Precommercial thinning of trembling aspen in northern Ontario: Part 1 - Growth responses

Abstract

In Ontario, trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) utilization has increased over the past 20 years and this trend is expected to continue. With this increased demand, questions are being raised about stand conditions required for optimum growth. In 1979, a study was initiated across the commercial range of aspen in northern Ontario to determine the optimum precommercial thinning intensities for aspen tree and stand growth. Six pure aspen stands between the ages of five and 22 years were thinned to residual spacings of 2 × 2 m, 3 × 3 m, 4 × 4 m, and 5 × 5 m. Unthinned and thinned plots were measured at regular intervals for up to 17 years after treatment. Diameter increased significantly with residual tree spacing over the range of site conditions, geographic locations, and tree ages. Precommercial thinning resulted in significantly increased height in three of the stands, and height generally increased with increased residual spacing. Fifteen to 17 years after treatment, gross total volume (GTV) was highest in the unthinned plots for all six stands and decreased as residual tree spacing increased. Gross merchantable volume (GMV) did not vary significantly with thinning in all but the oldest stand. The results of this study do not support the use of precommercial thinning to increase aspen fibre yield. However, if the management goal is maximizing individual tree growth, precommercial thinning of aspen should be considered.