1. 1997. PNWTIRC Annual Report 1996-97, Pacific Northwest Tree Improvement Research Cooperative. Oregon State University, Oregon, USA. ii + 29 p.

Keywords:      genetic tree improvement

                        tree/stand protection     

                        tree phenology

                        growth

                        wood quality

                        tree physiology

Abstract: The report describes highlights for 1996-97, current research (3 projects), student project updates (3 projects), planned Douglas fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii] seed orchards for the new millennium and other planned activities of the PNWTIRC, a research cooperative operating in the Pacific Northwest area of North America (USA and Canada). Details are included of publications and finances. Details of the 3 current research projects and the 3 student projects, which all concern Douglas fir, are presented as short papers including brief results: (1) Influence of second flushing on cold hardiness; (2) Seedling drought physiology study; and (3) Quantitative trait loci influencing cold hardiness; (4) Seedling cold hardiness; (5) Growth response of saplings to drought; and (6) Measurement study follow-up: age-age correlations in forking defects.

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2. Adams, T., T. Anekonda and C. Lomas. 1999. Annual Report 1998-99, Pacific Northwest Tree Improvement Research Cooperative. 33 p.

Keywords:      genetic tree improvement

                        tree/stand protection

                        tree/stand health

                        growth

                        tree physiology

Abstract: Summaries are given of research projects on improvement of Douglas fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii] in the Pacific Northwest: seedling drought physiology; genetics of dark respiration and its relationship with drought hardiness; response of saplings to drought, as measured by growth ring variables; use of microsatellite marker loci to identify pollen contamination in seed orchards; and evaluation of miniaturized seed orchard designs.

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3. Adams, W.T., S.N. Aitken, D.G. Joyce, G.T. Howe and J. Vargas-Hernandez. 2001. Evaluating efficacy of early testing for stem growth in coastal Douglas-fir. Silvae-Genetica 50(3/4): 167-175.

Keywords:      genetic tree improvement

                        nursery operations

                        growth

                        genetic relationships

Abstract: In a test to evaluate the ability to predict stem growth of families in the field from nursery performance (i.e., early testing), 67 open-pollinated families and 66 full-sib families of coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii) were sown in two nursery conditions, each replicated as separate experiments: two bareroot nursery trials established in successive years in the same nursery, and two container-sown greenhouse trials sown in different greenhouses in the same year. First year heights in the seedling trials were compared to mean stem volumes of the same open-pollinated families in eight 15-year-old field progeny tests and the same full-sib families in eleven 12-year-old tests. Family mean nursery-field correlations (rxy) were similar for all four seedling trials for both open-pollinated (OP) and full-sib (FS) families, and generally ranged between 0.30 and 0.40. Although low, it is shown that nursery-field correlations of this magnitude can be quite useful in tree improvement programmes. For example, based on the data in this study, it is estimated that a single stage of family selection for first year seedling height would be about 50% as effective in improving 15-year volume as direct selection for this trait in field tests. Early testing, however, is probably of more practical significance as a tool for culling families prior to out-planting field tests in two-stage selection schemes. It is estimated that 25% of the OP families in this study could have been culled in an early test (first stage selection), with gain in 15-year volume after subsequent field testing and selection of the remaining families (second stage selection) being nearly the same as if all families had been field tested. Thus, early testing is an effective tool for reducing the size and cost of field progeny tests without sacrificing genetic gain.

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4.
Adams, W.T. and D.G. Joyce. 1990. Comparison of selection methods for improving volume growth in young coastal Douglas-fir. Silvae-Genetica 39(5-6): 219-226.

Keywords:      genetic tree improvement

                        growth

Abstract: Data from a Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) open-pollinated progeny test in Oregon were used for evaluating methods of selection for bole volume. Tree height and bole diameter at breast height (DBH) were measured on 12 to 13-year-old individuals from 90 families at each of 3 plantations in the central Oregon coast range, and bole-volume estimates were derived with a quadratic volume equation. Four methods were compared for both parental and progeny selection: (1) indirect selection based on height, (2) indirect selection based on DBH, (3) direct selection based on volume, and (4) selection based on an index that included all 3 traits. Two-stage selection was also explored, where test trees are culled on the basis of DBH in the first stage; height is measured only on the remaining trees, so that final selections (the second stage) are based on volume. Estimated genetic gains in volume from progeny selection were 8-11% greater than those from parental selection. The relative efficiencies of the various selection methods, however, were similar for parental and progeny selection. The greatest estimated gains in single-stage selection, which were achieved with the multitrait index, were only 1% better than those from selections based on volume alone. Indirect selection based on DBH produced about 90% of the gain achieved by direct selection for volume, and indirect selection based on height was about 92-94% as efficient as direct selection. With 2-stage selection, up to two-thirds of the trees could be culled in stage 1 without significantly lower gains in bole volume than those expected if the height of all trees had been measured.

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5.
Alvarez, I.F. and J.M. Trappe. 1983a. Dusting roots of Abies concolor and other conifers with Pisolithus tinctorius spores at outplanting time proves ineffective. Canadian-Journal-of-Forest-Research 13(5): 1021-1023.

Keywords:      planting operations

                        site preparation

                        mechanical preparation

                        growth

                        tree/stand health

                        mycorrhizal response

Abstract: Dusting roots of Abies concolor, Abies magnifica var. shastensis, Pseudotsuga menziesii and Pinus ponderosa with Pisolithus tinctorius (Pt) spores when planted out produced no Pt mycorrhizae at the end of the first growing season. In the 3rd yr occasional Pt mycorrhizae had formed on A. concolor. Inoculations reduced seedling survival in some cases. High rates of spore application may have desiccated roots of the true firs and spore amounts applied need careful attention. Soil scarification and ripping significantly promoted growth of A. concolor seedlings compared with scarification alone.

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6.
Alvarez, I.F. and J.M. Trappe. 1983b. Effects of application rate and cold soaking pretreatment of Pisolithus spores on effectiveness as nursery inoculum on western conifers. Canadian-Journal-of-Forest-Research 13(3): 533-537.

Keywords:      nursery operations

                        growth

                        mycorrhizal response

Abstract: Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, Shasta red (Abies magnifica var. shastensis), and white fir (Abies concolor) seedlings were inoculated in a bare root nursery with basidiospores of Pisolithus tinctorius. The spores were applied at 3 rates with or without cold/wet pretreatment of 7 or 21 days. Pretreatment did not affect spore efficiency as inoculum. Only ponderosa pine increased growth in response to inoculation. Inoculations in the greenhouse with a wider range of spore application rates revealed that a higher concn. of spores was needed to induce an increase in growth and mycorrhiza formation of Douglas fir than ponderosa pine. These levels were much higher than those used in nursery inoculations.

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7.
Amaranthus, M.P. and D.A. Perry. 1987. Effect of soil transfer on ectomycorrhiza formation and the survival and growth of conifer seedlings on old, nonreforested clear-cuts. Canadian-Journal-of-Forest-Research 17(8): 944-950.

Keywords:      planting operations

                        tree/stand health

                        growth

                        mycorrhizal response

Abstract: Small amounts (150 ml) of soil from established conifer plantations and mature forest were transferred to planting holes on 3 sites in the Klamath Mts., S. Oregon and N. California. The sites had been clear felled and burned 8-27 yr earlier and unsuccessfully reforested. At Cedar Camp, a high alt. (1720 m) southerly slope with sandy soil, transfer of soil from a Douglas fir plantation increased first-yr survival of Douglas fir seedlings by 50%, mycorrhizal formation and b.a. growth. Soil from mature forest did not enhance survival and growth. Soil transfer was less effective on 2 sites at lower alt. with clayey soils. Douglas fir seedlings at Crazy Peak showed similar, but less well defined, patterns to those at Cedar Camp. All Pinus lambertiana seedlings at Wood Creek survived well and were generally unaffected by soil transfer. Results suggest that adequate mycorrhizal formation is critical to seedling growth and survival on cold, droughty sites. Transfer of soil from a suitable source may offset the decline in native mycorrhizal fungi if reforestation is delayed.

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8.
Amaranthus, M.P. and D.A. Perry. 1989a. Interaction effects of vegetation type and Pacific madrone soil inocula on survival, growth and mycorrhiza formation of Douglas-fir. Canadian-Journal-of-Forest-Research 19(5): 550-556.

Keywords:      planting operations

                        growth

                        tree/stand health

                        mycorrhizal response

Abstract: One-yr-old non-mycorrhizal Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) seedlings were planted in 1985 in cleared blocks within 3 adjacent vegetation types in SW Oregon, viz., whiteleaf manzanita (Arctostaphylos viscida), annual grass meadow, and an open stand of Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana). Within subplots in each block, either pasteurized or unpasteurized soil from a nearby Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii) stand was transferred to the planting holes of the seedlings; control seedlings received no madrone soil. Second-year survival averaged 92, 43 and 12% for seedlings planted on the manzanita, meadow and oak sites, respectively. Growth differences generally paralleled survival differences. Added madrone soil, whether pasteurized or unpasteurized, did not influence survival. Unpasteurized madrone soil substantially increased the growth of seedlings on the manzanita site, but not in the meadow or oak stand. Pasteurized madrone soil did not affect growth in any of the vegetation types. Unpasteurized madrone soil nearly tripled the number of mycorrhizal root tips forming on seedlings and resulted in formation of a new mycorrhiza type on the manzanita site, although it had little or no effect on the meadow or oak sites. These results suggest that manzanita and madrone impose a biological pattern on soils that stimulates Douglas fir growth and survival, and support results of other studies indicating that root symbionts and rhizosphere organisms mediate interactions among plant species.

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9.
Anekonda, T.S., M.C. Lomas, W.T. Adams, K.L. Kavanagh and S.N. Aitken. 2002. Genetic variation in drought hardiness of coastal Douglas-fir seedlings from British Columbia. Canadian-Journal-of-Forest-Research 32(10): 1701-1716.

Keywords:      genetic tree improvement

                        tree/stand protection

                        growth

                        tree/stand health

                        genetic relationships

                        tree physiology

Abstract: Genetic variation in drought hardiness traits and their genetic correlations with growth potential and recovery traits were investigated in 39 full-sib families of coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii) from southwestern British Columbia, Canada. Seedlings of these families were grown in raised nursery beds and subjected to three moisture regimes each in the second (well-watered or control, mild, and moderate drought) and third (control, severe drought, and recovery from second-year moderate drought) seasons. Traits assessed included drought hardiness (foliage damage, cavitation of xylem tracheids, xylem hydraulic conductivity, and height and diameter growth increment) in the drought treatments, growth potential (total height and diameter) in the control treatment, and height and diameter growth increments in the recovery treatment. Xylem cavitation in the growth ring produced in a particular year was nearly three times greater under the moderate drought and four times greater under the severe drought than in the control treatment. Xylem hydraulic conductivity of seedlings in the severe drought treatment was 40% lower than conductivity of seedlings under the control treatment. Mean foliage damage in seedlings subjected to severe drought (third season) was much greater (33%) than in seedlings subjected to mild or moderate drought (second season). Families differed significantly in most drought hardiness traits, with individual tree heritabilities averaging 0.19. Thus, much potential exists for identifying drought-hardy families at the seedling stage and using this information for deployment or breeding purposes. In addition, most hardiness traits were strongly intercorrelated (genetic correlations often exceeded |0.80|) indicating that these traits are controlled largely by the same set of genes and that selection for hardiness based on one trait will increase hardiness as reflected in the other traits as well. Genetic correlations were only moderate (0.49) between hardiness traits measured in different years, perhaps due to the large difference in severity of the drought applied in the two seasons. Although injury to seedlings, as reflected in foliage damage and xylem cavitation, was relatively low under the moderate drought of the second season, it did result in reduced growth increment the following (recovery) year. Growth potential under favourable moisture regimes was nearly uncorrelated with drought hardiness, suggesting that drought hardiness could be improved in this southwestern British Columbia breeding population without negatively impacting growth potential in favourable moisture conditions.

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10.
Arnott, J.T. and D. Beddows. 1982. Influence of Styroblock container size on field performance of Douglas-fir, western hemlock, and Sitka spruce. Tree Planters' Notes 33(3): 31-34.

Keywords:      nursery operations

                        growth

                        tree/stand health

Abstract: Pseudotsuga menziesii, Tsuga heterophylla and Picea sitchensis seeds were sown in April 1971 in BC/CFS Styroblocks sizes 2 and 8 with volumes of 40 and 125 cmsuperscript 3 respectively. The seedlings in the larger containers were kept in a heated greenhouse for 2-3 months to stimulate growth to fill the containers, before joining those in the smaller containers in an outdoor shadehouse nursery. Seedlings were planted out in British Columbia in March 1972. A second trial was started in April 1972 and seedlings planted out in April 1973. Survival and ht. growth were recorded for 5 growing seasons. The larger containers produced larger seedlings at planting. There were n.s.d. in survival of seedlings grown in the different sized containers for all 3 species. The seedlings grown in the larger containers were significantly taller after the first growing season in the field, a difference which persisted for the 5 seasons. Growing seedlings in the larger containers was more expensive and the seedlings took longer to plant than those grown in the smaller containers.

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11.
Arnott, J.T. and F.T. Pendl. 1994. Field performance of several tree species and stock types planted in montane forests of coastal British Columbia. Canadian-Forest-Service, Pacific and Yukon Region Information Report BC-X-347. viii + 45 p.

Keywords:      nursery operations

                        planting operations

                        growth

                        tree/stand health

                        wood quality

Abstract: Planting trials were established at sites within the Mountain Hemlock and montane Coastal Western Hemlock biogeoclimatic zones. Six test areas were chosen within each zone. Amabilis fir (Abies amabilis), noble fir (A. procera), yellow cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) and mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana) were the species selected for planting in the Mountain Hemlock zone. In addition to Abies amabilis and A. procera, western white pine (Pinus monticola), western redcedar (Thuja plicata), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) were planted in the Coastal Western Hemlock zone. Plug (PSB 211), plug transplant and bareroot stock types were used for the eight species across both zones. Seedlings were planted during the autumn (September/October) and spring (May) in each of two successive years: 1978-79 and 1979-80. Survival, growth and tree form 13 years after planting were used as indicators of the reliability (a combination of tree survival and form) and productivity of the planting treatment combinations. Noble fir and amabilis fir were the most reliable species in the Mountain Hemlock zone; i.e. these species have average survival rates higher than 80% and few form defects. Yellow cedar crowns were badly broken by snow, which reduced the reliability of this species in the early years of plantation establishment. The growth, survival and form of mountain hemlock ranked between that of the true firs and yellow cedar. Noble fir was by far the most productive species in the Mountain Hemlock zone. Within the Coastal Western Hemlock zone no single species demonstrated a superior combination of productivity or reliability. Douglas fir, western hemlock and western redcedar were good species in the lower elevations of the zone, whereas noble fir and amabilis fir were better species at the upper elevational limits of the zone. Western white pines should be avoided until rust-resistant seed sources are available. Little variation was found among the three planting stock options and even less between the two planting seasons. Plug transplant stock was more reliable than bareroot or plug stock; productivity ranked from greatest to least in the following order within both zones: plug transplant, bareroot and plug stock. This ranking among stock types may well change as different stock types are developed. However, the relative size and design differences among stock types, no matter when they become available, will always have an effect on the ultimate reliability and productivity of planted trees. Autumn planting gave significantly lower survival in the Coastal Western Hemlock zone only.

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12.
Axelrood, P.E., M. Neumann, D. Trotter, R. Radley, G. Shrimpton and J. Dennis. 1995. Seedborne Fusarium on Douglas-fir: pathogenicity and seed stratification method to decrease Fusarium contamination. New-Forests 9(1): 35-51.

Keywords:      nursery operations

                        tree/stand protection

                        tree/stand health

                        growth

Abstract: Twelve Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) seedlots from coastal British Columbia were assayed for seedborne Fusarium; all of the seedlots were contaminated. The percentage of non-stratified seeds from individual seedlots harbouring Fusarium ranged from 0.3 to 95.4. Sixty-seven percent of the seedlots had Fusarium on less than 2% of the seeds. Post-stratification seedborne Fusarium levels were significantly less for running water imbibition compared with standing water imbibition. However, seedling growth at a container nursery was not consistently different for stratified seed imbibed initially in standing or running water. Fusarium disease symptoms were not observed in the nursery environment. The species of Fusarium isolated from seed were F. acuminatum [Gibberella acuminata], F. avenaceum [G. avenacea], F. lateritium [G. baccata], F. moniliforme [G. fujikuroi], F. oxysporum, F. poae and F. sambucinum [G. pulicaris]. Twelve Fusarium isolates, comprising 6 species, were assessed for pathogenicity. Disease symptoms were observed after 4 weeks incubation and Fusarium isolates ranged in virulence from low to high. Fusarium oxysporum isolates were the most pathogenic.

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13.
Ballard, T.M. 1984. A simple model for predicting stand volume growth response to fertilizer application. Canadian-Journal-of-Forest-Research 14(5): 661-665.

Keywords:      fertilization

                        growth

Abstract: The equation R=KTACZQ is used to predict cumulative stand volume growth response (R) to fertilizer application, where K is a constant and the last 5 (dimensionless) multipliers represent functions of time, amount of fertilizer applied, stand composition, stocking, and site quality, respectively. Site-specific input data requirements are stand composition expressed as percent responding species, stocking expressed as a percentage of normal stocking, and site index. The model was calibrated for Douglas-fir response to nitrogen using data from Washington and Oregon. A preliminary test of the model and its calibration compared predicted responses with estimates of actual response derived from some fertilizer trials on Vancouver Island. Soil drainage class and foliar analysis data may help in qualitatively inferring whether the model's site quality function leads to overestimation of response. Future development of the model may include development and calibration of a predictively better site quality function which quantitatively uses site water regime and stand nutrient data.

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14.
Ballard, T.M. and N. Majid. 1985. Use of pretreatment increment data in evaluating tree growth response to fertilization. Canadian-Journal-of-Forest-Research 15(1): 18-22.

Keywords:      fertilization

                        growth

Abstract: The use of pretreatment increment can lead to improved estimates of individual and average tree growth response to fertilizing, by helping to adjust for site as well as stand structure differences between fertilized and control areas. It has applications in research using either single-tree or plot fertilizing, and also in estimating responses to operational fertilizing. Equations for analysing increment response to fertilizing are presented and discussed and 2 particularly useful ones were evaluated by examining branch length increment data from foliar spray application of iron and copper to Pinus contorta and of nitrogen and iron to Pseudotsuga menziesii, in field trials in British Columbia.

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15.
Barclay, H., H. Brix and C.R. Layton. 1982. Fertilization and thinning effects on a Douglas-fir ecosystem at Shawnigan Lake: 9 year growth response. Pacific-Forestry-Centre, Canadian-Forest-Service Information-Report BC-X-238. 35 p.

Keywords:      fertilization

                        thinning

                        growth

Abstract: Further results are given for a trial established in 1970 in a 24-yr-old stand in British Columbia, last measured 6 yr after treatment. Volume increments over 9 yr for heavy thinning alone, heavy fertilizer (urea) treatment alone, or both together, were 46%, 75% and 120%, respectively.

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16.
Barclay, H.J. and H. Brix. 1984. Effects of urea and ammonium nitrate fertilizer on growth of a young thinned and unthinned Douglas-fir stand. Canadian-Journal-of-Forest-Research 14(6): 952-955.

Keywords:      fertilization

                        thinning

                        growth

                        tree physiology

                        tree/stand health

Abstract: The effects were studied of 2 sources of nitrogen fertilizer applied at rates of 224 and 448 kg/ha N on growth of thinned and unthinned plots established in 1970 in a 24-yr-old stand on southern Vancouver Is., British Columbia. Ammonium nitrate yielded higher growth of diam. and vol. than urea over a 9-yr period, particularly with thinning. Ht. growth was not affected by nitrogen source. The efficiency of nitrogen fertilizing in terms of stem vol. response per kilogram of nitrogen applied was greatest with ammonium nitrate in thinned plots. Tree mortality increased substantially with fertilizing for both sources, and decreased markedly with thinning.

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17.
Barclay, H.J. and H. Brix. 1985a. Effects of high levels of fertilization with urea on growth of thinned and unthinned Douglas-fir stands. Canadian-Journal-of-Forest-Research 15(4): 730-733.

Keywords:      fertilization

                        thinning

                        growth

                        tree physiology

                        tree/stand health

Abstract: Diameter height and volume growth were documented for 9 yr after thinning and fertilizing in a 24-yr-old stand on a poor site on southern Vancouver Is. The treatments involved 3 thinning treatments (0, 1/3, and 2/3 b.a. removed) and 6 fertilizer treatments (0-1344 kg/ha N) with urea. Increments for both diameter and gross volume increased with the rate of fertilizer application and responses were still apparent 9 yr after treatment. For unthinned plots, the 9-yr volume growth responses were 30, 50, and 80% with fertilizer rates of 224, 448, and 896 kg/ha N, respectively. The efficiency of fertilizer use, measured as stem volume response per unit of nitrogen applied, decreased with rate of fertilizer application, but this result may change over a longer response period. There was a positive interaction between fertilizing and thinning such that high amounts of both mutually enhanced growth. Mortality increased with fertilizing, but only noticeably in unthinned plots.

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18.
Barclay, H.J. and H. Brix. 1985b. Fertilization and thinning effects on a Douglas-fir ecosystem at Shawnigan Lake: 12-year growth response. Pacific-Forestry-Centre, Canadian-Forest-Service Information-Report BC-X-271. 34 p.

Keywords:      fertilization

                        thinning

                        growth

Abstract: [See FA 45, 2316] Further results are given from the study established in 1970 in a 24-yr-old stand in British Columbia. Fertilizers (urea) and thinning both increased vol. increments over 12 yr. Refertilization 9 yr after initial treatment has produced substantial increases in vol. increment.

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19.
Barclay, H.J. and Y.A. El-Kassaby. 1988. Selection for cone production in Douglas-fir adversely affects growth. In Proceedings: 10th North American Forest Biology Workshop: 'Physiology and genetics of reforestation', University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, July 10-22, 1988. Eds. J. Worrall, J. Loo-Dinkins and D.P. Lester. pp. 149-151.

Keywords:      genetic tree improvement

                        genetic relationships

                        growth

                        reproduction

Abstract: Cone production and radial growth increment were studied for 8 years in a Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) seed orchard on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, in 365 trees representing 29 open-pollinated (half-sib) families. Genetic correlations for the two traits were compared for each of the 8 years. Six of the correlations were significantly negative, while the remaining two were significantly positive. The predominantly negative correlation between cone production and growth indicates that selection for one of these two characters will effectively select against the other. The practice of selecting for high cone-producing trees in seed orchards may also be expected to yield slower-growing trees.

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20.
Barclay, H.J. and C.R. Layton. 1990. Growth and mortality in managed Douglas fir: relation to a competition index. Forest-Ecology-and-Management 36(2-4): 187-204.

Keywords:      fertilization

                        thinning

                        growth

                        tree/stand health

Abstract: Twelve-year increments of diameter at breast height (DBH), height, and volume in thinned and fertilized 45-year-old Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) stands on Vancouver Island, Canada, were related (by regression) to degree of thinning, amount of fertilizer (3x3 factorial), initial DBH, and a competitive stress index (CSI). The ability of the CSI to predict growth after treatment was examined. Causes of tree death, and CSI data, are presented, and the relationship between them discussed. The CSI was found to be only moderately good at predicting Douglas fir growth and mortality: initial DBH provided a better predictor. Most mortality in unthinned plots resulted from suppression, and correlated reasonably well with CSI; mortality in thinned plots was not correlated with CSI, and resulted principally from snow damage. Tree height variability generally became less over the 12 years following treatment, which is more consistent with two-sided than one-sided competition predictions, a result which is contrasted to that of many other species.

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21.
Beddows, D. 2002. Levels-of-growing-stock cooperative study in Douglas-fir: Report No. 16 - Sayward Forest and Shawnigan Lake. Pacific-Forestry-Centre, Canadian-Forest-Service Information-Report BC-X-393. viii + 67 p.

Keywords:      thinning

                        growth

                        tree morphology

Abstract: Results from the two levels-of-growing-stock installations at Sayward Forest and Shawnigan Lake on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, are summarized. Volume growth at both the site-III Sayward Forest installation to age 51 and the site-IV Shawnigan Lake installation to age 52 has been strongly related to level of growing stock. Basal area growth followed a similar, though weaker, trend. Thinning has affected stand development through tree size distribution and live crown development. Periodic annual increments in volume at both installations are still two to three times the mean annual increment, indicating the potential for productivity gains as the treated stands age. Results to date from both installations are similar to results from other cooperative installations, generally differing from the more productive sites only in the rate and degree of response associated with a lower site quality.

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22
. Berch, S.M. and A.L. Roth. 1993. Ectomycorrhizae and growth of Douglas-fir seedlings preinoculated with Rhizopogon vinicolor and outplanted on eastern Vancouver Island. Canadian-Journal-of-Forest-Research 23(8): 1711-1715.

Keywords:      nursery operations

                        mycorrhizal response

                        growth

Abstract: Ectomycorrhizal colonization of container-grown Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) inoculated with Rhizopogon vinicolor was determined after cold storage and one growing season after outplanting (in March 1988) on a clear felled area on eastern Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Inoculated Douglas fir seedlings were taller than noninoculated controls when outplanted, but perhaps because of browse damage, no growth differences were found after one growing season in the field. R. vinicolor colonized all of the inoculated but none of the control seedlings examined after cold storage. Volunteer Thelephora terrestris colonized almost half of the control and 10% of the inoculated seedlings before outplanting. After one field season, inoculated and control seedlings were colonized by 15 ectomycorrhizal fungi each, only eight of which were found on both. R. vinicolor persisted on the roots of inoculated plants, but was also present in the field soil since the control seedlings also bore these mycorrhizas after one growing season. The relative abundance of T. terrestris decreased from the nursery to the field. The other common ectomycorrhizas in the field included Mycelium radicis atrovirens, Cenococcum geophilum and types resembling Tuber and Endogone.

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23.
Binkley, D. 1984. Importance of size-density relationships in mixed stands of Douglas-fir and red alder. Forest-Ecology-and-Management 9(2): 81-85.

Keywords:      thinning

                        growth

                        tree/stand health

Abstract: Pairs of Douglas-fir, and Douglas-fir and red alder (Alnus rubra) stands were examined at four locations (in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia) for patterns in average tree size as a function of stand density. On fertile sites, the mixed stands experienced higher mortality than the pure conifer stands. On infertile sites, the pure conifer stands were well below the maximum tree size and density relationship compared to fertile sites or mixed stands, suggesting under-utilized site resources were available for nitrogen-fixing alder.

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24.
Binkley, D. and P. Reid. 1984. Long-term responses of stem growth and leaf area to thinning and fertilization in a Douglas-fir plantation. Canadian-Journal-of-Forest-Research 14(5): 656-660.

Keywords:      fertilization

                        thinning

                        tree morphology

                        carbon allocation

                        growth

Abstract: Replicated thinning and nitrogen fertilization plots in a 53-year-old plantation in Washington State were examined for repsonses in stem growth, leaf area, and stem growth per unit leaf area. Although measurements occurred 20-30 yr after plot installation, substantial effects from the various treatments were still present. Thinning reduced leaf area of the stands but increased stem growth per unit leaf area, resulting in little difference in stem growth per ha over the 5-yr measurement period (1977-81). Fertilization increased both stand leaf area and stem growth per unit leaf area, and more than doubled 5-yr stem growth per ha. Consideration of the role of leaf area and stem growth per unit leaf area in determining stand treatment responses may account for much of the variation found among replicates of treatments or between studies on different sites.

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25.
Binkley, D. and P. Reid. 1985. Long-term increase of nitrogen availability from fertilization of Douglas-fir. Canadian-Journal-of-Forest-Research 15(4): 723-724.

Keywords:      fertilization

                        growth

                        tree physiology

                        soil properties

Abstract: [See FA 44, 4708; 46, 1837] Most Douglas-fir stands respond to nitrogen fertilizing by increasing stem growth for less than 8 yr, but one plantation at the United States Forest Service Wind River Experimental Forest in Washington State has responded for over 15 yr. In this study nitrogen concn. of foliage and fresh litter were shown to be higher in the fertilized plots (470 kg/ha N) 18 yr after fertilizing. Retranslocation of N from senescent needles was not affected and stem growth per unit N in the canopy was similar between unfertilized and fertilized plots. An index of soil N availability in the fertilized plots was twice that of unfertilized plots. The higher stem growth, leaf area, and stem growth per unit leaf area demonstrated in an earlier study appeared to be related to a sustained increase in soil N availability rather than increased N-use efficiency. An examination of soil N transformation processes is needed to complete the explanation of the unusually prolonged fertilizer response in these plots.

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26.
Birchler, T.M., R. Rose and D.L. Haase. 2001. Fall fertilization with N and K: effects on Douglas-fir seedling quality and performance. Western-Journal-of-Applied-Forestry 16(2): 71-79.

Keywords:      nursery operations

                        nursery fertilization

                        growth

                        tree physiology

                        tree morphology

                        tree/stand health

Abstract: Coastal Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) 1+1 seedlings from coastal Oregon, USA, were applied with two fertilizers (NH4NO3+K2SO4 and (NH4)2SO4+KCl) at four rates (0, 80, 160, 320 kg N and K/ha) split over three application dates (September 19, October 13, November 1, 1996). Fertilizer type did not affect total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) levels on any of the sampling dates. By January 10, TKN concentrations had increased 16, 30 and 34%, and chloride concentrations had increased 57, 77 and 112% relative to the seedlings without fertilizer, for 80, 160 and 320 kg N+K/ha treatments, respectively. Nitrate levels increased briefly after the first application of NH4NO3+K2SO4. Potassium levels remained relatively unchanged. Levels of most other nutrients, as well as foliar dry weight, increased between September 16 and January 10, but these increases were generally unrelated to the fertilizer treatments. Root growth potential and cold hardiness did not differ among treatments. Seedlings that received 160 or 320 kg N/ha broke bud an average of 3 days earlier than the seedlings without fertilizer. Chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) of seedlings with fertilizer was consistently higher than that of seedlings without fertilizer on November 13 and December 30. These treatment differences were not reflected in seedling outplanting performance after one growing season.

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27.
Birot, Y. and C. Christophe. 1983. Genetic structures and expected genetic gains from multitrait selection in wild populations of Douglas fir and Sitka spruce. I. Genetic variation between and within populations. Silvae-Genetica 32(5/6): 141-151.

Keywords:      genetic tree improvement

                        genetic relationships

                        growth

                        tree phenology

                        tree morphology

Abstract: For Douglas fir, 371 open-pollinated progenies from 26 provenances ranging from N. to S. along the western foothills of the Cascade Mts., Washington, were tested. For Sitka spruce, 292 open-pollinated progenies from 21 provenances ranging from S. British Columbia to middle-Oregon were tested. Observations were made on growth, phenology and form from the nursery stage up to age 12. Classical patterns of geographic variation were observed for both species. Heritability and genetic correlations varied from one provenance to another, especially for Douglas fir, and also changed over time. Sitka spruce showed high additive effects, offering good prospects of future genetic gains. It was concluded that preliminary investigations on genetic parameters were necessary before setting up a breeding strategy.

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28.
Black, C.H. 1988. Interaction of phosphorus fertilizer form and soil medium on Douglas-fir seedling phosphorus content, growth and photosynthesis. Plant-and-Soil 106(2): 191-199.

Keywords:      nursery operations

                        nursery fertilization

                        growth

                        tree physiology

                        photosynthesis

Abstract: Douglas-fir seedlings were grown in containers in peat-vermiculite or mineral soil each amended with different levels of concentrated superphosphate (CSP) or a granulated North Carolina phosphate rock (RP). Dilute acid-fluoride extractable phosphorus (DAP), seedling photosynthesis, weights, and tissue P concentrations were measured at 65 + 3 and 105 + 3 days.DAP was highly correlated with soluble fertilizer P (but not total P) added at the beginning of the experiment. Considerable soluble P was lost from peat-vermiculite but not from the mineral soil. Seedling total P content was proportional to the amount of soluble P per container at both harvests, but was greater for a given level of soluble P in the organic versus the mineral medium. Added soluble P increased foliar P concentrations, plant P content, and dry weight. Net carbon uptake was highly correlated with added levels of soluble P, foliar P concentrations, and with total P content. The internal efficiency of P from the RP source was less than P from CSP with respect to P content versus growth, net CO2 uptake, and net photosynthesis rates. At the end of the experiment, seedling P content plus DAP remaining in the media for the higher fertilizer rates accounted for 75% of the originally added soluble P in the mineral soils, but for only 15% in the organic media.

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29.
Blake, J., S.R. Webster and S.P. Gessel. 1988a. Soil sulfate-sulfur and growth responses of nitrogen-fertilized Douglas-fir to sulfur. Soil-Science-Society-of-America-Journal 52(4): 1141-1147.

Keywords:      fertilization

                        soil properties

                        growth

Abstract: Two studies were conducted to determine the growth response of N-fertilized Douglas fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] to S supplements. The relationship between response and soil SO4-S extracted with Morgan's solution, 1.22 M NaOAc + 0.53 M HOAc (pH 4.8), was used to establish critical levels for S. Douglas fir seedlings were grown in the greenhouse in the surface mineral layer (0 to 0.15 m) of 20 forest soils from western Washington and Oregon. On the average, significant increases in total dry weight (17.5%), stem diameter (10.1%), and height (6.9%) occurred when soils were fertilized with N and S in comparison to N alone. Using the Cate-Nelson procedure, growth responses to N and S were most likely to occur when soil SO4-S was below 14 mg S kg-1. Twenty eight installations were established in the field containing five treatments, three rates of N as urea, and one plot of 336 kg N ha-1 with P, K, Ca, and S. Differences in percent basal area growth between N alone and N with P, K, Ca, and S were significantly related to soil SO4-S. Over the initial 5-yr period, response over N alone was improved by 74% when soil SO4-S was <20 mg S kg-1. When the N with P, K, Ca, and S plots were retreated with only N and S, response over the next 3 yr was more than doubled compared with N alone. Identification of S responsive stands was improved by the inclusion of stand age weighted subsoil SO4-S concentrations.

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30.
Blake, J.I., H.N. Chappell, W.S. Bennett, S.R. Webster and S.P. Gessel. 1990. Douglas fir growth and foliar nutrient responses to nitrogen and sulfur fertilization. Soil-Science-Society-of-America-Journal 54(1): 257-262.

Keywords:      fertilization

                        tree physiology

                        growth

Abstract: Nitrogen-fertilizer response in conifer stands of the Pacific Northwest has been related to soil and foliar S, and growth has sometimes been enhanced by the addition of S. Five stands of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) in Washington or Oregon, with low to moderate quantities of sulfate in the mineral soil horizon, were treated with N (urea) alone or with S (as ammonium sulfate). The results indicated that levels of soil sulfate did not provide local or site-specific predictions of the magnitude of the gain from applying N with S. The observed treatment effects were highly variable. Foliar N concentrations in the N plus S treatment were generally higher than in the N treatment. Little change in foliar S content occurred in the N plus S plot. Periodic annual growth response to N over the study period was inversely related to site index and directly related to foliar N content.

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31.
Bledsoe, C.S. and R.J. Zasoski. 1983. Effects of ammonium and nitrate on growth and nitrogen uptake by mycorrhizal Douglas-fir seedlings. In Tree root systems and their mycorrhizas. Ed. D. Atkinson. pp. 445-454.

Keywords:      nursery operations

                        nursery fertilization

                        growth

                        tree physiology

                        tree morphology

                        tree/stand health

Abstract: In a greenhouse pot study, 1-yr-old mycorrhizal (inoculated with Hebeloma crustuliniforme) and non-mycorrhizal Douglas fir seedlings were grown in sandy forest soil amended with 10% of clay minerals (bentonite and/or kaolinite) and ammonium or nitrate fertilizer. Ht. growth, root and shoot DM and accumulation of nitrogen and P were greater in mycorrhizal than non-mycorrhizal seedlings, especially in the nitrate treatment. Ammonium interacted with kaolinite to reduce survival which again was poorer in the absence of mycorrhiza.

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32.
Brand, D.G. 1986a. A competition index for predicting the vigour of planted Douglas-fir in southwestern British Columbia. Canadian-Journal-of-Forest-Research 16(1): 23-29.

Keywords:      planting operations

                        tree/stand health

                        growth

Abstract: As a method of quantifying brush competition, data from 124 planted Douglas firs, age 1-5 yr, were used to derive a competition index to predict changes in tree vigour measured as a relative production rate. The index, which includes measures of brush proximity, relative ht. and % ground cover, appears to act as a measure of light interception around the tree crown. Tree vigour was found to be largely a function of the age of the tree from planting and the competition index. Foliage-based measures of growth vigour were related more strongly to the index than measures of b.a. or ht. The index has potential for assessing interspecific competition problems on suitable sites. Caution must be used in extrapolating results outside Douglas fir plantations on moist rich sites in coastal BC.

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33.
Brand, D.G. 1986b. Competition-induced changes in developmental features of planted Douglas-fir in southwestern British Columbia. Canadian-Journal-of-Forest-Research 16(2): 191-196.

Keywords:      planting operations

                        tree morphology

                        tree physiology

                        growth

Abstract: From measurements in 1- to 5-yr-old plantations, developmental characteristics of Douglas fir were tested against a competition index based on measures of the brush canopy surrounding individual trees. The most promising characteristics for assessing competition were specific leaf area, the allometric relationship of ht. to b.a. and bud production on nodal shoots. Measures of foliar N and leaf internode length were less well correlated with the competition index. Comparing these results with those of laboratory studies indicated that, on the study sites, brush comp