Growth of Black Spruce Trees Following Fertilization on Drained Peatland

Stem analyse of 67 peatland black spruce trees from previously drained experimental areas in northeastern Ontario that had been fertilized was used to examine effects on growth of individual trees. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was used to express pre- and post-fertilization diameter and volume growth as a function of site, stand and individual tree characteristics and amelioration treatments.Results indicated that, on average, diameter growth increased by 4% after fertilization. Standard volume equations, in comparison with sectional volume summation underestimated both inside- and outside-bark tree volumes by about 3%.