Title

White Spruce Regeneration on a Blade-Scarified Alaskan Loess Soil

Authors

Edmond C. Packee, University of Alaska, Fairbanks

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Northern Journal of Applied Forestry

Volume

7

Issue

3

Publisher

Society of American Foresters

First Page

121

Last Page

123

Publication Date

9-1-1990

Abstract

Following hardwood removal from a mixed spruce-birch-aspen forest stand, portions of the stand were blade-scarified to encourage natural white spruce regeneration. Six years after treatment the number and height of white spruce seedlings were significantly greater on scarified than on unscarified plots. Whereas 100% of scarified sample plots contained five or more seedlings, 73% of unscarified plots contained no seedlings. Exposure of mineral soil and removal of grass competition are essential for the satisfactory natural regeneration of white spruce. Detailed regeneration surveys should not be considered for white spruce until seedlings are 15 cm tall, typically the fifth or sixth year after site preparation. North. J. Appl. For. 7:121-123, September 1990.

Recommended Citation

Packee, E. C. 1990. White spruce regeneration on a blade-scarified Alaskan loess soil. Northern Journal of Applied Forestry. 7 (3): 121-123.