Managing white and Lutz spruce stands in south-central Alaska for increased resistance to spruce beetle.

Abstract

Thinning is recommended for maintaining vigorous tree growth to minimize losses caused by spruce beetles (Dendroctonus rufipenni Kirby) and windthrow in residual stands of spruce in south-central Alaska. The anatomy of conifer stems, the variation in stem diameter growth, and the variability of tree response to wounding are discussed to explain why trees become vulnerable to attack by bark beetles. A working hypothesis, that beetle-attack patterns on the lower bole of trees have evolved to take advantage of the weak defense of a stressed tree, is presented as a rationale for maintaining vigorous tree growth.

Citation

Hard, J.S.; Holsten, E.H. 1985. Managing white and Lutz spruce stands in south-central Alaska for increased resistance to spruce beetle. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-188. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture< Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 21 p