Ref ID: 11067
Ref Type: Journal (Unpublished)
Authors: Beadle, C. L., Barry, K., Hardiyanto, E., Iriantof, R., Junartod, Mohammed, C. L., and Rimbawantog, A.
Pub Date: 2005
Journal Name: Forest Ecology and Management
Volume:
Issue:
Start Page:
End Page:
ISBN/ISSN:
Keywords: Acacia/Acacia mangium/base/branch/branch size/control/crown/Crown projection area/cut/diameter/effect/form/fungi/growth/heartrot/height/Height and diameter/impact/Indonesia/infection/leaf/Leaves/length/plantation/plantations/potential/pruning/Singling/Solid wood/stem/Stem defect/strength/study/thinning/timber/tree/trees/volume/wood/wound/forest/ecology/management
Abstract: Small volumes of timber are now being produced from Acacaia mangium plantations in Indonesia that require pruning and thinning to increase the strength and appearance of the wood. This study investigated the effects of pruning on stem form and the incidence of heartrot in an 18-month old plantation of Acacia mangium in South Sumatra. Cut surfaces from pruning are potential infection courts for the entry of decay-causing fungi like heartrot. The objectives were to assess whether pruning is associated with an increase in the incidence of heartrot and whether form pruning compared to lift pruning reduced the incidence of heartrot and improved stem form. Form pruning removed 25% of leaf area by removing large branches and those subtending a narrow angle with the stem up to 3 m height, and lift pruning removed 25% of crown length from below. These treatments were singled before pruning. The third treatment, a control, was not singled and was used to assess base levels of heartrot. There was no significant difference in diameter increment between the two pruning treatments. There was strong evidence that form pruning was associated with better form 18 months after treatment. There was a reduced number of branches >30 mm diameter and the numbers of trees with improved stem straightness (reduced kink) was doubled. Lift pruning reduced average branch size but did not improve stem straightness. No heartrot was detected. The results showed that form pruning is likely to have positive benefits on stem straightness and is likely to be effective to any selected pruning height. However a subsequent lift pruning is still considered a requirement. While wounds created from pruning and singling are assumed to have a large impact on the incidence of heartrot, this will not be an issue unless there is a sufficient source of fungi present to invade the wounds.
The full-text link provided is a pre-publication version of an article published in Forest Ecology and Management in the volume stated in this citation. The publisher of Forest Ecology and Management is Elsevier, http://www.elsevier.com
Notes: Entered by Maria Ottenschlaeger (29/04/2005)
Reprint: Not in File
Program: SPF Sustainable Management
Project: B3
Deliverable: B3-4.2
Confidentiality: Confidential to All Partners until Published
Availability: Authors
Report: Annual Report 2005/6
Type: Article
Address: Chris.Beadle@csiro.au
Misc 2: Submitted