FRDA Report: Black Cottonwood and Balsam Poplar Managers ...

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE ............................................................................................................................................................ iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................................... iv
1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Cottonwood–Balsam Poplar in Contemporary British Columbia Forestry ...................................... 6
1.2 Inventory of Cottonwood–Balsam Poplar in British Columbia .......................................................... 10
2 ECOSYSTEMS THAT SUPPORT COTTONWOOD–BALSAM POPLAR IN
BRITISH␣ COLUMBIA ............................................................................................................................. 12
2.1 Geographic Distribution of Cottonwood–Balsam Poplar.................................................................... 12
2.2 Ecosystems in which Forest Managers are Most Involved with
Cottonwood–Balsam Poplar ................................................................................................................... 13
3 COTTONWOOD–BALSAM POPLAR BIOLOGY AND SILVICS ........................................ 25
3.1 Field Recognition of Black Cottonwood, Balsam Poplar, and Aspen ................................................ 25
3.2 Biological Features of Cottonwood–Balsam Poplar that Distinguish Their Silvicultural
Responses␣ from Conifers and Other Broadleaf Species ..................................................................... 27
3.3 Cottonwood–Balsam Poplar Soil Relations .......................................................................................... 30
3.4 Stand and Site Conditions of Diagnostic Importance to the Manager .............................................. 31
3.5 Cottonwood–Balsam Poplar Natural Regeneration Biology .............................................................. 34
3.5.1 Seedling reproduction ................................................................................................................ 35
3.5.2 Vegetative reproduction ............................................................................................................. 35
3.6 Succession and Competition .................................................................................................................. 38
3.7 Cottonwood–Balsam Poplar Growth, Yield, and Maturity Ages ........................................................ 43
3.8 Diseases, Decay, Insects, and Other Damaging Agents in Cottonwood–Balsam Poplar ............... 50
4 MANAGING COTTONWOOD–BALSAM POPLAR IN PURE STANDS ......................... 58
4.1 Natural Regeneration as the Choice Over Planting ............................................................................ 58
4.2 Desired Densities of Natural Regeneration to Meet Stocking Standards ......................................... 60
4.3 Spacing and Thinning in Cottonwood–Balsam Poplar Management ................................................ 68
4.4 Nursery Production, Planting, and Early Care of Plantations ............................................................ 69
4.5 Management to Enhance Cottonwood–Balsam Poplar Stem Production ........................................ 71
4.6 Management to Reduce Damaging Agents and to Maintain Forest Health ..................................... 72
4.7 Role of Short Rotations in Cottonwood–Balsam Poplar Management .............................................. 75
4.8 Cottonwood–Balsam Poplar Features of Importance to the Private Woodlot Manager ................. 79
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