An evaluation of Chondrostereum purpureum for the control of Sitka alder found in a forty year-old NSR stand (ESSFwc1)

Project number: EP 1135.06

District: Selkirk Forest District

Objectives

• To document the effectiveness of two formulations of Chondrostereum purpureum for controlling Sitka alder in a wet alder complex
• To determine if creating patches in alder for regeneration of Engelmann spruce lends itself to the silvicultural management of cutblocks occupied by Sitka alder thickets
• To examine the spatial influence of Sitka alder on light and on growth of Engelmann spruce after they have been planted in the treatment plots

Experimental design

The study is a completely randomized design with four treatments, replicated five times.

Treatments

There are four treatments:

• Cut only
• Cutting repeated every second year 
• Cutting followed by application of  C. purpureum paste formulation to the cut stumps
• Cutting followed by application of  C. purpureum peat formulation to the cut stumps

A fifth treatment using Release® herbicide was considered prior to establishment. 

Layout

• Twenty 10 x 10 m plots are individually located through the study area
• Treatments are randomly applied to plots that are surrounded by a 5 m buffer
• Plots and buffers are planted with Engelmann spruce on a 2 x 2 m spacing
• Alder clumps are individually tagged
• All planted seedlings are individually tagged

History

• 1999 preliminary plot layout
• 2000 final plot layout
• 2000 brushing and planting in mid-June to mid-July
• 2000 seedling tagging and measurements, light measurements in September
• 2001 first year seedling and vegetation assessments

Publications

Conlin, T., 2002. An Evaluation of Two Chondrostereum purpureum Carrier Formulations Used for the Control of Sitka Alder in a 41-year-old Not Satisfactorily Restocked Stand (ESSFwc1), Kootenay Forest District, Nelson Forest Region. BC Min. of For., Research Branch, Extension Note 61.