Aspen Bibliography

Regeneration of White Spruce Under Aspen Canopies: Seeding, Planting, and Site Preparation

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Western Journal of Applied Forestry

Volume

15

Issue

4

Publisher

Society of American Foresters

First Page

177

Last Page

182

Publication Date

10-1-2000

Abstract

This study investigated the establishment and survival of naturally and artificially seeded white spruce (Picea glauca), as well as three sizes of planted white spruce stock, on different types of scarification beneath mater aspen (Populus tremuloides) in northern Alberta. White spruce seed rain, natural and hand-seeded regeneration establishment and survival, and understory vegetation response were monitored for 4 yr on scarified strips (light blading, heavy blading, and ridged) and on undisturbed controls. Despite a heavy seed rain in 1993, seedling establishment on control plots was almost nil. On scarified plots, the number of seeds required to produce a live seedling after 3 growing seasons ranged from 15 to 37 and up to 68 in one site. Most mortality occurred during the summer. Germination rate on the hand-seeded plots ranged from 19 to 28% on the scarified strips. There was no significant difference in survival from seed (15%) after three growing seasons among the three scarification treatments. Survival of planted stock was 98% on scarified strips and 96% on control strips. Diameter growth was least on control plots but was not significantly different among the scarified treatments. In contrast, height increment was greatest on the light blading treatment and differed little among the other two treatments and control. These results suggest that spruce regeneration in aspen forests can be promoted by scarification or underplanting. West. J. Appl. For. 15(4):177-182.

Link to Full Text

Share

 
COinS