0453-B4

Growht of Monterey Pine (Pinus Radiata D. Don) Around Trabzon Province

Dr. Mahir KUCUK, Fahrettin ULU, Saban CETINER, Dr. Mustafa AKYUZ ¹

Summary

Usage of fast growing trees in Turkey is a necessity because of increasing wood shortage and export, and for protection of forests, of environment, consequently of ecosistems. So, determination of native and exotic woody taxa by regions, inventory of areas suitable for tree plantations, prevention of monoculture and prohibition of genetic corruption is necessary.

Turkish Government has lessened agricultural areas, such as tea (Thea sinensis), hazelnut (Corylus avellana), etc. These lands are generally suitable for tree farming.

Since humid and temperate Black Sea climate is effective into centrals by valleys in the Region, which has more regular and much more rain relatively to other geographic regions, lands between 0 to 600 m altitudes may be suitable for Pinus radiata, Sequoia sempervirens, Thuja pilicata, and other fast growing woody species.

Eastern Black Sea Forestry Research Institute had sown the seeds of P.radiata, which were imported from Silvaseed Co., New Zealand, in Febuary 1972, into Meryemana Research Nursery in same spring. Then, 1/0 aged seedlings were planted in a north and northwest slope (180 m) hazelnut plantation area (0.9 ha) of Trabzon City-Yesilbuk village in fall 1972. Before plantation, Corylus plants were cleared, but soil was not worked. 390 seedlings were planted by planting peg at approximately 4x5m spacings.

The trial area has been observed for 30 years, but any cultural treatment hasn't been done. Some seedlings were stolen in initial years, and some trees were broken or thrown by wind or snow in last stage.

In May 2002, dbhs and heights were measured at cm level. Mean height is 16.21m, total volume is 533.469 cubic meter and mean diameter is 34.31 cm. Crown closure, branchness and some other features of the trees were also measured or determined. Furthermore, cutting age was also determined by crown closure, by annual rings and increment, and by estimating best spacing.

Results showed that 25 age may be suitable for final cutting in this area. Because, annual rings of last 5-6 years are very narrow, and wind or snow damages has increased.

Seeds and cuttings will be provided from elite trees by fenotypic features before timber production for latter studies.

1. Introduction

Since wood deficit and import has increased (6.5% in 1995 and 11.5% in 1999) year by year, fast growing forest plantations are very important. Turkey has only 2429 ha P.radiata plantations by year 2000 (ANON. 2000). P.radiata has begun to be established in 1972 mainly in Marmara Region. Then, it was stopped by the governmenet because of insect attacks, especially E.buoliana. The studies at national level were given breefly.

The most suitable planting times to establish plantations using fast growing Tasmania 7321 origin of P.radiata in the Marmara Region of Turkey are late February and late December. By plant survival, northern exposures are more satisfactory than southern (SEMIZOGLU, ATAIZI and YENIDOGAN 1971).

Diprion pini and Neodiprion sertifer Geoffroy have damaged remarkably to young plantations of exotic P.radiata and P.maritima plantations around Izmit (SEKENDIZ and YILDIZ 1971). Evetria buoliana Schiff. insect caused serious damages on the trees of both P.radiata and Pinus muricata origins and the growing of the trees were affected badly by the insect in Marmara and West Karadeniz (Blacksea) Regions. On higher areas P.radiata was more attacked. Frost damages were determined moderately in the sites above 400 m elevation on P.radiata trees.

P.radiata is a natural tree species in a very small area in California, USA and during the 20 ^th century it has large plantations generally in southern and partly in northern hemispheres. The largest cultivation in Europe is in Atlantic borders of Spain and it grows good under the oceanal climate. Mean annual increment could be 15 m3/ha in homeland but was 8-23 m3 in Marmara and Black Sea Regions of Turkey at 12 ^th year. Climate of good cultivations in Chile and other countries are as follows; annual precipitation is 1100-1700mm and mostly in winter, mean temperature of the coldest month is between 7-11°C, mean temperature of the hottest month is between 16.5-18.5°C, and the lowest temperature is -7°C. It is resistant to cold; but, the cold can effective in longer period and with continious winds P.radiata may have problems (SIMSEK and TULUKCU 1982)

Evetria buoliana insect is not effective on P.radiata natural stands or plantations, but infests only in plantations of Turkey. Site conditions of these plantations do not conform the requirements of P.radiata. On the other hand, low light intensity and warm temperature around 22°C during evenings in the summer create the optimum conditions for mating, flight and dispersal of the insect. Infestation was least at foot slopes and most at the top of hills and level areas. Increasing soil depth resulted decrease in the infestation and visa versa. Moderately well drainage represents least infestation. An increase of available water capacity soils-amount of precipitation water (mm) held by 10 cm soil thickness in the available form-results an increase in the degree of infestation by Evetria buoliana. P.radiata should be planted at small areas where site conditions conform to the species in Turkey. It likes sandy loam or loam soils (AYIK and GULER 1985).

Plantations of P.radiata on large areas have been established mainly in Izmit since 1970's with FAO-TUR/71/521 projejt on Industral Plantations of Fast Growing Forest Trees. In many plantation areas in Marmara and West Black Sea Regions P.radiata is attacked by Evetria buoliana which damages the terminal shoot of trees. In most cases, the trees can not grow up to a normal height because of the insect attack, however the diameter growth of such trees can be regarded as reasonable in relation with spacing and the site conditions (BIRLER 1986).

Different methods and intensities of land clearing and soil preparation on the survival, growth rate and health of bare rooted 1+0 aged seedlings of exotic P.pinaster and P.radiata were studied in Kefken-Izmit. P.radiata seeds were belong to Provenance 144 of New Zealand. Existing vegetations should be cleared before soil working in plantation area. In the first three years after planting weeding should be applied on the rows and the inter-rows by hand and tractor. NPK fertilization in poor sites is helpful (TOLAY et all. 1988).

Distubution of P.radiata plantations by countries in 1995 are 35% in Chile, 34% in New Zealand, 20% in Australia, 7% in Spain, and 4% in others (KUCUK et all. 1995). P.radaita can not grow well in its homeland USA. But, it grows very well in other countries. So, Chile, New Zealand, Australia, Spain and some countries in South America continent have large P.radiata plantations. It is commercially known as Chile pine. Its wood is suitable for cellulose and paper industries. Plantations in Turkey has been established generally in low altitudes with sea climate in the Marmara Region. But, though it grows fast, Evetria buoliana Schiff. damages to diameter and height growth, sometimes kill the trees. Increament of ill trees with the insect may be better than the other species. In this study, morphological characteristics of P.radiata wood were analysed for determining the individual trees resistant to E.buoliana (KUCUK 1989).

Ministry of Forestry (General Directorate of Afforestation) stopped to establish new P.radiata plantations with an order dated 10.10.1979. Under a project, Spanish origin P.radiata seedlings were planted into Unye-Asarkaya in Esatern Black Sea Region, too. Main reason of the insect attacks in the plantations are wrong sites and using unsuitable provenances in Turkey (AKCIDEM 1991). Having P.radiata seedlings by cuttings resistant to Evetria buoliana, and othetr insects is necesaary for healty of the plantations in Turkey. If it is heated, rooting media for cuttings should be sand + peat (1+1 by volume); and sand+ perlite (1+1), if not heated. Suitable time for having these cutting is early spring, between Jan. 01 to Feb.05 (TULUKCU et all. 1991).

P.radiata is used as pole, mould of buildings, floor of home, window and door, furniture, plywood, for packaging, etc. without any change of the wood; and cellulose, paper, chipboard, firewood, etc. with some changes on wood features. By destillation of its wood, 22.3% water, 37.8% charcoal, 14.7% gas, 19.8% tar and 4.6% others can be produced (BEKTAS 1995).

P. radiata has priority in plantations against P.mariatiama and P.brutia in The Esatern Black Sea Region, where annual precipitation is much more and more tidy. Important shrubs are Corylus sp, Rhododendron sp., etc. In first quality areas with less steepy slopes (0-30%) rotation period is 26 year, mean annual increment is 19 m3/ha and total volume is 494 m3/ha; but, in second quality areas with steeper areas (31-60%) roataion period is 28 years, annual mean increment is 17 m3/ha and total increment is 476 m3/ha. Pruning and thinnning should be done twice in 8 ^th and 13 ^th ayears after planting. Av.erage establishment cost may be 728 USD/ha with 1+0 aged 1670 seedlings (BIRLER 1998).

A research on spacings of P.radiata was establihed in 1975 with 1+0 aged seedlings, where land was cleared and soil was worked by machines before planting. Results of 1992 showed that 2x3, 2.5x3 or 3.5x4.5 m spacings were suitable; and only one thinning at 10-12th year with 10-20% is enough. Thus spacings becomes 4x3, 5x3 or 7.0x4.5m for timbetr production; but spacings should be more dense for biomass production (AYBERK, TOLAY and ZORALIOGLU 1998). According to ATASOY et all. (2000), rotaion period may be 30 year or less in Unye-Asarkaya in Esatern Black Sea Region.

Information on P.radiata plantations in New Zealand (N.Z.), which is the second P.radiata grower in the world, are (Table 1, 2) given below (MACLAREN 1993).

The 3 ^rd important trend in N.zealand Forestry is the increasing areas with Radiata pine. It accounts in 1992 for both 90% of both the existing plantationa and new plantings. One reason often given for the preponderance of Radiata pine is "growing fast". That is, rotation period is short, 25-30 years, and it produces a lot of wood per year. Well-grown stand on fertile farm sites in good locations can average 30 m3/ha of high-quality wood yearly. European foresters would be pleased with growth rates of 10 m3/ha/yr, and foresters in Scandnavia or Russia often yields less than 3 m3/ha/year.

Important site factors to consider are growth potential, type and incidence of competing vegetation, likely logging, roading and transport costs, risk factors pertaining to the site, and environmental restrictions in the locality. In 1992, cuttings accounted for about %11 of the Radiata pine plantings. Good soil preparation is essential. Depending on the topography, soil conditions, vegetation, size area to be threated, available finance, and other factors, one or more of following types of preparation will be preferred, mechanical, hand, burning, grazing and chemical. Important risks for Radiata pine plantations are epidemic biological pest or diseases, physical soil slipping, wind, fire, snow, etc. can damage or destroy the forest, market and management, and socio-cultural.

Table 1. Planting and spacing guide for P.radita species are below

P.radiata (Monterey pine) is cultivated for timber, or for a combination of shelter and timber. Animal feeding is possible in low density plantations. It has also many environmental benefits, as ather forests. Clearwood of pruned trees fetches very high export prices. Pruning makes N.Z. forestry unique, and provide ıts greatest marketing of radiata pine wood opportunity. Over half of N.Z forests are pruned to a height of at least 4m. Thinning is a relatively cheap and very cost effective. Nearly all N.Z. Radiata pine plantations receive at least one thinning. Final Stocking and Rotation age given in Table 2.

Table 2. A direct regime for fertile or less fertile sites

2. Material And Method

2.1. Material:

Eastern Black Sea Forestry Research Institute had sown the seeds of P.radiata, imported from Silvaseed Co., New Zealand in Febuary 1972, into Meryemana Research Nursery in same spring. Then, 1/0 aged bar rooted 390 seedlings were planted at approximately 4x5m spacing by planting peg in fall 1972. Corylus plants were cleared before planting, but soil was not worked.

The trial area has been observed for 30 years, but any cultural treatment (tending, irrigatin, fertilization, etc.) hasn't been done. Some seedlings were stolen in the initial years, and some trees were broken or thrown by wind or snow in last stage.

2.2. Method:

Heights and dbhs were measured at cm level in May 2002, and crown closure, branchness and some other features of the trees were determined. Furthermore, cutting age was also determined by crown closure, by annual rings and increment, and by estimating best spacing.

2.2.1. Trial Site: It's (180 m) in north-nortwest mid-slope hazelnut (Corylus sp.) plantation area (0.9 ha) of Trabzon-Yesilbuk village, where soil depth is 40 cm, soil texture is sandy-clayey -loam and sandy-loam with enough organic matter. There is not drainage problem. Slope is 10-15%, strong wind is from northwest. Cliamatic data are given in Table 3.

Table 3. Data of Two Nearest Meteorology Stations (YUKSEL 1998)

3. Findings

Mean height is 16.21 m (min-max: 10.0 ve 20.0m) and mean breast height diameter is 34.31 cm. (min-max: 15.00 ve 55.00 cm).

Volume of each tree was calculated; thus volume of the trial site (0.9 ha) is is 533. 469 m3 and total volume per hectare is 592.222 m³.

Since only 320 of the 390 seedlings are alive, mean survival is 82.05 %.

Annual rings are very narrow and yearly increments are very less after the 25 ^th age.

Any important insect or fungi problem hasn't been observed for 30 years.

In last years, especially during the winter 2001, tops of the some trees were broken by heavy snow or strong wind.

Germination of seeds colected from the study area was 64.5% for older seeds and 16 %, for new ones.

4. Discussion

Rotation period may be 25-26 year for timber production in rich areas and 26-28 years in poor lands Because, annual rings of last 5-6 years are very narrow, and wind or snow damages has insreased.. Cutting cycle may be shorter for pulping, chipping, etc.

Heavy snow and strong wind should be taken into cons,deration for P.radiata plantaion areas.

This and some other studies showed that P.radiata may be cultivated till 500 m above sea level within the Esatern Black Sea Reion of Turkey. In these elevations, two important agricultural crops Thea (Camellia sinensis) and hazelnut (Corylus sp.) have similar ecological features with P.radiata. Now, Monterey pine may be a supporter of these two plants, but after having economical markets it may be an alternative of them. So, Radiata pine should be studied together with them.

Silviculture, ecology, marketing, etc. of the Monterey pine in the Region and especially possible fungi or insect problems mainly for clonal production shuşd also be searched.

P.radiata may be planted in small areas (0.3-0.8ha) for gardening and landscape.

Before final harvesting of the trial site seeds and cuttings for grafting should be collected from elite trees by fenotype for latter studies.

References

SEKENDIZ, O. and YILDIZ, N. 1971: Important Insects of Fast Growing Exotic Tree Species in Turkey. Poplar Research Institute, Annual Bulletin No: 5-6, p 21-28, Izmit, Turkey.

SEMIZOGLU, M.A. ATAIZI, M. ve YENIDOGAN, K. 1971: Studies on Planting Season of Fast Growing Exotic Tree Species P.radiata D.Don, Poplar Research Institute, Annual Bulletin No: 5-6 p 13-20, Izmit, Turkey.

SIMSEK, Y ve TULUKCU, M. 1982: Studies on Tree Growth and Wood Quality of P.radiata D.Don Provenances in Marmara and Black Sea Region, Poplar Research Institute, Annual Bulletin No:18, p 1-82, Izmit, Turkey.

AYIK, C. and GULER, N. 1985: Effects of Site Characteristics on Evetria bualiana Schiff. Attacks in P.radiata Plantations in Turkey, Poplar Research Institute, Annual Bulletin No:21, 181-208, Izmit.

BIRLER S: 1986: Tree Volume Table for Pinus radiata D.Don Plantations in Turkey, Poplar Research Institute, Annual Bulletin No:22, 51-65, Izmit.

TOLAY, U. AYBERK, S. ZORALIOGLU, T. BUL, M. 1988: Effects of Different Land Preparation Methods on the Growth of P.pinaster Aiton and Pinus radiata D.Don, Poplar Research Institute, Technical Bulletin No: 141, 54 p, Izmit.

KUCUK, M. 1989, The Morphological Characteristics of Pollens of Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata D.Don). Journal of Forestry Research Institute, Vol. 35, No:2/70, p.63-76, Ankara, Turkey.

AKCIDEM, E. 1991: When Pinus radiata (D.Don) Plantations Begin Again in Turkey?. Journal of Forestry Research Institute No: 17, p. 29-36, Izmit.

TULUKCU, M. TUNCTANER, K., TOPLU, F. AKCIDEM, E. 1991: Investigations on Propagation of Pinus radiata (D.Don) By Stem Cuttings. Poplar Research Institute, Tech. Bulletin No: 153, 12 p, Izmit, Turkey

MACLAREN, J.P., 1993: Radiata Pine Growers' Manual. FRI Bulletin No.184, 140 s, ISSN 0111-8129, Forest Research Institute, P.B.3020, Rotorua, N.Zealand .

BEKTAS, I. 1995: Studies on Determination of Some Anatomic, Physical and Mechanical Features of Pinus radiata D.Don in Turkey (Turnalı-Kaynarca). Journal of Forestry Research Institute No: 22, p. 25-45, Izmit.

KUCUK, M. 1995: Report to Ministry of Forestry on a Short-Term Study Tour in New Zealand and Australia. Eastern Black Sea Forestry Research Institute, Trabzon, Turkey

BIRLER, A.S. 1998: A Pre-Feasibility Study For Fast Growing Forest Plantation Investments in Turkey. Poplar Research Institute, Different Publications No: 11, 56 p, Izmit, Turkey

AYBERK, S. TOLAY, U. ZORALIOGLU, T. 1998: The Results Obtained from The Experiments on the Planting Spacings in the Plantations of P.pinaster Aiton and Pinus radiata D.Don. Poplar Research Institute, Tech. Bulletin No: 187, 30 p, Izmit.

YUKSEL, B. 1998: The Damaging Insect Species on Oriental Spruce (Picea orientalis (L.) Link) Forests and Their Predators and Parasites-1 (Pest Insects). Esatern Black Sea Forestry Research Institute, Technical Bulletin No: 4, 143 p, Trabzon.

ATASOY, H. ULU, F. COLAK, GULER N. ZENGIN, M. KOCER S. 2000: A Report to Ministry of Forestry on Fast Growing Tree Species Alternative to Hazelnut (Corylus sp.) up tp 500m Elevation in Eastern Black Sea Region. Eastern Black Sea Forestry Research Institute, Trabzon, Trurkey.

ANONIMOUS. 2000: Forestry in Turkey 2000 Facts and Figures, Ministry of Forestry, ISSN 1302-7573, Ankara, Turkey

ULU, F., CETINER, S. 2002: Sustainability of Thea (Camellia sinensis) and Hazelnut (Corylus sp.) Agriculture, and Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa ssp.barbata), Syposium on Sustainable and Organic Agriculture, 27-28 June, Ankara, Turkey.

¹ Eastern Black Sea Forestry Research Institute, P.K.90, 61040 Trabzon,
e.mail: [email protected]