Comparison of early height growth between white spruce seedlings and rooted cuttings

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (12) ◽  
pp. 3246-3250 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Beaulieu ◽  
M Bernier-Cardou
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Relative Size ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Breeding Population ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Rooted Cuttings ◽  
Average Growth ◽  
Sib Families ◽  
Growth Features

Early height growth of eastern white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) rooted cuttings was compared with that of seedlings using annual measurements collected over 5 years in a farm field test replicated on three sites. The experiment included 148 full-sib families obtained from controlled crossings of superior trees selected for a white spruce breeding population in Quebec. Fifteen additional seedlots were used as controls. The average growth rate of seedlings (37.3 cm·year–1) was slightly larger than that of rooted cuttings (36.2 cm·year–1). The yearly growth rate increased over the test period, and it did so at a somewhat higher rate for the seedlings. The relative size of the estimated variance components and the moderate rank correlations of full-sib family height growth features between the two propagule types suggest that tree breeders should favour seedlings over rooted cuttings to rank families for selection purposes, but vegetative propagation would prove useful for bulking up scarce valuable genotypes.

scholarly journals Application of Nursery Testing in Long-Term White Spruce Improvement Programs

2007 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 296-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhui Weng ◽  
Kathy Tosh ◽  
Yill Sung Park ◽  
Michele S. Fullarton
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Field Performance ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Positive Assortative Mating ◽  
The Family ◽  
Improvement Programs

Abstract Polycross-pollinated white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss) families were evaluated in field and retrospective nursery tests in 1989, 1991, and 1992, respectively. Height growth was measured at age 10 for the field tests and at ages 1 to 6 for the retrospective nursery tests. Except for a few cases, the family mean correlations between nursery and field heights were significant for the 1989 and 1992 series, and their corresponding genetic correlations ranged from low to medium (from 0.37 to 0.74). Because of heavy noncrop competition, height growth in the 1991 nursery series showed consistently lower heritabilities and correlations with field performance compared with those of the other two series. Early nursery selection by theoretical prediction was generally efficient for the 1989 and 1992 series. Rank classification analysis indicated that application of early nursery selection should be used with caution for identifying elite families but could be used to cull inferior families or clones, apply multiple-stage selection, or perform positive assortative mating.

Black and White Spruce Plantings in Minnesota: Container vs Bareroot Stock and Fall vs Spring Planting

1983 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 189-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. A. Alm
Keyword(s):  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Artificial Regeneration ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Four Seasons ◽  
Spring Planting ◽  
Better Than

Black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) and white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) styrob-lock and paperpot and 3-0 and 2-2 seedlings were planted spring and fall. After four seasons of growth the container seedlings had survival and height growth as good or better than the nursery seedlings. There were no differences in performance between the two container systems. The 2-2 stock generally had better survival than the 3-0 stock. Survival of fall-planted stock was equal to or better than that of the spring-planted stock. Key words: white spruce, black spruce, styroplugs, paper pots, seedlings, transplants, artificial regeneration, fall vs spring planting

Rapid change in suitability of white spruce for a specialist herbivore, Zeiraphera canadensis, as a function of leaf age

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (11) ◽  
pp. 2132-2138 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. T. Quiring
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Leaf Age ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Host Suitability ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Bud Burst ◽  
Specialist Herbivore ◽  
Sib Families

Field studies were carried out over 2 years to determine the effect of age of white spruce (Picea glauca) leaves on the development of the spruce bud moth, Zeiraphera canadensis Mut. &Free. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). In both years developing buds remained suitable for first-instar larvae for only 4–5 days after bud burst, after which survivorship decreased significantly. Individuals that survived on flaring shoots were smaller than those placed on newly burst buds. Although leaf contents of water, nitrogen, and several minerals were inversely related to leafage, only declines in N and P content were associated with the rapid change in host suitability. Differences in N and P contents were small, however, suggesting that the rapid decline in host suitability was also due to the influence of other, unmeasured factors. When larvae were placed on foliage of the same age, their survival was similar on trees in half-sib families with high or low susceptibility to Z. canadensis. Thus, variations in susceptibility of white spruce to Z. canadensis might be associated with differences in host-plant phenology but are not due to differences in nutritional quality. This study demonstrates that the phenological window for establishment of newly emerged folivores may be shorter than is commonly thought.

How well can we select undamaged site trees for estimating site index?

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (12) ◽  
pp. 1989-1992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon D Nigh ◽  
Bobby A Love
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Sufficient Data ◽  
Terminal Bud ◽  
Pine Trees ◽  
Unbiased Estimates

The best estimates of site index, an indicator of site productivity, are obtained from site trees. Undamaged site trees should be sampled to obtain unbiased estimates of site index. Two juvenile height growth modelling projects provided us with sufficient data to assess our ability to select undamaged lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia Dougl.) and white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) site trees. The sample trees were split open to measure height growth from the terminal bud scars. Splitting the stems also revealed damage that was not visible from the outside of the tree. Over 50% of the lodgepole pine trees and 75% of the white spruce trees had damage, which was much higher than expected. Possible causes of damage are frost and insects. The damage does not significantly reduce the height of the spruce trees, but there is evidence that the heights of the lodgepole pine trees are reduced.

Predicting natural regeneration of white spruce in boreal mixedwood understories

2001 ◽  
Vol 77 (6) ◽  
pp. 1006-1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
James D. Stewart ◽  
Simon M. Landhäusser ◽  
Kenneth J. Stadt ◽  
Victor J. Lieffers
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Clay Fraction ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Feather Moss ◽  
Moss Cover ◽  
Rotten Wood ◽  
Soil Clay

Successful mixedwood management in the boreal forest of Alberta requires better knowledge of the occurrence and success of natural white spruce regeneration. In this study we developed statistical models to predict the natural establishment and height growth of understory white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) in the boreal mixedwood forest in Alberta using data from 148 provincial permanent sample plots, supplemented by measurements of the amount and height growth of regenerating white spruce, and the amount and type of available substrate. A discriminant model correctly classified 73% of the sites as to presence or absence of a white spruce understory based on the amount of spruce basal area, rotten wood, ecological nutrient regime, soil clay fraction and elevation, although it explained only 30% of the variation in the data. On sites with a white spruce understory, a regression model related the abundance of regeneration to rotten wood cover, spruce basal area, pine basal area, soil clay fraction, and grass cover (R2 = 0.36). About half of the seedlings surveyed grew on rotten wood, and only 3% on mineral soil, and seedlings were 10 times more likely to have established on these substrates than on litter. Exposed mineral soil was rare, covering only 0.3% of the observed transect area, rotten wood covered 4.5%, and litter/undisturbed forest floor covered the remainder. The regression models developed for average relative height growth rate included feather moss cover, stand age and birch basal area for seedlings ≤ 1 m (R2 = 0.23), and feather moss cover, elevation, other moss cover and soil clay fraction for seedlings between 1 m and 3 m (R2 = 0.27). Key words: Picea glauca, seedling establishment, seedbeds, site factors, coarse woody debris, predictive models, mixedwood management

STAND IMPROVEMENT WITH WHITE SPRUCE PLANTED WITH CONCURRENT DYBAR (FENURON) HERBICIDE TREATMENT

1965 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. F. Sutton
Keyword(s):  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Subsequent Growth ◽  
Competing Vegetation ◽  
Herbicide Treatment

Three ½-oz. spot applications of Dybar (pelleted fenuron: 3-phenyl-1, 1-dimethylurea) were given in 1960-61 to competing vegetation around each planted white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) in an overmature boreal mixedwood. The herbicide was applied at distances from 1 to 7 feet from the spruce concurrently with planting, in fall, spring and summer. Survival of white spruce, 75 per cent in 1963, was not affected significantly by any of the treatments. A highly significant relationship was found between total live canopy in 1963 (X, not greater than 75%) and height growth of spruce in 1963 (Y):[Formula: see text]Significance of regression was not increased by the inclusion of either initial canopy or height of stock at planting. The study shows that the non-selective Dybar can safely be used at the time of planting to aid the establishment of white spruce, and that subsequent growth of the spruce is largely dependent on the density of total live canopy.

scholarly journals THE GROWTH AND ABSORPTION OF NUTRIENTS BY FERTILIZED AND UNFERTILIZED WHITE SPRUCE SEEDLINGS

1966 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. Armson
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Relative Growth ◽  
Uptake Rates ◽  
Abrupt Changes ◽  
Growth Development

A study was made of the effects of fertilizer additions on the growth and development of white spruce seedlings during their second growing season. In terms of dry weight increment, unfertilized trees grew for only two-thirds of the total growing season available as compared with fertilized trees. The relative growth rate curve for the fertilized trees was smooth with none of the abrupt changes which marked the curve for the unfertilized trees. The pattern of height growth was changed for seedlings which were fertilized. Nutrient uptake rates particularly for phosphorus were different under the two treatments and it is suggested that these differences were related to different patterns of height growth development and root extension.

Effects of shelter and competition on the early growth of planted white spruce (Picea glauca)

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 1002-1014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur Groot
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Canopy Removal ◽  
Second Year

Overstory manipulation and vegetation control treatments were applied at three experimental locations in northern Ontario, Canada, to examine shelter and competition effects on planted white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss). Overstories were nearly pure trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) or aspen-conifer mixedwoods. Overstory treatments included clear-cutting, uniform shelterwood (40% canopy removal), strip shelterwood (widths from 0.5 to 1.0H, where H is the height of dominants), patch shelterwood (diameter about 1.0H), narrow strips (width 0.25H), and intact overstory. Vegetation-control treatments included herbicide and no-herbicide treatments. Second-year seedling growth was poorest under intact overstories and in 0.25H strips, and vegetation control had little effect on growth in this situation. Vegetation control in clearcuts increased seedling diameter but not height growth. In shelterwood treatments, however, vegetation control often increased both diameter and height growth. Greatest diameter tended to occur in clearcuts with vegetation control, whereas greatest height growth tended to occur in shelterwoods with vegetation control. These differing responses likely occur because diameter growth is influenced primarily by light availability, but height growth is additionally affected by other environmental factors. Combining early vegetation control along with shelterwood treatments appears to provide the optimum environment for establishing white spruce.

scholarly journals Growth of White Spruce, Picea glauca, Seedlings in Relation to Microenvironmental Conditions in a Forest-Prairie Ecotone of Southwestern Manitoba

2007 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophan Chhin ◽  
G. Geoff Wang
Keyword(s):  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Carbon Allocation ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Morphological Adaptation ◽  
Southern Limit ◽  
Temperature Conditions

The influence of microenvironmental conditions on the growth performance (i.e., diameter and height growth) of White Spruce [Picea glauca (Moench) Voss] seedlings was examined within three contrasting habitats: White Spruce tree islands, open prairies and Trembling Aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) groves. These habitats exist within a disjunct occurrence of White Spruce at its southern limit of distribution in three mixed-grass prairie preserves in the Spruce Woods Provincial Park within the forest-prairie ecotone of southwestern Manitoba. Microenvironmental measurements (i.e., light, temperature, relative humidity, soil moisture) were obtained on 10 sites in each of the three habitats and growth characteristics of 60 White Spruce seedlings were measured in each of three habitats. Higher light and soil temperature conditions occurred within the open prairie. In contrast, lower light and soil temperature conditions occurred under the tree canopy of aspen groves and the northern aspect of spruce islands, which moderated the effect of the dry regional climate. Height growth did not vary significantly among the three habitats. The greater diameter growth and decreased slenderness of White Spruce seedlings in the open versus the shaded habitats appears to be a result of increased photosynthesis at higher light intensity and may also represent a morphological adaptation to withstand the effect of increased wind exposure. The increased slenderness of White Spruce in the shaded habitats appears to be a morphological adaptation of increasing carbon allocation towards height growth and thus maximizing effective competition for light.

scholarly journals Sprucing up the mixedwoods: growth response of white spruce (Picea glauca) to partial cutting in the eastern Canadian boreal forest

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. 1205-1215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Smith ◽  
Brian D. Harvey ◽  
Ahmed Koubaa ◽  
Suzanne Brais ◽  
Marc J. Mazerolle
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Volume Growth ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Mixed Effect

Mixed-species stands present a number of opportunities for and challenges to forest managers. Boreal mixedwood stands in eastern Canada are often characterized by a dominant canopy of shade-intolerant aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) with more shade-tolerant conifers in the mid- to sub-canopy layers. Because the aspen and conifer components often attain optimal merchantable sizes at different moments in stand development, there is an interest in developing silvicultural practices that allow partial or total removal of aspen and favour accelerated growth of residual conifers. We tested four partial harvesting treatments in mixed aspen – white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench.) Voss) stands in which different proportions of aspen (0%, 50%, 65%, and 100% basal area) were removed. Ten years after treatments, 72 spruce stems representing dominant, co-dominant, and suppressed social classes were destructively sampled for stem analysis. Using linear mixed effect models, we analyzed growth as a function of treatment intensity, time since treatment, social status, pretreatment growth rate, and neighbourhood competition. Relative to control stands, radial and volume growth responses were detected only in the extreme treatment of 100% aspen removal. In relative terms, suppressed trees showed the greatest magnitude of cumulative growth increase. Compared with control trees, average annual radial and volume increments were, respectively, 23.5% and 7.1% higher for dominant trees, 67.7% and 24.1% higher for co-dominant trees, and 115.8% and 65.6% higher for suppressed trees over the 10 years after treatment. Growth response was proportional to pretreatment growth rate, and among neighbouring trees, only coniferous neighbours had a negative effect on white spruce growth. Our results suggest that in similar mixed-stand conditions, relatively heavy removal of overstory aspen accompanied by thinning of crowded conifers would result in greatest growth response of residual spruce stems.

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