Thesis(M.S.)--Auburn University, 2006. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1992. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 63-67). Also available via the Internet.

No description available.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2006. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains x, 105 p. : ill. (some col.), col. map. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Optimum nutritional levels for most commercial hardwoods of eastern Canada are unknown. This thesis dealt with the development of a method to determine nutritional standards using within site variation in tree growth and foliar chemistry. To this end, sugar maple (n = 87) and red maple (n = 39) trees were sampled in summer 2001 at the Station de biologie des Laurentides. Leaves were sampled for nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Mn) and tree stems were measured for determination of basal area growth (BAG). Similar measurements for trees sampled annually during 1995--2001 were also used to measure the effect of annual variation on nutritional standards. A boundary line approach was used to assess tree growth response to nutrition using nutrient concentrations and Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis (CND) scores as predicting variables. A Basal Area Growth Index (BAGI) was computed using the live crown ratio to correct for the effect of stand density on BAG. An iterative and unbiased protocol was also developed to eliminate outliers. Optimum, critical and optimal range levels were derived from quadratic models significant at P < 0.15.

No description available.

Red maple seedlings grown from fruits collected from matched wet and dry sites from three physiographic regions of Virginia were flooded to test whether red maple seedlings derived from wet sites are affected differently by flooding than are seedlings derived from dry sites. Thirteen weeks of soil inundation on seedling growth found no interactions between flooding and maternal hydrologic condition. However, flooding significantly decreased leaf, stem, and root dry matter accumulation as well as height growth, leaf area growth, root to shoot ratio, mean relative growth rate, net assimilation rate, and mean leaf area ratio. Thirteen days of rhizosphere inundation as well as six days of recovery on seedling gas exchange determined that flooding significantly decreased photosynthetic rate and leaf conductance. A larger decrease in photosynthetic rate than in leaf conductance resulted in decreased water use efficiency and leaf limitation. There were no interactions between flooding and maternal hydrologic condition. Fourteen days of flooding decreased root aerobic respiratory capacity and root ethylene evolution, and caused shoot water potential to be less negative. As in the previous studies, no interaction between flooding and maternal hydrologic condition existed. Although rhizosphere inundation negatively affected the growth and physiology of red maple seedlings, there does not appear to exist any genetic differentiation between wet site and dry site populations affording either of the populations enhanced flood tolerance. Rather, red maple appear to have the species wide phenotypic plasticity to survive flooded conditions. / Master of Science

Problems developing tall oak seedlings of high abundance have become a concern throughout many eastern hardwood forests. The decline in oak seedling recruitment into canopy positions is often attributed to the increasing abundance of shade tolerant midstory species, especially red maple (Acer rubrum L.). Studies have shown that increasing light to the understory by way of a midstory removal has the ability to favor oak seedlings over competitors. The majority of studies to date have examined northern red (Quercus rubra L.) and cherrybark oak (Quercus pagoda Raf.) on productive sites, but relatively little is known about the effects of midstory removal on white (Quercus alba L.) and black (Quercus velutina L.) oaks, which are valuable species commercially and for wildlife. This study tests the effect of a midstory removal on oak seedlings and red maples six years after treatment implementation. In addition to seedling growth, survival, and competitiveness, the study also illustrates the changes in canopy structure and light transmittance resulting from the midstory removal. Basal clipping response of white oak seedlings following six years under a midstory removal is also examined as a method for regenerating more vigorous oaks. Results from this study support implementation of midstory removal as a method for improving oak regeneration.

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1994. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 60-64). Also available via the Internet.

Water conservation and pollution concerns from nutrient runoff will very likely dictate precise irrigation regimes for nursery managers in Virginia. Maximum plant growth with minimum input of water and fertilizer is becoming increasingly important. Therefore, water use and growth of red and sugar maple (Acer rubrum L. 'Franksred' and Acer saccharum Marsh.) were studied during two years of pot-in-pot (P+P) production and during three years after transplanting to field soil. Three major experiments were completed. The first experiment studied the effect of frequent irrigation (three-times-a-day) versus standard once-a-day irrigation and found that frequent irrigation increased trunk diameter growth of sugar maples in the second production cycle and for red maples in both production cycles. Height growth of neither species was affected by frequent irrigation. A study of sap flow pattern indicated that late day water stress of red maples was partially alleviated by frequent irrigation. In the second experiment, red and sugar maples were transplanted to field soil after one (1-yr) or two (2-yr) years of P+P production. Irrigation frequency requirement decreased as the trees grew and depended on environmental conditions, size at planting, source of water (rainfall versus irrigation) and species. Height and trunk diameter of 1-yr red maple was equal to that of 2-yr trees after only one year. Height and trunk diameter differences between 1-yr and 2-yr sugar maple trees persisted three years after transplanting. In the third experiment water use of 1-yr and 2-yr red and sugar maple while in P+P production was investigated. Four models of daily water-use were developed. A simple model that is suitable for growers includes species, trunk cross-sectional area (BA) and air temperature (TA) observations. An environmental model was developed using the Penman-van Bavel estimate of evapotranspiration (ET). ET required modifications based on tree characteristics, air temperature, windspeed and relative humidity to be an effective predictor of water-use. A complex model was based on a sine-cosine function of day-of-the-year. This model fits water-use data well for each species and production cycle and includes BA, ET and TA. An alternate simpler model requires only day-of-the-year, TA and BA, offering growers a relatively simple and accurate model of water use. / Ph. D.