Factors affecting northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis) seedling establishment and early growth in mixedwood stands

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 568-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Larouche ◽  
Jean-Claude Ruel ◽  
Jean-Martin Lussier
Keyword(s):  
Group Selection ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Early Growth ◽  
Thuja Occidentalis ◽  
White Cedar ◽  
Selection Cutting ◽  
Single Tree ◽  
Single Tree Selection ◽  
Northern White Cedar ◽  
Mixedwood Stands

Regeneration of northern white-cedar ( Thuja occidentalis L.) is often deficient after harvesting in mixedwood stands growing on mesic sites even where browsing pressure is low. We compared the effectiveness of silviculture treatments on early regeneration of white-cedar after single-tree selection cutting (25% of basal area removed), shelterwood seed cut (50% of basal area removed), and group selection cutting (gaps of 625 m2) in three yellow birch ( Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) – softwood uneven-aged stands in Quebec, Canada. Three years after harvesting, the combination of factors that maximized abundance of white-cedar seedlings was single-tree selection cutting with artificial seeding on exposed mineral seedbeds (68.8% of plots with the presence of white-cedar). Early growth of planted white-cedar seedlings (40 cm tall) and biomass production were proportional to light availability, i.e., best under group selection cutting (mean height increment = 14.8 cm/year, mean root collar diameter increment = 3.0 mm/year). Browsing pressure has regional impacts depending on herbivore occupancy of the area. Our study was conducted near the northern limit of white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmerman, 1780)), and deer were locally absent, while snowshoe hare ( Lepus americanus Erxleben, 1777) did not have a consistent effect on seedling abundance and early survival, limiting height growth only during the first year following planting.

Variations in northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis) regeneration following operational selection cutting in mixedwood stands of western Quebec

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (11) ◽  
pp. 1311-1319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence Saucier ◽  
Jean-Claude Ruel ◽  
Catherine Larouche
Keyword(s):  
Basal Area ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Permanent Plots ◽  
Thuja Occidentalis ◽  
White Cedar ◽  
Selection Cutting ◽  
Northern White Cedar ◽  
Harvesting Intensity ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Mixedwood Stands

Poorly adapted silvicultural practices and increases in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmerman, 1780)) populations have most likely contributed to the decline of northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.) in many regions of eastern North America. Selection cutting has been suggested to regenerate northern white-cedar in mixedwood stands, but the approach has not yet been validated in an operational framework. The objective of this study was to determine how local variations in stand condition and treatment application influence northern white-cedar regeneration at an operational scale in mixedwood stands. Seventy treated and control permanent plots, having at least 10% of basal area in cedar, were selected in an operational harvesting site. A regeneration survey was conducted in 2014, 15 to 20 years after harvesting, and data on harvested trees and tree cover, as well as regeneration state and abundance, were collected. Results indicate that selection cutting allows for the establishment of northern white-cedar when deer densities are low, which was the case in the study sites. However, abundance of seed trees nearby, harvesting intensity, competition, and availability of establishment microsites influenced abundance, growth, and recruitment of northern white-cedar seedlings and saplings in the residual stand. Deer browsing had no effect on regeneration.

Growth following single-tree selection cutting in Québec northern hardwoods

2003 ◽  
Vol 79 (5) ◽  
pp. 898-905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Bédard ◽  
Zoran Majcen
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Northern Hardwoods ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Selection Cutting ◽  
Single Tree ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Area Growth ◽  
Single Tree Selection

Eight experimental blocks were established in the southern part of Québec to determine the growth response of sugar maple (Acer saccharum) dominated stands after single tree selection cutting. Each block contained eight control plots (no cut) and eight cut plots. The intensity of removal varied between 21% and 32% and residual basal area was between 18.2 and 21 m2/ha. Ten year net annual basal area growth rates in cut plots (0.35 ± 0.04 m2/ha) were significantly higher (p = 0.0022) than in control plots (0.14 ± 0.06 m2/ha). The treatment particularly favoured diameter growth of stems between 10 and 30 cm in dbh, whose crowns were released by removing neighbouring trees. These results show that if the same net growth rate is maintained in the next decade most of the cut plots will reach their pre-cut basal area in about 20 years after cutting. Key words: northern hardwoods, selection cutting, uneven aged silviculture, basal area growth, diameter growth

scholarly journals Growth Response of Northern White-Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) to Natural Disturbances and Partial Cuts in Mixedwood Stands of Quebec, Canada

Forests ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 1194-1211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Claude Ruel ◽  
Jean-Martin Lussier ◽  
Sabrina Morissette ◽  
Nicolas Ricodeau
Keyword(s):  
Growth Response ◽  
Natural Disturbances ◽  
Thuja Occidentalis ◽  
White Cedar ◽  
Northern White Cedar ◽  
Mixedwood Stands

scholarly journals Group and single-tree selection cutting in mixed tolerant hardwood–white pine stands: Early establishment dynamics of white pine and associated species

2003 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. 1093-1106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Raymond ◽  
Alison D Munson ◽  
Jean-Claude Ruel ◽  
Philippe Nolet
Keyword(s):  
Seed Predation ◽  
Group Selection ◽  
Red Oak ◽  
White Pine ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Selection Cutting ◽  
Single Tree ◽  
Single Tree Selection ◽  
Paper Birch ◽  
Pine Stands

In mixed tolerant hardwood – white pine stands of Southwestern Quebec, the effects of group selection cutting on eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.), red oak (Quercus rubra L.), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton) and paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) regeneration are compared to the currently used single-tree selection cutting. The experimental design, initiated in 1998, comprised three cover reduction treatments (circular gap (45 m, 1590 m2)), 25% and 35% single-tree selection cutting), two scarification treatments (scarified and non-scarified) and two seeding treatments for white pine (seeded and non-seeded). The effect of white pine seed predation was studied in the gaps and the adjacent understory, with exclosures for small mammals. After three years, scarification had a positive effect on white pine, yellow birch and paper birch regeneration but also on aspen (Populus spp.) and pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica L.f.) in the three cover reduction treatments. Red oak regeneration was negatively affected by scarification. Shade-tolerant species (sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.)) tended to be less present in the regeneration gaps than in the single-tree selection cutting. Considering that white pine seed predation can be critical in mixed tolerant hard-wood – white pine stands, a greater rate of seeding is recommended for direct seeding. Key words: group selection cutting, regeneration gap, single-tree selection cutting, tolerant hardwoods, eastern white pine, yellow birch, paper birch, red oak, scarification, direct seeding, regeneration, seed predation

scholarly journals Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) demographic response to hardwood forests managed under the selection system

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 499-507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel M. Geleynse ◽  
Erica Nol ◽  
Dawn M. Burke ◽  
Ken A. Elliott
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Group Selection ◽  
Nest Survival ◽  
Forested Wetlands ◽  
Timing Of Breeding ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Single Tree ◽  
Single Tree Selection ◽  
Foraging Site ◽  
Brown Creeper

The Brown Creeper (Certhia americana Bonaparte, 1838) has been identified as one of the most sensitive passerines to partial forest harvest in North America. The effect of selection logging on Brown Creeper density, nest timing, nest survival, and nest and foraging site selection was examined in five silviculture treatments (intensive group selection, typical group selection, old single-tree selection, recent single-tree selection, and control forests) of Algonquin Provincial Park, Canada. As Brown Creeper nests under the bark of large, decaying trees, we hypothesized that Brown Creeper density, timing of breeding, nest survival, and nest and foraging site selection would be negatively affected by silviculture through the removal of large, decaying trees as part of providing safe conditions for loggers. We monitored 101 nests of Brown Creeper during the 2010 and 2011 breeding seasons, mapped territories to estimate density, and conducted foraging surveys. Brown Creeper density was reduced by about 42% in logged stands compared with control stands. Despite that, silviculture did not significantly alter timing of breeding or nest survival. However, the loss of large trees through partial harvesting meant that Brown Creeper nested closer to adjacent, small forested wetlands and often in balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) in treated stands. In control stands, Brown Creeper nested further from forested wetlands, disproportionately in greater numbers in upland hardwoods, and preferentially in the bark of snags of yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton). The change in the species of tree used for nesting and the general forest type as a result of logging also resulted in consequences for the selection of foraging substrates. To maintain higher densities of Brown Creeper in logged stands in Algonquin Park, we recommend retaining larger diameter yellow birch, both snags and live trees, preferably within strategically located uncut reserves based on habitat supply planning, that maintains patches roughly the size of Brown Creeper territories (10 ha).

Plant Community Structure and Composition in Uneven-aged Stands of Loblolly-Shortleaf Pine at Four Basal Area Levels

1995 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip A. Tappe ◽  
Michael D. Cain ◽  
T. Bently Wigley ◽  
Derik J. Reed
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Plant Community ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Plant Community Structure ◽  
Shortleaf Pine ◽  
Single Tree ◽  
Single Tree Selection ◽  
Four Levels

Abstract The effects of overstory pine basal area on plant community structure and composition were assessed in uneven-aged stands of loblolly and shortleaf pines (Pinus taedaL. and P. echinata Mill.) in southern Arkansas. Basal area treatments were 40, 60, 80, and 100 ft2/ac for the merchantable pine component (>3.5 in. dbh) and were maintained on a 6 yr cutting cycle using single-tree selection. Assessments of plant communities were made 10 yr after a single hardwood control treatment. The four levels of pine basal area had no effect on percent ground cover of most plants <3 ft tall, but ground cover from graminoids decreased as pine basal area increased. Vertical cover above loft height increased 33% as overstory basal area increased from 40 to 100 ft2/ac, but basal area had no effect on horizontal cover in height zones between 0 and 10ft. It is concluded that uneven-aged stands of loblolly-shortleaf pine with merchantable basal areas of from 40 to 100 ft²/ac may support similar plant species in the understory and consequently probably provide similar habitat requirements for a variety of game and nongame wildlife. South. J. Appl. For. 19(2):84-88.

A 10-Year Evaluation of Prescribed Winter Burns in Uneven-Aged Stands of Pinus-Taeda L and P. Echinata Mill - Woody Understorey Vegetation Response

1993 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
MD Cain
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Taeda ◽  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Vegetation Response ◽  
Understorey Vegetation ◽  
Single Tree ◽  
Pine Regeneration ◽  
Single Tree Selection ◽  
Pinus Taeda L

The effects of burning cycles and pine basal area levels were assessed on natural pine regeneration and hardwood development in uneven-aged stands of loblolly and shortleaf pines (Pinus taeda L. and P. echinata Mill.). The treatments included an unburned control and prescribed winter burns at 3-, 6-, and 9-yr intervals. Basal area treatments were 9, 14, 18, and 23 m2 ha-1 for the merchantable-pine component and were maintained on a 6-yr cutting cycle using single-tree selection. Ten years after the study was initiated, density and quadrat stocking of pine regeneration were negatively correlated with overstorey basal area. The 6-yr burning cycle had higher pine density and better quadrat stocking of pine regeneration compared with any other bum treatment mainly because the 6-yr burning cycle coincided with a bumper pine seedcrop and the 6-yr cutting cycle. Recurring fires tended to result in reduced size of hardwood competition but had less impact on hardwood density. When considering a prescribed burning program in uneven-aged stands of loblolly and shortleaf pines, more attention should be given to density, quadrat stocking, and size of established pine regeneration and to expected seedcrops rather than to the prosecution of rigid burning schedules.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document