%0 Research Notes
%T Development of planted black spruce and Scots pine on an oligotrophic drained peatland
%A Sarkkola, Sakari
%A Päivänen, Juhani
%D 2003
%J Suo - Mires and peat
%V 54
%N 3
%U http://suo.fi/article/9828
%X The development, structure, production and fertilisation of planted black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands growing on a drained, originally treeless Sphagnum papillosum fen (LkKaN) in Central Finland up to the age of 30 years were studied. For black spruce the stem number was 2250 stems ha–1, dominant height was ca 7.1 m, the mean stand volume 26 m3 ha–1, the annual mean volume increment 1.5 m3 ha–1 and the total mortality based on stem number was 21%. For Scots pine the comparable characteristics were 1015 stems ha–1, 10.4 m, 45 m3 ha-1 , 3.3 m3 ha-1 and 59% respectively. Fertilisation had no apparent impact on the stand characteristics. About 63% of the planted black spruce individuals had at least one vegetatively generated layer. High number of layers seemed to have a negative effect on dominant parent tree growth. It is concluded that growth and yield of black spruce are generally not competitive in operational forestry in Finland. However, black spruce could be used as an alternative tree species in treeless areas that resist afforestation, and it might also be cultivated for decorative purposes.