Mires and Peat

an online journal jointly published by imcg and ips

Volume 3 (2008): Article 10 

Establishing trees on cut-over peatlands in eastern Canada.

by J. Bussières, S. Boudreau and L. Rochefort

Published online: 23.12.2008

Summary
Four major tree-planting trials on cut-over peatlands in eastern Canada were surveyed in 2002, in order to
evaluate the potential use of trees in rehabilitation following horticultural peat extraction. At one of the sites,
an experiment to determine the appropriate fertilisation rate for trees planted on cut-over peatlands was also
conducted over several years. Tree performance was assessed by measuring survival, total height and annual
growth of red maple (Acer rubrum L.), tamarack (Larix laricina (Du Roi) Koch.), black spruce (Picea
mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.), jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and hybrid poplar (Populus spp.). Establishment
and growth of tamarack and black spruce in cut-over peatlands showed good potential when compared to
performance in conventional forestry plantations. Red maple and jack pine gave poor productivity but
promising survival, whilst hybrid poplar plantings failed. Adding nutrients was essential for growth but
dosages above 122.5 g of 3.4N-8.3P-24.2K per tree gave no further improvement. Therefore, several
different tree species can be planted to reclaim cut-over peatlands in eastern Canada, so long as the
appropriate species are chosen and nutrients are provided.

download paper (400 kB)

Citation

Bussières, J., Boudreau, S. & Rochefort, L. (2008):Establishing trees on cut-over peatlands in eastern Canada. Mires and Peat 3: Art. 10. (Online: http://www.mires-and-peat.net/map03/map_03_10.htm) 

Reviewers     

IMCG and IPS acknowledge the work of the reviewers.

Last update: 01.01.2010		www.mires-and-peat.net
Key title: Mires and Peat	ISSN 1819-754X	Abbreviated key title: Mires Peat