British Columbia's Northeastern Forests: Aspen Complex Stand Establishment Decision Aid

Abstract

Aspen (Populus tremuloides) is the most widely distributed tree species in North America and can be found from the McKenzie Delta to northern Mexico. Its range in British Columbia is restricted to the Interior except for the east coast of Vancouver Island and along the Skeena, Kitimat, and Fraser rivers where it extends to the mouth of the river. In recent years, utilization of the species has increased dramatically, particularly in northeastern BC where aspen is the main fibre source for several OSB and veneer mills. Other aspen products include: dimension lumber, paper, molded wood composites, molding and trim, crates, pallets, pellets, chop sticks, fruit and vegetable boxes, furniture, fuel, and forage for livestock. The combined AAC for deciduous species in the Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, and Fort Nelson TSAs is almost 2 million m3/year. In 2006, the shipment value for OSB and aspen veneer produced in BC was $2.2 billion.
Aspen can be an aggressive competitor for conifer species (particularly in the Black and White Boreal Spruce zone) but it also provides many non-timber services and is considered to be an acceptable crop tree and commercial species in a number of TSAs in the province. This Stand Establishment Decision Aid (SEDA) provides information to help forest managers in northern BC understand how to manage aspen for timber production as well as how to manage it when it is not regarded as a crop species. The following pages describe: the environmental conditions in which it is found; tree and stand regeneration; growth and yield; effects on crop trees and forest productivity; forest health considerations; management practices; and other values and benefits associated with aspen. The synopsis also includes a short list of references for further reading. For information on managing aspen in the Southern Interior of BC, see Swift and Turner (2004). Information in this document is based on a review of the pertinent literature and expert opinion.