Fertilization of Hw and Cw Roderick Negrave PhD, RPF, PAg Research Section Head, Coast Area FLNRO, Nanaimo

Topics: Introduction to results from transitional- site fertilization Introduction to results from transitional- site fertilization Urea-only fertilization of mixed stands Urea-only fertilization of mixed stands

Height, 2000 sph Monoculture Mixed

Growth Effects: Fertilizer effect with increased growth appears evident for both species Fertilizer effect with increased growth appears evident for both species Hemlock may have increased height growth in mixed-species plantations Hemlock may have increased height growth in mixed-species plantations Density unanalyzed at this point Density unanalyzed at this point

Fertilization of Mixed Cw-Hw Stands with Urea to Promote Cw New Experiment

Mixed-Species Stands: Cw and Hw may occur together in juvenile stands Cw and Hw may occur together in juvenile stands Hw typically grows faster than Cw in these stands Hw typically grows faster than Cw in these stands Hw usually dominates the canopy and relegates Cw to a sub-canopy position Hw usually dominates the canopy and relegates Cw to a sub-canopy position

Variable Response to Fertilization: Cw shows good response to urea fertilization Cw shows good response to urea fertilization Hw shows variable to no response when fertilized with urea alone Hw shows variable to no response when fertilized with urea alone Hw has shown good response to combined applications of urea an P Hw has shown good response to combined applications of urea an P

The Investigation: Paired fertilized and un-fertilized stands Paired fertilized and un-fertilized stands Beginning with 15 pairs Beginning with 15 pairs Plan to increase this to 60 pairs over 4 years Plan to increase this to 60 pairs over 4 years North and west Vancouver Island North and west Vancouver Island Design Design 0.03 ha plots plus 5 m buffer 0.03 ha plots plus 5 m buffer Randomized block... Randomized block... Post free-growing Post free-growing 250 kg/ha of N as urea (elevated) 250 kg/ha of N as urea (elevated) Focus on height and diameter growth Focus on height and diameter growth Foliar analysis : P anticipated as a covariate Foliar analysis : P anticipated as a covariate