Aspen Bibliography

The occurrence and growth of Trembling Aspen in Newfoundland

G. Page

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Department of Forestry and Urban Development, Forestry Branch. Ottawa

Issue

Publication 1314

Publication Date

1972

Abstract

In Newfoundland, stands of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx. ) are relatively common only in the north-central part of the Island, where the average annual rainfall is less than 50 inches and the mean July temperature exceeds 60 F. Most stands are found on fresh, sandy-loam till sites, where conditions are generally favorable to root sucker development. The average growth rate of aspen stands is excellent, exceeding that of other native species on similar sites by a considerable margin. Basal-area and volume growth is also better than that of most mainland stands beyond an age of about 50 years. Cull volumes are no higher than those of most other native species, and are lower than in comparable aspen stands from other parts of North America. Clonal variations in productivity seem to be present among the stands that were sampled. Trembling aspen is considered to have great potential for commercial utilization in view of the expected increases in the demand for wood on the Island. However, the acreage of aspen stands on suitable forest sites, of which there are estimated to be more than 1 million acres within the most favorable climatic zone, must be increased considerably through such techniques as clear-cutting, prescribed burning, and scarification before commercial operations can become feasible.

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