Stand Establishment Decision Aid for nutrient-deficient, salal-dominated sites (Coastal Western Hemlock Biogeoclimatic Zone)

Abstract

This Stand Establishment Decision Aid (SEDA) for the Coastal Western Hemlock (CWH) biogeoclimatic zone is the first SEDA for the coastal region. We have focused on site series that have been studied since the early 1980s as part of the Salal Cedar Hemlock Integrated Research Program (SCHIRP). The objectives of this program are:

• to determine the underlying causes of poor growth of regenerating western redcedar (Thuja plicata Donn.), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla [Raf. Sarg.]), amabilis fir (Abies amabilis Dougl.), and Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis [Bong.] Carr.) on cutovers of old-growth cedar-hemlock forests invaded by salal (Gaultheria shallon Pursh) on the west coast of North America; and
• to establish the best operational means for improving productivity on these sites.

The first section of this SEDA describes identifying characteristics of sites that will likely develop nutrient deficiencies. This is followed by some general information about harvesting and the goals of silvicultural treatment. The third section identifies site series that are likely to require treatment to improve conifer growth and nutrition. The fourth section outlines some possible silvicultural considerations to attain treatment goals. These include site preparation, planting and fertilization, and stand tending. Sites in the CWH often have important values for First Nations groups and for non-timber forest products. These values are described in the fifth section so that they may be considered in any management plan. Finally, we list some additional sources of information about these sites and their management.