Crown Cover Is Correlated with Relative Density, Tree Slenderness, and Tree Height in Lodgepole Pine
Authors: Mark Rudnicki1; Uldis Silins2; Victor J. Lieffers3
Source: Forest Science, Volume 50, Number 3, June 2004 , pp. 356-363(8)
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between tree height, bole slenderness, and relative density with crown shyness (crown interstitial space) in even-aged lodgepole pine. In 10 lodgepole pine stands in Alberta, Canada, ranging in height from 5.6 to 22.1 m, 9–23 triangular plots were established. A plot consisted of three trees that formed the corners of the triangle; all plots were at theoretical crown closure. Within each triangle, the percentage crown closure (% CC) was related to the mean height, slenderness coefficient (SC, tree height/diameter), and relative density (RD) of the trees that defined the triangle. Within the stands less than 12 m in height, % CC was positively correlated with RD. Within most of the stands greater than 15 m, % CC was negatively correlated to SC. Mean % CC declined with increasing stand height. Results suggest that RD is strongly related to % CC in short stands but as trees grow in height, biomechanical issues related to stem form (i.e., SC) probably play a large role in determining the amount of canopy coverage. We suggest that taller trees with high SC are more flexible, resulting in intense crown collisions, crown abrasion, and crown shyness. FOR. SCI. 50(3):356–363.Keywords: Crown shyness; slenderness coefficient; Pinus contorta; crown collision; environmental management; forest; forest management; forest resources; forestry; forestry research; forestry science; natural resources; natural resource management
Document Type: Regular article
Affiliations: 1: Centre for Enhanced Forest Management Department of Renewable Resources University of Alberta 442 Earth Science Bldg. Edmonton Alberta Canada T6G 2E3 Current Address: University of Alaska Southeast 2600 7th Ave. Ketchikan AK 99901 Phone: (907) 22 2: Centre for Enhanced Forest Management Department of Renewable Resources University of Alberta 751 General Services Building Edmonton Alberta Canada T6G 2H1 Phone: (780) 492-9083, Email: uldis.silins@ualberta.ca 3: Centre for Enhanced Forest Management Department of Renewable Resources University of Alberta 442 Earth Science Bldg. Edmonton Alberta Canada T6G 2E3 Phone: (780) 492-2852, Email: victor.lieffers@ualberta.ca
