Linking growth modelling to timber quality assessment for Norway spruce

Houllier, François; Leban, Jean-Michel; Colin, Frédéric

doi:10.1016/0378-1127(94)03510-4

Cited by 102 publications

(69 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Trees fostered by the elimination of undesired branches showed increased timber quality. In some cases measuring or estimating the largest branch diameter is enough for grading a log (Houllier et al 1995). More precise methods for evaluating knot formation under different stand scenarios include tree growth models for estimating the cumulative cross-sectional area of all branches that were ever attached to the stem.…”

Section: Growth Scenariosmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similar than the stand density diagram of Kumar et al (1995) and the present growth scenarios for teak in Costa Rica, different growth simulations have been developed for other species with the characteristic of simplicity of construction and ease of use, aiming at presenting preliminary but useful management guidelines, despite the limited availability of data and complex relationships. For example, a simple average growth model was developed for Norway spruce pure even-aged stands in northeastern France by Houllier et al (1995). This model was based on fairly restrictive assumptions about the homogeneity of the stands, i.e.…”

Section: Growth Simulation Techniques Of the Management Scenariosmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Stand growth scenarios for Tectona grandis plantations in Costa Rica

Pérez¹,

Kanninen²

2005

Forest Ecology and Management

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Fast-growing, high-yield tree plantations are an increasingly significant source of wood in the tropics. In these areas, improved wood productivity is an important economic goal. In Costa Rica and other countries in Central America, most of the tree plantations, especially those of advanced age, have not had the productivity expected of them. In the general context of a closer relationship between management practices and quality wood production, the general objective of this research was to develop a set of intensive management scenarios that could lead to alternative timber production practices with attainable and promising economic returns.Data for the different studies were collected in different regions of Costa Rica, covering almost all climatic conditions where T. grandis plantations have been established and where the species has adapted well. The study consisted fundamentally of the measurement of growth and yield parameters at the stand level and of the analysis of wood properties at the individual tree level and the interrelationship between silvicultural management and site conditions.High intensity, timely thinnings yielded both individual tree and stand volume, i.e. the objective of high individual tree growth was met without a severe reduction in stand yield. Pruning up to a reasonable height and on time caused no reduction in tree growth and stand yield. Moreover, pruning may improve stem form (higher form factor, lower stem taper) and heartwood content.Important characteristics, such as heartwood content and wood density, were found to be related more to tree age than to silvicultural management practices, especially at early plantation stages.Growth scenarios for 20 and 30 year rotations with the objectives of high individual tree growth and high stand growth were developed for high, medium, and low quality sites. Different site classes, production objectives, rotation periods, and discount rates resulted in marked differences in the financial profitability projections of the developed scenarios. I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Markku Kanninen, who has believed in this study since the beginning of the journey and has encouraged me on a daily basis and for over five years of hard but unforgettable joint work to make real today's final research product. So many years working under Dr. Kanninen's supervision has brought my knowledge of forest silviculture to levels of understanding far beyond my expectations. Finally, his remarkable leadership of the research project, which this study is part of, has given me an invaluable example of team work, professionalism, and friendship, three fundamental ingredients for success.I am grateful to Dr. Pasi Puttonen and Dr. Lauri Valsta, from which I received unconditional support during these five years of research, especially during my stays in the beautiful country of Finland, where I also collected unforgettable memories and valuable knowledge. Their understanding, guidance, constant encouragement and constructive criticism were essential for th...

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Section: Growth Scenariosmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Growth Simulation Techniques Of the Management Scenariosmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stand growth scenarios for Tectona grandis plantations in Costa Rica

Pérez¹,

Kanninen²

2005

Forest Ecology and Management

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“…Wood of Norway spruce is strong, soft and fi ne grained, therefore, it is very important raw material for wood industry. A decrease in physical and mechanical properties of the wood due to loose-knots and branchiness (number, size and position) are the most important factors that affects quality of the fi nal wood products (Houllier et al, 1995;Mäkinen et al, 2003) as well determine grade of logs and sawn timber. Both by creating mechanical and visual defects as well as reducing mechanical strength of board due to heterogeneity of wood structure: knots distort wood fi bres, causing grain deviation in tangential direc-tion (Mattheck & Kubler, 1995;Hein et al, 2008) and few years after occlusion of stubs fi bres forming above the branch collar are curved (Tong et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pruning effect on Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) growth and quality

et al. 2017

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Abstract. Pruning requires signifi cant investment, therefore, the aim of the study was to characterize occlusion of branch wounds and changes in radial increment as well as frequency of browsing damages after pruning of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) in order to provide data for fi nancial calculations and recommendations for practical forestry. Altogether 1,614 pruned and 4,368 unpruned trees from 45 Norway spruce stands were measured and cored. Degree of wound occlusion and browsing damages were assessed, and additional volume increment estimated in each stand. Pruning resulted in signifi cant increase of length of branch-free section: for unpruned trees it was 0.3 ± 0.07 m, but for pruned 3.4 ± 0.10 m. Branch wounds for most of the trees (68%) were fi lled with resin (occluded), for lower share of trees (31%) -still open, but for some trees (1%) completely occluded. Branch wound occlusion rate was not affected by differences in stand density, but was signifi cantly affected by stand age: proportion of trees with occluded branch scars increased with age. Trees with occluded branch wounds had a signifi cantly higher increase in tree ring width after the pruning in comparison to the period before pruning than trees with open branch wounds, emphasizing the importance of radial increment in development of branch-free layer of wood. Pruning resulted in minor (-7% or -0.28 ± 0.05 m 3 ha -1) reduction of annual increment that was statistically signifi cant only up to 3 years after this forest management activity for stands younger than 17 years and with mean height up to 10.5 m. Pruned trees were signifi cantly more browsed than unpruned (6.1% and 2.7%, respectively).

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“…These processes cannot be ignored when we are interested in wood quality (Houllier et al, 1995). In dendrochronology, the VaganovShashkin (VS) model (Fritts et al, 1991) was a pioneer in this domain.…”

Section: Tree-growth Process Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Process models and model-data fusion in dendroecology

2014

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Dendrochronology (i.e., the study of annually dated tree-ring time series) has proved to be a powerful technique to understand tree-growth. This paper intends to show the interest of using ecophysiological modeling not only to understand and predict tree-growth (dendroecology) but also to reconstruct past climates (dendroclimatology). Process models have been used for several decades in dendroclimatology, but it is only recently that methods of model-data fusion have led to significant progress in modeling tree-growth as a function of climate and in reconstructing past climates. These model-data fusion (MDF) methods, mainly based on the Bayesian paradigm, have been shown to be powerful for both model calibration and model inversion. After a rapid survey of tree-growth modeling, we illustrate MDF with examples based on series of Southern France Aleppo pines and Central France oaks. These examples show that if plants experienced CO 2 fertilization, this would have a significant effect on tree-growth which in turn would bias the climate reconstructions. This bias could be extended to other environmental non-climatic factors directly or indirectly affecting annual ring formation and not taken into account in classical empirical models, which supports the use of more complex process-based models. Finally, we conclude by showing the interest of the data assimilation methods applied in climatology to produce climate re-analyses.

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Linking growth modelling to timber quality assessment for Norway spruce

Cited by 102 publications

References 20 publications

Stand growth scenarios for Tectona grandis plantations in Costa Rica

Stand growth scenarios for Tectona grandis plantations in Costa Rica

Pruning effect on Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) growth and quality

Process models and model-data fusion in dendroecology

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