scholarly journals Dendroclimatic Analysis and Site Index Modeling of Central Appalachian Red Spruce

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric L Yetter
Keyword(s):  
Site Index ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Dendroclimatic Analysis

scholarly journals Density Management Diagram for Northeastern Red Spruce and Balsam Fir Forests

1999 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duncan S. Wilson ◽  
Robert S. Seymour ◽  
Douglas A. Maguire
Keyword(s):  
Stand Density ◽  
Maximum Size ◽  
Site Index ◽  
The Self ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Stand Development ◽  
Exponential Relationship ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Natural Stands

Abstract A stand-density management diagram is presented for use in northeastern red spruce and balsam fir forests. The diagram was derived from an extensive archived data set collected during the 1970s from fully stocked stands throughout northern Maine and a more recent study of precommercially thinned stands. The negative exponential relationship between mean stemwood volume per tree and stand density, commonly known as the "self-thinning rule, "was formulated to define a biological maximum stand density. The maximum size-density equation can be used to calculate the relative density of any stand and is accurate for thinned and unthinned natural stands as well as plantations. Equations for estimating quadratic mean diameter and stand top height are also derived for unthinned natural stands only. Data used to fit the self-thinning line are substantially above the A-lines on the familiar northeastern stocking guides, suggesting that these guides underestimate maximum density and thus overpredict self-thinning. Examples illustrate how to use the diagram to predict stand development under commercial and precommercial thinning scenarios, as well as natural stand development without thinning. Relevant site index and volume equations are included in an appendix. North. J. Appl. For. 16(1):48-56.

scholarly journals Influence of Soil Site Class on Growth and Decay of Northern White-Cedar and Two Associates in Maine

2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip V. Hofmeyer ◽  
Robert S. Seymour ◽  
Laura S. Kenefic
Keyword(s):  
Light Exposure ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
White Cedar ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Area Growth ◽  
Northern White Cedar ◽  
Mineral Soils

Abstract Basal area growth of outwardly sound northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.) was compared with that of balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.) and red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) across site and light exposure class gradients on 60 sites throughout northern Maine. Once adjusted for sapwood area, northern white-cedar basal area growth was not strongly affected by site or light exposure class; growth was similar to that of red spruce but generally lower than that of balsam fir. Site index did not differ appreciably among soil drainage classes for red spruce and northern white-cedar, although small sample size limited analysis on upland site classes. Incidence of central decay was higher in northern white-cedar than balsam fir, which was higher than red spruce. Incidence of decay in outwardly sound northern white-cedar and balsam fir was highest on well-drained mineral soils, and mean proportion of basal area decayed at breast height increased in outwardly sound northern white-cedar as drainage improved from poorly drained to well-drained soils. These data suggest that northern white-cedar on lowland organic and poorly drained mineral soils in Maine have less decay, similar basal area growth, and similar site index relative to upland northern white-cedar communities.

scholarly journals Anamorphic Site Index Curves for Central Appalachian Red Spruce in West Virginia, USA

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 94
Author(s):  
Eric Yetter ◽  
John Brown ◽  
Sophan Chhin
Keyword(s):  
West Virginia ◽  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Careful Examination ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Fit Statistics ◽  
Traditional Age

Traditional site index curves are frequently produced for shade-intolerant species but are scarce for shade-tolerant species. Red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) can be found in three distinct geographic regions (northern, central, and southern) within the Appalachian Mountains. The one commonly used set of red spruce site index curves is over ninety years old. A definite need exists for a modern, regionally applicable set of site index curves. This research sampled 83 plots randomly located in the central Appalachians of West Virginia. Three sets of anamorphic site index curves were created after careful examination of height models built using Chapman-Richards and Meyer functions. One set of curves was constructed with traditional age height pairs. The second utilized a suppression-corrected age and height pair. The third set examined diameter at breast height (DBH) and height pairs. Fit statistics indicated better performance for the suppression-corrected age–height pair site index and the DBH–height pair site index versus the traditional age–height pair models. Site index conversion equations were also investigated for the red spruce age-corrected site index. Linear regression was used to determine significant geographic and climate variables and the utility of including site index values for red maple (Acer rubrum L.) and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton) in the model to predict red spruce site index. Significant models were found for varying combinations of species site index, climate, and geographic variables with R2adj in the range of 0.139–0.455. These new site index curves and conversion equations should provide utility for site productivity estimation and growth and yield modeling while aiding in restoration efforts for this important central Appalachian species.

scholarly journals Influence of Prior Growth Suppression and Soil on Red Spruce Site Index

2001 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert S. Seymour ◽  
Mary Ann Fajvan
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Growth Suppression ◽  
High Variability ◽  
Picea Rubens ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Stand Development ◽  
Stem Analysis ◽  
Shade Tolerant Species ◽  
Profile Characteristics

Abstract Dominant trees of shade tolerant species are often unsuitable for estimating site index because episodes of growth suppression can mask influences of site. A large-scale study in eastern Maine, based on 698 red spruce (Picea rubens) trees sampled with increment cores, and 92 trees sampled by stem analysis, addressed two objectives: (1) Can spruce trees with histories of suppression be used to estimate site index if suppressed periods are converted to free-growth equivalents? and (2) Do important differences in soil physical properties based on drainage and profile characteristics correspond to meaningful differences in site index? Forty-two percent of the cored trees experienced some form of radial growth suppression. Several methods of adjusting for suppression history, using only periods of stand development when trees grew freely, produced site index estimates that did not differ statistically from those of trees on the same soil class that showed no prior suppression. Statistically significant, but practically small, differences in site index were found between good and poor soils; however, high variability in site index within soils suggests that accurate productivity classification requires stand-specific site index estimates. North. J. Appl. For. 18(2):55–62.

Estimating Site Index in Even-Aged Northern Hardwood Stands

1982 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gayne G. Erdmann ◽  
Ralph M. Jr. Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Site Index ◽  
Northern Hardwood

Phenotypic Variation in Climate-Associated Traits of Red Spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) along Elevation Gradients in the Southern Appalachian Mountains

Castanea ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 128
Author(s):  
John R. Butnor ◽  
Brittany M. Verrico ◽  
Kurt H. Johnsen ◽  
Christopher A. Maier ◽  
Victor Vankus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Variation ◽  
Appalachian Mountains ◽  
Picea Rubens ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Elevation Gradients ◽  
Southern Appalachian Mountains ◽  
Southern Appalachian

Preliminary DRIS norms for coastal Douglas-fir soils in Washington and Oregon

1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.S. Shumway ◽  
H.N. Chappell
Keyword(s):  
Basal Area ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Soil Test ◽  
Fertilizer Response ◽  
Response Data ◽  
Limiting Nutrient ◽  
Diagnostic Work

The Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) has been used successfully in agricultural crops and holds promise for use in forest stands. This study used soil tests to develop DRIS norms and evaluate their effectiveness in coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) forests. DRIS norms for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium were developed using soil test and site index data from 72 soil series that commonly support Douglas-fir in western Washington. The norms were tested using soil test and stand basal area growth response data from 20 thinned and 30 unthinned N fertilizer test sites in coastal Washington and Oregon. Response to urea fertilizer in thinned stands averaged 34% and 43% for 224 and 448 kg N•ha−1, respectively, when N was identified as the most limiting nutrient. When N was not the most limiting nutrient, N response averaged 8% and 10% for 224 and 448 kg N•ha−1, respectively. Results were similar in unthinned stands and thinned stands, although response to fertilizer appeared to be slightly less in unthinned stands when N was the most limiting nutrient. DRIS correctly classified 25 of the 33 sites (76%) where N fertilizer increased growth by more than 15%. More importantly, 13 of the 17 (76%) sites that responded by less than 15% were correctly identified by DRIS. The results clearly indicate that N fertilizer response is dependent on the interactions (balance) between soil nutrients at a given site. Future soil diagnostic work needs to focus on techniques, like DRIS, that provide an assessment of these interactions.

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