Effect of planting density on survival and early growth of potential species for Short Rotation Forestry in South-East Ireland

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3 Effect of planting density on survival and early growth of potential species for Short Rotation Forestry in South-East Ireland IPSAM 2017, Limerick, Thursday 8 th June 2017 Ignacio Sevillano 1, Ian Short 1, Niall Farrelly 2 Forestry Development Department, Teagasc, Ashtown, Dublin 15 Forestry Development Department, Teagasc, Athenry, Co. Galway Ignacio.sevillano@teagasc.ie

4 Objectives Outline Short Rotation Forestry (SRF) SHORTFOR trials Brownswood trial Recording Results Conclusions 2

5 Objectives Predicted shortfall of timber for biomass Ireland s renewable targets to increase Climate change Pests and diseases SHORTFOR Explore the potential of SRF in Ireland *Spacing & species suitability *Fuel properties characterisation *Economical & environmental sustainability *Dissemination Work Package 2 Investigate the impact of planting density/spacing on species growth and performance 3

6 Short Rotation Forestry Single stemmed trees of fast-growing species Reduced rotation length (< 20 years) Niche between short rotation coppice (SRC) and conventional forestry Rotation length: 2-4 years Rotation length: >40 years Rotation length: 8-20 years SRC (source: Conventional forestry (source: 4 SRF (source:

7 Planting density/spacing Effect on Tree growth Stand productivity Management costs High planting density/dense spacing Early capture of the site: maximum productivity earlier Reduction in juvenile wood: higher wood density Earlier weed suppression Decrease in individual tree growth rate Increase in planting and harvesting costs Possible increase in tree health risks 5

8 Planting density/spacing Maximise biomass production Minimise the costs of management and utilisation Optimum spacing/planting density Shorten the time to grow trees of desired size 6

9 SHORTFOR trials Mountain West (field trial) Johnstown Castle (field trial) Brownswood (field trial) 7

10 Brownswood-Trial site Location: Portlaw forest (Co. Waterford) Year established: 2015 Coillte reforestation site Soil: acid brown earth/brown podzolics (acid deep well drained mineral) Altitude: 140m ASL Coast distance: 25km Annual rainfall: 1037mm 8 Mean temperature: 10.6⁰C Source: Coillte

11 Brownswood-Trial design Species Sitka spruce Oregon (Picea sitchensis) Grand fir (Abies grandis) Shining gum (Eucalyptus nitens) Italian alder (Alnus cordata) Planting density Growing area per tree Replications Spacing (m) (trees/ha) (m 2 ) x x x x x x

12 Brownswood-Spacing Spacing: 1x1 m (10000 trees/ha) Spacing: 2x2 m (2500 trees/ha) X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Spacing: 1x2 m (5000 trees/ha) Spacing: 2.5x3 m (1333 trees/ha) X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 10

13 Recording Survival Height Stem diameter at 5 cm above ground Tree damage Shoot/branch dieback Multiple leaders Animal/insect damage 11

14 Survival-After 2 growing seasons Survival-2 growing seasons (%) a b b b Grand fir Sitka spruce Shining gum Italian alder 1x1m 1x2m 2x2m 2.5x3m 12

15 Height growth 1 st growing season (cm) Height growth d e g c h f b b b a a a Grand fir Sitka spruce Shining gum Italian alder 1x1m 1x2m 2x2m 2.5x3m 13 Height growth 2 nd growing season (cm) a a a Grand fir e d d b b g g c f Sitka spruce Shining gum Italian alder 1x1m 1x2m 2x2m 2.5x3m

16 Diameter growth 10 e Diameter growth-2 nd growing season (mm) a a a b c b d d f g g 1x1m 1x2m 2x2m 2.5x3m 0 Grand fir Sitka spruce Shining gum Italian alder 14

17 Conclusions Survival Grand fir < Shining gum Italian alder Sitka spruce No spacing effect Growth rates Shining gum: highest growth Greatest growth in broadleaf than conifers Spacing effect (except for grand fir): lower growth in 2x1 spacing Continuous monitoring of SRF trials Silvicultural practices (spacing and rotation length) that optimise returns 15

18 Conclusions Species & spacing performance Fuel properties (calorific value, etc.) Economical sustainability SRF might contribute to improve biomass production Environmental sustainability 16

19 Thank you 17