White spruce espacement trial (EP 537)

On this page:

• Introduction
• Objectives
• Treatments
• Status
• Publications 

Introduction

Ep 537 is the oldest, replicated white spruce stand density study in B.C. A similar study (EP660) involves white spruce, Douglas-fir and lodegpole pine at different espacements.  

Objectives

To understand the effects of planting density on growth and yield of white spruce plantations.

Treatments

The experiment was established in 1959 on a site located 34km northeast of Houston, B.C. A randomized complete-block design was used with three replications of four espacements: 420, 747, 1682 and 6727 stems/ha. Each plot was 0.04ha (0.1 acre) in area, with permanently tagged sample trees and a surround of buffer trees. The use of fixed-area plots created large differences in the total number of trees per plot. For example, a 6727 stems-per-hectare plot originally contained 272 tagged sample trees, whereas a 420 stems-per-hectare plot contained only 17 tagged sample trees.  

Status

Active

Publications 

• Pollack, J.C., W. Johnstone, K.D. Coates, and P. LePage. 1992. The influence of initial espacement on the growth of a 32-year-old white spruce plantation. B.C. Min. For., Res. Br., Victoria, B.C. Res. Note No. 111.
• Armit, D. 1970. A planting trial with white spruce, Fort Babine. B.C. Min. For., Victoria, B.C. Res. Note 50.