Growth comparisons of tamarack and European larch in Upper Michigan

A tamarack plantation of a number of seed sources was established in 1967 using 2-1 stock near South Range, Michigan. In 1982, the average and maximum heights of trees from the provenance with the greatest height growth were 27.3 and 39.0 feet, respectively. The ,provenance with the greatest diameter had an average of 4.7 inches d.b.h. and a maximum of 5.3 inches. In 1968, a second plantation was established nearby on a similar site using 2-0 stock. In 1982, the trees from the tallest seed source averaged -24.2 feet in height with the tallest measuring 30.2 feet. The same seed source also produced the greatest diameter growth with an average of 4.0 inches d.b.h. and a maximum of 5.5 inches. There were no strong relationships in either plantation between diameter or height growth and latitude, longitude, or elevation of the original seed source. Each plantation had also been measured in 1970 and 1974. There were considerable differences in relative performance of the seed sources between measurement periods. A European larch plantation was also established on a similar site nearby in 1970. At 12 years of age, these European larch trees averaged 4.6 inches d.b.h. and 24.7 feet in height. The largest tree was 8.9 inches in diameter and 35.0 feet tall. These twelve year old European larch were essentially the same size as the best growing 16 and 18 year old tamarack on similar sites nearby.

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Author(s): David D. Reed, Robert L. Sajdak, John Kotar

Publication: Tree Improvement and Genetics - North Central Tree Improvement Conference - 1983