Effects of leader topping and branch pruning on efficiency of Douglas-fir cone harvesting with a tree shaker.

D.L. Copes

doi:10.2737/PNW-RN-431

Treesearch

Effects of leader topping and branch pruning on efficiency of Douglas-fir cone harvesting with a tree shaker.

Informally Refereed

Authors:

D.L. Copes

Year:

1985

Type:

Research Note

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/PNW-RN-431

Source:

Res. Note PNW-RN-431. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 8 p

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Download (PDF 470 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/4977.pdf

Abstract

In 1983, a study was conducted to evaluate the effects of leader topping and branch pruning on the efficiency to tree shaking to remove Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) cones. Removal efficiency for three topping and pruning treatments averaged 69 percent, whereas for the uncut control treatment it was 62 percent. The treatment combination that resulted in the greatest cone removal (70.8 percent) was cutting the last 2 years of growth from the leader but not pruning lateral branches. The pruning-topping effects were not additive, possibly because branch pruning several weeks prior to cone harvest resulted in premature removal of a portion of the most easily shaken cones.

Keywords

Cone collection, pruning, top pruning, pruning tools, Douglas-fir, tree shaker

Citation

Copes, D.L. 1985. Effects of leader topping and branch pruning on efficiency of Douglas-fir cone harvesting with a tree shaker. Res. Note PNW-RN-431. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 8 p