summer temperatures also for Douglas fir. Higher responsiveness of Douglas fir to drought was also revealed by the increasing frequency of negative pointer years in the 2003–2015 period. Conclusions: The recommendations of Douglas fir as a suitable alternative tree species for declining spruce stands at lower altitudes must be regarded with caution.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate Response of Douglas Fir Reveals Recently Increased Sensitivity to Drought Stress in Central Europe

Vejpustková

Čihák

2019

“…It very often represents planted and cultivated species, especially in France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom [4]. In the Czech Republic, the area is only represented by some 5800 ha, increasing by approximately 100 ha per year [5,6]. Its role is particularly assumed as a substitute for the declining Norway spruce, which is endangered by climatic changes at lower altitudes [7], and this species, native on some 11-15% of the Czech territory, shows many health problems, yet is at the same time the key species of Mid-European forestry [8,9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of Wood Quality of Douglas Fir and Spruce from Afforested Agricultural Land and Permanent Forest Land in the Czech Republic

Zeidler¹,

Borůvka²,

Schönfelder³

2017

This study compares the quality of wood from two distinct sites in the Czech Republic-from former afforested agricultural land and forest land. We compared the properties of Norway spruce wood (Picea abies Karst.) and Scots pine wood (Pinus sylvestris L.), the most important domestic tree species, to Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco), a North American tree species and a potential substitute for the domestic spruce. Wood density, modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR) and impact bending strength were the properties tested that were used for comparing tree species. Without taking into consideration the site, the highest density values from the tested tree species were obtained for Douglas fir (0.568 g·cm −3 ), followed by the pine (0.508 g·cm −3 ) and the spruce (0.463 g·cm −3 ). The Douglas fir also dominated in the remaining assessed properties, whilst the influence of site was not confirmed, with the exception of MOE and MOR, and only for the Douglas fir wood, wherein higher values were obtained for forest land. In terms assessed Douglas fir properties, it exceeds the domestic softwoods and represents a possible suitable replacement for them. The site only plays a role in terms of the Douglas fir, and only for certain properties.

“…The soil type is oligotrophic brown earth. The absolute height yield class of Douglas fir at standing volume with bark per hectare 467 m 3 •ha −1 is 36 [1].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Douglas fir has been introduced to Central Europe by forest managers for its high production of commercially valuable products and also for its ability to stabilize forest stands, mainly against windthrow [2,3]. Various plantations of this species with undocumented origin were created in Europe during the 19th century, while first provenance-based research, oriented to survival rate, production, and quality, was performed in Germany in 1910 [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is also considered as an alternative to the domestic Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) in areas where the quality of the litter has deteriorated [3]. In comparison to Norway spruce, Douglas fir has a smaller effect on soil nutrients and has a positive effect on humus production, soil pH, and can regenerate naturally under suitable silvicultural treatments [2,5,6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Impact of Rhabdocline pseudotsugae and Phaeocryptopus gaeumannii on the Selection of Suitable Provenances of Douglas Fir in Central Europe

Samek

Novotný

Modlinger

et al. 2019

Two diseases, Rhabdocline needle cast caused by Rhabdocline pseudotsugae Sydow, and Swiss needle cast caused by Phaeocryptopus gaeumannii (Rohde) Petr., recently became a severe threat to Central European Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) stands. Both pathogens infect assimilative organs causing needle chloritization and drop off. Pervasive infection by these pathogens has been recorded at the Hůrky provenance trial (Písek, South Bohemia, Czech Republic), established in 1971 as part of a series of experiments by International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO). The intensity and duration of needle cast sporulation were monitored using a Burkard spore trap, and the health status of 24 Douglas fir provenances from the original areal of distribution (British Columbia, Washington, Oregon) was evaluated under this trial. While comparing provenances, the following characteristics were surveyed: trunk volume, defoliation rate, and the difference in tree diameter between measurements in 2011 and 2016. A statistical evaluation was performed using the regression model and a decision tree. The highest sporulation rates on needles for both needle casts were observed from April to July. The Washington provenances 1069 North Bend, 1075 Enumclaw, and 1089 Cathlamet can be recommended for plantation, considering the provenances’ satisfactory productivity and low extent of damage from needle casts, while the provenances such as 1104 Brookings, 1028 Merritt (due to high mortality) and 1010 Barrière, 1021 D’Arcy, and 1067 Skykomish (due to high defoliation) are not suitable for plantation under Central European conditions.