Geographic Variations of Growth and Basic Density in Picea glehnii

Abstract

The tree height, diameter at breast height, and survival ratios in three provenance trial stands and the basic density in one provenance trail stand of P. glehnii were investigated. The objective of this study was to estimate the variability of each factor among and within provenances, and geographic variations in Hokkaido. Statistical differences of each factor among provenances were determined by analyses of variance. Tree height and diameter at breast height showed a significant difference among provenances in all trial stands. The survival ratios showed no significant differences among provenances in any trial stands. In the Tomakomai trial stand, tree height had significant negative correlation with elevation in twelve provenances. Tree growth traits in the Taisetsu provenance, which had the highest elevation of the five provenances existing in provenance trial stands, showed the lowest value. A significant difference in basic density existed among provenances. The Maruseppu provenance, which was the highest elevation of eight provenances existing in provenance trial stand, basic densities of trees from the western side of the central mountain range were significantly lower than those from the eastern region, as determined by t-test. Therefore, these results indicate that it is important for the commercial transportation of P. glehnii seeds and seedlings to consider the elevation of the seed source and the characteristics of mother trees in the western and eastern regions.