Influences Of Age And Canopy Position On The Growth Efficiency Of Eastern White Pine Pinus Strobus L

Author : Eddie Bevilacqua
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (133 download)

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Download or read book Growth Responses in Individual Eastern White Pine (Pinus Strobus L.) Trees Following Partial Cutting Treatments written by Eddie Bevilacqua and published by . This book was released on 1999 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: White pine ('Pinus strobus' L.) growth following a partial cutting treatment was analyzed to assess the growth response of individual trees from three different crown classes to varying levels of local neighbourhood competitive interference. Trees from all crown classes, with an average age of 69 years, showed increased rates of diameter, basal area and volume growth following release. Only intermediate trees responded with increased height growth. Specific volume increment (SVI) proved superior to relative growth rate for assessing competition effects on size-dependent volume growth by virtue of its greater sensitivity to and better correlation with indices of competition. Significant differences in SVI among crown classes in both released and control treatments 23 years after release were observed. Released trees had increased levels of SVI for the first 15 years following treatment. The hypothesis of size symmetry in resource competition was rejected by virtue of the stronger relationship between SVI and competition indices that weighted competitors by relative size. However, two-sided competition could not be rejected in view of the significant influence of smaller trees on SVI of larger trees. No difference between intra- and inter-specific competition on white pine growth was detected. Plasticity in growth form was evident. Intermediate trees exhibited significantly different crown and stem form among crown classes in the control treatment, and different crown form relative to the release treatment. Crown size, which was positively correlated with volume increment, improved as a result of competition release and was inversely correlated with levels of local neighbourhood competition. Vertical distribution of bole area increment in all crown classes was altered in the release treatment. Bole area increment in released trees increased progressively from tree apex to base of the stem for the first 15 years after partial cutting, eventually resulting in significant changes in stem form. Control trees showed relatively constant area increment below the crown with no significant change in stem form. A cumulative volume growth model based on initial tree size, age, and local neighbourhood competition was developed for use in white pine stands managed under a partial cutting regime, such as the uniform shelterwood system.