Growth Of Red Pine Research Articles

Reconstructing groundwater and lake level histories in Northern Wisconsin: isolation of groundwater’s influence on tree rings from climatic and environmental drivers

Tree rings can reveal long-term environmental dynamics and drivers of tree growth. However, individual ecological drivers of tree growth need to be disentangled from the effects of other co-occurring environmental and climatic conditions in tree rings to examine the histories of stand- to landscape-level ecological processes. Here, we integrate ecohydrological theory of groundwater–tree interactions with dendrochronological approaches and develop a new framework to isolate water-level effects on tree rings from climate induced variability in tree ring growth. Our results indicate that changing depth to groundwater within 1–2.3 m of the land surface exerts a substantial influence on red pine growth and this influence can be quantified and used to reconstruct long-term groundwater and lake level histories from tree ring patterns in Northern Wisconsin. This research suggests a substantial influence of groundwater on tree growth with implications for improving the mechanistic understanding of climate-induced tree mortality and reduce uncertainty in forest productivity models. Further, this is a transferable approach to isolate and reconstruct strong environmental drivers of tree growth that co-occur with other environmental signals.

The Potential of Using Tree-Ring Data from Jeju Island to Reconstruct Climate in Subtropical Korea and the Western North Pacific

Annual rings from trees have been used to infer past climate variability beyond the observational records. Here, we assess if two conifer species from the humid subtropical island of Jeju, South Korea, can be used as proxies for past regional climate variability and large-scale ocean current variability, such as the Kuroshio Current, over the Western North Pacific. Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora) and Korean fir (Abies koreana) were sampled close to their altitudinal limits of distribution on the southern slopes of the volcano Mt. Halla at 1320 m and 1640 m a.s.l., respectively. Comparison with climate variables from nearby meteorological stations indicated a significant positive association between temperature in January/April and Korean red pine growth, which suggests that the red pine can be used to reconstruct mid-winter/spring temperatures back in time. Positive correlations were also found between the tree-ring growth and October (for Korean fir) and January (for Korean red pine) precipitation. Moreover, pine tree growth showed significant multi-month associations with sea surface temperatures over the Western North Pacific and variability of the Kuroshio Extension. The results suggest that subtropical trees from South Korea can be used as indicators of past climate variability on local to regional scales, and possibly also to infer the past variability of the Kuroshio Current in the Western North Pacific.

Spatial and temporal variability in dendroclimatic growth response of red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) to climate in northern Ontario, Canada

Growth–climate relationships of trees are species-specific and can vary over space and time. Here, we study red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) by analyzing tree-ring width data from 37 sites across northern Ontario, Canada for the period 1901–2010. We performed response function and moving response function analyses using seasonal data of three climatic variables: precipitation, minimum temperature and maximum temperature. Our analyses show considerable spatial and temporal variability in red pine growth response to climate during the 20th century. In general, red pine growth responses to climate were more significant in northwestern Ontario than in northeastern Ontario. Overall, precipitation was the most significant predictor of red pine growth, with seasonal variations across sites. Unlike many other studies, we did not find any significant growth response to current year summer temperature. Instead, at many sites in northwestern Ontario, red pine had a significant negative growth response to prior summer temperatures. The results of canonical correspondence analysis show that red pine growth response to climate follows a longitudinal gradient. Temporal stability analyses revealed that growth–climate response of red pine at any site was not stable during the 20th century. We observed a general shift from significant growth response to seasonal temperature during the first half of the 20th century to significant growth response to seasonal (except for spring) precipitation during recent decades. The spatial and temporal variability of red pine growth response to climate detected in our study should be considered in future plans for forest management of this species and can also be used for better understanding forest ecological dynamics at the regional scale for conservation purposes.

Dendroclimatic analysis of red pine affected by Diplodia shoot blight in different latitudinal regions in Michigan

Drought and intraspecific competition in red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) stands in Michigan have been implicated as predisposing factors for increased shoot blight risk caused by Diplodia pinea Desm. The overall objective of this study is to examine the interactive effects of drought, other climatic factors, and biotic factors (intraspecific competition) on productivity and growth of red pine forests affected by Diplodia shoot blight. This study incorporates a dendroclimatic approach that allows the retrospective examination of past annual diameter growth in relation to historical climate and the assessment of the potential impacts of future climate change. A total of 20 red pine stands were sampled in two latitudinal regions (the Upper Peninsula (UP) and the Lower Peninsula (LP) regions) of Michigan across two levels of initial stand density (low vs. high) and two levels of forest health condition (healthy vs. D. pinea affected). The full dendroclimatic relationships revealed in this study indicated that other climatic factors, in addition to summer drought stress, impacted red pine radial growth. Overall, red pine radial growth was generally more affected by precipitation and moisture index than solely by temperature variables. The radial growth response to climate depended on latitudinal region: summer moisture stress was more influential in the LP; cold spring and early summer temperatures negatively impacted growth more in the UP; and the degree of winter harshness was more of a factor in the UP. Crown damage caused by winter damage may have predisposed red pine stands to D. pinea affection by providing an easier entry point for fungal infection. Negative relations with precipitation in D. pinea affected stands may be due to increased dispersal of spores in D. pinea affected stands with significant rain and any increased storm and wind activity. Projections of radial growth under future scenarios of climate change indicate that climate warming has the potential to increase growth mainly in red pine stands in the UP region where growth has historically been limited by cool temperatures early in the growing season. Under the moisture index model, growth of red pine under the drier (A2) climate change scenario, only the D. pinea impacted high-density stands in the LP region are projected to show a significant decrease in growth by the middle (2041–2070) and final (2071–2100) projection periods. Model-based projections of forest growth in Michigan generally do not account for forest health issues such as invasive pathogens. The current study therefore provides a new understanding of the role of forest pathogens under future climate change.

Growth–climate relationships across topographic gradients in the northern Great Lakes

AbstractClimatic conditions exert important control over the growth, productivity, and distribution of forests, and characterizing these relationships is essential for understanding how forest ecosystems will respond to climate change. We used dendrochronological methods to develop climate–growth relationships for two dominant species, Populus tremuloides (quaking aspen) and Pinus resinosa (red pine), in the upper Great Lakes region to understand how climate and water availability influence annual forest productivity. Trees were sampled along a topographic gradient at the Marcell Experimental Forest (Minnesota, USA) to assess growth response to variations in temperature and different water availability metrics (precipitation, potential evapotranspiration (PET), cumulative moisture index (CMI), and soil water storage). Climatic variables were able to explain 33–58% of the variation in annual growth (as measured by ring‐width increment) for quaking aspen and 37–74% of the variation for red pine. Climate–growth relationships were influenced by topography for quaking aspen but not for red pine. Annual ring growth for quaking aspen decreased with June CMI on ridges, decreased with temperature in the November prior to the growing season on sideslopes, and decreased with June PET on toeslopes. Red pine growth increased with increasing July PET across all topographic positions. These results indicate the sensitivity of both quaking aspen and red pine to local climate and show several vulnerabilities of these species to shifts in water supply and temperature because of climate change. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Effect of climatic conditions on height growth of red pine: Results of a provenance test in northwestern Ontario

Response of height growth of red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) to changes in climatic conditions was analyzed using data collected in a 48-year-old provenance trial established in northwestern Ontario, Canada. Seed sources for the trial were collected from 23 provenances spanning the natural range of red pine. Mean monthly values of climatic variables were estimated from historical climatic data for 1971 to 2000. Quadratic transfer functions predicting mean tree height at age 48 and tree top height at age 50 were developed using the difference in climatic variables between the seed source provenances and the trial site. The transfer function for mean height at age 48 explained 59% of data variation using the mean minimum temperature in July and sum of precipitation during June to February. For tree top height at age 50, the transfer function explained 55% of data variation using mean minimum temperature in January and sum of precipitation during June to March. The developed equations can be used to select op...

Impact of pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni Tams) on growth of Turkish red pine (Pinus brutia Ten.)

One of the most important damaging insects on Turkish red pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) forests in the coastal Mediterranean Region of Turkey is pine processionary moth (PPM), Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni Tams. The larvae of PPM feed on needles of Turkish red pine and on some other Mediterranean conifers such as cedar. This study covers the impact of defoliation caused by PPM on growth of red pine. Three test sites were taken on different plantations in the coastal Mediterranean region of Turkey, near Antalya city. The heights and diameters at breast height (dbh) of individual trees both in the control group and the treatment groups were measured. The trees defoliated over 40% in the test sites were considered as the treatments. The results indicated that, compared to the control, the losses in defoliated trees in terms of dbh increment were 55, 50 and 35% in the three test sites, respectively. The corresponding losses in the three test sites in terms of volume increment were 44, 37 and 17%, respectively. Test results also showed that effects of defoliation and site on both diameter and volume increment were statistically significant at 0.000 probability level.

Nitrogen dynamics and red pine growth following application of pelletized biosolids in Massachusetts, USA

Pelletized biosolids from municipal wastewater treatment were applied to a thinned red pine plantation to determine if there were treatment levels that could produce a fertilization growth response without resulting in unacceptable nitrate leaching. The pellets (total nutrient concentrations of 4.4% N, 1.4% P, 0.2% K) were applied at four levels (0, 200, 400, 800 kg/ha total N). Only 26% of labile organic N in the pellets was mineralized in the first year after application. Foliar N increased with increasing application rate, but other nutrients were unchanged. Red pine basal area growth was unchanged with low and medium levels, but decreased to 50% of control plots with the highest level. A decrease in foliar K/N ratio resulting from high N uptake with little additional K is hypothesized as the cause for the growth decline. The highest treatment level resulted in lysimeter nitrate-N concentrations increasing to 2 mg/L in the first year and 9 mg/L in the second, returning to control levels in the third; no increase occurred in other treatments. These results contrast with those found with liquid sludge applications, in which nearly all N mineralization and the highest nitrate leaching rates occurred in the first year. The slower release of inorganic N from pellets over 2 years may allow higher total N application rates without causing high nitrate leaching.

The effects of Laccaria proxima and fibrous pulp waste on the growth of nine container-grown conifer seedling species

Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi), white spruce (Picea glauca), black spruce (Picea mariana), red spruce (Picea rubens), jack pine (Pinus banksiana), mugo pine (Pinus mugo), red pine (Pinus resinosa), Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii), were inoculated to test the effective host range of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria proxima and the possibility of utilizing pulp waste as a potting medium for containerized seedling production. Laccaria proxima tended to improve the container growth of Japanese black pine and white spruce, and significantly improved that of jack pine, mugo pine, black spruce, red spruce and Douglasfir. The growth of red pine and Japanese larch were only slightly improved with L. proxima. Pulp waste (33% by volume) had negative effects on tree seedling growth, except for Douglasfir (no significant effect). The interactions of Laccaria proxima and pulp waste varied; the hosts were significantly positive (P<0.01) in the case of jack pine and black spruce, but there was no significant effect for the rest. Negative effects were found with Japanese black pine. Use of pulp waste in seedling production of jack pine, black spruce, mugo pine, red spruce and Douglasfir inoculated with L. proxima and of Japanese black pine both with and without L. proxima is feasible, but further research is necessary to determine the optimal percentage of pulp waste that can be utilized in seedling production of tree species and the field performance of these seedlings.

The differential sensitivity of red pine and quaking aspen to competition

Growth of red pine (Pinusresinosa Ait.) and quaking aspen (Populustremuloides Michx.) target trees with varying degrees of competition by neighboring aspen was measured in a 7-year-old clearcut in northeastern Minnesota. Competitive conditions were measured using indices of resource availability (percent open sky) and neighborhood stand density. Three-year diameter growth of target trees was reduced by more than 50% in both species because of competition from neighboring quaking aspen. The last 2 year's height growth was also reduced by approximately 30% for both species. The relationship between growth and percent open sky was convex for red pine and concave for quaking aspen, potentially indicating a greater sensitivity in aspen to any reduction below optimal resource availability. Competition reduced crown size in both species, but self-pruning occurred only in quaking aspen. Needle and leaf size were not affected by competition, but red pine needle density was lower in highly competitive environments. Red pine had a higher specific gravity when growing under competition, partially offsetting the reduction in wood volume.

Natural regeneration ofPinus resinosaon burned and unburned sites in Newfoundland

. Natural regeneration of Pinus resinosa (red pine) seedlings around mature trees was studied in burned and unburned stands. Growth inhibitory effects of the forest organic matter on red pine seedlings was tested by a stair-step experiment using leachate of forest soil monoliths and also by a seed germination bio-assay using forest floor substrates. To test if higher burning temperatures can remove the allelopathic effects of red pine-Kalmia organic matter, a laboratory bio-assay was conducted by germinating red pine seeds on the organic matter burned at 200, 400, 600 and 800°C. Deposition of dry needles and a thick duff layer under red pine stands affected seedling establishment. Red pine seedling establishment increased with the decreasing thickness of duff layer away from the stump of the seed-bearing trees. Wildfire helped in removing the duff layer and increased seedling establishment. A high fuel load within a 0 - 1 m radius around the tree stump caused a deep burn of the organic matter including part of the soil seed reserve. On a burned-over surface, more seedlings established in a band between 1 and 2 m around the stump than inside and outside the band. Primary root growth of red pine was severely inhibited when the seedlings were grown in unburned forest floor organic matter where Kalmia was the principal understory species. Water leachate of a Pinus resinosa-Kalmia soil monolith was inhibitory to red pine seedling growth. In greenhouse conditions, the seedlings grew well in burned-over soil from a Pinus resinosa stand. Burned organic matter from a red pine forest showed an increase in pH with a burning temperature of 600°C. Primary root growth of red pine seedlings was similarly increased with increasing temperature up to 600°C; at higher temperatures the root length of seedlings did not increase any further.

Effects of 76 Hz electromagnetic fields on forest ecosystems in northern Michigan: Tree growth

Since 1984, the possible effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic (EM) fields generated by a 76 Hz communication antenna on the growth and productivity of four deciduous and one coniferous species have been studied in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Results from two research sites are discussed here: one site near an antenna element and a control site located 50 km from the communication system. Growth models for individual tree diameters were developed for northern red oak (Quercus rubra), paper birch (Betula papyrifera), aspen (Populus tremuloides with a few individuals ofP. grandidentata), and red maple (Acer rubrum). A growth model for individual tree height was developed for young red pine (Pinus resinosa). Average differences between the observed and predicted growth were calculated for each growing season and then compared between the study sites and across the study periods to evaluate changes in growth patterns which could be attributed to EM field effects. For aspen and red maple, the results showed a stimulation of diameter growth at magnetic flux density levels of 1 to 7 milliGauss; height growth of red pine was increased at about the same exposure levels. There are no clear indications of an EM field effect on total annual diameter growth for either of the other two species.

Effects of Hebelomaarenosa on growth of red pine seedlings in high-fertility nursery soil in Wisconsin

Mycorrhizal colonization and growth of red pine (Pinusresinosa Ait.) inoculated with the fungus Hebelomaarenosa Burdsall, MacFall &amp; Albers were investigated in a highly fertile nursery soil. In greenhouse tests, seedlings became mycorrhizal with H. arenosa when inoculum was incorporated throughout the soil to a 1:256 dilution (v/v). Inoculated seedlings had greater root dry weights and root/shoot ratios than noninoculated seedlings. Seedlings that grew in soil where inoculum had been placed around the seeds had greater root dry weights (at a 1:64 dilution) and shoot dry weights (at a 1:4 dilution) than noninoculated seedlings from unpasteurized or pasteurized soil. Hebelomaarenosa inoculum stimulated increased root and shoot dry weights for 2 years compared with noninoculated seedlings mycorrhizal with indigenous fungi. This study supports the hypothesis that H. arenosa can colonize red pine and cause an increase in growth even in highly fertile nursery soils.

Red pine growth and chemical composition of foliage and forest floors across a precipitation-chemistry gradient in Wisconsin

Three red pine (Pinusresinosa Ait.) plantations were located at each of five sites across the precipitation-chemistry gradient in Wisconsin (loadings of H ion, SO42−, and NO3− generally decrease from southeast to northwest). The plantations were selected to be as similar as possible in stand characteristics, including age, initial stocking, number of thinnings, site index, and basal area, and in soils (mixed frigid Typic Udipsamments or Entic Haplorthods). Despite the care exercised in selecting the plantations, analysis of variance incorporating a nested design showed that for the growth parameters, within-site variation generally was greater than among-site variation. The large within-site variation may have masked any differences attributable to variations in precipitation chemistry across the gradient. Site-related differences in radial increment (1982–1986 period) were attributed to time since thinning. There were significant site-related differences in mass, concentrations, and contents (mg/50 fascicles) of N, P, Ca, and S in current needles and in mass, concentrations, and contents (kg•ha−1) of N, P, and S in the forest floor. Differences in mass and chemical composition of needles among sites may be due to slight differences in soils. We attribute the differences in mass and chemical composition of the forest floor among sites to differences in preplanting site conditions and stand treatment.

Survival and Growth of Red Pine Planted on a Hardwood Site – A Second Look

A 55-year-old stand of second-growth northern hardwood growing on a well-drained sandy loam soil was converted to red pine to compare with an adjacent 1929 plantation. Part of the plantation was cleaned during the second and third growing seasons and second-year survival was 72%. In the non-cleaned portion, which is reverting to maple sprouts, aspen suckers, brush, and weeds, pine survival was 38%. Annual height growth averaged 15.0 and 8.1 cm (6.0 and 3.2. in.), respectively. Differences in early success of the two plantings are attributed to: 1) greater competition after clearing pole-size hardwoods; 2) larger tops and better developed root systems of 2-1-2 transplants used in 1929; 3) planting in prepared spots in 1929; and 4) above normal growing season precipitation during 1929, and below normal in 1976. Converting pole-size northern hardwoods to red pine will be difficult and expensive. Competing vegetation will be the most serious problem, particularly on good hardwood sites. Investments in converting hardwoods to red pine should be concentrated in poor quality stands on well drained soils with a site index for maple of 50 or less.

Effects of environmental factors on estimated daily radial growth ofPinus resinosa andBetula papyrifera

Relations between estimated daily radial growth of red pine (Pinus resinosa) and white birch (Betula papyrifera) trees and various environmental factors were studied in northern Wisconsin. Daily variations in stem radius, which reflected an irreversible cambial growth component as well as superimposed shrinkage and swelling of stems, were recorded with dendrographs and daily radial growth was estimated with trend lines connecting midpoints between daily maximum and minimum stem radii. Orthogonalized regression analysis was used to isolate individual effects despite intercorrelations between the variables. Regression models were developed on 9 independent variables: rainfall (log P, n), minimum temperature (Tmin, n; Tmin 2, n), average daily relative humidity (Ra, n), maximum saturation deficit with a one-day lag (Vmax, n−1), minimum temperature with a two-day lag (Tmin, n−2), percent soil moisture (log M150), time trend (Day2) and autocorrelation (y, n−1). These factors explained 81% of the variation in estimated daily radial growth of birch. They also explained 78% of the variation in growth of pine at the wettest site (lower slope) and 64% at the driest site (upper slope). As soil and plant water stress intensified up the slope, radial growth of pine was inhibited and the direct relation between growth and environmental factors was progressively weakened while the autocorrelation factor became dominant. Rainfall (log P, n) was the most important factor influencing radial growth, reflecting the paramount importance of cell turgor in the cambial zone.

Potassium et magnésium: deux éléments limitant la croissance en hauteur du pin rouge au Québec

Relations between the site index of red pine (Pinusresinosa, Ait.) and foliar concentrations in N, P, K, Mg, Ca, and Mn, the soil content in O.M., total N, available P, exchangeable K, HNO3 extractable K, exchangeable Mg and Ca, and the percentage of silt plus clay of 23 sample plots on fluvio-marine or associated deposits in the St-Lawrence plain were studied. The site index varies between 28 and 42 at 20 years b.h. There are significant and positive linear correlations between the site index and concentrations in K, Mg, and Ca in the needles. The linear correlation for Mn is significant but negative. However, multiple regression analysis indicate that only potassium and magnesium were significantly associated with the regressions.There are significant and positive linear correlations between the site index and the soil content in HNO3 extractable K, exchangeable K and Mg. However, multiple regression analysis indicate that only HNO3 extractable K has a significant contribution to variations of site index and the contribution of exchangeable Mg is almost significant at 0.05. There are also significant and positive linear correlations between the foliar concentrations of potassium and magnesium and the respective soil contents in HNO3 extractable K and exchangeable Mg. Height growth of red pine in St-Lawrence plain is closely related to the nutrient status of potassium and magnesium in the sites under investigation.

Influences of sweet-fern on germination, survival, and early growth of red pine

Concentrated water extracts from foliage and from roots of sweet-fern were used as moistening media in laboratory tests on germination and survival of red pine. Neither inhibited germination, but both affected survival adversely. In tests simulating field conditions germination, survival, and growth were judged to be more closely related to moisture than to the presence of sweet-fern.

Variation in Potassium Available to Trees Within an Outwash Soil

AbstractThirteen deep soil pits were sampled by strata, 40 forest floor samples were collected, and tube samples were taken at 119 locations of the surface 15‐cm layer and at 30‐cm intervals to a soil depth of 2.1 m. The sampling was done on an 0.8‐ha area supporting good and poor growing 37‐year‐old red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) separated by an old fenceline. The soil has formed in slanted and discontinuous strata of different physical and chemical properties. Acid‐extractable K data from the 13 pits indicate the magnitude but not the pattern of variability. Data from the pit samples were used to predict acid‐extractable K for the tube samples. Regression techniques were used on the 0‐ to 15‐ and 15‐ to 45‐cm layers. An ocular textural classification technique was employed for deeper soil layers. Results indicate K variability is pronounced in the soil volume studied and is associated with the occurrence of discontinuous finer‐textured strata at differing depths. K variability as measured by these techniques was found to be only partly related to red pine growth.

The chemical composition of foliage as an index of nutritional status in red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait)

Near terminal foliage was sampled from 26 young, open-grown trees in each of three red pine plots on a potassium deficient site. The plots were respectively control, trees fertilized with potassium in the nursery and trees fertilized with potassium in the field. Multiple regressions relating tree height and leader length to foliar concentrations of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, nitrogen, and silica were calculated to test Leyton's hypothesis that only deficient nutrients would be significantly related to growth in such equation. The hypothesis was supported by the pooled data and by the data from the trees fertilized in the nursery but not from the other two plots. The different elements were interrelated in the leaves so that results of multiple regression analyses were strongly influenced both by the combination of regressor variables used as well as by which one of a number of interrelated growth measurements was used as dependent variable. The closeness of correlation between variables and the chances of incorrect predictions appear to increase with severity of deficiency. However it was possible to relate leader length to foliar potassium in all three plots by one second-order polynomial regression which accounted for 66 per cent of the observed variation in leader length. The data confirmed the conclusion of Stoneet al. that excellent growth of red pine is possible when there is 450 mg/100 g of potassium in current-year red pine needles. Variations of some other factor which may be either external (site) or internal (genetic) is believed to be contributing to the variations in leader growth on this site.