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Models of the longitudinal distribution of ring area as a function of tree and stand attributes for four major Canadian conifers

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Abstract

Context

It is widely accepted that ring area increment generally increases from the tree apex to the crown base and is more-or-less constant below the crown base (Pressler’s law), but few quantitative models of this distribution have been developed.

Aims

The aim of this study was to develop a model of ring area increment using easily obtained crown features and other tree or stand characteristics in order to further the understanding and prediction of tree growth, form, and wood quality.

Methods

The models were fit to stem analysis observations from white spruce, black spruce, balsam fir, and lodgepole pine.

Results

In the final model, which includes tree crown and stand variables, ring area increment within the crown region was slightly curvilinear, the slope of ring area increment below the crown was non-zero, and the effect of butt swell was appreciable up-to a relative height of 0.10.

Conclusions

The high accuracy of the mixed effects model suggests that the three-component model form is appropriate for describing ring area profiles, whereas some tree-to-tree variation remains unexplained. The tree and stand variables used in these models can be easily measured in the field or obtained from remote sensing techniques.

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Acknowledgments

Special thanks go to: Mr. Jim Goudie of the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations for providing the lodgepole pine data; Dr. Doug Pitt of the Canadian Forest Service for supplying the balsam fir data, Mr. Andrew Innerd for sharing white spruce samples; Mr. Ian Cameron of Azura Formetrics for assistance with the statistical analysis; and Mr. Gurp Thandi of the Canadian Forest Service for creating the map presented in this manuscript. The authors would also like to thank the two anonymous reviewers for providing constructive comments and suggestions.

Funding

Funding of this research was provided by the Canadian Wood Fibre Centre (Canadian Forest Service).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Wood Fibre Centre, 506 West Burnside Rd, Victoria, British Columbia, V8Z 1M5, Canada

    Francesco Cortini & Cosmin N. Filipescu

  2. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Wood Fibre Centre, 1219 Queen St. E, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6A 2E5, Canada

    Arthur Groot

Authors
  1. Francesco Cortini
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  2. Arthur Groot
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  3. Cosmin N. Filipescu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Francesco Cortini.

Additional information

Handling Editor: Jean-Michel Leban

Contributions of the co-authors

Francesco Cortini: data analysis, modeling, and writing

Arthur Groot: experimental design, modeling, and writing

Cosmin N. Filipescu: modeling and writing

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Cortini, F., Groot, A. & Filipescu, C.N. Models of the longitudinal distribution of ring area as a function of tree and stand attributes for four major Canadian conifers. Annals of Forest Science 70, 637–648 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-013-0305-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-013-0305-9

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