Douglas-fir height growth affected by western spruce budworm

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Abstract
Detailed dissections of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) trees repeatedly defoliated by the western spruce budworm (Choristoneuraoccidentalis (Freeman)) in two areas of British Columbia indicated that budworm severely affected height growth. Dissected trees lost an average 7.3 internodes in each infestation, of which 4.2 were destroyed or failed to grow during the budworm feeding and recovery periods, and 3.1 were existing internodes lost to dieback. An average of one internode of subnormal size, produced during the recovery period, was also present. Total height was reduced by 32% (11.4 m) and 19% (5.9 m) in areas that sustained four and two infestations respectively. Budworm infestations lead to an underestimation of the site index for Douglas-fir in the affected areas.

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