Variation in canopy gap formation among developmental stages of northern hardwood stands

1996 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 1875-1892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally E. Dahir ◽  
Craig G. Lorimer
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Turnover Time ◽  
Gap Formation ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Hardwood Species ◽  
Shade Tolerant Species ◽  
Mature Stands

Trends in gap dynamics among pole, mature, and old-growth northern hardwood stands were investigated on eight sites in the Porcupine Mountains of western upper Michigan. Recent gaps (created between 1981 and 1992) were identified using permanent plot records of tree mortality, while older gaps (1940–1981) were identified using stand reconstruction techniques. Although canopy gaps were somewhat more numerous in pole and mature stands, gaps were <25% as large as those in old-growth stands because of smaller gap-maker size, and the proportion of stand area turned over in gaps was only about half as large. Gap makers in younger stands generally had mean relative diameters (ratio of gap-maker DBH to mean DBH of canopy trees) <1.0 and were disproportionately from minor species such as eastern hophornbeam (Ostryavirginiana (Mill.) K. Koch). Gap makers in old-growth stands had mean relative diameters >1.5 and were predominantly from the dominant canopy species. Even in old-growth forests, most gaps were small (mean 44 m2) and created by single trees. Based on the identity of the tallest gap tree in each gap, nearly all shade-tolerant and midtolerant species have been successful in capturing gaps, but gap capture rates for some species were significantly different from their relative density in the upper canopy. The tallest gap trees of shade-tolerant species were often formerly overtopped trees, averaging more than 60% of the mean canopy height and having mean ages of 65–149 years. Canopy turnover times, based on gap formation rates over a 50-year period, were estimated to average 128 years for old-growth stands dominated by sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.) and 192 years for old-growth stands dominated by hemlock (Tsugacanadensis (L.) Carrière). While these estimates of turnover time are substantially shorter than maximum tree ages observed on these sites, they agree closely with independent data on mean canopy residence time for trees that die at the average gap-maker size of 51 cm DBH. The data support previous hypothetical explanations of the apparent discrepancy between canopy turnover times of <130 years for hardwood species and the frequent occurrence of trees exceeding 250 years of age.

22-Year Growth of Four Planted Hardwoods

1986 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Laurane Stout
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Black Cherry ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Old Field ◽  
Forest Landowners ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
White Ash ◽  
Hardwood Species ◽  
Initial Spacing ◽  
Preferred Species

Abstract Planting of northern hardwood species interests forest landowners and managers who wish to continue growing pure or nearly pure stands of high-value species, enhance old-field conversion to preferred species, or reforest areas where natural regeneration has failed. Little data on planted hardwoods can be found, however. This paper reports on 22 years of growth of a northern hardwood plantation established in 1961 containing red maple, black cherry, sugar maple, and white ash. The data show that plantings of these species can succeed on good sites with weed control over the first few years, protection from animal predators, and close initial spacing. North. J. Appl. For. 3:69-72, June 1986.

Native forest pathogens facilitate persistence of Douglas-fir in old-growth forests of northwestern California

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 1256-1266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley E. Hawkins ◽  
Terry W. Henkel
Keyword(s):  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Native Forest ◽  
Gap Formation ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Forest Pathogens ◽  
Canopy Trees ◽  
White Fir ◽  
Closed Canopy

Forest pathogens and insects can accelerate tree mortality, increase stand structural heterogeneity, and alter tree community composition. In northern California, the canopy trees Abies concolor var. lowiana (Gord. & Glend.) Lemmon (white fir) and Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Mirbel) Franco (Douglas-fir) co-occur but vary in shade tolerance and regenerative abilities following disturbance. Field observations suggested that mortality and turnover of white fir exceeded that of Douglas-fir and that native pathogens may be important drivers in the absence of fire. Pathogens and bark beetles were sampled in old-growth white fir – Douglas-fir stands in northwestern California to assess their contribution to tree mortality, gap formation, and regeneration. We determined abundances and size class distributions of canopy trees, presence of pathogens and bark beetles, and causes of tree mortality. We sampled canopy gaps and closed-canopy forests for overstory species composition, cause of mortality of gap-maker trees, and regeneration of white fir and Douglas-fir. Root-rot fungi accounted for significantly higher mortality and gap formation in white fir than in Douglas-fir. Relative seedling–sapling density of Douglas-fir was higher in pathogen-induced canopy gaps than in closed-canopy forest. In the absence of fire, native forest pathogens enable regeneration and persistence of Douglas-fir by enhancing mortality of white fir, resulting in canopy gap formation.

scholarly journals Improving the Composition of Beech-Dominated Northern Hardwood Understories in Northern Maine

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 186-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew S. Nelson ◽  
Robert G. Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Optimal Treatment ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Hardwood Species ◽  
Understory Composition ◽  
Glyphosate Herbicide ◽  
Selection Harvesting

Abstract The natural regeneration that develops following the shelterwood and selection harvesting of northern hardwood stands across the Northeast is often plagued by an overabundance of American beech infected with beech bark disease. This regenerating beech typically dominates and interferes with the regeneration of more desired hardwood species (sugar maple, yellow birch, and red maple), lowering the productivity and value of future stands. We tested factorial combinations of glyphosate herbicide (Accord Concentrate) rate and surfactant (Entrée 5735) concentration to identify an optimal treatment that would maximize beech control while minimizing sugar maple injury. Third-year posttreatment results revealed that glyphosate rate was a more important factor than surfactant concentration in reducing beech abundance and preserving sugar maple. The optimal treatment (0.56‐1.12 kg/ha of glyphosate plus 0.25‐0.5% surfactant) selectively removed 60‐80% of beech stems, whereas sugar maple control was less than 20%. The five dominant hardwood species differed substantially in their susceptibility to the treatments in the following decreasing order: beech > striped maple > yellow birch > red maple > sugar maple. Similar results produced using a backpack mistblower suggested transferability of treatment effects to operational applications using a tractor-mounted mistblower. Our findings indicate that this relatively low-cost and effective treatment can substantially improve the understory composition of northern hardwood stands.

A Volume Estimation System for Four Northern Hardwood Species

1986 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-28
Author(s):  
Carolyn H. Richards ◽  
David D. Reed
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Volume Estimation ◽  
Stem Diameter ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Hardwood Species ◽  
Commercially Important ◽  
Estimation System ◽  
Volume Equation ◽  
Total Tree

Abstract A volume estimation system based on Schumacher's total volume equation is developed for four commercially important northern hardwood species in Upper Michigan: sugar maple, red maple, yellow birch, and aspen. Given diameter at breast height and a measure of height, then total tree volume, volume to any height or upper stem diameter limit, and upper stem diameter at any height (for determining product class) can be estimated. Coefficients are given for estimating diameter or volumes either inside or outside bark as are examples illustrating the techniques and potential uses of the volume estimation system. North. J. Appl. For. 3:25-28, Mar. 1986.

scholarly journals Incidence of Annual Canker of Sugar Maple Studied with the Aid of a Geographic Information System

2002 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale R. Bergdahl ◽  
Paul E. Sendak ◽  
Donald R. Tobi ◽  
James R. Bove ◽  
Louise M. Tritton
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Hardwood Species ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Probability Estimates ◽  
Number Of Stems ◽  
Shallow Soils

Abstract Sugar maples (Acer saccharum Marsh) ≥ 2.0 in. dbh were evaluated for incidence of annual canker caused by Fusarium spp. A total of 1,880 trees were evaluated from 73 plots located on 635 ac of privately owned northern hardwood forest in north central Vermont. About 12% of the trees were dead and one-fourth of both living and dead trees had annual canker. A logistic regression model was used to assess the role of soil-site characteristics related to the incidence of annual cankering. Probability estimates from the estimated regression equation were used to generate a map of annual canker risk. The generality of the results obtained here are untested and need to be applied to a more extensive area for validation. However, the technique for forest disease risk assessment could have wide application. We found annual canker was more common on sites that maintained a high number of stems per acre, on sites that were shallow to bedrock, and on sites that were dominated by sugar maple. We believe these findings suggest that sites that have shallow soils that include sugar maple probably should not be managed to encourage sugar maple. Sugar maple probably should be managed in stands that contain ample stocking of other northern hardwood species, and cultural practices that encourage maple over other species probably should be avoided.

Snag dynamics in partially harvested and unmanaged northern hardwood forests

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (11) ◽  
pp. 2769-2779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark C Vanderwel ◽  
John P Caspersen ◽  
Murray E Woods
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Northern Hardwood Forests ◽  
Permanent Sample Plots ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Management Scenario ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Fall Rates ◽  
Snag Dynamics

We used data from hardwood-dominated permanent sample plots in Ontario to estimate the probability of a tree falling during the 5 year period in which it dies ("tree fall"), and likewise the 5 year probability of snag fall. Tree fall probabilities ranged from 5% to 31% across species, with smaller dead trees more likely to be downed than larger ones. Expected half-lives (median time from death to fall) for 25 cm diameter snags varied from 5 to 13 years among species. Fall rates were higher for 10 cm diameter snags but relatively constant for 20–60 cm diameter snags. Recent harvesting substantially increased the probabilities of both tree fall and snag fall, with the former effect most pronounced for small individuals. We used these estimated fall rates to simulate snag dynamics in uneven-aged sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) stands. Mean snag densities were 32 and 50 snags/ha in selection-management and old-growth scenarios, respectively. Fifty-four percent of this difference was attributable to the lower density of live trees in the selection-management scenario, while 31% was attributable to losses of snags during harvesting. Silvicultural practices that strategically increase tree mortality rates, together with snag retention, as far as safety permits, during harvesting, could represent an effective approach to snag management under the selection system.

Evaluation of a tree classification system in relation to mortality risk in Québec northern hardwoods

2008 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 886-899 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Guillemette ◽  
Steve Bédard ◽  
Mathieu Fortin
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Classification System ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Tree Level ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
American Beech ◽  
Risk Class ◽  
Northern Hardwood

A tree classification system was developed in the 1980s as part of a guide for tree-marking in the rehabilitation of unevenaged northern hardwood stands in Québec. It differentiates trees that are at high and low risk of mortality, trees with sawlog potential and cull trees. The risk class was assessed based on the presence of major crown and bole defects. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate this system with respect to its capacity to predict the probability of tree mortality. The variables used to classify the trees were observed in 88 experimental plots (0.5 ha) established between 1983 and 1999. Tree-level mortality probabilities were modelled for sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.), American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) to test the significance of the classification variables. The presence of decay, fungus or canker, wounds, uprooting, the death of at least 30% of the crown or of the roots, and the product class had significant (p < 0.05) effects on mortality probabilities for at least one of the 3 species studied. In the main, the results supported the tree classification system. However, this system could be modified to differentiate not only trees with a high or low mortality risk, but also to identify some very high-risk trees. Key words: northern hardwood, mortality, defect, quality, classification, selection cutting, partial cut, sugar maple, American beech, yellow birch, uneven-aged, tree-marking

Composition, structure, and aboveground biomass of two old-growth northern hardwood stands in Upper Michigan

1985 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. D. Mroz ◽  
M. R. Gale ◽  
M. F. Jurgensen ◽  
D. J. Frederick ◽  
A. Clark III
Keyword(s):  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Regression Techniques ◽  
Composition Structure

Two climax northern hardwood stands in Upper Michigan growing on sites of differing quality were characterized on the basis of stand composition and aboveground biomass as estimated by regression techniques. Both stands were dominated by sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.). Total aboveground biomass was estimated at 284 and 325 t•ha−1 on the sites. These values are much lower than previous estimates for climax stands in this region because of the lack of shade tolerant conifers on the sites. Site differences are likely due to elevational differences and differences in soil rooting volume.

scholarly journals The complex relationship between climate and sugar maple health: Climate change implications in Vermont for a key northern hardwood species

2018 ◽  
Vol 422 ◽  
pp. 303-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan M. Oswald ◽  
Jennifer Pontius ◽  
Shelly A. Rayback ◽  
Paul G. Schaberg ◽  
Sandra H. Wilmot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Complex Relationship ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Hardwood Species
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