Windthrow damage and tree shape in coniferous plantations in central Hokkaido, northern Japan

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  • Shibuya Masato
    Research Group of Forest Resource Science, Division of Environmental Resources, Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University
  • Urata Tsutomu
    Research Group of Forest Resource Science, Division of Environmental Resources, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University
  • Torita Hiroyuki
    Forestry Research Department, Hokkaido Research Organization
  • Iijima Hayato
    Yamanashi Forest Research Institute

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Other Title
  • 北海道中央部の針葉樹人工林における風倒被害と樹形
  • ホッカイドウ チュウオウブ ノ シンヨウジュ ジンコウリン ニ オケル フウトウヒガイ ト ジュケイ

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We investigated the relationship between windthrow damage and tree shape in coniferous plantations that had suffered windthrow in 2004 in central Hokkaido, northern Japan, to examine the effect of tree shape on the resistance of trees and stands to windthrow. We investigated the following tree-shape parameters in damaged and undamaged plantations of Larix kaempferi, Abies sachalinensis, and Picea jezoensis, major plantation species in Hokkaido, 2-4 years after the windthrow: slenderness ratio (H/D ratio), crown length/tree height ratio (C_L ratio), and the height of the center of gravity of the wind load/tree height ratio (H_W ratio). In L. kaempferi and A. sachalinensis plantations, mean H/D ratios were distinct between damaged and undamaged plantations; the mean H/D ratio was lower in undamaged plantations than in damaged plantations. Based on differences in C_L and H_W ratios, the crown size of L. kaempferi and A. sachalinensis trees was larger in undamaged plantations than in damaged plantations. In P. jezoensis plantations, similar tendencies in H/D, C_L, and H_W ratios were observed. These data suggest a definite relationship between tree shape and resistance to windthrow, whereby trees with small slenderness ratios and large crowns are more resistant to windthrow. It is also suggested that vulnerability of coniferous plantations to windthrow changes drastically at thresholds in H/D and C_L ratios. Therefore, coniferous plantations should be managed to reduce windthrow risk. Because tree shape is heavily influenced by stand density, risk management on plantations should include density control initiatives.

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