scholarly journals Seed Stratification of Engelmann Spruce and Lodgepole Pine: The Effect of Stratification Duration and Timing of Surface-drying

1986 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuomi Tanaka ◽  
L. M. Harper ◽  
N. J. Kleyn

Based on the speed and completeness of laboratory germination and nursery bed emergence, the present study showed that for both Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii [Parry] Engelmann) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl.): (1) longer stratification generally improved the rate, and in some cases completeness, of germination more so under a cool temperature (15 °C/5 °C) regime than under a warm, standard temperature (30 °C/20 °C) regime emphasizing its importance for early spring outdoor sowing under suboptimal germination temperatures, (2) for a given stratification period, surface-drying at the end of stratification was at least as effective as surface-drying prior to or during stratification, and (3) stratification periods of 6 weeks or longer were generally the most effective. A 6- to 8-week stratification with seeds surface-dried at the end of stratification is recommended for nursery sowing of both species. Key Words: stratification, pinus contorta, Picea engelmanni, laboratory germination, nursery bed emergence.

Author(s):  
Sharon Eversman

The fires of 1988 in Yellowstone National Park burned 1.1 million acres (1719.4 square miles) within the park boundaries, about 44.5% of the park. Six per cent of the area burned was meadow­grassland and 94% was forests. Most of the forested areas that burned were dominated by lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud), with smaller tracts of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco)), Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry) and whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis Engelm.). The burns were mosaic in nature, leaving different sizes of areas severely burned, moderately burned and unburned, and adjacent patches of mostly ground fires, mostly canopy fires, both ground and canopy fires or unburned stands (Rothermel et al., 1994). Many park projects have documented recovery of vascular plants, especially lodgepole pine and the understory perennials (Anderson & Romme, 1991; Baskin, 1999; Foster, et al, 1999; Reed, et al ,1999; Tomback, et al, 2001; Turner et al, 1994, 1997). The conclusions were that lodgepole pine has regenerated itself, as expected, from seed sources in adjacent unburned patches. Herbaceous and shrubby understory regeneration has depended primarily on the plants that were present at the study sites before the fires, with regrowth from surviving underground parts as well as from nearby seed sources. This study investigates the initial return of non-vascular vegetation, lichens and mosses, all of which were presumably destroyed when their substrates were burned. None of the other Yellowstone studies included cryptogam observations. Studies concentrating on recolonizing cryptogamic crusts, including mosses, algae and lichens, on dryland soil after fires, have occurred in Utah (Johansen, et al, 1984) and Australia (Eldridge & Bradstock, 1994). Algae tended to return before lichens and mosses, especially during wet years, and after five years the lichens and mosses were recovering but not yet to pre-burn cover. Researchers have found that, on limestone, two lichen species colonized after four years. Thomas, et al. (1994) found that Ceratodon purpureus appeared to be insensitive to pH differences of burned peat surfaces and readily colonized ashed surfaces within one year after fire; Polytrichum piliferum was dominant after three years.


1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (12) ◽  
pp. 2753-2761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan K. Knapp ◽  
William K. Smith

Although seedlings of Abies lasiocarpa are generally more abundant than those of Picea engelmannii in the understory of mature spruce–fir forests throughout the central and northern Rocky Mountains, little information exists concerning environmental or plant factors that may influence the establishment of these two conifers. Field measurements in the Medicine Bow Mountains of southeast Wyoming showed that seedlings of A. lasiocarpa had greater photosynthetic rates at low understory light levels and required lower levels of incident radiation for saturation of photosynthesis compared with those of P. engelmannii. However, both conifers occurred in understory locations where total daily solar radiation was equally low (<2 MJ∙m−2∙day−1) and thus, a lack of light did not appear to be responsible for the low number of P. engelmannii seedlings in the understory. In contrast, seedlings of P. engelmannii were substantially more abundant at locations with thinner litter layers compared with those of A. lasiocarpa. Also, laboratory studies showed that the smaller seeds of P. engelmannii germinated more rapidly and at lower temperatures than seeds of A. lasiocarpa although growth of tap roots on A. lasiocarpa seedlings was greater initially ([Formula: see text] longer in 2-week-old seedlings) as well as for 10-week-old seedlings (50% longer). The deeper penetrating tap root of A. lasiocarpa seedlings may enable this conifer to establish more abundantly on thick, rapidly drying litter layers that are characteristic of mature spruce–fir forests. In contrast, establishment of P. engelmannii seedlings may be limited to microsites without a thick litter layer such as disturbed areas or decomposing wood, where surface drying may occur more gradually throughout the summer. These results are discussed in terms of the potential effects of seedling establishment on the observed patterns in climax vegetation of central and northern Rocky Mountain subalpine forests.


2014 ◽  
Vol 203 (2) ◽  
pp. 578-591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam Yeaman ◽  
Kathryn A. Hodgins ◽  
Haktan Suren ◽  
Kristin A. Nurkowski ◽  
Loren H. Rieseberg ◽  
...  

1989 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Nevill ◽  
J. H. Borden ◽  
H. Merler

In a stand of 45-65-year old lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta Dougl. var. latifolia Engelm., in the interior of British Columbia, Atropellis canker, Atropellis piniphila (Weir) Lohman and Cash, and stalactiform blister rust, Cronartium coleosporioides Arth., reduced the volume of infected trees by 7.9% and 6.2%, respectively. Manufacture of lumber from these trees increased volume losses by up to 28.7% and 26.4%, respectively. Atropellis canker reduced the volume of Standard and Better grade lumber by up to 40.1% and stalactiform blister rust by 33.3%, with corresponding relative increases in the volume of Utility grade up to 80%. The reduction of lumber volume and grade decreased the value of Atropellis-infected trees by 33.4% and stalactiform blister rust-infected trees by 28.7%. Based on the density of stems per hectare and infection rates, the two diseases reduced the potential lumber value of lodgepole pine by $508.40 per hectare. Thus management measures to reduce the incidence and impact of these diseases may be economically justified. Key Words: Lodgepole pine; Pinus contorta; Atropellis piniphila, Cronartium coleosporioides; lumber volume, grade, value.


1985 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. E. Bella

Thinned stands of young lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. var. latifolia Engelm.) in west-central Alberta had a higher incidence of attack by common pest organisms than unthinned stands. Based on a sample of nearly 3000 potential crop trees (on 240 temporary plots) growing on 120 naturally regenerated cut blocks, the rate of attack in thinned vs. unthinned stands was 30% and 18% for western gall rust (Endo-cronartium harknessii (J.P. Moore) Y. Hiratsuka) and 25%. and 16% for leader damage due to terminal weevil (Pissodes terminalis Hopp.) and pitch twig moth (Petrova spp.) Damage from other agents, including that from small mammals, was low and little affected by thinning. Forest management implication of these results are discussed. Key words: western gall rust terminal weevil, pitch twig moth, snowshoe hares, red squirrels.


2010 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 484-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Jean Mather ◽  
Suzanne W. Simard ◽  
Jean L. Heineman ◽  
Donald L. Sachs

Lodgepole pine is extensively planted across western Canada but little is known about development of these stands beyond the juvenile stage. We quantified stocking status and damage incidence in sixty-six 15- to 30-year-old lodgepole pine plantations that had previously been declared free-growing in the southern interior of British Columbia. The stands were located in six biogeoclimatic zones: Engelmann Spruce-Subalpine Fir (ESSF), Montane Spruce (MS), Interior Cedar-Hemlock (ICH), Interior Douglas-fir (IDF), Sub-Boreal Spruce (SBS), and Sub-Boreal Pine-Spruce (SBPS). Free-growing standards were no longer met on 27% of plantations, with the worst performance (70% no longer free-growing) in the Interior Cedar-Hemlock forests. Natural regeneration was common but it was half the size of lodgepole pine. Biotic damage, especially hard pine stem rusts, was the dominant factor reducing free-growing densities. Stands were at greater risk of reduced stocking where summer precipitation was higher or soil moisture regimes were wetter and where stands had been broadcast-burned prior to planting or received secondary treatments of brushing or pruning. Reforestation policies that encourage widespread planting of lodgepole pine, particularly in areas where lodgepole pine has limited natural occurrence such as in the ICH zone, should be reconsidered given that health problems are extensive and are expected to increase with climate change.Key words: Pinus contorta, lodgepole pine, free-growing, stocking, forest health, damage, disease


1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (12) ◽  
pp. 2806-2808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis E. Ferguson

Water extracts and volatiles from western coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis Nutt.) were tested for allelopathic potential under controlled laboratory conditions. Test species were lettuce (Lactuca sativa, Lilly Miller Great Lakes), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.), and Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) using four treatments (leaves–stems, solid caudex, rotting caudex, and control). Water extracts reduced radicle lengths of seeds but had little effect on germination. Volatiles reduced or delayed germination but had little effect on radicle lengths of germinants. Key words: phytotoxin, Pinus contorta, Picea engelmannii.


1990 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynne Sigler ◽  
Yuichi Yamaoka ◽  
Yasuyuki Hiratsuka

Arthrographis pinicola sp.nov. (Hyphomycetes) is described; it was isolated from galleries and adult beetles of Ips latidens and from galleries of Dendroctonus ponderosae in Pinus contorta var. latifolia in western Canada. In I. latidens infested lodgepole pine, this species extensively colonizes nuptial chambers and egg galleries, characteristically forming floccose conidiomata composed of repeatedly branched hyphae which divide to form arthroconidia having schizolytic dehiscence. The fungus is antagonistic to some blue stain fungi in vitro. Arthrographis pinicola is compared with other species of Arthrographis, and with Arthropsis microsperma and the discomycete Pezizella chapmanii. Key words: Arthrographis pinicola, Hyphomycetes, bark beetle fungi, antifungal compound, arthrographol.


1964 ◽  
Vol 96 (9) ◽  
pp. 1208-1218 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. Stark ◽  
D. L. Wood

AbstractPissodes terminalis Hopping attacks the terminal leaders of jack pine and at least two of the four geographic subspecies of lodgepole pine. The development on Pinus contorta murrayana in central California is described and compared with the development on jack pine in Canada. The oviposition period is synchronized with leader elongation, early spring to mid-summer. Feeding of the first three instars is in the phloem-cambial region and the fourth (last) instar is found in the pith. Part of the population completes development in late summer; adults emerge and presumably overwinter in the ground. The balance overwinter usually as mature larvae and occasionally as pupae, completing their development in the spring.Mortality is high and is caused by feeding of associated insects, possibly resin flow, high parasitism and other unknown factors. Seven parasite species from five families were reared.


1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 932-936 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M Brown ◽  
Wayne D Shepperd ◽  
Stephen A Mata ◽  
Douglas L McClain

The number of years since tree death for wind-thrown logs of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm.) and Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry) was used to examine the longevity of this component of coarse woody debris in an old-growth subalpine forest in the central Rocky Mountains. Death dates of downed logs were determined by dendrochronological cross-dating methods. We were able to determine death dates for 73 logs from both species, the oldest being a lodgepole pine dead 139 years ago. Sound lodgepole pine and Engelmann spruce logs lying on the ground persisted for many decades with a majority of their volume intact. No difference was seen in decay classes of logs collected from two primary study sites on opposite (north and south) exposures. There was also no significant difference in decay classes between the two species, although lodgepole pine logs were in general older than Engelmann spruce logs within any decay class. There was little decrease in the specific gravity of wood remaining in logs with time, although there was a corresponding greater loss of wood volume.


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