Browsing by Subject "Abies"

In Arboretum Mustila, the most significant private tree species collection in Finland, cultivation of exotic conifer species began in the 1910s. Finnish research on exotic conifers stems from the interests of commercial forestry although the focus of cultivating these conifers has shifted to horticultural and landscaping use in practice. This study is an inventory aiming to produce knowledge on the performance of conifer plantations in Mustila Arboretum. In addition, the results of the inventory are usable in targeting the selection of reproduction material in the Arboretum and they enable further discussion on benefits and possibilities of breeding exotic conifers. 41 tree species from genera Abies, Chamaecyparis, Cuprsessus, Larix, Picea, Pinus, Pseudotsuga, Thuja and Tsuga were included in the study. Yield parameters, tree quality, tree damages and phenotypic variability in important properties to horticultural landscaping use were assessed in forest stands and tree groups. 1-4 permanent circular plots were established to each forest stand for measurements and additionally phenotypic variance was estimated visually. Results of the inventory are available for the Arboretum and every single tree can be tracked even after decades. Most of the Arboretums exotic conifer plantations are suitable sources for reproduction of trees for gardens and parks. Abies balsamea, Abies koreana, Abies nephrolepis, Larix gmelinii var. japonica, Larix sibirica, Pinus peuce and Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca were most vital of the studied species. Stand volume exceeded 500 m3/ha within 16 species. Results of the inventory indicate that more exotic species perform well in Southern Finnish conditions than former studies have shown.