Nitrogen Fertilization of Lodgepole Pine (EP 886.01a)

Introduction

Between 1981 and 1983, 11 area-based field installations were established by the B.C. Ministry of Forests, Research Branch to document the growth and yield impacts of nitrogen fertilization in thinned, fire-origin lodgepole pine stands in the B.C. interior. The installations were distributed among four forest districts and two biogeoclimatic zones (SBS, MS). Stand ages ranged from 18 to 24 years old at the time of trial establishment.

Objectives

To determine the magnitude and duration of growth response following nitrogen fertilization of thinned, fire-origin lodgepole pine.

Treatments

Each installation consists of three replicates of each of three treatments (unfertilized, 100 kg N/ha, 200 kg N/ha), arranged in a completely randomized design. At each site, all of the treatment plots (including unfertilized plots) were thinned to the same post-thinning density (1100, 1600, or 2100 trees per hectare). Treatment plots are circular, and vary in size from 0.06 to 0.09ha depending on the post-thinning density prescribed for the site. Each treatment plot consists of an inner assessment plot surrounded by a treated buffer. Growth data (diameter at breast height, height, height to live crown, tree form and damage) were collected from 50 trees within each assessment plot at 3-year intervals for a total of 15 years. Foliar nutrient data were also obtained from all treatment plots prior to fertilization and after 1 and 3 years. All installations are now inactive.

Publications

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The Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Publications Search​

• Brockley, R.P. 2001. Fertilization of lodgepole pine in western Canada. In: Proc. Enhanced For. Manag.: Fert. and Econ. Conf., Mar. 1–2, 2001, Edmonton, Alta. C. Bamsey (editor). Clear Lake Ltd., Edmonton, Alta., pp. 44–55. 
• Brockley, R.P. and T.P. Sullivan. 1988. Relationship of feeding damage by red squirrels to cultural treatments in young stands of lodgepole pine. In: Proc. Future For. of the Mountain West: a Stand Culture Symp., Sept. 29–Oct. 3, 1986, Missoula, Mont. W.C. Schmidt (editor). U.S. Dep. Agric., For. Serv., Ogden, Utah. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-243, pp. 322–329.
• Brockley, R.P. 2000. Using foliar variables to predict the response of lodgepole pine to nitrogen and sulphur fertilization. Can. J. For. Res. 30:1389–1399.
• Brockley, R.P. 2000. Using foliar nutrient levels to predict lodgepole pine fertilization response. B.C. Min. For., Victoria, B.C. Exten. Note 44.
• Brockley, R.P. 1996. Lodgepole pine nutrition and fertilization: a summary of B.C. Ministry of Forests research results. Can. For. Serv. and B.C. Min. For., Victoria, B.C. FRDA Rep. 266.
• Brockley, R.P. 1992. Response of thinned, immature lodgepole pine to nitrogen fertilization: six-year growth response. Min. For., Victoria, B.C. FRDA Memo 202.
• Mika, P.G., J.A. Moore, R.P. Brockley, and R.F. Powers. 1992. Fertilization response by interior forests: when, where, and how much? In: Proc. For. Fert.: Sustaining and Improving Nutrition and Growth of West. For., Feb. 12–14, 1991, Seattle, Wash. H.N. Chappell, G.F. Weetman, and R.E. Miller (editors.). Univ. Washington, Seattle, Wash. Contrib. 73, pp. 127–142.
• Brockley, R.P. 1991. Response of thinned, immature lodgepole pine to nitrogen fertilization: six-year growth response. For. Can. and B.C. Min. For., Victoria, B.C. FRDA Rep. 184.
• Brockley, R.P. 1989. Response of thinned, immature lodgepole pine to nitrogen fertilization: three-year growth response. Can. For. Serv. and B.C. Min. For., Victoria, B.C. FRDA Rep. 036.