Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The third most common conifer in Sweden is Pinus contorta (lodgepole pine). It originates from the western part of North America and was brought here in the end of the 1920s. The lodgepole pine is today allowed for commercial plantations in central and northern Sweden, excluding high altitude locations. Since 1979 only plantations with scientific purpose are allowed in south-central and south Sweden.

This document is focused on how lodgepole pine manage perform compared with Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine) in the southernmost part of Sweden, Götaland. The idea came from the fact that the Swedish government is evaluating a notification from the National Forest Agency that suggests lodgepole pine to be allowed for commercial plantation even in southern Sweden. Two experimental sites have been visited, one in Östergötland and one in Småland. At the sites measurements were taken in two provenances of lodgepole pine and in one of Scots pine. Based on the measurements calculations were made with five functions created by Elfving & Norgren (1993). The calculations showed that lodgepole pine grows better than Scots pine on both locations but the differences are greater on locations with harsh climate conditions. Of the two provenances of lodgepole pine, the southernmost had the largest basal area and the largest standing volume on both sites. The Scots pine had suffered damage from various agents on the site in Småland and the comparisons between the species were not reliable at that location. Besides the measurements, seven different quality indicators were classified subjectively. Deviations from straightness were higher for Scots pine than lodgepole pine on both locations.

Based on this study, lodgepole pine seems to be well adapted to be used as a complement to the native Scots pine on poor soil and locations with harsher climate conditions even in Götaland. The result should though sees in the light of the fact that it´s based on a small study of only two locations with small plots. Edge effect probably has a great impact on the growth.