Documentation of red spruce growth decline

Abstract

Data from a study of 3001 dominant or codominant red spruces (Picearubens Sarg.) across New England and the Adirondacks showed that their annual growth in basal area increased consistently from 1910–1920 to about 1960. It then fluctuated around a generally declining trend and by the early 1980's was 13 to 40% below its peak. Defoliation by the spruce budworm, climate change, maturation of the forest, and acid deposition are all possible explanations.