Whitebark Pine Planting Prescriptions Glenda Scott and Ward McCaughey

Courtesy S. Gniadek, National Park Service

Goals of reforestation Maintain WBP ecosystem integrity- Maintain WBP ecosystem integrity- Watershed conditions including snow accumulation and snow melt, water flow Watershed conditions including snow accumulation and snow melt, water flow Rapid restoration after fire, blowdown, avalanche Rapid restoration after fire, blowdown, avalanche Maintain diversity of subalpine zone Maintain diversity of subalpine zone Seeds are food source for grizzly bear, black bear, birds Seeds are food source for grizzly bear, black bear, birds Maintain Nutcracker populations and continued WBP regeneration Maintain Nutcracker populations and continued WBP regeneration Aesthetic quality Aesthetic quality

Decline of Whitebark Pine White pine blister rust- long term risk. Mountain pine beetle- immediate threat in Rockies Change in fire regime- primarily succession and competition Courtesy R. McClelland

Geographic Distribution Range of WBP is wide --  BC Coast range,  Cascade and Sierra Nevada ranges,  No. Rockies from Alberta through Idaho and Montana to edge of Wyoming basin 19 degrees latitude to 20 degrees longitude 5, ,000 feet in elevation

Ecological Range Tolerates poor soils, steep slopes, windy exposures, and tree-line environment. Tolerates poor soils, steep slopes, windy exposures, and tree-line environment. Role of pioneer and a seral species Role of pioneer and a seral species Can dominate on harsh sites, or in conjunction with climax species (AF, ES, MH) Can dominate on harsh sites, or in conjunction with climax species (AF, ES, MH) Found on 106 of 225 habitat types Found on 106 of 225 habitat types Courtesy D. Reinhart, USGS

Generally restricted to tougher sites Generally restricted to tougher sites Relatively shade intolerant Relatively shade intolerant Highly sensitive to competition Highly sensitive to competition Relatively cold tolerant Relatively cold tolerant Fairly drought resistant but probably not frost resistant

Swale 15% Slope Ridge 9% Slope Gallatin NF Plantation – Palmer Mountain Study Installation of plantation transects

Gallatin NF Plantation – Palmer Mountain Percent Survival Over Time Percent

Planting considerations  Reduce overhead competition  Reduce understory vegetation, especially grasses  Burned sites may offer benefits

Planting considerations (cont)  Provide shade and protection for improved water utilization, reduced light intensity  Avoid frost pockets or swales, even at planting spot- not frost hardy. Ridgetops may be favorable. favorable.  Provide protection from heavy snow loads and soil movement

Planting considerations (cont) Plant wide and do not plant with other trees to reduce long term competition. Open grown trees have most cones and largest crowns. Plant wide and do not plant with other trees to reduce long term competition. Open grown trees have most cones and largest crowns. Adjust spacing based on expected survival. Adjust spacing based on expected survival. 100 tpa with 100 tpa with 50% survival 50% survival = 20 x 20 spacing = 20 x 20 spacing Plant when there is Plant when there is good soil moisture- good soil moisture- summer or fall. summer or fall.

Planting Considerations (cont) Potential positive relationship with grouse whortleberry (Vaccinium scopularum) Potential positive relationship with grouse whortleberry (Vaccinium scopularum) Below ground- myccorhizae Below ground- myccorhizae nutrient uptake nutrient uptake Ameliorate bare Ameliorate bare ground effects ground effects

May be managed in even or uneven aged silv systems BUT needs light and localized site prep  Best chance for success- seedlings with genetic blister rust resistance, even from natural selection Experienced lower survival on lower elevations with good soils; higher gophers problems, greater impact from competition Experienced lower survival on lower elevations with good soils; higher gophers problems, greater impact from competition Planting Considerations (cont)

Growing WBP Seedlings Overcome dormancy mechanisms -- Overcome dormancy mechanisms -- long stratification long stratification warm/cold stratification warm/cold stratification mechanical scarification mechanical scarification Expect delayed germination Expect delayed germination Germinate in germinator or in containers

The Seedling (cont) Slow growing, requires two nursery flushes Slow growing, requires two nursery flushes Ready for outplant in 2 growing seasons Ready for outplant in 2 growing seasons Aggressive root development Aggressive root development Large container- Large container- Rayleach-10 or Rayleach-10 or Super Cell Super Cell Provide long photoperiod Germinants are vulnerable Ready for outplant in summer (early July) Bud set complete, root and caliper growth in field Good field soil moisture

Maintaining WBP Maintain “natural condition” to naturally select blister rust resistance- Maintain “natural condition” to naturally select blister rust resistance- Remove competition where you want to manage for WBP Remove competition where you want to manage for WBP Bigger threats in some areas may be mountain pine beetle and fire Bigger threats in some areas may be mountain pine beetle and fire

References Refer to Whitebark Pine Communities Ecology and Restoration (2001) edited by Tomback et. al., Chapter 16 Growing Whitebark Pine Seedlings for Restoration by Burr et. al., for nursery practices. Other references will be provided with proceedings.