Canadian Forest Service Publications
Performance comparison between natural and advanced regeneration of Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir, 21 years after site treatment. 1980. Herring, L.J.; McMinn, R.G. The Forestry Chronicle 56(2): 55-57.
Year: 1980
Issued by: Pacific Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 2138
Language: English
Availability: PDF (download)
Abstract
The mean height of Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmanni Parry) advance growth 21 years after release by overstorey harvesting and residual tree felling, was eight times that of natural regeneration established following brush blade scarification. Subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.) advance growth was nine times taller than natural regeneration established on scarified soil. Mean current annual height increment of Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir advance growth was 39 and 34 cm, respectively, compared with only 7 cm for natural regeneration on scarified soil. The performance gap does not appear to be narrowing. The poor performance of natural regeneration on mineral soil exposed by blade scarification is attributed to removal of organic and top mineral soil horizons beyond the immediate reach of seedlings. These soil layers remained available to the advance growth. Consideration should be given to preserving advance growth when scarification may be inappropriate.