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Introduction:

During 1995, several vegetation management trials were assessed for remeasurement to obtain long term conifer response data (>5 years post-treatment). Candidate research trials were screened based on published and unpublished reports, experimental design, field surveys and communications with operational and research staff. Of those candidate trials, the Sunset Prairie project in the Dawson Creek Forest District were chosen for remeasurement (Figure 1. (115k gif))..

Objectives:

• To document spruce seedling response to site preparation and herbicide treatments (fall shearing with or without disking, with or without post plant glyphosate treatment) 12 years after the herbicide treatment.
• To compare the diameter, height and crown growth of planted spruce seedlings after site preparation and herbicide treatments (fall shearing with or without disking, with or without post plant glyphosate treatment).
• To compare the number of stems per hectare (sph) of conifer and broadleaf species and of well spaced and free growing spruce seedlings 12 years after site preparation and herbicide treatments (fall shearing with or without disking, with or without post plant glyphosate treatment).

Treatments:

Layout:

• On October 31st and November 1st 1995, planted spruce seedlings and surrounding hardwood vegetation were sampled within each treatment area
• 30 spruce seedlings were selected for measurement using a systematic random sampling technique with random start
• 3 - 3.99 m radius plots were randomly established within each treatment area to measure total stems/ha of conifer and deciduous components, stems/ha of free growing crop trees, and the height and basal diameter of 5 deciduous stems (overstory)
• Conifer and deciduous stems were assessed for condition and damage using the Expert Committee on Weeds codes (Appendix)
• Spruce total height and height for every odd year was measured back to the earliest post treatment year possible which was 1985 in most cases
• The 10 m wide area along the treatment plot boundaries was not sampled to avoid the influences of boundary edges

Sites:

1. Sunset Prairie Research Area

Major Findings:

Figure 2. 1985 - 1995 Spruce Seedling Height (30k gif)

References and Publications (Click on Highlighted References To Obtain an Electronic Copy in PDF Form):

Comeau, P.G., G.J. Harper and J. O. Boateng. 1993. Conifer response to brushing treatments, a review of available information. Draft report. B.C. Ministry of Forests, Victoria, B.C.

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Last Updated: May 29, 1998.