EFFECT OF THE GROWTH AREA ON THE CONDITION,
GROWTH RATE AND PRODUCTIVITY OF DOUGLAS
SPRUCE TREES IN AREAS OF ALTITUDE OF LESS THAN
400 m ABOVE THE SEA LEVEL
Kancho KALMUKOV, Miroslav YAKIMOV
Experimental Station for Fast-Growing Forest Tree Species —
Svishtov, Bulgaria
Abstract: The research covers the condition, growth rate and productivity of
Douglas spruce in 31 annual groups with initial densities of 3,0.x 1,0, 3,0 2,0, 3,0
x 3,0.and 3,0 x 4,0 m, on field with altitude of less than 400 above the sea level.
Analyses were carried out on the self-spacing and distribution of poles according to
their thickness and the initial space patterns. Sample trees were taken for
assessment of the current and average diameter ,height and volume growth of the
different space patterns. The species showed very good adaptability at the time of
the analyses.
For the lower forest arrest the Douglas spruce proved to be suitable species for
accelerated production of wood and high yields.
Key words: Douglas spruce, stands, growth area, productivity
INTRODUCTION
Douglas spruce / Pseudotsuga menziesii Mirb./ is considered to be one of the
fastest growing forest wood species. For the over one hundred years period since its
introduction it has been planted in various regions of the country, but mainly in the
foothills and the higher parts of the lower and the middle forestland zone. As of
2005 it represents 2,74% from the timberland of Bulgaria. The largest is the share of
the plants of 21 to 40 years age - 71,67 %, and the lowest - 0,14 % of 81 to 100
years age. The largest timber yield per | ha give the trees of 80 to 100 years age -
respectively 656,89 m’/ha . Depending on the conditions of the area of growth the
largest is the share of the trees on IV bonitation soil - 64,22%, the trees on I
bonitation represent 17,0 % , on III - 14,15 % and on II ~2,78 %.
In 1973 originated the need for developing trees for accelerated production of
timber in the lower forestland zone of altitude less than 600 m above the sea level
Douglas spruce was included in the list of the coniferous trees suitable for the
7purpose. The idea was to produce small and middle-sized timber for technical
processing for a shorter period of time 25-35 years in order to limit the excess use
of the timber resource of the valuable deciduous species - oak / Quercus L./ and
beech / Fagus L./ ., which are of slower growth rate.
A number of authors have made research on the biological characteristics of the
growth and productivity of Douglas spruce in Bulgaria ~ Dimitrov T., B. Stefanov
(1928), Ganchev At. E. Prokopiev (1959), M. Petrov, E. Prokopiev (1962),
Zahariev B., S. lliev (1983), etc. The research works so far do not give information
about growing of the species in the lowland part of the country in regions with
altitude of less than 400 m above the sea level, as well as about the influence of
various initial densities on the growth, status and productivity. This gives grounds
for the suggested research work.
SITES AND METHOD OF WORK
The growing of Douglas spruce in the lowland areas of the country in regions
with altitude of less than 400 m above the sea level has started since 1973. The first
trees were grown in the area of the village of Nikolaevo, SFB Gorna Oryahovitsa.
The ground is sloping, of northern exposure at 400 m above the sea level. The soil
is grey forest, sandy-loamy, compact, very deep, rich, and fresh. The carbonates are
at depth over 80 cm. The main rock is malm. The natural forest is of moss-capped
oak / Quercus cerris L./, Italian oak / Quercus frainetto Ten./ and silver lime /Tilia
tomentosa Moench/.A part of it was cleared and uprooted. A complete soil
preparation was carried out. No vegetation was planted on the soil for a year. The
seedlings, two year old free root, were planted in 1974, manually by Kolesov spade
ona 7,5 ha field. The sowing material was delivered from the USA ~the Darincton
region, from growing fields at 400 m above the sea level. During the 5 first years
apart from earthing up the saplings in the row, the area between the rows was
annually disk-harrowed twice. In the spring of 1979 the saplings in the rows were
not close yet. Three variants for cutting in three repetitions, in ‘block’ method
pattern simulating the initial density of transplanting — 3,0 x 2,0 , 3,0 x 3,0 and 3,0 x
4,0 m . Each variant is of 0,1 ha area. Three samples of the same size were singled
out for comparison purposes. The offshoots designated for removal were rooted out
and used for gardening. Prior to the test the height and the diameter of all offshoots
in the variants and of the control ones were measured. In the process of cutting in
order to achieve the desired growth area (pattern) more trees were removed because
not in all cases the distance was observed during transplantation and the very
transplanting was not 100%. After starting the variants measuring and observation
of the condition were periodically carried out. All variants were measured in 2005
The diameter was specified with precision to 1,0 cm. The condition was evaluated.
A test plot was set in the neighbouring natural wood which was restored by planting
offshoots. Model stems were taken. The data was statistically processed.
Information about the climatic features of the region was collected from the nearest
meteorological station.RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In its natural area Douglas spruce grows at climatic conditions characterized by
good moisture status — rainfall over 1000 mm. The average yearly temperature of the
air for the area of Gorna Oriahovitsa, where the trees are grown is 11,5° C. The
coldest month is January of average monthly temperature - 2,3°C, a and the hottest
month is July of average temperature + 22,9°C. The yearly rainfall for a long period
of time is 680 mm, 207 mm of which fall during the summer period. After the trees
were planted in 1983 — 1990 the rainfall is considerably below the average in 1983
being less than 2/3 of the average for a long period of time.
Douglas spruce adapted successfully to these new conditions. In the course of years
the extremely low temperatures have reached - 20,0 — 25,0°. They have caused a
change in the colour of the spines ~ from light brown to dark brown but during their
vegetation period they have acquired their normal green colour. No cases of
damaged by frost one year plants nor of trees which died due to low temperature
have been found so far. At the age of six the percentage of the living trees on the
whole area of 7,5 ha was averagely 81,3%, varying from 70,3 to 85,4 % at the
different locations.lt was due to improper transplanting, the deviations from the
prescribed distance 1,0 m between the trees in the row and the failure to fill in the
rows in the next year. We must also consider the lack of experience in growing this
tree species, not grown before. After cutting the trees the initial density 3,0 x 2.0
was reduced to 3,0 x 2,83 , 3,0 x 3,0 to 3,0 x 3,54 , and 3,0 x 4,0 to 3,0 x 4,46 m.
The difference between the desired and the achieved density is due to the fact that
not in all cases there was a tree on the given spot. So the trees after cutting at pattern
3,0 x 2,83 m were 70,70 %, at 3,0 x 3,54 m - 85,56 % and 3,0 x 4.46 m- 86,16 %.
At the age of 31 the initial density influenced the degree of self-spacing of the stems.
The trees from the groups that were not cut and were of higher initial density have
higher percentage of dropping out. In the production group 74.01% were living and
the drop-out percentage is 6,5% compared to the number of the transplanted plants,
and in the control variants the percentage of the living trees was 67,78 % at drop-out
5,3 %, but this is due to the smaller number of the transplanted trees. In the variants
where trees were cut practically there was no degree of self-spacing to this age.
(Table 1).
With the increase of the growth space from 8,49 to 13,93 m, before the trees came
closer in the row and the space between the rows, the drop-out was insignificant
which shows that at the studied age of 31 the negative interaction between the trees
was minor. After the cutting at the age of 6 the average diameter of the rest trees
varied between 1,3 and 1,8 cm. The larger diameter was where the percentage of
cutting was higher but as whole the difference was minor. At this age the trees had
not come closer yet and the interaction was not pronounced. The average height was
between 1,9 — 2,2 m. Ten years later (at the age of 16)Table 1. Effect of the initial growth area on the degree of self-spacing of
Douglas spruce at the age of 31
Pattern | Transplanted Living Growth | Density(m)
(m) pes/ha pes/ha % | area at the age of 31
m*/pes.
30x10 | 3333 2259 O78 [4.43 3,0x1,48
3,0x2,0__| 1667 1179 70,70 [8.49 [3.0x2,83
3,0x3,0 Wu 950 85,56 10,53 3,0x3,54,
3,0x4.0 [833 718 86,16 | 13.93 3,0x4,64
the increased growth area had had a good effect on the growth of the trees. The
relation was a direct ratio. The average diameter in the control variant was 8,6 cm,
at 3,0x 2,0 m -9,9.cm, at 3,0 x 3,0 m— 14,0 cm and at 3,0 x 4,0 m- 14,6 cm. The
average height was respectively ~ 5,0 , 5,8, 6,4 4 6,9 m, and the maximal was ~ 6,4,
7,0, 7,5 4 8,0 m. At this age the trees even at the largest growth area had come closer
both in the row itself and between the rows. The branches were still vigorous and no
indications of drying were observed. The spines were green even of the lowest
branches.
Table 2. Growth and productivity of Douglas spruce in relation to the initial
density.
Density Diameter (em | Height (m) Yield m’/ha
(m) ‘AY. min max | Av. max | No With
| bark | bark
3,0x1,35 | 185 [6 34 15.6 19,0 | 3844 | 434.2
3,0x2,83 | 21,5 | 7 34 19,6 [21,0 | 364,0 | 3961
3,0x3,54| 23,4 | 8 34 19,0 [21,0 [3390 [371.9
3,0x4,64 [25,5 [8 37 18,7 [21,0 [2910 [321.0
In the case of the control trees at the age of 31 though the degree of self-spacing
was insignificant, the differentiation among the trees was well pronounced. The
minimal diameter was 6 cm, and the maximal was 34 cm . Most of the trees were of
diameter between 8 cm and 22 cm. The average diameter was 18,5 cm. In the
patterned variants the trees were of better diameter growth. Most of the trees at
density 3,0 x 2,83 m were of diameter 10 to 26 cm, at 3,0 x 3,54 m - 10 to 28 cm and
at 3,0 x 4,46 m between 14 and 32cm. The average diameter at the corresponding
density was 21,5 cm , 23,4 cm and 25,5 cm respectively. With increasing the
growth area the diameter and the length of the branches increased as well as the
height at which there were living branches. The dry branches in the control variants
were at height up to 7-9 m, and in greater growth area up to 6-7 m. Dry branches
could be found all over the stem, independently of the growth area.
10Fig. 1. Average and current growth in height and in volume at various densities
so xt4am
Hem
were | wn i
- current growth average growth
The climax of growth in height was not earlier than the age of 16 ~ 18 at the
largest growth area trees and latest at the smallest growth area. The climax of
growth in diameter was inversely proportional — it was earliest at the smallest
growth area and latest at the age of 15-17 at the largest growth area. The growth in
volume was in direct proportion to the growth area. The culmination was still to
come but in the denser variants exhibited downtrend. /Fig.1/
The number of the living trees influenced the productivity of Douglas spruce at
age up to 31, The most productive was the densest group — 384,4 m’/ha without bark
and 434,2 m3/ha with bark. At the greatest growth area the timber productivity was
the smallest - without bark it is 291,0 m3/ha, and with bark 321,0 m3/ha. /Table.2 /
Despite the smaller productivity, the greater growth area provided for production
of large-size timber up to 76,3 % . With the decrease of the growth area the share of
the large-size timber decreased. At growth area 8,49 m? the large-size timber was
47,0 % , and at initial density 3,0 x 1,48 m no large-size timber was found. Only
amiddle-size timber was produced -88,3 %. Depending on the purpose of timber
production the suitable density at given age can be chosen.
Douglas spruce trees, independently of the initial density, are of better growth
and prodctivity compared to the local deciduous species set for natural renewal - like
moss-capped oar, Italian oak and silver lime. The yield of the neighbouring 25 year
old offshoot filed is 106 m’/ha. The share of the moss-capped oak is 70,0 % , the
average height is 13 m, the average diameter 14,0 cm and yield 75,0 m’sha. The
Italian oak makes 20,0 % -height 11,0 m, diameter 12,0 om and yield 17,0 m’/ha,
The silver lime makes 10 % and its yield is 14 m “/ha.
CONCLUSIONS
Douglas spruce can be successfully used for intensive groups on flat and sloping
terrains of deep and rich soils at lower altitude above the sea level - 300-400 m.
Distance between rows 3,0 m is suitable and creates an opportunity for machine
processing of the soil up to the age of 4 — 6.
Independently of the initial density up to the age of 31 the branches, though
dry, can be found all over the stem. The smaller growth area furthers drying of the
branches at greater height.
The climatic conditions do not deteriorate the health of the trees. The partial,
even the complete darkening of the spines quickly retrieve its colour during the
vegetation period and do not affect the growth.
The good health condition and the intensive growth of Douglas spruce
evidence that it is possible to grow the species at age over 31. The marginal age to
grow the species is hard to determine yet due to lack of experience.
The initial density influences the growth and the productivity of the species.
Depending on the initial density the yield of middle-size and large-size timber
without bark is within the range 291 to 384 m’/ha.
With the increase of the growth area from 3,48 m* to 14,0 m* the productivity
decreases while the share of large-size timber increases to 76 %.
Douglas spruce trees give 3 times higher yield compared to the local species~
moss-capped oak, Italian oak and silver lime, grown as offshoots.
REFERENCES
1. Ganchev,A.,E.Prokopiev, Foreign trees and bushes in Bulgaria. Sofia.
146 p.,1959.
2. Dimitrov,T.,B.Stefanov, Forest Tree Exotics and Their Growing in Bulgaria,
Sofia, 192 p. 1928
3. Zahariev,B., S. lliev , The experience of GHFC Petrohan in growing Douglas
spruce as a valuable fast-growing species”, “Simposium Bulgare Francais * Creation
de cultures intensives forestieres” Sofia, pp. 17-20,1987.
4, Petrov, M., E.Prokopiev , Foreign fast-growing tree species of great economic
importance”, Sofia, 134 p., 1962.
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