Rotation-Age Results from a Loblolly Pine Spacing Trial

Amateis, Ralph L.; Burkhart, Harold E.

doi:10.5849/sjaf.10-038

Cited by 36 publications

(28 citation statements)

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“…A closer spacing provides much more wood production and seems to be advantageous for short rotation forestry. Our overall results are consistent with those of various reports (Harms et al, 2000;Timothy et al, 2009;Amateis & Burkhart, 2012). For instance, Amateis & Burkhart (2012) found that closer spacing (1.22 × 1.22 m), in a loblolly pine plantation, produced more total volume yield through age 13 than the other spacing treatments.…”

Section: Comparison To Yield Tablesupporting

confidence: 83%

“…Our overall results are consistent with those of various reports (Harms et al, 2000;Timothy et al, 2009;Amateis & Burkhart, 2012). For instance, Amateis & Burkhart (2012) found that closer spacing (1.22 × 1.22 m), in a loblolly pine plantation, produced more total volume yield through age 13 than the other spacing treatments. However, at age 15 of the same species, volume yield was reduced in closer spacings compared to wider spacings, mostly due to increased mortality.…”

Section: Comparison To Yield Tablesupporting

confidence: 83%

“…Therefore, before any decision on spacing in plantations, it is necessary to consider not only the volume growth of individual trees, but also production of higher volume (and volume growth) per unit area. Volume growth behavior of individual trees as compared with volume growth of a stand for a given spacing is directly related to area use efficiency and number of trees per unit area (Zhang et al, 1996;Sharma et al, 2002;Harrington et al, 2009;Amateis & Burkhart, 2012). By age twelve, even if the competition has already started at closer spacing, area use by trees was still effective.…”

Section: Volume Growthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, in the absence of thinning, the shape of the curve would change due to increasing number of dead trees in advanced ages and for longer rotations. In such cases stem volume per unit area will decrease, being more heavily so, as the spacing becomes closer (Amateis & Burkhart, 2012).…”

Section: Volume Growthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Initial spacing affects the stand growth rate and mean tree size (Zhang et al, 1996;Harms et al, 2000;Sharma et al, 2002;Harrington et al, 2009;Amateis & Burkhart, 2012) and determines the timing and intensity of competition among trees for resources . Therefore, quantitative evaluations of effects of initial spacing on stand growth rates are needed for a better understanding of the effects of spacing in achieving specific management objectives.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of spacing on early growth rate and carbon sequestration in Pinus brutia Ten. plantations

Erkan¹,

Aydın²

2016

For. syst.

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Aim of study: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of initial spacing on early growth and carbon sequestration rates in Turkish red pine plantations up to 12 years old, established with improved seeds and deep soil cultivation.Area of study: The study was conducted on experimental sites established in two locations within the Turkish red pine natural distribution areas, namely Duacı and Nebiler close to Antalya city.Material and methods: Data were collected from the experimental sites established as a Nelder design (fan-shaped), with 72 rays and 18 arcs (circles), and trees were planted (almost square) at distances ranging from 1.15 to 4.77 m. Soil type of both sites is loamy, with soil clay content varying between 70-87% in Duacı and 51-70% in Nebiler. Soils are deep being more than one m in both sites, but rockier in Nebiler, providing better soil drainage in this site.Main results: The results showed that mean total height was greater at closer spacing than those of wider spacing until age eight. Growth retardation at wider spacing in early years may be related to water loss due to evaporation in hot summer days and weed suppression. Following the age eight, competition among trees appears to be the major factor reducing the growth and carbon fixation. Diameter at breast height and individual tree volume increased, while stand volume, mean annual volume increment and annual carbon storage per hectare considerably decreased for wider spacing. Our results suggest that in order to obtain higher yield and more carbon fixation, short rotation plantations should initially be established in closer spacing, followed by thinning in subsequent years as required by silvicultural concerns. In this context, spacing 3.0 × 1.0 m or 3.0 × 1.5 m (3.0 and 4.5 m 2 growing area per tree, respectively) seems to be more plausible, providing farm machinery for maintenance and harvesting. We also found that mean annual volume increment per unit area can be considerably increased by using improved seed and deep soil cultivation in plantations.Research highlights: Results encourage managers for short rotation management in industrial plantations using closer spacing in terms of carbon sequestration as well as wood production.Keywords

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