Hybrid Poplar Plantations Research Articles

Influence of weed composition, abundance, and spatial proximity on growth in young hybrid poplar plantations

Hybrid poplar plantations have the potential to produce a large amount of biomass for the forest industry; however, competition for resources by neighbouring vegetation can severely reduce that potential. Intensive vegetation control of all neighbouring vegetation is potentially costly and an inefficient use of limited resources, thus identifying the characteristics of competing vegetation most detrimental to tree growth is essential for optimizing plantation inputs and yields. Our objectives were to model tree growth losses as a function of neighbouring vegetation composition, abundance, and spatial proximity. We then tested different vegetation control treatments for their effectiveness with different neighbouring vegetation. Field work took place on four operational plantation sites in northeastern Alberta over the course of three years, and commenced at the beginning of the second growing season after plantation establishment. Regression tree and Nonmetric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) analyses indicated that perennial grasses in general, and Elytrigia repens in particular, were detrimental to hybrid poplar growth – especially for younger trees. Planting site also played a large role in determining tree productivity, although it is difficult to quantify its influence relative to competition because site and vegetation community differed among sites. Increasing intensity of vegetation control treatments did not increase tree survival rates in any of the sites, but did result in commensurate increases in tree growth on most sites. Intensive vegetation control with herbicides dramatically increased tree growth on sites containing populations of perennial grasses. Using only cultivation as a form of vegetation control was the least effective option, and was ineffective for control of perennial grasses compared to other treatments. These results suggest that control of perennial grasses by means of herbicides over the other forms of competition control tested will have the greatest impact on reducing losses in tree growth due to competition.

Stand Age and Productivity Control Soil Carbon Dioxide Efflux and Organic Carbon Dynamics in Poplar Plantations

Establishment of hybrid poplar (HP) plantations has been advocated as an effective method for sequestering CO2 from the atmosphere. However, how carbon (C) cycling in HP plantations changes during stand development under different soil fertility and climatic conditions is poorly understood. We studied the dynamics of soil respiration (Rs) and its heterotrophic (Rh) and autotrophic (Ra) components and soil organic C (SOC) content in HP plantations of different stand ages established on soils with different productivity (Class 1 vs. Class 3 soils) in Alberta (AB) and Ontario (ON), Canada. The Rs was the highest for AB-Class 1 (high-productivity) soils, followed by AB-Class 3 and ON-Class 3 (low-productivity) soils. Annual Rs, Rh, and Rh/Rs decreased in the first 3 yr in AB-Class 1 and 6 yr in AB-Class 3 soils after plantation establishment and increased thereafter, but they increased with stand age after plantation establishment in ON-Class 3 soils. The SOC content in the AB-Class 1, AB-Class 3, and ON-Class 3 sites decreased in the first 3, 5, and 1.5 yr, respectively, after plantation establishment and then increased, reaching the pre-establishment level after 6, 10, and 3 yr, respectively. From this first attempt to understand C cycling across multiple sites with different soil fertility levels, we conclude that stand age and soil productivity play a significant role in affecting C cycling, and such effects should be considered in regional and global C cycling models, especially when assessing the C sequestration potential of HP plantations.

Plastic Allometry in Coarse Root Biomass of Mature Hybrid Poplar Plantations

In this study, we sampled coarse root biomass of three poplar clones in four 13-year-old hybrid poplar (Populus spp.) plantations, with the objective of developing an allometric relationship between diameter at breast height (DBH) and coarse root biomass. A second objective was to test significance of site, clone and ×site clone interaction effects on coarse root biomass, using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), with DBH as a covariate. Across the four sites, the general allometric relationship between DBH and coarse root biomass was highly significant (R 2 = 0.78, p < 0.001). However, given the high significance of the site effect (p < 0.001) in the ANCOVA and the differences in data distribution between sites, two allometric relationships were developed based on the fertility class of sites (high and moderate). Environment-specific allometric relationships developed for two site fertility classes had a better fit (R 2 = 0.81-0.90, p < 0.001). ANCOVA, with DBH as a covariate and site fertility class as a main effect, also showed that both of these variables significantly affected (p < 0.001) coarse root biomass allocation. Environment-specific equations showed that higher coarse root biomass was allocated in harsher environments for a given DBH, probably to improve access to growth limiting soil nutrients or to build-up larger storage sites for amino acids and non-structural carbohydrates. Consequently, poplar coarse root biomass growth is both driven by ontogeny (size) and environment, reflecting the plasticity of the root system of mature poplars. Implications of using general vs. environment-specific equations in estimating stand-level root biomass and shoot to root ratios are discussed. Shoot to root ratios calculated using environment-specific equations were more strongly correlated to key environmental variables than ratios calculated using the general equation, with soil NO3 supply rate being the strongest predictor of the ratio (R 2 = 0.90, p < 0.001).

Aboveground Biomass of Glossy Buckthorn is Similar in Open and Understory Environments but Architectural Strategy Differs

The exotic shrub glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus) is a great concern among forest managers because it invades both open and shaded environments. To evaluate if buckthorn grows similarly across light environments, and if adopting different shapes contributes to an efficient use of light, we compared buckthorns growing in an open field and in the understory of a mature hybrid poplar plantation. For a given age, the relationships describing aboveground biomass of buckthorns in the open field and in the plantation were not significantly different. However, we observed a significant difference between the diameter-height relationships in the two environments. These results suggest a change in buckthorn’s architecture, depending on the light environment in which it grows. Buckthorn adopts either an arborescent shape under a tree canopy, or a shrubby shape in an open field, to optimally capture the light available. This architectural plasticity helps explain a similar invasion success for glossy buckthorn growing in both open and shaded environments, at least up to the canopy closure level of the plantation used for this study.

Influence of Tree Spacing on Soil Nitrogen Mineralization and Availability in Hybrid Poplar Plantations

Nitrogen (N) availability and mineralization are key parameters and transformation processes that impact plant growth and forest productivity. We hypothesized that suitable plantation spacing can lead to enhanced soil N mineralization and nitrification, which in turn promote tree growth. Studies were conducted to evaluate seasonal patterns of soil inorganic N pools as well as rates of nitrification and N mineralization of three soil layers under four tree spacing treatments. Results showed tree spacing significantly affected annual net N mineralization, whereas inorganic N content in surface soils was significantly affected by tree spacing only during the growing season. The total annual cumulative net N mineralization ranged from 80.3–136.0 mg·kg−1 in the surface soils (0–20 cm), whereas the cumulative net N mineralization of 6 × 6 m and 4.5 × 8 m spacings was 65% and 24% higher than that of the 5 × 5 m, respectively. In general, tree spacing would affect N availability in soil by altering N mineralization rates, while high annual N mineralization was found in soils of low density plantations, with higher rates in square spacing than rectangular spacing. The obtained results suggest that suitable spacing could lead to enhanced N mineralization, but seasonal variation of soil N mineralization may not only be directly related to plantation productivity but also to understory vegetation productivity.

Carbon sequestration potential and cost-benefit analysis of hybrid poplar, grain corn and hay cultivation in southern Quebec, Canada

Fast-growing trees provide opportunities for carbon (C) sequestration. This study compared the C sequestration potential and cost benefit of four cultivation systems in southern Quebec, Canada. The systems studied included two hybrid poplar cultivation systems, a hybrid poplar and hay intercropping system (111 trees ha−1) and a hybrid poplar plantation (1,111 trees ha−1), and two agricultural systems, grain corn and hay. The C sequestration potential was estimated using the net primary productivity (NPP) approach, which relied on literature values and average yields for the study region. We used the NPP approach to quantify C fixed annually in above- and below-ground biomass, to determine the annual plant residue input to soil from litter, root turnover and root exudates, to estimate the fraction of plant residues stabilized in soil organic C, and to provide a reference value or estimate of C sequestration potential. Costs and benefits of the cultivation systems were assessed using replacement chain and equivalent annual annuity approaches, with alternate discount rates. Estimated C sequestration potential was highest for hybrid poplar grid plantation > hybrid poplar hay intercrop > grain corn > hay. Economic benefits, not accounting for potential benefits of C sequestration, were greatest for grain corn > hay > hybrid poplar-hay intercrop > hybrid poplar grid plantation. We conclude that economic valuation of C sequestration potential is necessary to improve the apparent profitability of tree-based cropping systems in Quebec, Canada. And if afforestation with hybrid poplar is considered as an option for increasing C sequestration on Canadian farms, government policies such as C-trading programs would be necessary to increase the financial attractiveness of hybrid poplar cultivation.

Biomass and Volume Yield in Mature Hybrid Poplar Plantations on Temperate Abandoned Farmland

In this study, we developed clone-specific allometric relationships, with the objective of calculating volume and biomass production after 13 years in 8 poplar plantations, located across an environmental gradient, and composed of 5 unrelated hybrid poplar clones. Allometry was found to be very similar for clones MxB-915311, NxM-3729 and DNxM-915508, all having P. maximoviczii parentage. Clones DxN-3570 and TxD-3230 also had a similar allometry; for a given DBH they have a lower stem volume, stem biomass and branch biomass than P. maximoviczii hybrids. Strong Site × Clone interactions were observed for volume and woody biomass growth, with DxN and TxD hybrids only productive on low elevation fertile sites, whereas P. maximovizcii hybrids were also very productive on higher elevation sites with moderate to high soil fertility. At the site level (5 clones mean), yield reached 27.5 and 22.7 m3/ha/yr. on the two best sites (high fertility and low elevation), confirming the great potential of southern Québec (Canada) for poplar culture. The productivity gap between the most and least productive sites has widened from year 8 to year 13, highlighting the need for high quality abandoned farmland site selection in terms of climate and soil fertility. Although clone selection could optimize yield across the studied environmental gradient, it cannot fully compensate for inadequate site selection.

Effect of Nitrogen-Based Biosolid Application on Tree Growth, Water Quality, and Soil Phosphorus in Hybrid Poplar Plantations

Effect of Nitrogen-Based Biosolid Application on Tree Growth, Water Quality, and Soil Phosphorus in Hybrid Poplar Plantations

Design of a GIS-Based Web Application for Simulating Biofuel Feedstock Yields

Short rotation woody crops (SRWC), such as hybrid poplar, have the potential to serve as a valuable feedstock for cellulosic biofuels. Spatial estimates of biomass yields under different management regimes are required for assisting stakeholders in making better management decisions and to establish viable woody cropping systems for biofuel production. To support stakeholders in their management decisions, we have developed a GIS-based web interface using a modified 3PG model for spatially predicting poplar biomass yields under different management and climate conditions in the U.S. Pacific Northwest region. The application is implemented with standard HTML5 components, allowing its use in a modern browser and dynamically adjusting to the client screen size and device. In addition, cloud storage of the results makes them accessible on any Internet-enabled device. The web interface appears simple, but is powerful in parameter manipulation and in visualizing and sharing the results. Overall, this application comprises dynamic features that enable users to run SRWC crop growth simulations based on GIS information and contributes significantly to choosing appropriate feedstock growing locations, anticipating the desired physiological properties of the feedstock and incorporating the management and policy analysis needed for growing hybrid poplar plantations.

Non-additive effects of mixing hybrid poplar and white spruce on aboveground and soil carbon storage in boreal plantations

The use of trees under intensive management is particularly important for rapid fiber production in boreal regions. Mixed-species plantations using species that have complementary ecological niches, such as hybrid poplar and white spruce, potentially can maximize the use of resources and, consequently, increase productivity. In the context of climate change, vegetation and soil carbon sequestration is of a particular interest as part of a possible means of compensating for CO2 emissions. Since higher productivity leads to higher CO2 sequestration, the use of mixed-species plantations could improve the ecological service of carbon storage compared to mono-specific plantations. We compared above-ground and soil C storage of nine-year-old mono-specific plantations of white spruce and hybrid poplar with mixed plantations of these two species. Soil carbon was evaluated by separately sampling four soil horizons, while aboveground carbon was assessed from tree biomass estimates using allometric relationships. Mixing white spruce and hybrid poplar exerted a substantial synergistic effect on above-ground and soil carbon storage. This positive effect was due to greater productivity of poplar (47% of biomass increase) and great accumulation of litter in soil surface horizons (52% L-horizon carbon increase) of mixed-species compared to mono-specific plantations. These results imply that in addition to wood production gains by poplar trees, mixed-species plantations of hybrid poplar and white spruce promotes greater carbon sequestration than mono-specific plantations of either hybrid poplar or white spruce, an important aspect of forest ecosystem services.

The Role of Aggregated Forest Harvest Residue in Soil Fertility, Plant Growth, and Pollination Services

While post‐harvest residue (“slash”) is increasingly viewed as a source of biofuel, few studies have considered the potential ecological impact of the spatial distribution of forest harvest residue. We hypothesized that slash piles create islands of high soil fertility and light, leading to greater abundance, growth, and reproduction of plants. In 6‐yr‐old intensively managed hybrid poplar (Populus balsamifera L. × P. maximowiczii A. Henry) plantations, we showed that soluble organic N, NO3–N, NH4–N, and P decreased as a negative exponential function with distance from the pile. Pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica L. f.) relative growth rate was fastest near piles in the first few years after harvest. We found significantly greater stem size, flowers per plant, and foliar P near piles for cherry, and this inverse gradient sharpened in a 16‐yr‐old white spruce [Picea glauca (Moench) Voss] plantation. For the two other flowering species, strawberry (Fragaria virginiana Mill.) and raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.), flower and fruit abundance were also significantly and strongly negatively correlated with distance to the pile. Further, directly correlating soil nutrient availability with plant traits, we found significant positive relationships between plant growth, reproductive output, and N availability. Partial correlation analysis indicated that more of the variance in plant traits was explained by distance than by soil nutrition. We conclude that in industrial forests, piles replace canopy gaps as sites where understory plant species can episodically reproduce and are therefore important for many plant species as well as the pollinators and frugivores dependent on them.

Hybrid poplar plantations are suitable habitat for reintroduced forest herbs with conservation status

Plantations of fast-growing tree species may be of use in conservation by accelerating the restoration of forest habitat on abandoned farmland and increasing connectivity in fragmented landscapes. The objective of this study was to determine if hybrid poplar plantations can be suitable habitats for the reintroduction of native forest plant species and, if so, which abiotic factors predict successful reintroduction. Four species of forest herb species (Trillium grandiflorum, Sanguinaria canadensis, Maianthemum racemosum, Asarum canadense), of which three have legal conservation status, were transplanted into experimental plantations of two hybrid poplar clones and nearby second-growth woodlots at six sites in southern Quebec, Canada. The transplanted individuals were protected from deer browsing with exclusion cages. After two years, the plant responses of all four species were stable or increased over two years in both types of hybrid poplar plantations. Sanguinaria showed a better response in the plantations than in the woodlots, preferring the rich post-agricultural soils of the plantations with low C:N ratios. Asarum and Maianthemum showed no significant difference between stand types, while Trillium grew better in the woodlots than in the plantations. Much of the variability in the response of the latter three species was unexplained by the measured environmental variables. These results suggest that certain forest herb species can be reintroduced as juvenile plants into plantations, knowing that their spontaneous recolonization is often limited by dispersal and/or seedling establishment. Plantations could also contribute to the conservation of biodiversity by providing an environment for the cultivation of forest herb species as an alternative to their destructive harvest from natural populations.

Evaluation of the profitability of poplar cultivation in Quebec

The intensification of forest management through afforestation of high-yielding species such as hybrid poplar is considered a possible solution for re-establishing Quebec’s forest industry. However, lack of financial data seems to limit the development of poplar cultivation. This paper is a financial analysis of poplar cultivation for private landowners in the province of Quebec and is based on a scale of actual cost and six different silvicultural scenarios. This study showed that poplar cultivation is profitable when subsidized. Using a sensitivity analysis, we identified the main factors defining a window of profitability for this type of intensive silviculture. The two main factors were the price of wood and government grants. The profitability of poplar farming is sensitive to three other secondary factors: cost of transportation, cost of harvesting, and timber yields. Consideration of these factors is crucial in establishing profitable hybrid poplar plantations.

Carbon sequestration and water use of a young hybrid poplar plantation in north-central Alberta

Hybrid poplar (HP) is an important fast-growing crop with the potential to provide a reliable supply of biomass for the pulp and bioenergy industries while also sequestering carbon (C) in the soil. We used the eddy-covariance technique to measure CO2, water vapor and sensible heat fluxes above a three-year-old HP plantation on high productivity land near St Albert, Alberta. Measurements showed that the annual C balance of the plantation shifted from a C source of about 1.54 Mg C ha−1 y−1 in the 2nd year (2010) to a C sink of 0.80 Mg C ha−1 y−1 in the 3rd year (2011). Water use or evapotranspiration (E) for 1 June – 31 October increased from 272 mm in 2010 to 321 mm in 2011, and exceeded the respective values of total precipitation of 251 mm and 298 mm for the same period. Annual E in 2010 of 364 mm was less than annual precipitation of 398 mm. In 2011, annual E (442 mm) exceeded annual P (411 mm) by 31 mm; it also exceeded the annual plantation water use Ewb, estimated using a water balance method assuming no drainage from the root zone, by 40 mm. However, both courses of cumulative E and Ewb closely followed cumulative P. Monthly E increased with increasing net radiation and gross primary productivity. Growing season mean albedo increased from 0.16 in 2010 to 0.21 in 2011 and was consistent with the increase in broadband NDVI. Values of albedo during winter months (November–April) exceeded 0.80. The results suggested that as the plantation grows, growing season albedo, annual C sequestration, and annual water use will increase with the possibility that the latter may exceed annual precipitation. This emphasizes the need to study the long-term sustainability of HP plantations in relation to annual P and its temporal distribution, especially when HP plantations will likely be established on large contiguous areas to supply biomass feedstock for the expanding pulp and bioenergy industries in Western Canada.

Comparing growth and fine root distribution in monocultures and mixed plantations of hybrid poplar and spruce

Disease prevention, biodiversity, productivity improvement and ecological considerations are all factors that contribute to increasing interest in mixed plantations. The objective of this study was to evaluate early growth and productivity of two hybrid poplar clones, P. balsamifera x trichocarpa (PBT) and P. maximowiczii x balsamifera (PMB), one improved family of Norway spruce (Picea glauca (PA)) and one improved family of white spruce (Picea abies (PG)) growing under different spacings in monocultures and mixed plots. The plantations were established in 2003 in Abitibi-Temiscamingue, Quebec, Canada, in a split plot design with spacing as the whole plot factor (1 × 1 m, 3 × 3 m and 5 × 5 m) and mixture treatments as subplot factor (pure: PBT, PMB, PA and PG, and 1:1 mixture PBT:PA, PBT:PG, PMB:PA and PMB:PG). Results showed a beneficial effect of the hybrid poplar-spruce mixture on diameter growth for hybrid poplar clones, but not for the 5 × 5 m spacing because of the relatively young age of the plantations. Diameter growth of the spruces decreased in mixed plantings in the 1 × 1 m, while their height growth increased, resulting in similar aboveground biomass per tree across treatments. Because of the large size differences between spruces and poplars, aboveground biomass in the mixed plantings was generally less than that in pure poplar plots. Leaf nitrogen concentration for the two spruce families and hybrid poplar clone PMB was greater in mixed plots than in monocultures, while leaf nitrogen concentration of clone PBT was similar among mixture treatments. Because of its faster growth rate and greater soil resources demands, clone PMB was the only one showing an increase in leaf N with increased spacing between trees. Fine roots density was greater for both hybrid poplars than spruces. The vertical distribution of fine roots was insensitive to mixture treatment.

Influence of afforestation on soil: The case of mineral weathering

Although concerns have been raised that increased nutrient demand by fast growing tree species could deplete soil nutrient pools, recent research suggests that some species are able to obtain nutrients via soil mineral weathering. Hybrid poplars, which are fast growing and nutrient demanding species, are increasingly used in intensive silvicultural settings. Understanding whether hybrid poplars have an effect on long term nutrient availability and can promote soil mineral weathering is therefore important. We investigated the levels of base cations (i.e. K, Ca, Mg, and Na) of surface soils (0–20cm) in 13 hybrid poplar plantations in Quebec, and compared the results with those of adjacent abandoned agricultural fields. To evaluate whether exchangeable base cation pools and non-exchangeable pools (i.e. those in the crystal lattice of minerals) were being depleted, we used a sequential leach with diluted salt (BaCl2 for exchangeable) and weak acid solutions (HCl and HNO3 for non-exchangeable). Levels of exchangeable and non-exchangeable cations were not statistically different between land use types. Exploratory analyses, however, revealed trends toward a greater depletion of Ca, Mg and Na in non-exchangeable forms following afforestation. The depletion of these non-exchangeable base cations due to afforestation occurred at sites where greater levels were initially present in soil. The results suggest increased soil mineral weathering due to greater amounts of minerals susceptible to dissolution and, in part, high clay content. Based on Ca, Mg and K concentrations of the different leaches and their molar ratios (Ca/ΣAl+Fe, Mg/ΣAl+Fe and K/ΣAl+Fe), we propose a lesser role of soil mineral weathering on Ca cycling than Mg and K, which could lead to faster depletion of exchangeable Ca pools of the surface soil due to fast growth and high Ca demand by the poplars.

Research on hybrid poplars and willow species for fast-growing tree plantations: Its importance for growth and yield, silviculture, policy-making and commercial applications

There is a growing interest in fast-growing hybrid poplar and willow plantations in Canada. This interest can be explained both by the rapid growth rate and high yield potential of this type of production system. However, their establishment and maintenance require considerable investments. Research efforts on productivity comparisons between different clones or species, breeding, physiology, nutrition, silviculture, pest management, harvesting methods, social and economic issues and industrial transformation contribute to maximizing fibre production and minimizing production costs. The objective of this paper is to briefly describe a number of current or recently completed research studies on fast-growing hybrid poplar and willow plantations and to discuss their utility and impacts for practical applications.

Effects of curvature in hybrid poplar on acoustic velocity at the tree level

Background and Methods: Measurements of stress wave velocity were performed with the Fibre-gen Director ST300 on 146 hybrid poplar (Populus sp.) plantation trees from GreenWood Resources Inc. located near the city of Boardman, Oregon USA. A laser scanner (Faro Focus 3D) was used to measure the curvature of the trees. Combinations of two software tools (Treemetrics Autostem and Sweep Extractor) were used to calculate the curvature for two log lengths (3 and 6 m) from a height of 10 cm above the ground. The propagation velocities of the stress waves were measured twice; first at breast height on the convex side of the stem and then at 90 degrees clockwise around the stem from the first measurement. Results and Conclusions: Analysis of the data showed that there was no significant difference (p = 0.24) between propagation velocities when the probes were located on either the convex side or at 90 degrees to the convex side. However, the propagation velocity was significantly greater on trees with higher curvature, suggesting that the velocities measured with the ST300 can take into account the presence of reaction wood (tension wood) in the tree.

DRIS-based fertilization efficiency of young hybrid poplar plantations in the boreal region of Canada

In order to maximize early growth and establishment of planted hybrid poplars in the boreal region of Eastern Canada, growth response of four clones to fertilization was tested in two plantations. The first two fertilization treatments were based on Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS), a method based on nutrient ratios: DRIS I was based on previously established norms from a study that had been conducted in the same area, and DRIS II was based on DRIS norms developed from hybrid poplars in northern Ontario, Canada. Nutrient status and growth of trees under these 2 treatments were compared to unfertilized trees and to trees under standard (STD) fertilization treatment (40 N–20P–20 K). Leaf nutrient concentrations and DRIS indices showed that fertilization treatments, and especially DRIS I corrected N deficiencies but failed to correct P deficiencies. Fertilization increased volume relative growth rate by 7.51, 4.76 and 13.25 % on average at the agricultural site for DRIS I, DRIS II and STD treatments respectively, compared to no fertilizer application. At the forest site, fertilization treatments based on DRIS indices (DRIS I and DRIS II) increased growth rates (6.67 %) slightly more than the standard treatment (5.80 %). Overall, although DRIS-based fertilization treatments generally increased growth rates, they were often equal to or less efficient than the STD treatment, and may not be as practical as using a standard fertilization recipe.

Can hybrid poplar plantations accelerate the restoration of forest understory attributes on abandoned fields?

Multi-functional plantations using fast-growing tree species can potentially be used to accelerate the restoration of forest habitat on abandoned farmland. However, few studies have directly compared the ecological effects of active afforestation using plantations to natural afforestation. The present study compares the effects of the establishment and the first 10years of growth of two different hybrid poplar clones to adjacent abandoned fields and natural second-growth forests, in terms of abiotic attributes and understory vegetation communities. Experimental plantations of a Populus maximowiczii×P. balsamifera (M×B) hybrid and a P. deltoides×P. nigra (D×N) hybrid were established in 2000 on abandoned fields at 8 sites in southern Quebec, Canada. In 2009, soil chemical properties, soil moisture, canopy openness, leaf litter biomass, and understory vegetation communities were sampled in the plantations and in neighboring unmanaged abandoned fields and second-growth woodlots. Canopy development was greatly accelerated by the plantations of both hybrid poplar clones, compared to the unplanted portions of abandoned fields, and in the more productive plantations of both clones, canopy openness and leaf litter biomass were similar to those measured in the woodlots. No difference was detected in soil chemical properties between the abandoned fields and either type of plantation. The plantation soils were drier than those of both the abandoned fields and the secondary forests, possibly due to increased transpiration by the hybrid poplars. The plantations favored the colonization of the sites by native tree seedlings compared to the unmanaged fields, producing a nurse stand effect. Among herbaceous and shrub species, native species richness was slightly higher in the plantations than in the fields. The understories of the fastest growing plantations had species in common with both the fields and the woodlots, while the understory of the slowest growing plantations was very similar to the field vegetation. The plantation understories had lower covers of open-habitat species than the fields, while the M×B plantations had slightly greater covers of native, shade-tolerant species. Plantations of the M×B clone were more distinct from the abandoned fields than were plantations of the D×N clone. In conclusion, hybrid poplar plantations appear capable of accelerating the restoration of certain understory attributes, which in turn favors their colonization by tree seedlings and suppresses competition from light-demanding herbaceous species.