White Cedar Research Articles

Using metagenomics to show the efficacy of forest restoration in the New Jersey Pine Barrens.

The Franklin Parker Preserve within the New Jersey Pine Barrens contains 5000 acres of wetlands habitat, including old-growth Atlantic white cedar (or AWC; Chamaecyparis thyoides) swamps, cranberry bogs, and former cranberry bogs undergoing restoration into AWC forests. This study showed that the C-use efficiency was greater in the old-growth AWC soils than in soils from 8-year-old mid-stage restored AWC stands, which were greater than found in soil from 4-year-old AWC stands-the latter two stands being restored from long-term cranberry bogs. A metagenomic analysis of eDNA extracted from these soils showed that the C-cycle trends were associated with increases in the relative numbers of DNA sequences from several copiotrophic bacterial groups (Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria), complex C-decomposing fungal groups (Sordiomycetes, Mortierellales, and Thelephorales), and collembolan and formicid invertebrates. All groups are indicators of successionally more advanced soils, and critical for soil C-cycle activities. These data suggest that the restoration activities studied are enhancing critical guilds of soil biota, and increasing C-use efficiency in the soils of restored habitats, and that the use of metagenomic analysis of soil eDNA can be used in the development of assessment models for soil recovery of wetlands following restoration.

Eastern white cedar long-term dynamics in eastern Canada: Implications for restoration in the context of ecosystem-based management

Eastern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.) has been identified as a target tree species for ecological restoration in northeastern North America. Insight into long-term population dynamics since preindustrial times is key to guiding restoration efforts. In this study, we used a large set of early land survey data to assess the status of eastern white cedar in preindustrial forests across a large area (78,000km2) of eastern Canada, and to evaluate subsequent population changes. In addition, we used early forest inventory data, which were available for a restricted portion of our study area, to assess the role of white cedar early dynamics in the success of its subsequent development. Our results show that the species was frequent (29.1%) and dominant (13%) in preindustrial forest landscapes. However, preindustrial frequency and dominance of white cedar displayed broad spatial variability, which suggests that several factors controlled its abundance. Following European settlement and logging, white cedar dominance and frequency decreased respectively by −6.2% and −12.1%, and these changes were also variable across the study area. Southern populations experienced the less pronounced decrease, and even a substantial increase in frequency in many areas that were affected by agricultural land abandonment. Northern populations experienced the largest decrease, especially on private lands. However, some northern areas locally experienced an increase in white cedar frequency and dominance due to partial natural and human disturbances (insect outbreaks, partial cutting). The presence of advanced regeneration at the time of partial disturbance is a key factor that allows white cedar to become dominant. These results help to identify areas with important needs and potential for restoration and support partial cutting systems with protection of advanced regeneration as a promising management practice for promoting white cedar.

Glyphosate tolerance of eastern white cedar: Third year results

Little is known about the herbicide tolerance of eastern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.). To determine the sensitivity of cedar seedlings to timing and concentration of herbicide applications, glyphosate was applied to 2-year-old seedlings at three concentrations (1.04, 2.07, and 4.14 acid equivalent (ae) kg ha-1) at three times (July 28, August 10 and 31), at a research site in north central Ontario. Seedling survival, growth, and biomass three years after spraying were compared with those of seedlings in manual weeding (competition/weed free via manual weeding) and control (no weeding and therefore always competition/weeds) treatments. Only glyphosate applied at 4.14 ae kg ha-1 significantly reduced, by 27%, third year seedling survival. Pattern of sensitivity of cedar seedling growth to glyphosate was diameter>height. Seedlings treated with 2.07 and 4.14 ae kg ha-1 glyphosate had significantly less root biomass than those in the control plots, whereas only cedar treated with 4.14 ae kg ha-1 glyphosate had lower shoot biomass. Application timing made no difference in survival, growth, or final biomass. All glyphosate and the no weeding control treatments reduced root, shoot, and total biomass of cedar relative to the manually weeded seedlings.

Drought and simulated deer herbivory reduce growth in Atlantic white cedar seedlings

White-tailed deer are overabundant in much of eastern North America and may be suppressing regeneration in some tree species. Herbivory initially reduces plant biomass, but it has the potential to stimulate compensatory growth. However, stressful environmental conditions may reduce recovery from herbivory. Seedlings of Atlantic white cedar, Chamaecyparis thyoides (L.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb., are frequently browsed by white-tailed deer and also experience both flooded and dry soils in natural habitats. We conducted a growth chamber experiment to test for a potential interaction between simulated deer browsing and water availability treatments on seedling height, stem diameter, and above- and belowground biomass. Of the 180 study plants, half were subjected to an initial clipping treatment, and all plants were then exposed to high, intermediate, or low water availability for 90 days. We found that, over the short term, seedlings in favorable growing conditions could not compensate for lost biomass after simulated browsing. Drought reduced shoot biomass, and flooded soils reduced root but not shoot growth. Water stress and herbivory did not interact to reduce growth more than the effect of each treatment separately. In general, the effect of water stress on plant size was greater than the effect of simulated herbivory.

A clonal propagation system for Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) via somatic embryogenesis without the use of plant growth regulators

Atlantic white cedar (AWC; Chamaecyparis thyoides), an aromatic evergreen conifer native to swamps and bogs along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the eastern United States was once an important species for timber production due to its durable wood. However, native populations have declined over the past two centuries. We established an in vitro propagation system for AWC via somatic embryogenesis (SE) without the use of plant growth regulators (PGRs). Whole megagametophytes with zygotic embryos from immature AWC cones were cultured on a modified half-strength embryo maturation (EM) medium with three different PGR treatments, including one devoid of PGRs. Both PGR treatment and cone collection date had significant effects on embryogenesis induction, with EM with no PGRs giving the highest embryogenesis induction, which ranged as high as 27%. We also conducted experiments to determine the effects of activated carbon (AC) and abscisic acid (ABA) in the maturation medium on production of mature somatic embryos. AC significantly affected this variable, with 2 g l−1 producing more embryos than 0 g l−1. Application of exogenous ABA not only failed to improve production of mature somatic embryos, the highest level tested (200 µM), apparently lowered production of mature embryos compared to the 0 ABA control. The highest numbers of mature somatic embryos per ml of plated embryogenic suspension (32–37) were produced on medium with 2 g l−1 AC and levels of ABA at 100 µM or lower. The SE system described here has the potential to contribute the restoration of Atlantic white cedar to its native habitat.

Efecto de Hongos Entomopatogenos Sobre Larvas de Mosca Sierra (Monoctenus sanchezi Smith)

Abstract. Monoctenus sanchezi is a sawfly of economic importance in forest management because of damage to the foliage of white cedar. Mortality by entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana, and Trichothecium sp. on M. sanchezi larvae was 98, 60, and 36% on the sixth day. Metarhizium anisopliae may be an alternative for biological control of the sawfly in Mexico.

A carbon balance model for the great dismal swamp ecosystem

BackgroundCarbon storage potential has become an important consideration for land management and planning in the United States. The ability to assess ecosystem carbon balance can help land managers understand the benefits and tradeoffs between different management strategies. This paper demonstrates an application of the Land Use and Carbon Scenario Simulator (LUCAS) model developed for local-scale land management at the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. We estimate the net ecosystem carbon balance by considering past ecosystem disturbances resulting from storm damage, fire, and land management actions including hydrologic inundation, vegetation clearing, and replanting.ResultsWe modeled the annual ecosystem carbon stock and flow rates for the 30-year historic time period of 1985–2015, using age-structured forest growth curves and known data for disturbance events and management activities. The 30-year total net ecosystem production was estimated to be a net sink of 0.97 Tg C. When a hurricane and six historic fire events were considered in the simulation, the Great Dismal Swamp became a net source of 0.89 Tg C. The cumulative above and below-ground carbon loss estimated from the South One and Lateral West fire events totaled 1.70 Tg C, while management activities removed an additional 0.01 Tg C. The carbon loss in below-ground biomass alone totaled 1.38 Tg C, with the balance (0.31 Tg C) coming from above-ground biomass and detritus.ConclusionsNatural disturbances substantially impact net ecosystem carbon balance in the Great Dismal Swamp. Through alternative management actions such as re-wetting, below-ground biomass loss may have been avoided, resulting in the added carbon storage capacity of 1.38 Tg. Based on two model assumptions used to simulate the peat system, (a burn scar totaling 70 cm in depth, and the soil carbon accumulation rate of 0.36 t C/ha−1/year−1 for Atlantic white cedar), the total soil carbon loss from the South One and Lateral West fires would take approximately 1740 years to re-amass. Due to the impractical time horizon this presents for land managers, this particular loss is considered permanent. Going forward, the baseline carbon stock and flow parameters presented here will be used as reference conditions to model future scenarios of land management and disturbance.

Conifer restoration on lakeshores using 3 planting techniques

Interest in lakeshore habitat restoration has increased concomitant with growing awareness of the importance of these areas for maintaining water quality and for providing terrestrial and aquatic wildlife habitat. Lakeshore restoration efforts are often limited by the high cost of suitable plant material. We compare the effectiveness of containerized and more cost-effective bareroot and innovative gravel-culture planting techniques for 5 conifer species: balsam fir ( Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. [Pinaceae]), white spruce ( Picea glauca (Moench) Voss [Pinaceae]), red pine ( Pinus resinosa Aiton [Pinaceae]), eastern white pine ( Pinus strobus L. [Pinaceae]), and northern white cedar ( Thuja occidentalis L. [Cupressaceae]). Plantings were monitored for 4 growing seasons (year of planting and 3 subsequent). Annual growth rates for 4 of the 5 species did not differ significantly among planting techniques. The exception was containerized balsam fir, which experienced a greater height growth rate than did bareroot and gravel-culture stock. Survival of gravel-culture stock was greater than that of bareroot stock and similar to that of containerized stock for all of the conifers examined, except for red pine. Red pine gravel-culture stock had the lowest survival of any species or treatment (29%), suggesting that this technique is poorly suited for this species. We conclude that the time frame for bareroot native conifer planting may be extended for most of the species examined through the midsummer months by growing bareroot stock in irrigated gravel medium until lifting and planting. For some species, however, neither bareroot planting technique is likely to equal or exceed the growth and survival of containerized stock in lakeshore restoration. Haskell DE, Bales AL, Webster CR, Flaspohler DJ, Meyer MW. 2017. Conifer restoration on lakeshores using 3 planting techniques. Native Plants Journal 18(3):235–244.

Square-stalked St. John’s-wort, <i>Hypericum tetrapterum</i>, in Peel Region, Ontario: a New Non-native Vascular Plant Species for Eastern North America

The Eurasian Square-stalked St. John’s-wort (Hypericum tetrapterum Fr.: Hypericaceae) was found growing in an open Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.) swamp in Caledon, Regional Municipality of Peel, Ontario. This is the first record for eastern North America; previous North American occurrences have been on the Pacific coast in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (1991), and in Wahkiakum County, Washington State, USA (2003).

Anthropogenic Disturbances Create a New Vegetation Toposequence in the Gatineau River Valley, Quebec

This study measured changes in forest composition that have occurred since the preindustrial era along the toposequence of the Gatineau River Valley, Quebec, Canada (5650 km2), based on survey records prior to colonization (1804–1864) and recent forest inventories (1982–2006). Changes in forest cover composition over time were found to be specific to toposequence position. Maple and red oak are now more frequent on upper toposequence positions (+26%, +21%, respectively), whereas yellow birch, eastern hemlock, and American beech declined markedly (−34% to −17%). Poplar is more frequent throughout the landscape, but particularly on mid-toposequence positions (+40%). In contrast, white pine, frequent on all toposequence positions in the preindustrial forest, is now confined to shallow and coarse-textured soils (−20%). The preindustrial forest types of the study area were mostly dominated by maple, yellow birch, and beech, with strong components of white pine, hemlock, and eastern white cedar, either as dominant or codominant species. In a context of ongoing anthropogenic disturbances and environmental changes, it is probably not possible to restore many of these types, except where targeted silvicultural interventions could increase the presence of certain species. The new forest types observed should be managed to ensure continuity of vital ecosystem services and functions as disturbance regimes evolve.

Efficacy of plant extracts in controlling wheat leaf rust disease caused by Puccinia triticina

The efficacy of eight plant extracts (garlic, clove, garden quinine, Brazilian pepper, anthi mandhaari, black cumin, white cedar and neem) in controlling leaf rust disease of wheat was investigated in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, all treatments inhibited spore germination by more than 93%. Neem extract recorded 98.99% inhibition of spore germination with no significant difference from the fungicide Sumi-8 (100%). Under greenhouse conditions, seed soaking application in neem extract (at concentration of 2ml/L) resulted in 36.82% reduction in the number of pustules/leaf compared with the untreated control. Foliar spraying of plant extracts on wheat seedlings decreased the number of pustules/leaf. Foliar spraying of plant extracts four days after inoculation led to the highest resistance response of wheat plants against leaf rust pathogen. Spray application of wheat seedlings with neem, clove and garden quinine extracts, four days after inoculation with leaf rust pathogen completely prevented rust development (100% disease control) and was comparable with the fungicide Sumi-8. Foliar spray application of wheat plants at mature stage with all plant extracts has significantly reduced the leaf rust infection (average coefficient of infection, ACI) compared with the untreated control and neem was the most effective treatment. This was reflected on grain yield components, whereas the 1000-kernel weight and the test weight were improved whether under one- or two-spray applications, with two-spray application being more effective in this regard. Thus, it could be concluded that plant extracts may be useful to control leaf rust disease in Egypt as a safe alternative option to chemical fungicides.

Phytobiocidal management of bacterial wilt of tomato caused by Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi

Phytobiocides are a good alternative to chemicals in managing bacterial diseases including bacterial wilt of tomato caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. In the present research study, finely ground dried powders of seven widely available medicinal plants/weeds species viz., Peganum harmala (esfand or wild rue), Calotropis procera (sodom apple), Melia azedarach (white cedar), Allium sativum (garlic), Adhatoda vasica (malabar nut), Tagetes patula (marigold) and Nerium oleander (oleander) were assessed for their anti-microbial activity, both in-vitro (10% w/v) and in-vivo (10, 20, 30, and 40 g/kg of potted soil) against R. solanacearum. Aqueous extracts (prepared as 10% w/v, soaking for 48-72 h and filtering) of C. procera, A. vasica, and T. patula inhibited the in-vitro growth of the bacterial pathogen over 60% of that produced by the standard antibiotic streptomycin. A. sativum, N. oleander and P. harmala aqueous extracts were less effective while M. azedarach showed no effect against R. solanacearum. The higher dose (40 g/kg of soil) of C. procera, A. vasica and T. patula decreased disease severity quite effectively and increased yield and plant growth characters as much as the standard antibiotic did. No phytotoxicity of medicinal plants powder was observed on tomato plants. Alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and terpenoids were detected in the aqueous extracts of T. patula and A. vasica whereas C. procera was found to have only alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponins. Our data suggest that dried powders of T. patula, C. procera and A. vasica (40 g/kg of soil) could be used as an effective component in the integrated disease management programs against bacterial wilt of tomato.

Fine- and local- scale genetic structure of Dysoxylum malabaricum, a late-successional canopy tree species in disturbed forest patches in the Western Ghats, India

Dysoxylum malabaricum (white cedar) is an economically important tree species, endemic to the Western Ghats, India, which is the world’s most densely populated biodiversity hotspot. In this study, we used variation at ten nuclear simple sequence repeat loci to investigate genetic diversity and fine scale spatial genetic structure (FSGS) in seedlings and adults of D. malabaricum from four forest patches in the northern part of the Western Ghats. When genetic variation was compared between seedlings and adults across locations, significant differences were detected in allelic richness, observed heterozygosity, fixation index (F IS), and relatedness (P 130 cm) are present in the southern sacred forests but not in the northern forest reserves. This pattern is likely due to stronger harvesting pressure in the north compared to the south, because in the north there are no cultural taboos regulating the extraction of natural resources. The implications for forest conservation in this biodiversity hotspot are discussed.

Effect of Seed Priming with Some Plant Leaf Extract on Seedling Growth Characteristics and Root Rot Disease in Tomato

Tomato is one of the important vegetable crops. The problem of seedling establishment is found in tomato due to several soil borne diseases. One of them is root rot caused by Fusarium oxysproum. There are many chemical methods available to control this disease, but use of chemicals deplete the soil micro-environment and causes soil and water pollution and also do not fit within the framework of ‘Organic farming’. Seed priming with certain phytochemicals may be an economic and ecofriendly alternative to such chemicals. In present study we primed tomato seeds with leaf extract of six different plants (White musale, Periwinkle, Neem, Wood apple, Lantana and White cedar). Different leaf extracts of dose of 2% was taken independently for seed priming. We found that priming with White musale, Periwinkle, Neem and wood apple leaf extract had an improvement in different seed and seedling growth parameters in presence of pathogen. Priming with Lantana and white cedar leaf extract showed a reduction in some of the parameters that may be due to allelopathic nature of these plants. Seed priming with leaf extract of Wood apple exhibited maximum survival rate (76.50 %) followed by Neem (68.46 %) and White Musale (52.60 %).

Pre‐industrial landscape composition patterns and post‐industrial changes at the temperate–boreal forest interface in western Quebec, Canada

AbstractQuestionsWhat were the pre‐industrial forest landscape composition patterns? Which factors had structured the pre‐industrial landscape patterns? How have pre‐industrial landscape patterns and post‐industrial disturbances controlled composition changes?LocationAn area of 4175 km2 at the temperate–boreal forest interface of southwest Quebec, Canada.MethodsReconstruction of the pre‐industrial composition is based on an original early land survey data set (1874–1935). Composition changes were computed by comparing historical data with modern forest inventories. Landscape‐scale patterns and composition changes were assessed through spatially constrained clustering analysis.ResultsPre‐industrial forest composition was structured across the landscape by the combination of environmental gradients (topography, deposits, drainage, etc.) and recurrence of fire. Frequency and intensity of fires were most likely the main drivers of forest dynamics and composition across the landscape. Black spruce (Picea mariana) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea) dominated hilly areas affected by former fires; aspen (Populus tremuloides) dominated lowlands following recent fire. White cedar (Thuja occidentatlis) and pines (Pinus spp.) dominated areas probably affected by small surface fires. New disturbance regimes that were subsequently incurred by human activities have shifted the pre‐industrial landscape mosaic and have led to the current landscapes. Composition changes included a replacement of conifers by early successional species within settled or burned areas, and the maintenance of conifers and an increase in cedar dominance in areas affected by partial disturbance.ConclusionsPost‐industrial composition changes must be perceived as complex interactions between pre‐industrial landscape patterns and natural and human disturbances. Such land‐use legacies could be important drivers of future landscape change and should be investigated and considered when predicting future climate‐induced ecological changes.

A new secondary ecotope for talitrids: driftwood in the Bay of Fundy

Platorchestia platensis (Amphipoda, Talitridae) was previously known ecologically as a wrack generalist, but here we describe a secondary driftwood ecotope for this species. The trophic dependence of driftwood-acclimated P. platensis on rotting wood was confirmed by successfully culturing it within driftwood, without further addition of food. The stranded driftwood in which P. platensis was found contained gribble burrows (round and of 0.6 to 5 mm diameter). We hypothesize that P. platensis used the empty gribble burrows for interspecific squatting (to gain initial entry to driftwood and for shelter). We found eleven driftwood depositories in a 230 km length of shoreline in Passamaquoddy Bay. The commonest driftwood was of spruce and eastern white cedar. The small marsh at Hartley Cove contained a driftwood depository, where the new driftwood ecotope was discovered. This site was studied temporally to understand how wind and tidal forces might affect import and export of driftwood.

Response of Microtermes mycophagus (Isoptera: Termitidae) to twenty one wood species.

The responses of termite species to bait depend upon the quality of the food used in the stations. Woods are the most common food sources for termites but different termite species behave differently to different wood species and types. The knowledge of the preference status of different wood species to a termite species helps in effective monitoring and baiting program. The current study was carried out to evaluate the preference of 21 wood species to the termite, Microtermes mycophagus in the field by no-choice and choice feeding tests. The results indicated silk cotton tree and sacred fig woods as the most preferred wood species with mean mass losses of 71.21 ± 5.09% and 68.38 ± 7.27% in no-choice test and 95.02 ± 1.65% and 91.69 ± 2.07% in choice tests, respectively. White cedar was the least preferred wood species with mean mass losses of 7.49 ± 1.64% and 13.92 ± 1.89% in no choice and choice feeding tests, respectively. Based on present studies, sapwood of silk cotton tree and sacred fig may be used in effective monitoring and baiting program against M. mycophagus.

Unexpected warming‐induced growth decline in Thuja occidentalis at its northern limits in North America

AbstractAimTowards the cold margins of the Northern Hemisphere boreal zone, continuing warming should theoretically provide a longer vegetative season, favouring growth and a northward shift in tree species distribution. The northern distribution of Thuja occidentalis L. (eastern white cedar) is marked by the presence of isolated marginal populations distant from the continuous distribution. If those populations proved to be well adapted to their future local climatic conditions, their expansion could accelerate cedar poleward migration. We tested the hypotheses that (1) there will be a growth increase in cedar northern marginal populations as a result of global warming, and (2) the edaphic conditions and regional precipitation regimes will modulate their response to warming.LocationCanadian boreal forest, western Québec (47–50° N, 74–80° W).MethodsWe investigated radial growth using tree‐ring measurements from dominant and co‐dominant eastern white cedar trees (n = 723) distributed along a latitudinal gradient from the species' northern margin to the centre of its natural range. First, low‐frequency growth variations were analysed on whole chronologies (ad 1720–2010). Second, inter‐annual growth variations were tested against ad 1953–2010 monthly temperature and precipitation time series with a bootstrapped correlation function. Finally, the impact of environmental variables on the growth–climate relationships was assessed.ResultsUnexpectedly, a growth decline was observed starting in 1980 in marginal sites. Dendroclimatic analyses revealed that radial growth was not only limited by short growing seasons but also by summer droughts in the marginal zone. This response was exacerbated in sites that received less summer precipitation. Counterintuitively, autumn and spring precipitation negatively impacted on growth, especially in wet soil stands.Main conclusionsNorthern marginal populations of cedar may have already reached their optimum temperature threshold for radial growth. Our results suggest that they will probably be facing increasing hydric stress selection pressure under the assumptions of climate change. Their responses to future warming will be highly dependent on the seasonality and magnitude of variation in precipitation regimes.

Determining the glyphosate tolerance of eastern white cedar: First year post-treatment results

Little is known about the silvicultural traits of eastern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.), and especially the tolerance of seedlings to herbicides. A study was established to determine the sensitivity of cedar seedlings to timing and concentration of glyphosate applications. Glyphosate was applied to seedlings at three concentrations (1.04, 2.07, and 4.14 acid equivalent (ae) kg ha-1) at three times (July 28, August 10 and August 31) and their survival and growth was compared with that of seedlings in three control treatments (competition free, always competition, and competition free after an August 10 application of 2.07 kg ha-1 glyphosate) for a total of 12 treatments. Damage to foliage increased (r2 = 0.99) and first-year volume growth decreased (r2 = 0.91) with increasing glyphosate concentration. Glyphosate applied at 4.14 kg ha-1 killed 9% of the seedlings; even the lowest concentration of glyphosate (1.04 kg ha-1) reduced first-year volume growth more than continuous herbaceous competition. Application timing did not affect the amount of foliar damage or the growth of seedlings. However, in the winter following the treatments, snow damage was greater in the weed-free control seedlings than in all other treatments.

Composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of seven essential oils from the North American boreal forest.

Essential oils (EOs) were steam-extracted from the needles and twigs of balsam fir, black spruce, white spruce, tamarack, jack pine and eastern white cedar that remained after logging in eastern Canada. These EOs, similarly to that from Labrador tea and other commercial EOs from Chinese cinnamon, clove and lemon eucalyptus, exhibited many common constituent compounds (mainly α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene and bornyl acetate) making up 91% of each oil based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. All of these oils exhibited antibacterial properties, especially when examined in closed tube assay compared to the traditional 96-well microliter format. These antimicrobial activities (minimum inhibitory concentration ≥ 0.2% w/v), comparable to those of exotic EOs, were shown against common pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The antioxidant potential of the boreal samples was determined by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging (concentration providing 50% inhibition ≥ 7 mg/ml) and reducing power methods. Finally, this investigation revealed some boreal EOs to be potential antimicrobial and antioxidant agents that would notably benefit products in the personal hygiene and care industry.