Espacement Trials in the BC Interior (EP 964)

Introduction

Beginning in 1986, a series of long-term experiments were established by the BC Ministry of Forests, Forest Science Program to document the effects of a wide range of initial planting densities (i.e., espacements) on the growth and development of several interior conifers.  A total of 21 standardized installations are distributed among nine Forest Districts and four biogeoclimatic zones (ESSF, ICH, MS, SBS). Five species (Pl, Sx, Fd, Lw, Py) and species combinations (Pl/Sx) are being tested.  Descriptions of the 21 study sites are shown in Table 1. 

Objectives

To determine the effects of espacement (planting density) on the growth, development and yield of interior conifers.

Treatments

For all single-species trials, three replications of each of five levels of initial planting density (500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 trees per hectare) are being tested.  Treatment plots vary in size depending on espacement.  At most study sites, treatment plots contain 144 trees (12 rows of 12 trees); plots contain 100 trees (10 rows of 10 trees) at two sites. 

The Pl/Sx mixed-species trial is a factorial experiment that combines three levels of planting density (1000, 1500, 2000 trees per hectare) with five levels of species' composition (proportions of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of each species).  The 15 combinations are replicated twice.  All single-species plots contain 144 trees (12 rows of 12 trees), and all mixed-species plots contain 225 trees (15 rows of 15 trees).

All of the installations are re-measured at 5-year intervals. 

Installation 4 (Sw, SBS) - 500 sph, age 15	Installation 7 (Pl , SBS) - 1500 sph, age 15

Installation Details  (map)

Last Modified: 2007 APR 20.  Ministry contact: Frank van Thienen
Webmaster: For.Prodres@gov.bc.ca