EP 1192.01

Project Title:

An Evaluation of Brushing and Spacing Treatments - Growing Space Management in Boreal Forest Mixedwoods.

Reference Numbers:

1192.01

Project Start/End Dates:

2001 - Active

Keywords:

Boreal mixedwood management, trembling aspen, white spruce, growth and yield, vegetation management, density management, site productivity, broadleaf competition. Top

MFR Initiatives Supported:

Boreal forest management, mixedwood management, timber supply, silviculture, industry competitiveness, forest inventory, mixedwood stocking standards

BEC Units:

BWBSmw2

Location:

the north-east corner of British Columbia, 75 km northwest of Fort Nelson

Objectives:

The objectives of this study are:

  1. To evaluate the effectiveness and impacts of spot control of aspen around white spruce seedlings in comparison to broadcast treatment;
  2. To compare the effectiveness of basal bark application of triclopyr ester (Release?) and manual spot treatments; and,
  3. To establish a permanent installation for long-term studies of competition dynamics which will be used to demonstrate and evaluate the consequences of alternative management regimes. Top

Summary:

The primary purpose of this study is to examine a number of operational brushing options designed to address concerns regarding sustainable management of boreal mixedwood forests. Long term data will be collected to document the effectiveness of several manual and chemical treatments that manipulate aspen density and distribution in the vicinity of white spruce seedlings. The study is designed to allow examination of the long-term impacts of the treatments on stand dynamics, stand growth and yield, vegetation competition and treatment efficacy.

Each of 6 treatments was replicated 3 times with treatments randomly assigned to one of 18 plots (completely randomized design). Treatment plots are 50 m x 50 m (0.25 ha) and are permanently marked. The complete aspen removal-manual (T1), complete aspen removal-glyphosate (T2), and small radius-manual (T3) treatments were applied during mid-late August of 2001. The small radius-triclopyr (T4) treatment was applied during the fall of 2001 after leaf fall. Aspen spacing treatment (T5) occurred during the summer of 2005.

The six treatments were:

  • T1 Complete aspen removal – manual
  • T2 Complete aspen removal – glyphosate
  • T3 1.25-m radius of aspen removal – manual
  • T4 1.25-m radius of aspen removal – triclopyr ester
  • T5 Aspen spacing (3 x 3 m) – 7 years after planting
  • T6 Untreated control

Treatments T1-T6 have created an opportunity to explore not only the spatial and temporal interaction of aspen and spruce but, also the impact of a variety of operational brushing tools designed to manipulate and promote the early establishment of mixedwood growing space. Top 

Related Publications:

Comeau, P.G., C.N. Filipescu, R. Kabzems, and C. DeLong. 2009. Growth of white spruce underplanted beneath spaced and unspaced aspen stands in northeastern B.C. – 10 year results. For Ecol. Manag. 257: 1087-1094.

Comeau, P.G., C.N. Filipescu, R. Kabzems, and C. DeLong. 2004. Early growth of white spruce underplanted beneath spaced and unspaced aspen stands in northeastern B.C. Can. J. For. Res. 34: 2277-2283.

Harper, G.J., and R. Kabzems. 2003. Growing-space management in Boreal mixedwood forests – The establishment of EP 1192.01, Fort Nelson River site. Extension Note 64. B.C. Min. For., Victoria, B.C.

Harper,G.J., R. Kabzems and P, Fielder. 2006. EP 1192.01 2005 Field season - LAI 2000, Hemispherical Photo Assessments & Aspen Thinning Treatments. Interim Report. January 12, 2006. BC MFR, Victoria, BC

Harper,G.J. and R. Kabzems. 2005. An Evaluation of Brushing and Spacing Treatments - Growing Space Management in Boreal Forest Mixedwoods. EP 1192.01 Interim Report. March 2005. BC MoF., Victoria BC

Harper, G. J. and B.S. Biring. 2002. An Evaluation of Brushing and Spacing Treatments - Growing Space Management in Boreal Forest Mixedwoods EP 1192.01 Establishment report and working plan. BC MoF, Victoria, BC

Kabzems, R. and Garcia, O. 2004. Structure and dynamics of trembling aspen – white spruce mixed stands near Fort Nelson, B.C. Can. J. For. Res. 34: 384-395

Kabzems, R. 2001. Regenerating Boreal Mixedwoods: Three – year results of a Group Shelterwood Silviculture System in Trembling aspen – White spruce Stands. Prince George Forest Region Research Note #PG-24. BC MoF. http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/rni/Research/Extension_notes/PG24_shelterwood.pdf

Important Links:

Western Boreal Growth and Yield COOP. : http://www.ales.ualberta.ca/rr/wesbogy.cfm

EP 1266. Growth and Yield Modelling of Hardwood Species and Boreal Mixedwoods with the Tree and Stand Simulator (TASS) http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hre/standman/ep/ep1266.htm Top

Photos:

Figure 1. Plot 8, August 2004 untreated aspen and balsam poplar regeneration (treatment average 29,000 sph).

 

Figure 2. Post spacing summer 2005 (treatment average 1200 sph aspen).

 

Figure 3. Aspen spacing plot during summer 2008.

 

Figure 4. Plot 2, 1.25m radius aspen manual removal treatment (photo taken summer 2008).

 

Figure 5.  Plot 1, glyphosate application treatment (photo taken summer 2008).

 

Contact Person: George Harper, Research Scientist, Stand Development
Email: George.Harper@gov.bc.ca
 

Please direct questions regarding webpage to For.Prodres@gov.bc.ca
Updated April 2008