Planting density research

Planting density has large potential impacts on amount, size and value of timber harvested from managed forests and on biological and technical rotation lengths.

Measurement of long-term experimental projects testing a variety of species and panting density regimes have been established throughout the province since the 1960s on the coast and the 1980s in the interior. The growth data generated from these long-term experiments are used to develop forest growth models that provide important decision-making tools to help forecast timber supply and to address new and emerging forest health issues. The experiments have also been used to examine the effects of different species on soil properties.

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• Experimental projects - coast
• Experimental projects - interior
• Planting density publications

Experimental projects - coast

Experimental projects - interior

Planting density publications

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

• Kranabetter, J.M., R. Harman-Denhoed, and B.J. Hawkins. 2018. Saprotrophic and ectomycorrhizal fungal sporocarp stoichiometry (C:N:P) across temperate rainforests as evidence of shared nutrient constraints among symbionts. New Phytologist 221(1):482–492. DOI: 10.1111/nph.15380.
  Ubhi, R. 2017. Nitrogen form uptake capacities by arbuscular mycorrhizae and ectomycorrhizae. MSc thesis. Univ. Victoria, Victoria, B.C.
• de Montigny, L., S. Ahmed, and V. LeMay. 2016. The effects of planting density on the growth and yield of lodgepole pine, interior spruce, interior Douglas-fir, and western larch: 16- to 26-year results from EP964. Prov. B.C., Victoria, B.C. Tech. Rep. 098.
• Carsky, G. 2016. Productivity of mixed-species vs. single-species forest stands: an analysis of a mixed lodgepole pine-interior hybrid spruce spacing trial in interior British Columbia. BScF thesis. Univ. British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C.
• de Montigny, L. and G. Nigh.  2011. Effects of planting density on yellow-cedar and western redcedar growth. B.C. Min. For. Range, Res. Br., Victoria, B.C. Exten. Note 101.
• Johnstone, W.D. and F.J. van Thienen. 2011. The effects of plantation density on the growth and yield of lodgpole pine: 20-year results. B.C. Min. For. Range, Victoria, B.C. Exten. Note 102.
• Johnstone, W.D. 2008. The effects of initial spacing and rectangularity on the early growth of hybrid poplar. West. J. Appl. For. 23(4):189–196
• de Montigny, L.E. and G.D. Nigh. 2007. Growth and survival of Douglas-fir and western redcedar planted at different densities and species mixtures. B.C. Min. For. Range, Victoria, B.C. Tech. Rep. 044.
• Berch, S.M., B.H. Baumbrough, J.P. Battigelli, P. Kroeger, N. Strub, and L.E. de Montigny. 2001. Preliminary assessment of selected communities of soil organisms under different conifer species. B.C. Min. For., Res. Br., Victoria, B.C. Res. Rep. 20.
• Wang, X.L., K. Klinka, H.Y.H. Chen, and L. de Montigny. 2002. Root structure of western hemlock and western redcedar in single- and mixed-species stands. Can. J. For. Res. 32:997–1004.
• Collins, D.B., K. Klinka, M.C. Feller, and L. de Montigny. 2001. Forest floor properties in single- and mixed-species stands of western hemlock and western redcedar. N.W. Sci. 75(4):406–416.
• Prescott, C.E., L. Vesterdal, J. Pratt, K. Venner, S.M. Berch, and L. de Montigny. 2000. Nutrient availability in forest floors of single species conifer plantations in coastal British Columbia. Can. J. For. Res. 30:1341–1352. 
• Klinka, K., H.Y.H. Chen, Q. Wang, and L. de Montigny. 1996. Forest canopies and their influence on understory vegetation in early-seral stands on west Vancouver Island. N.W. Sci. 70(3):193–200. 
• Xie, C.Y., W.D. Johnstone, and C.C. Ying. 1995. Spacing and provenance effects on the performance of shore pine (Pinus contorta var. contorta): 20-year test results. Can. J. For. Res. 25:567–576. 
• Pollack, J.C., W. Johnstone, K.D. Coates, and P. LePage. 1992. The influence of initial espacement on the growth of a 32-year-old white spruce plantation. B.C. Min. For., Res. Br., Victoria, B.C. Res. Note No. 111.
• Johnstone, W.D. and J.C. Pollack. 1990. The influence of espacement on the growth and development of a lodgepole pine plantation. Can. J. For. Res. 20:1631–1639.
• Pollack, J., F. van Thienen, and P. LePage. 1990. The influence of initial espacement on the growth of a 27-year-old Sitka spruce plantation. B.C. Min. For., Res. Br., Victoria, B.C. Res. Note No. 104.
• Omule, S.A.Y. and G.J. Krumlik. 1987. Juvenile height growth of four species on four sites in the CWHb1 variant. Can. For. Serv. and B.C. Min. For. Lands, Victoria, B.C. FRDA Rep. 007.
• Armit, D. 1970. A planting trial with white spruce, Fort Babine. B.C. Min. For., Victoria, B.C. Res. Note 50.