Twenty-year assessment of four tree species planted in the mountain hemlock zone of coastal British Columbia

Abstract

Concerns about low seedling survival and poor growth in plantations in montane areas resulted in a study to assess the field performance of amabilis fir (Abies amabilis (Dougl. Ex Loud) Dougl. Ex J. Forbes), noble fir (Abies procera Rehd.), yellow cedar (Chamae-cyparis nootkatensis (D. Don) Spach) and mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana (Bong.) Carrière). Seedlings were planted on six sites within the Mountain Hemlock zone of coastal British Columbia. The most recent results, based on a field assessment completed 20 years after the study was started, are presented. Little variation was noted among seedling stock types or between fall and spring planting. Seedling survival was greater than 78% for all four species. Although the sites were initially considered similar, large differences in productivity and species response on the six sites are now evident. Key words: silviculture, high-elevation forestry, montane forests, reforestation, seedling establishment, Abies amabilis, Abies procera, Chamaecyparis nootkatensis, Tsuga mertensiana