Aspen (Populus tremuloides) root suckering as influenced by log storage, traffic-induced-root wounding, slash accumulation, and soil compaction
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Abstract
The objective of this thesis was to determine how aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) root systems and suckering are affected by decking area (site of log processing and storage) disturbances and seasonal timing of these disturbances. In a field study, summer-built log decks reduced regeneration by half compared to fall-built decks, and if decks were built in the fall, 11 month and 1.5-3 month storage were similar in their impact. A growth-chamber study examined the timing of traffic-induced wounding of the root system and simulated log storage on aspen root systems and suckering. For both summer and winter treatments the combination of root wounding and log storage killed nearly the entire root system and prevented suckering. Root wounding and log storage alone caused a 35-40% reduction in living root mass, carbohydrate reserves, and sucker growth. Sucker numbers were reduced by one half for the winter but were unaffected for the summer.