Canadian Forest Service Publications
Development and second-growth black spruce stands on peatlands in northeastern Ontario. 1986/1987. Horton, B.J.; Groot, A. A Report under the Canada-Ontario Forest Resource Development Agreement Project No. 33001. Project Report 2. 53p.
Year: 1987
Issued by: Great Lakes Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 34958
Language: English
Series: COFRDA Report (GLFC - Sault Ste. Marie)
Availability: PDF (download)
Abstract
Twenty-six black spruce (Picea mariana) stands originating after harvesting 50 to seventy years ago were examined on peat land sites in northeastern Ontario. For companison, fourteen natural stands were also examined. Most of the trees now present in the second-growth stands originated prior to the harvest. Trees in all size-classes responded to the release provided by harvesting, but the smallest classes showed the greatest growth response. The productivity of the second-growth stands was acceptable, with present total volumes averaging from 124 to 211 cubic metres per hectare, depending on site type. The second-growth stands were similar to the natural stands in terms of stem rot, stem form and spatial distribution of crop trees. The size structure of the second-growth stands, however, was dominated by small stems more than in natural stands. The age-structure of second-growth stands was mainly unevenaged. Half of the natural stands were unevenaged and half were evenaged. Based on the evidence provided by second-growth forests, preservation of black spruce advance growth is an appropriate regeneration technique. The implications of the uneven age structure of some natural stands for forest management and silviculture are discussed.
