Potential Loss Due to Decay and Insect Attack Following Selective Harvest in Coastal Montane Forests

📖 The Scoop

Western Hemlock and amabilis fir trees, windthrown after selective harvest at the Montane Alternative Silvicultural Systems research site on Vancouver Island, were examined for the presence of decay organisms and insects over a 2-year period (1994-1995). Stem decay organisms were recovered from 36% of the hemlock and 13% of the amabilis fir, respectively. Phellinus pini, Echinodontium tinctorium, and Heterobasidion annosum were the most commonly recovered stem decay fungi. Infection biology of these organisms is briefly discussed and the importance of minimizing injury to leaves during selective harvest is emphasized. Sap rot fungi were not isolated in the first year, but were recovered from wood adjacent to the bark in half of the hemlock and amabilis fir sampled in the second year. Attack by amabrosia beetle and/or wood borers was observed in all sample trees in the second year. Value loss due to insect attack was considered to be more serious than any projected volume loss to sap rot decay; it is recommended that windthrow trees be recovered within 1 year of blowdown.

Genre: Technology & Engineering / Agriculture / Forestry (fancy, right?)