Download (PDF 225 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/14078.pdf
Abstract
In wetlands of Canaan Valley, West Virginia, trembling aspen occurs as a disjunct population well south of its primary natural range. Based on sample data from 15 stands, we found that aspen occurs as nearly monospecific stands or clones. Eight stands had median ages between 30 and 40 yrs, and we suggest that stand initiation was related to changes in land use after the 1950s. Nine stands were in the stem exclusion stage of development, with mortality concentrated in smaller aspen stems. Five stands showed evidence of overstory mortality and expansion at the stand boundary, based on a comparison of ages of the largest and smallest trees along a distance gradient from stand center to edge. We suggest that the lack of stronger evidence of stand expansion can be attributed to competition from adjacent plant communities, and the presence of unfavorable soil and/or hydrologic conditions necessary for successful aspen ramet emergence and survival.
Parent Publication
Citation
Rentch, James S.; Anderson, James T. 2008. Stand development of trembling aspen in Canaan Valley, West Virginia. In: Jacobs, Douglass F.; Michler, Charles H., eds. 2008. Proceedings, 16th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; 2008 April 8-9; West Lafayette, IN. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-24. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 413-422.
