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Silvicultural considerations in established alder stands

Silvicultural considerations in established alder stands. Jeff DeBell Washington DNR June 10, 2009. Topics. Background Thinning in alder stands Pruning in alder stands Differences between natural alder stands and plantations. Alder Height Growth. Uniform early spacing is critical.

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Silvicultural considerations in established alder stands

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  1. Silvicultural considerations in established alder stands Jeff DeBell Washington DNR June 10, 2009

  2. Topics • Background • Thinning in alder stands • Pruning in alder stands • Differences between natural alder stands and plantations

  3. Alder Height Growth

  4. Uniform early spacing is critical Alder leans toward openings in the stand Keep even spacing to keep stems straight

  5. Thinning – growing the crown

  6. Crowns expand by getting taller as well as wider after thinning

  7. When should you thin? • Age 5-10 years • Before crown ratio drops below 30% • Early gives best diameter; later gives best crown recession • Ideal at about age 6-7 • 50% crown ratio • 25-30 feet tall • Live crown starts about 15’ from ground

  8. To what spacing should you thin? • Ideally, set spacing based on a relative density measure • For a simple approach, thin to a 13’ spacing

  9. Pruning alder

  10. Pruning: lessons from research • Time of year is not important • Small branches heal over more quickly than large ones • Decay not an issue • Epicormic branches not an issue • In young vigorous plantations, clear wood production begins in 2-3 years

  11. How to prune • Can start as early as age 3 • Any time of year • Wait one growing season if thinned • Remove no more than 1/3 of live crown • Leave at least 50% live crown ratio

  12. Natural vs. Planted Stands

  13. Advantages of planted stands • Moderate density = good growth • Even spacing = good form • Volume concentrated in fewer, larger trees • Reach target diameter sooner • Higher total volume??

  14. For more reading: • Can order hard copy from USFS PNW Research Station • Ask for PNW-GTR-669 • Can download PDF at URL below http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/publications/gtr669/

  15. Streaming video presentations from “Red Alder: A State of Knowledge” • Available at University of Washington’s Rural Technology Initiative Website • Includes 45 presentations • Can order a DVD with all presentations for $10 • Watch on your computer at http://www.ruraltech.org/video/2005/alder_symposium/index.asp

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