Shoot Growth Patterns of Some British Columbia Conifers

Abstract

Abstract The seasonal distribution of terminal and lateral shoot growth of Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg., Thuja plicata Donn, and Pinus monticola Dougl. was studied at Haney, B.C. Measurements were recorded weekly during the growing seasons of 1960 and 1961 on trees from 6 to 24 years old and from 2 to 22 feet high. Study areas were located at elevations of 550 and 1,500 feet. Results are presented graphically. The main conclusions are: (1) the phenology of shoot growth was not related to monthly precipitation or to mean monthly maximum and minimum temperatures, (2) the rate of growth and dates of annual commencement and termination of growth of individual trees were highly variable phenomena, (3) the general form of growth curves was similar from year to year indicating the influence of strong hereditary control, (4) the quantity of leader growth and length of growing period were not correlated, and (5) the relative rate of cumulative percent growth of Pinus monticola , Pseudotsuga menziesii , Tsuga heterophylla , and Thuja plicata was in the order listed.