Growth response following green crown pruning in plantation-grown 'Eucalyptus pilularis' and 'Eucalyptus cloeziana'

Author(s)
Alcorn, Philip J
Bauhus, Jurgen
Smith, R Geoff B
Thomas, Dane
James, Ryde
Nicotra, Adrienne
Publication Date
2008
Abstract
Pruning of live branches is performed to enhance wood quality in plantation trees. Stem, branch and wood properties may be altered following pruning from below, but the extent and duration of such effects are unknown for many plantation 'Eucalyptus' species. The effect of 0%, 20%, 50%, and 70% green crown length removal on growth and wood quality was examined in 3.5-year-old plantation-grown 'Eucalyptus pilularis' Sm. (blackbutt) and 'Eucalyptus cloeziana' F. Muell. (Gympie messmate) trees on two subtropical sites in eastern Australia. Growth increment of the stem at breast height was not affected by 20% crown removal. However, stem increment at breast height was reduced for up to 8 months with 50% crown removal and up to 12 months with 70% crown removal. Pruning had no impact on height growth. However, the height of trees pruned to 70%, relative to the height of the surrounding unpruned trees, was temporarily reduced 12 months after pruning in both species. Stem form, stem taper, wood density, and residual branch growth above the pruned zone were unaffected by pruning. Owing to the fast vertical crown expansion, trees were able to rapidly compensate for leaf area removal without long-term reductions in stem growth. The implications for management operations utilizing pruning as a means of enhancing timber quality are discussed.
Citation
Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 38(4), p. 770-781
ISSN
1208-6037
0045-5067
Link
Publisher
National Research Council Canada
Title
Growth response following green crown pruning in plantation-grown 'Eucalyptus pilularis' and 'Eucalyptus cloeziana'
Type of document
Journal Article
Entity Type
Publication

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