Replies

1. 
   danmart | Mar 30, 2010 09:09am | #1

   Tree Growth Change

   After reading the story, I'm not sure what to make of it?? Are the trees growing in a mixed forested area?(desiduous and coniferous trees). In my area the hardwoods grow straight and faster when surrounded by yellow pines. On the other hand, if an oak grows in the open it just goes every which way. Poplars and hickory(shag bark) grow as straight as an arrow and very quickly when they compete with the pine. On my relatives land we always replant with trees that grow and compete.

   Question: Will the faster growth result in a poor quality wood? I wonder. The fast growing walnut here in NC(central piedmont) is certainly good for what I am building but it is not as dense as the walnut that grows just 200 miles from here in the colder climates. When I look at some of the walnut that grew in the colder parts of the country, I see a marked difference in the growth rings and the color. In my view, the slower growing trees are just a bit more dense and they tend to weigh more accordingly. Additionally, I find the denser woods easier to finish and plane. The open pores need more attention.

   With all that said, I won't turn down a 16"wide walnut board because it grew to fast.

   dan

   
2. 
   trialnut | Mar 30, 2010 10:23am | #2

   Must be the good fertilizer in the stands location, just east (downhill) of DC.

3. 
   notatexan | Mar 30, 2010 12:51pm | #3

   Something doesn't add up in that story.  The growth spurt is recent but the possible causes listed have changed gradually over the last 100? years.  I believe the average temp has dropped slightly recently.  Maybe the trees are finally responding to cleaner air, cleaner water, and nobody messing with the forrest.

   It could also be the runoff from DC as suggested.  First rule of plumbing - it flows down hill.

   Jim

4. 
   BrentD | Mar 30, 2010 09:06pm | #4

   Jim,

   How do you figure.  The temps have gone up, not down almost everywhere over the last two decades.  That is pretty well documented and mentioned in the story.  CO2 is up too.  That is a fertilizer.  Seems reasonable to me that trees are growing faster and I don't think that is news.  So why this story makes the press is more surprising to me than anything else.  This is old hat.

   Brent