Crown development in youngPicea abiesstands

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Abstract
A dynamic model of branch length and weight growth was developed for two contrasting sites, both with young stands of spruce. At one site sample trees were obtained from both unfertilised plots and from plots with increased growth rate maintained by annual fertilisation. At the second site unfertilised trees and trees subject to single applications of fertiliser were modelled. A model of the same structure was developed for each site and tested by application at the alternate site. In view of the close agreement between sites, model parameters were calculated based on all data combined. The model is driven by height increment and branch age. The sample trees were mostly open grown so that only a tentative estimate of the effects of between tree competition is given. The limitations of the model are stressed.