Cultivation Tests with Douglas Fir in Southern Sweden
Project overview
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Short summary
Interest in Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) in Sweden has increased in recent years, partly due to the species’ production potential, timber properties and possible role in adapting forestry to a changing climate. At the same time, uncertainties remain regarding the establishment of Douglas fir under different site conditions and the extent to which different provenances differ in survival, growth and susceptibility to damage. Knowledge of these differences is important for assessing the potential use of Douglas fir in southern Sweden.
During 2009 and 2010, cultivation tests were established at a total of twelve sites in southern Sweden using planting material from seven different Douglas fir provenances. The seed material was acquired with the aim of studying how different provenances establish under varying site conditions, while also creating stands that could be used for future studies. At some sites, Norway spruce or hybrid larch was also planted to allow comparisons between tree species and different planting combinations.
The cultivation tests include sites with varying soil and climatic conditions. Permanent sample plots were established within the provenances at each site in order to follow the development of the trees during the establishment phase. The inventories included survival, height, height growth and damage. Follow-up inventories were carried out after one, three, six, ten and sixteen growing seasons.
The project aims to compile and analyse the results from the cultivation tests in order to describe the establishment and early development of Douglas fir from different provenances in southern Sweden. Focus is placed on differences in survival and growth between provenances and sites. The results will contribute to a better understanding of which provenances and establishment conditions may be suitable for Douglas fir in southern Sweden and provide a basis for future studies of the species’ production and long-term development.