Stem deformation in young plantations of black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) and jack pine ( Pinus banksiana Lamb.) in the boreal forest of Quebec, Canada

Abstract

Stem deformation has often been observed in young black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) and jack pine ( Pinus banksiana Lamb.) plantations. Whenever important stem deformations are observed at the time of harvesting, timber value is negatively affected especially during the wood transformation process. The present work was undertaken to quantify and qualify the importance of stem deformation of black spruce and jack pine in the boreal forest of central Quebec at the stand and tree levels. In 30 black spruce and jack pine plantations, approximately 22% of spruce trees and 27% of pine trees exhibited stem deformation. The proportion of deformed trees was higher in the youngest plantations and decreased with the age of the plantations. Stem deformation caused the formation of compression wood which is another factor that can reduce the value of wood products. Thirty-nine black spruces and 34 jack pines were analysed at the tree level. On average, compression wood represented 14% and 20% of stem volume in 7- and 10-year old black spruce plantations, respectively. These proportions ranged from 18% in the youngest jack pine plantation to 26% in the oldest one. Stems of both species classified as normal contained a lower volume of compression wood than stems classified as deformed or very deformed. Annual percentages of compression wood and annual shoot length increased significantly with tree age ( p < 0.0001 for both variables). Statistically significant correlations were also found between the range of displacement of the stem and the percentage of compression wood. The fewer number of trees with deformed stems in older plantations combined with high compression wood formation suggests that, over time, a deformed tree can become normal and straight in appearance.