Canadian Forest Service Publications

Height growth losses due to animal feedinig in Douglas-fir plantations, Vancouver Island, B.C. 1964. Mitchell, K.J. The Forestry Chronicle 40(3): 298-307.

Year: 1964

Issued by: Pacific Forestry Centre

Catalog ID: 24017

Language: English

Availability: PDF (download)

Mark record

Abstract

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) plantations on the east coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, were examined to determine the effect of animal feeding upon height growth.

Length of internodes and evidence of past leader damage were recorded and cumulative average height-age growth curves compared for undamaged trees and for trees suffering various intensities of damage.

The average reduction in tree height attributable to animal feeding in heavily browsed plantations varied from one-half to two feet over a period of 8 to 10 years. It is unlikely that either tree volume or quality at rotation age would be seriously affected.

Exposed trees were browsed more heavily than those protected by vegetation or logging slash.