Abstract
Poplar, as the most widely cultivated fast-growing tree species in the middle latitude plain, provides important wood resources and plays an important role in mitigating climate change. In order to understand the response of growth, biomass production, carbon storage to poplar clones, planting spacings, and their interaction, a field trial was established in 2007. In 2018, we destructively harvested 24 sample trees for biomass measurements and stem analyses. Biomass production and carbon storage for the single tree of three clones enhanced as planting spacing increasing at the age of 13, but both the biomass production and carbon storage of clones NL-895 and NL-95 were higher than the clone NL-797 at the spacings of 6 × 6 m and 5 × 5 m. The average carbon concentration of the tested clones was in the order of stem > branches > leaves, and showed significant variation between different components (p < 0.05). Large spacing stimulated more biomass to be partitioned to the canopy. Based on the prediction values of tree volume growth by established Chapman–Richards models, the quantitative maturity ages of stand volume varied among the investigating plantations, ranging from 14 to 17 years old. Our results suggest that the selecting clones NL-895 and NL-95 with 6 × 6 m spacing would be recommended at similar sites for future poplar silviculture of larger diameter timber production, as well as for carbon sequestration.
Highlights
As reported, planted forest area accounts for about 7% of the total forest area, but the industrial roundwood production from plantations represented 33.4% of global production from all types of forest [1]
The greatest biomass of the branches was observed in the middle layer at any planting spacings, followed by the lower and upper layers (Figure 3E–H), while the biomass of the leaves was concentrated in the middle and upper layers (Figure 3I–L)
Many studies have shown that the static modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) were lower for laminated veneer lumber (LVL) made from juvenile veneers than for LVL made from mature veneers [43,44]
Summary
As reported, planted forest area accounts for about 7% of the total forest area, but the industrial roundwood production from plantations represented 33.4% of global production from all types of forest [1]. Planted forests play an important role in the global and regional economies to secure industrial roundwood and wood fuel, and to mitigate climate change [1,2]. China owns the largest plantation area in the world, accounting for 24.82% of the global plantation areas [2,3,4,5]. In 2018, China imported about 127.61 M m3 of major forest products, including logs, sawn timber, and wood pulp, totaling 47.01 billion dollars [4]
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