Ecology, Pathology, and Management of Port-Orford-Cedar (Chamaecyparis Lawsoniana)
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EDITOR'S United States Department of Agriculture Ecology, Pathology, FILE COPY Forest Service Pacific Northwest and Management of Forest andRange Experiment Station General Technical Port-Orford-Cedar Report PNW-1 84 Se 1982 (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) Donald B. Zobel, Lewis F. Roth, and Glenn M. Hawk This file was created by scanning the printed publication. Mis-scans identified by the software have been corrected; however, some errors may remain. Authors DONALD B. ZOBEL is professor, LEWIS F. ROTH is professor emeritus, and GLENN M. HAWK was formerly graduate research assistant, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331. Abstract Zobel, Donald 6.; Roth, Lewis F.; Hawk, Glenn M. Ecology, pathology, and management of Port-Orford-cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana). Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-184. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station; 1985. 161 p. Information about the biology, diseases, and management of Port-Orford-cedar was collected from the literature, from unpublished research data of the authors and the USDA Forest Service, conversations with personnel involved in all facets of Port- Orford-cedar management, and visits to stands throughout the range of the species. Information is summarized and presented regarding species characteristics, distri- bution, environment, vegetation, autecology, usage, past management, and the bi- ology and effects of the most important pathogen. Recommendations for managing the species in the presence of this pathogen, Phytophthora lateralis, were devel- oped. Presence of this introduced pathogen will complicate the management of Port-Orford-cedar and somewhat reduce the area where it can be grown, but pro- duction of future crops of cedar should be possible given careful, consistent ap- plication of the guidelines presented. Keywords: Autecology, silvical characteristics, silviculture, root rot, ornamental trees, Port-Orford-cedar. Summary Port-Orford-cedar grows naturally in a limited area in coastal northern California and southern Oregon. Distribution is spotty and limited to those sites with the most consistent summer moisture. It grows on sites with a wide variety of soil types (often poor), with a wide range of temperatures, and with many other tree species. Port-Orford-cedar grows, and can dominate some stands, in all vegetation zones within its range from the coastal Sitka spruce-western hemlock forests to high- elevation true fir forests and open pine-dominated forests on ultramafic soils in the interior. Cedar usually grows with several other conifers. It is most dominant on wet, cool sites on ultramafic soils, but reaches its largest size and commercial value on productive soils along the coast near the northern end of its range. Ex- cept on the most mesic, productive soils and some ultramafic areas, understory vegetation is shrubby and dense. Port-Orford-cedar grows naturally where soil water is abundant throughout the sum- mer. This limits the cedar to certain microsites, topographic positions, or soil types where water is abundant and, sometimes, competition is reduced; its topographic distribution is less limited in climates with higher summer humidity. It can also grow on hot sites with dry air and apparently can control summer water loss at low humidities. The cedar can grow on wetter sites than most associated conifers, but nonstagnant water may be required. There is no simple explanation for the northern boundary of the range. Cedar ap- pears to be more sensitive to water availability than are the common conifers in the region, but less sensitive to soil nutrient status or temperature. Dramatic variability in tree form and growth rate occurs among individuals within the species, leading to over 200 cultivated varieties. Some regional variability in growth rate occurs within the species; the variability has not been described well, but seems likely to be of importance in choice of provenance in reforestation. Cultivars also vary in resistance to cold, mineral nutrition, and ability to root, but apparently not in resistance to root rot. Crossing with other Chamaecyparis species produces seeds that germinate poorly or seedlings without chlorophyll. Cuttings of Port-Orford-cedar can be rooted easily, but most natural reproduction is sexual. Reproductive organs are initiated in spring and develop through the sum- mer. Pollination occurs the following spring, and seeds mature by the October after pollination. Both sexes are borne on the same branches. First reproduction occurs at 5-9 years, but with the correct combination of gibberellins and photoperiod, plants only a few months old may be induced to produce viable seed. High seed production can occur in both old and young trees on both poor and excellent sites. Seed crops seldom fail completely, and good crops occur at 4- to 5-year intervals; crops do not show the regional synchronization that some conifers do. Seed pro- duction averages 829000/ha or 40000/rn2 of cedar basal area. Seeds are small (2 mg each), but have a short dispersal distance. Most are shed by midwinter, but some seeds fall throughout the year. Germination percent is poor to moderate, but seed can be stored (frozen and sealed) for several years. Stratification is usually not required. Natural germination in the forest appears to be late--in early June. Seedling establishment is increased by soil disturbance and is usually adequate in clearcuttings close (50 to 80 m) to a seed source. Seedlings are easy to grow; a variety of ages of seedlings have been planted successfully, and cold storage of seedlings is possible. Natural seedlings are small and grow slowly in shade. Growth after the sapling stage is less than for Douglas-fir, except on ultramafic substrates. Most conifers associated with Port-Orford-cedar in its native range are taller than the cedar when they are grown together in European plantations. Tree size varies twofold among natural forest communities. Large, old-growth trees average from about 30 to over 60 m tall and 43 to 86 cm in diameter. Trees 1 m in diameter are usually over 300 years old. Port-Orford-cedar branches elongate more slowly and for a longer period during each growing season than do those of Pinaceae with which it grows. Root systems may intermingle and graft freely but tend to be shallow. Roots are mostly of small diameter. Port-Orford-cedar forms vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae with several common, wide-ranging fungi. The nutrient concentrations in Port-Orford-cedar tissue are variable, but the species is generally lower in nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K) than are associated conifers. In contrast, cedar has higher concentrations of calcium (Ca) and sometimes magnesium (Mg), and a higher Ca:Mg ratio. Growth in culture on four soil types is highly correlated with foliar concentrations of K, and effects of N and P are important. Iron deficiency affects some cultivars. Litter and soil under Port-Orford-cedar plantations are less acidic than those under associated Pinaceae. Development of amorphous humus is much less obvious than under Pinaceae. Throughout its range, Port-Orford-cedar is shade tolerant and reproduces in old- growth stands, and it can act as both a pioneer and a climax species in the same stand. It reproduces in the shade more effectively than associated conifers do, ex- cept for western hemlock and sometimes white fir. Dense, young stands and some microsites in well-developed old growth are, however, too dark for its survival. The species usually establishes well, sometimes aggressively, in clearcuttings and other disturbed areas when seed is available. Its presence in mixed stands is thought to have little effect on productivity of more dominant species. The extent of frost damage varies considerably as compared to associated con- ifers. Winter damage to Port-Orford-cedar usually results from desiccation rather than from low temperature alone. Port-Orford-cedar appears not to be especially susceptible to damage by wind or snow and can grow with moderate air pollution. Large trees have thick bark and survive fire. Many old-growth stands have burned repeatedly, and large fire scars are common. Small trees do not appear to have particularly great fire tolerance. Cedar rapidly reinvades burns and fire-killed snags may remain merchantable for special uses for decades. Port-Orford-cedar has few biotic enemies that cause widespread serious damage, although effects of browsing are variable. The exception is a root rot caused by Phytophthora lateralis that has spread throughout much of the cedar’s range since 1952. Stands have been eliminated from. some habitats, and the commercial status of the species is threatened throughout its range. The root rot attacks only Port-Orford-cedar, and it kills trees of all sizes in all en- vironments where the species is exposed to it. The root rot spread from an unknown source into ornamental plantings outside the native range, from there throughout the northern part of the commercial range, and now has reached all but the more remote areas of the range of the cedar. There is no known genetic resistance or established chemical control. The root rot moves in water via aquatic spores; as spores in mud transported by people, machinery, or animals; or by growing through root grafts between adjacent trees. Dry conditions reduce the danger of spread by spores but do not kill the fungus or its resting spores. The few data available indicate that soil at an infected site will contain infectious spores for 3 years after the last host tree has died. Wood from Port-Orford-cedar has been used for many purposes, but its use has been limited by its supply, first to the Pacific Coast; then to certain specialty pro- ducts; and, since the 1950’s, to the export market, particularly Japan. High prices have been paid for it almost throughout its history. Production peaked in the 1920’s and has generally declined since, although prices have continued to rise.