Further notes on Woodhill Radiata Pine pruning trial A. 383.

Authors: P. Berg
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 1973, Issue N.Z.J.For. 18(1) 1973, pp 109-114, May 1973
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

Abstract: In the interval between low pruning radiata pine at predominant mean height (pmh) 5 metres and first thinning at pmh 14 m, individual stems show marked changes in dominance. Pruned dominants in a high density pruning treatment display greater diameter growth than pruned dominants in a low density pruning treatment, the greater growth occurring on the larger-diameter trees. At about pmh 12 m and with relative spacing of 19%, canopy closure is complete, and associated with more intense crown competition there is a fall from 990 to 430 dominant stems per hectare. Unless thinning occurs at this time to release pruned stems from competition with unpruned dominants, suppression of pruned stems may follow.