Effect of climatic conditions on height growth of red pine: Results of a provenance test in northwestern Ontario

Abstract

Response of height growth of red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) to changes in climatic conditions was analyzed using data collected in a 48-year-old provenance trial established in northwestern Ontario, Canada. Seed sources for the trial were collected from 23 provenances spanning the natural range of red pine. Mean monthly values of climatic variables were estimated from historical climatic data for 1971 to 2000. Quadratic transfer functions predicting mean tree height at age 48 and tree top height at age 50 were developed using the difference in climatic variables between the seed source provenances and the trial site. The transfer function for mean height at age 48 explained 59% of data variation using the mean minimum temperature in July and sum of precipitation during June to February. For tree top height at age 50, the transfer function explained 55% of data variation using mean minimum temperature in January and sum of precipitation during June to March. The developed equations can be used to select optimum seed sources for reforestation projects and to predict effects of climate change on stand growth in sites with climate conditions similar to those of the study site.