Publication Date:
1989-11-01
Description:
Nineteen natural stands of Pacific silver fir (Abiesamabilis (Dougl.) Forbes) were assessed for selected site and tree characteristics. The stands, located throughout western Washington, were 26 to 37 years old; they occurred at various elevations (110–1300 m) and on different soil types, and varied greatly in associated plant species. Site index at 50 years breast-high age ranged from 12 to 24 m. Terminal growth per year during the previous 3 years, needle number per centimetre of twig tissue, needle weight and area, and foliar concentrations of 13 elements varied among the 19 stands. Compared with associated western conifers, silver fir had moderate terminal growth, larger and heavier needles, more needles per centimetre of twig tissue, and lower foliar concentrations of N, S, and Mg. There were many significant correlations among the different variables. The foliar nutrient data obtained provide base-line information for future research in nutrition and fertilization of silver fir. These data and the significant correlations between nutrients and site-stand characteristics suggest that (i) silver fir may be more efficient than some western conifers in use of some nutrients, (ii) productivity of silver fir may be improved by application of certain fertilizers; fertilization may be particularly effective during the seedling stage when growth is typically slow, and (iii) levels of some foliar nutrients may be useful as indicators of site quality for silver fir production.
Print ISSN:
0045-5067
Electronic ISSN:
1208-6037
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
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