Download (PDF 367 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/27346.pdf
Abstract
Japan is one of the most snowiest regions in the world. Particularly the mountainous area of Honshu (the main island), along the Japan Sea has heavy snow in winter. In some places, snow piles up more than four meters and the ground is covered with snow about one hundred and forty days a year. The sugi tree is widely planted in snowy regions, and snow-pressure damages, such as basal bending, occurred in juvenile stands, and after that crown snow-damage, such as stem breakage, happen in younger stands about 10~30 years-old. Basal bending is formed by the difference in recovery rate between the upper part and the lower part of the stem during growing season. Root damage occurs when the stem is prostrated, and the compression wood is formed in the process of the reelection of the fallen stem. Crown snow-damage happens during the condition of comparative warm air temperatures ranged from three degrees below zero to three degrees above zero. The strength of the stem against crown snow-damage depends on the diameter of the tree, tree taper, constunt ì for the root, and the modulus of elasticity. Pulling up the fallen stem, and controlling the tree density are important in preventing these snow damage.
Parent Publication
Citation
Hideaki, Taira. 1991. Snow-cover condition in Japan and damage of the Sugi (
Cryptomeria Japonica D. Don). In: Rice, Raymond M., technical coordinator. 1991. Proceedings of the IUFRO technical session on geomorphic hazards in managed forests; 5-11 August 1990; Montreal, Canada. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-130, Berkeley, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; p. 65-71
