Status Report to the Forestry Research Partnership s3

Status Report to the Forestry Research Partnership

Effect of Selected Intensities of Silviculture on Growth and Yield of Overstory and Understory White Pine

Part 1. Residual overstory structure, composition and growth Part 2. Growth of planted white pine

Project Number: 130-209 Project Leader: Andree Morneault, MNR Project Co-leads: Murray Woods, Barry Davidson Project Facilitator: Al Stinson, FRP

Project Start Date: April 1, 2005 Project Reporting Period: April 1, 2008 to March 31st 2009 Report Date: March 31st 2009

1. Project Background, Description and Activities: The white pine industry in Ontario is undergoing significant change as competition from South America has displaced many traditional markets. However Pw remains one of the fastest growing tree species in the GLSL with MAI’s of 10m3/ha/yr possible, Pw also has desirable wood properties that make it suitable for many product types from pulp to high value added products. There is a biological requirement to regenerate Pw on the landscape as identified in FMP and forest certification objectives. With these productivity advantages and biological requirements Pw will remain a key part of any enhanced forest management strategy at the landscape level in the GLSL.

This project provides a unique opportunity to compare the effect of different site preparation treatments on the survival, growth and recruitment of white pine regeneration. It also provides data on the rate of residual stem and stand growth and the impacts of logging damage (abrasions and root damage) on long-term growth and quality development of white pine following the seeding cut of the shelterwood system. The operational nature of this study allows the direct transfer of the knowledge gained to silvicultural ground rules, yield response, post-harvest succession rules, and the cost-benefit analysis for alternative silvicultural treatments.

This project is part of a larger, comprehensive study looking at plant diversity and succession, salamander populations, natural regeneration ecology, competing vegetation, soil and plant nutrients, and environmental monitoring in response to shelterwood harvesting and site preparation in white pine stands. The study, initiated in 1994, is located in the Britt area of

Parry Sound and has been supported by the OMNR, the Canadian Forest Service, various universities, and the local SFL since its inception. The Forestry Research Partnership, through the FRP, supported the 5th year and the 10th year re-measurement ($11,000) of the residual overstory and the planted white pine in 2002 and 2007 respectively. This data was summarized and reported in various forums. The OMNR continues to support this project, and in 2008/2009, $45.0 was allocated to continue collecting data on other aspects of the study (salamander populations and FTG surveys), to hold meetings and field tours to discuss the future of the project, to continue analysis on 10th year data, and to start using data from the study to develop regeneration standards, early growth models, early mortality functions, and residual overstory growth models.

Detailed Project Description: Part 1. Residual overstory structure, composition and growth (Lead: Murray Woods). In 1997, after all treatments were completed, each tree with a DBH greater than 10 cm within each 0.5 hectare treatment plot was numbered, mapped and measured generally following the methods described by Hayden et al. (1995). We recorded information on many variables including: species, status (live, dead, cut), diameter, logging damage, deformities, live crown ratio (ratio of live crown to total tree height), height (on a sub-sample) and decay class (if dead). In addition, a 400m2 permanent growth plot was randomly located within each treatment plot to assess smaller stem dynamics. Data was collected in 2002 to obtain 5th year growth response and recruitment and in 2007 to assess 10th year growth response and recruitment.

Part 2. Growth of planted white pine (Lead: Andree Morneault). Each treatment plot was planted with 1-year-old Jiffy container stock in spring 1998 using operational standards (2.7 m x 2.7 m spacing). After planting, 40 seedlings were randomly chosen within each treatment plot (40 seedlings x 5 treatments x 3 replicate blocks = total of 600 seedlings). Each seedling was numbered, tagged and pinned for repeated growth and survival measurements. Total height, basal diameter and seedling condition were recorded in annually beginning fall 1998. Condition codes were assigned to each seedling describing damage (browse, broken leaders, necrosis and disease). Seedlings were re-measured in 2007 (10th year growth response).

1 Project Results vs. Objectives: The results so far have met the objectives of the proposal; the project is on schedule.

2008/2009 Deliverable Date accomplished FTG survey plots Established FTG survey plots to provide data for the “Provincial White Pine SEM” project. Salamander data Collected data as per protocol to maintain longest continuous salamander response to forest management dataset in North America (and maybe the world). Planted white pine regeneration – data Draft journal paper produced and in

analysis and reporting review process. Data was used to help develop early growth models and early mortality models to assist in developing regeneration standards for the PWUS Forest Unit. Overstory data - data analysis and Data was cleaned, preliminary data reporting analysis completed. Data used to help develop future forest condition for PWUS forest unit. Journal paper will be produced in 2009 in collaboration with Jeff Dech, Nipissing University. Vegetation diversity - data analysis and Data sets for DWD (1995 and 1998), reporting forest floor disturbance (1995 and 1998), soil depth (1998), overstory data (1997, 2002, 2007), crown closure (1998, 2004), were cleaned and sent to Wayne Bell for his PhD at Guelph. Natural regeneration – data analysis and Data was cleaned and analysis will reporting continue in 2009. Presentations February 2009 – presented project overview and DWD results at the IQAT Chair in Sustainable Forest Management lecture series, The project leader and key personnel from the project team will be available to provide presentations at workshops and meetings to promote the transfer of information and technology resulting from this project.

 This project is specifically linked to projects, 130-009, 130-011, 130-103a, 160-005 and information from this project will be shared in an effort to ensure integration and a cohesive approach within the framework of the Forestry Research Partnership. Long-term deliverables (March 2010):  Basal area and volume growth rates for managed and unmanaged white pine dominated stands;  Estimates of mortality following harvesting;  Rates of snag and coarse-woody debris recruitment in uniform shelterwood treated stands;  Impacts of logging damage on rates of mortality and stem quality following uniform shelterwood harvesting;  Successional pathway outcomes following harvesting operations;

 Height-diameter growth curves for determining local volume estimates;  Site index confirmation/suitability through comparison of top-height development with published site index curves.  Height and diameter growth curves for 0-10 year old white pine managed under the shelterwood system under a range of understory competition. Results will be included in growth models.  Future efforts of calibrating a growth and yield model for Ontario (Forest Vegetation Simulator Ontario [FVSOntario]) will use this information to better predict the outcome of similar silvicultural treatments.

2 Financial Report (see excel spreadsheet): Financial Report: 2007/2008 Planned and Actual Partner Expenditures (130-506)

Tembec MNR Total FRP Only Expenditures Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Cas In Cas In Cas In Cas In Cas In Cas In

h Kind h Kind h Kind h Kind h Kind h Kind Salaries $1.0 $1.0 $3.2 $50.0 $3.2 $50.0 $3.2 $51.0 $3.2 $51.0 Travel Equipment Supplies Support

Services Other Sub-Total $1.0 $1.0 $3.2 $50.0 $3.2 $50.0 $3.2 $51.0 $3.2 $51.0 Total $1.0 $1.0 $3.2 $50.0 $3.2 $50.0 $3.2 $51.0 $3.2 $51.0

FRP Partners Westwind Total All Expenditures Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Combined Cas In Cas In Cas In Cas In Cas In Cas In Planned Actual h Kind h Kind h Kind h Kind h Kind h Kind Salaries $3.2 $51.0 $3.2 $51.0 $0.0 $1.0 $0.0 $1.0 $3.2 $52.0 $3.2 $52.0 $54.2 $55.2 Travel Equipment Supplies Support

Services Other SubTotal $3.2 $51.0 $3.2 $51.0 $0.0 $1.0 $0.0 $1.0 $3.2 $52.0 $3.2 $52.0 $54.2 $55.2

Total $3.2 $51.0 $3.2 $51.0 $0.0 $1.0 $0.0 $1.0 $3.2 $52.0 $3.2 $52.0 $54.2 $55.2

5. Information and Publications: Fact sheets: The fact sheets are updated when possible and are used as handouts when the project is presented as a poster at the conferences, workshops and field tours listed below. Fact sheets were produced on each of the following components: . Microenvironment . Soil and plant nutrients  Density of natural white pine regeneration  Survival and growth of planted white pine  Seed dispersal, production and quality  Seeding study – field site – seed germination, establishment and growth  Plant diversity and succession  Carabid beetles  Genetic diversity  Redback salamanders  Project overview  Downed woody debris

MFC thesis:  Nesbitt, D. 1997. Comparative Analysis of three devices used to measure canopy closure. MFC, Independent Research Paper, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, 31 pp.  Peachey, V. 1997. Incidence and implications of soil compaction: Madawaska District and Parry Sound District. MFC, Independent Research Paper, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, 32 pp.  Schaeffer L., A.E. Morneault, B.J. Naylor, and D.O. Othmer. 1998. White pine management: Effects on downed woody debris and redback salamanders. MFC, Independent Research Paper, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, 18 pp.  Chan, B. 1999. A field guide to forest carabid beetles of central Ontario. Directed studies major paper, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto. 58 pp.  Knack, H. 2000. “Assessing the salamander monitoring protocol used at white pine site preparation study in Britt, ON” MFC, Independent Research Paper, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, 31 pp.

Journal articles:  Morneault, A.E., Naylor, B.J., Schaeffer, L.S., and D.C. Othmer. 2004. The effect of shelterwood harvesting and site preparation on eastern red-backed salamanders in white pine stands. For. Ecol. Manage. 199:1–10.  Parker, W.C., Noland, T.L., and A.E. Morneault. 2004. Effect of seed mass on early seedling growth of five eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) families under contrasting light environments. Can. J. Bot. 82: 1645–1655.  Noland, T.L., W.C. Parker, and A.E. Morneault. 2006. Natural variation in seed characteristics of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.). New Forests 32:87–103.  Parker, W.C., Noland, T.L., and A.E. Morneault. 2006. The effects of seed mass on germination, seedling emergence, and early seedling growth of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.). New Forests 32:33–49

6. Project Synopsis: This project is part of a larger, comprehensive study looking at plant diversity and succession, salamander populations, natural regeneration ecology, competing vegetation, soil and plant nutrients, and environmental monitoring in response to shelterwood harvesting and site preparation in white pine stands. The study, initiated in 1994, is located in the Britt area of Parry Sound and has been supported by the OMNR, the Canadian Forest Service, various universities, and Westwind Forest Stewardship Inc. (the local SFL) since it’s inception. In 2002, Tembec, through the FRP, was invited to support the data collection and analysis of the growth and yield aspect of the study. Site Description The study is located 65 km north of Parry Sound, near Britt in central Ontario (50°80', 54°85'). In 1995, the study plots were located in 90- to 100-year-old stands dominated by white pine with minor components of red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.), trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), and white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss). These Site Class 2 (Forest Resources Inventory) white pine sites were classified as Ecosite 11 (white pine-red pine, fresh to moist) based on the Central Ontario Forest Ecosystem Classification System (Chambers et al. 1997). Soils vary over short distances but are most commonly medium sandy loams, less than 30 cm deep, dry to moderately fresh, and very rapid to well drained. Understory vegetation was dominated by balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), red maple (Acer rubrum L.), trembling aspen, low sweet blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.), beaked hazel (Corylus cornuta Marsh.), bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn), and wild raisin (Viburnum cassinoides L.), with very little advance reproduction of white pine.

Study Design The study was established using a randomised complete block design, with 5 treatments replicated in 3 blocks. The treatments are: NC: no cut, no site preparation C: cut (1997) and no site preparation M: cut (1996) and mechanical site preparation (1997) H: cut (1996) and chemical site preparation (1997) MH: cut (1995) and both mechanical (1996) and chemical site preparation (1997)

Blocking was based on site characteristics. Blocks are separated by several km and differ in total pre-harvest basal area of pine and moisture regime. Treatment plots measure 100 m x 50 m and are surrounded by a 30-m buffer. Treatments Before harvest, plots were marked to retain 50% crown closure in dominant and codominant trees, following the OMNR tree marking guidelines (OMNR 1998). Marked trees measuring greater than 10-cm diameter at breast height (DBH) were removed and stand basal areas were reduced from an average of 37.5 m2/ha to an average of 20 m2/ha. Experienced operators manually felled and tree-length skidded the marked trees. Designated plots were mechanically

site prepared in early fall using a 6-way blade mounted on a D4 bulldozer. This treatment mixed leaf litter, duff, and mineral soil, uprooted some woody competitors, and displaced woody debris into small piles. Mineral soil exposure and mixed duff and soil covered an average of 25% of treated plots, similar to operationally treated areas. Chemical site preparation was applied in late summer by broadcast spraying Vision® herbicide at 2.1 kg a.e. ha-1 using a mist blower mounted on a rubber-tired skidder. On the combined mechanical scarification and chemical treatment plots, the herbicide was applied 1year after the mechanical treatment. Results of 2007 data analysis will be available as updated fact sheets over the summer 2009.