Effects of stand density on the growth of young Douglas-fir trees

Abstract

The objectives of this study were (i) to provide further evidence of a positive correlation of stand density with early growth of coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. menziesii); (ii) to determine when after planting the positive growth response occurs and how long it lasts; and (iii) to use stable isotopes of carbon to test whether the mechanism(s) responsible for the positive growth response to density are related to variables affecting photosynthesis, such as nutrient or moisture availability. We measured annual height (h) and diameter (d) growth (retrospectively) of 8- and 12-year-old trees in initial planting densities of 300, 1360, and 2960 trees/ha. Both height and diameter growth increased with density through the fifth year after planting and decreased with density by year 7. Diameter squared × height (d2h) was used as a volume index to assess increase in tree volume. Second-year increase in d2h for the high-density treatments was 300% of that in the low-density treatments. The δ13C values of wood cellulose from annual rings of the second and third years after planting were not significantly different among densities, suggesting either (i) no significant differences in the effects of water availability, nutrient availability, or source air on photosynthesis in the three density treatments or (ii) differences that produced no net effect on δ13C.