Growth and early stand development of intensively cultured redalder plantings

• Published in: New forests Vol. 21; no. 1; p. 71
• Main Authors: Hurd, Peter D, Debell, Dean S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Nature B.V 01.01.2001
• Subjects: Fertilizers; Growing season; Irrigation
• ISSN: 0169-4286; 1573-5095
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1010628217580

This study evaluates the performance of Alnus rubra inthree square spacings (0.5-, 1.0- and 2.0-m), two irrigationregimes (low and high), and two pre-planting fertilizer treatments (0 and 300 kg P ha^sup -1^). Initial survival and growthwere excellent, and differences among various cultural treatmentswere apparent by the end of the second growing season. At ageten, mean tree sizes in specific regimes ranged from 4.8 cm to11.5 cm in diameter and 7.7 m to 13.1 m in height, with largesttrees produced in regimes with wide spacing and high irrigation. Beneficial effects of fertilizer were minimal and were limitedprimarily to enhanced early survival during the first two yearsin the closest spacing. Growth of the plantings was greater thanthat estimated for fully stocked, natural stands of the same ageand site index (or height). Data from our study provided generalconfirmation of the level and slope of the tree size-standdensity lines currently used in density management guidelines foralder, except that mortality in the densest spacing occurred atdiameters smaller than those assumed to indicate the thresholdfor inter-tree competition. This difference, however, waslessened by irrigation.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]