<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>In forestry, alien tree species are planted to maximize yield from a stand by increasing productivity and decreasing environmental risks. In Eastern Europe, lodgepole pine (<italic>Pinus contorta</italic> var. <italic>latifolia</italic>) might be used as a source of biomass and industrial wood; however, before any recommendations are given, possible gains of the novel species should be scrupulously evaluated. In this study, we compared volume and proportion of knotty stemwood (VKN) of native Scots pine (<italic>Pinus sylvestris</italic>) from first generation seed orchards and provenances of alien lodgepole pine [Fort Nelson (58°38’ N, 122°41’ W) and Summit Lake (54°24› N, 122°37› W)] at the age of 27 years growing in central Latvia. We also assessed the relationships between VKN and several morphometric parameters.</p><p>Stem diameter of both species was similar; however, Summit Lake provenance of lodgepole pine exceeded Scots pine in height, while Fort Nelson provenance was lower than Scots pine. Although Scots pine produced nearly two times less whorls than lodgepole pine, volume of knotless stemwood did not differ significantly between the species; though it was higher for Summit Lake provenance of lodgepole pine compared to Scots pine. In contrast, the proportion of VKN differed significantly between both the species and the provenances. Scots pine showed the lowest proportion of VKN (~ 9%) and Fort Nelson provenances of lodgepole pine showed the highest proportion of VKN (~ 14%). Thus, Summit Lake appears more suitable for the production of industrial wood amongst the provenances of lodgepole pine; nevertheless, higher quantity of leftover material is expected. Some morphometric parameters correlated with VKN and the proportion of VKN, but these relationships differed between species and provenances. The total cross-section of branches was the best predictors of VKN for Scots pine and Fort Nelson provenance of lodgepole pine, while stem diameter showed the strongest correlation for Summit Lake provenance. Number of whorls and mean diameter of living branches were the best predictors of the proportion of VKN for lodgepole pine and Scots pine, respectively. Accordingly, morphometric parameters might be useful for the selection of the best trees of lodgepole pine.</p></abstract>

In forestry, alien tree species are planted to maximize yield from a stand by increasing productivity and decreasing environmental risks. In Eastern Europe, lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) might be used as a source of biomass and industrial wood; however, before any recommendations are given, possible gains of the novel species should be scrupulously evaluated. In this study, we compared volume and proportion of knotty stemwood (VKN) of native Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) from first generation seed orchards and provenances of alien lodgepole pine [Fort Nelson (58°38’ N, 122°41’ W) and Summit Lake (54°24› N, 122°37› W)] at the age of 27 years growing in central Latvia. We also assessed the relationships between VKN and several morphometric parameters.Stem diameter of both species was similar; however, Summit Lake provenance of lodgepole pine exceeded Scots pine in height, while Fort Nelson provenance was lower than Scots pine. Although Scots pine produced nearly two times less whorls than lodgepole pine, volume of knotless stemwood did not differ significantly between the species; though it was higher for Summit Lake provenance of lodgepole pine compared to Scots pine. In contrast, the proportion of VKN differed significantly between both the species and the provenances. Scots pine showed the lowest proportion of VKN (~ 9%) and Fort Nelson provenances of lodgepole pine showed the highest proportion of VKN (~ 14%). Thus, Summit Lake appears more suitable for the production of industrial wood amongst the provenances of lodgepole pine; nevertheless, higher quantity of leftover material is expected. Some morphometric parameters correlated with VKN and the proportion of VKN, but these relationships differed between species and provenances. The total cross-section of branches was the best predictors of VKN for Scots pine and Fort Nelson provenance of lodgepole pine, while stem diameter showed the strongest correlation for Summit Lake provenance. Number of whorls and mean diameter of living branches were the best predictors of the proportion of VKN for lodgepole pine and Scots pine, respectively. Accordingly, morphometric parameters might be useful for the selection of the best trees of lodgepole pine.

Proportion of knotty wood in stems of 28-year old lodgepole and Scots pine in experimental plantation in Zvirgzde, Latvia

Latvian State Forest Research Institute Silava

Folia Forestalia Polonica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

In forestry, alien tree species are planted to maximize yield from a stand by increasing productivity and decreasing environmental risks. In Eastern Europe,...

Proportion of knotty wood in stems of 28-year old lodgepole and Scots pine in experimental plantation in Zvirgzde, Latvia

Published Online: Oct 07, 2017

Page range: 180 - 188

Received: May 29, 2017

Accepted: Jul 27, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ffp-2017-0019

Keywords
introduced species, stemwood knottiness, industrial timber, branch traits

© 2017 Aris Jansons et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Proportion of knotty wood in stems of 28-year old lodgepole and Scots pine in experimental plantation in Zvirgzde, Latvia

Published Online: Oct 07, 2017

Page range: 180 - 188

Received: May 29, 2017

Accepted: Jul 27, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ffp-2017-0019

Keywordsintroduced species, stemwood knottiness, industrial timber, branch traits

© 2017 Aris Jansons et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
introduced species, stemwood knottiness, industrial timber, branch traits