Gibbs, J. A.

KnowledgeBank at OSU

I OHIO AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Wooster, Ohio Forestry Mimeograph No. 10 October 15, 1953 Growth of Planted Norway Spruce in Secrest Arboretum by J. A. Gibbs Among the exotic species of trees that were planted in the Secrest Arboretum at the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, Norway spruce (Picea abies) has survived and grown well in several locations. A detailed study was recently made of one of these plantings. A report of the measurements and observations made in this planting follows. This planting which occupies about t-acre of ground, was made in April 1913, using transplant stock. The trees were originally spaced at 4 x 4 feet. The soil where they were planted is Wooster silt loam. They have always been protected from fire and grazing. In 1935 a thinning was made removing 80 trees. Again in 1941 the plot was thinned at which time 36 trees were cut. According to the records about 128 cubic feet of wood were removed from the plot by these two thinnings or about 1.4 cords. This would be at the rate of about 5.6 cords per acre. The results of the recent measurements mad~ on the plot are presented in the table below. Number of Trees 107 Average Diameter Inches summary of Measurement on the i-acre Plot Average Height Feet 54 Average Height to 3" top 33 Volume to 3" top Basal Area Square Feet cu. Ft. cords 572.02 .29.425 It is interesting to note that the number of trees on the plot as the result of natural mortality and cutting has· dropped from over 600 to 107 and from an average spacing of 4 feet between trees to about 11 feet, and incidentally there is evidence that another thinning is needed now. While the average diameter of all live trees on the plot stands at 7.1 inch~s at present, the average diameter of the codominant and dominant trees is considerably higher. The maximum diameter found is 12.7 inches. The average annual height growth has been about 1.3 feet. -2-The quality of the trees is excellent. They are very straight and smooth, with natural pruning well advanced. I , The total volume indicated in the table plus what was removed in the two thinnings shows that the average annual growth has been about 70 cubic feet per acre per year, or about ,77 cord. ' : Observations of the natural invasion of various types or plants into this plot disclose that along with such plants as blackberry, multiflora rose, and dogwood, many of the desirable woody species were found. The more important ones found were tulip poplar, white ash, red oak, white oak, black oak, black locust, and:black cherry. A few Norway spruce seedlings were also noted. 1 While there is some evidence of the attack of spruce gall aphid in this and other spruce plantings in the vicinity, it apparently has been pretty free from damage by both insects and diseases. , This planting of Norway spruce along with others in their region that have been studied, is stimulating increased interest in this species for forest as well as windbreak plantings.in Ohio. Its good survival and growth, and its ex-cellent quality for sawtimber and poles, tend to convince foresters and other landowners that it is one of the best exotics used thus far. By way of caution however, it should be stated that it requires better growing conditions than the pines, ,.,,, Norway Spruce plantation started in 1913 in the Secrest Arboretum, Wooster, Ohio . 

Growth of planted Norway spruce in Secrest Arboretum

https://kb.osu.edu/bitstream/1811/73228/1/OARDC_forestry_mimeograph_n10.pdf

Growth of planted Norway spruce in Secrest Arboretum

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

KnowledgeBank at OSU