Effects of precommercial thinning on the forest value chain in northwestern New Brunswick: Part 3 – Incidence of root and butt decay

Abstract

The Green River precommercial thinning (PCT) trials were established between 1959 and 1961 in naturally regenerating balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.)-dominated stands an average of eight years after overstory removal. Three nominal spacings of 4 ft (1.2 m), 6 ft (1.8 m) and 8 ft (2.4 m) were compared to an unthinned control in six replicate blocks. In the fall of 2008, following completion of the ninth sequential evaluation of the study’s 48 permanent sample plots, three of the six replicates were clearcut harvested; butt rot data were collected immediately afterwards. To date, forest management research and goals have focused on the benefits of PCT, such as increased tree size and merchantable volume, shorter rotation ages, and better stem form and uniformity. Comparatively little attention has been placed on negative aspects of PCT, such as the incidence and development of root and butt rots, and their impact on fibre yields and wood product values. Results from the Green River study provide evidence that PCT may increase the incidence of butt rot in balsam fir, with incidence proportional to thinning intensity (p < 0.01). We also observed incidence and volume of butt rot to increase with stem diameter (p ≤ 0.05). The experiment suggests that factors such as stand age at time of thinning, and age at the time of harvest are important considerations when it comes to mitigating the impacts of butt rot through forest management.