Stand reduction of red pine by Gremmeniellaabietina

Abstract

Damage to red pine (Pinusresinosa Ait.) by the North American race of Gremmeniellaabietina (Lagerb.) Morelet occurs primarily within the first 10 years after plantation establishment when mortality of 50 to 100% is common. Damage in the residual stands occurs as reduction in bole diameter at 1.3 m, increase in effective plantation edge as a consequence of the infection-pocket mode of disease etiology with consequent decrease in natural pruning and increase in branch diameter, and reduction in stand uniformity in terms of stem distribution and stem size. Not only are quantity and quality of products reduced but disruption of stand uniformity sharply limits the management forester's scope of silvicultural options.