Frost Hardiness, Root Growth Capacity, and Field Performance Relationship in Interior Spruce, Lodgepole Pine, Douglas Fir, and Western Hemlock Seedlings

1990

4 Abb., 2 Tab., 33 Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

9716

200088660

Interior spruce (Picea glauca engelmannii complex), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl.), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) were grown from seed for 20 weeks in containers, with 18-h photoperiods. Fortnightly, over a 12-week acclimation period (September 7 - December 1) outdoors at Vernon, B.C., samples were taken for (i) foliage frost hardiness measurement, (ii) poststorage root growth capacity, and (iii) outplanting on forest sites. In all species, frost hardiness and root growth capacity increased with weeks of acclimation. Frost hardiness and root growth capacity were correlated with each other in western hemlock, lodgepole pine, and Douglas-fir, and with field performance (survival or growth) in interior spruce, lodgepole pine, and Douglas-fir.