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Abstract
A conifer release trial was established in a 45-year-old aspen overstory stand in Northeast British Columbia, Canada. Thinning occurred from 0 to 100% in increments of approximately 10% to yield a total of ten units. Treatment consisted of physically cutting aspen stems at the root collar or girdling at breast height (d.b.h.) for trees 10 cm d.b.h., respectively. The thinning treatment was conducted following standard brushing and weeding contracts common to the British Columbia Ministry of Forests. At this time no significant difference in diameter growth can be found between treatments. All girdled trees were flushed the following year after treatment. The result of flushing may have limited the response of the coniferous understory. Continued monitoring of the site may provide valuable information to the operational applicability of thinning aspen stands of this age to release understory spruce.
Parent Publication
Citation
Maundrell, Chris; Hawkins, C. 2001. Establishment of white spruce growth trial in an aspen understory. In: Shepperd, Wayne D.; Binkley, Dan; Bartos, Dale L.; Stohlgren, Thomas J.; Eskew, Lane G., comps. Sustaining aspen in western landscapes: Symposium proceedings; 13-15 June 2000; Grand Junction, CO. Proceedings RMRS-P-18. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 339-344.
