Growth characteristics of lodgepole pine associated with the start of mountain pine beetle outbreaks

Abstract

The dynamics of tree and stand growth were studied in six small but expanding mountain pine beetle outbreaks in British Columbia. Stands had exceeded a previously reported hazard threshold of age 80 years by 26 years, and a second frequently used hazard threshold of 20.5 cm mean dbh was exceeded by 37 years. However, stands had exceeded maturity, as defined by the intersection of current annual increment (CAI) and mean annual increment (MAI), by an average of only 17 years. In all cases, the beginnings of the outbreaks were coincident with a period of reduced tree growth. This reduced tree growth was difficult to detect at breast height, with a consequent failure of the periodic growth ratio to indicate susceptibility. Although the stands were past the point of maturity, the dominant and codominant trees continued to add significant wood volume, which could make surveillance for incipient outbreaks and subsequent control actions cost effective.