A group of 28 knowledgeable Alberta forest managers, silvicultural practitioners and forestry specialists met in 2013 to discuss results of a major field trial and related studies of lodgepole pine regeneration, and their implications for reforestation practice in the Alberta Foothills region.
Seven areas of practice were discussed: site preparation, planting, vegetation management, pest management, tree improvement, assessment of regeneration establishment, and forecasting of growth and yield. The following paper summarizes for each area relevant trends demonstrated by the research, discussions of their implications for management practice, and recommendations for best practices to address the observed trends, as recorded at the workshop. The initial draft of the paper has been updated to incorporate additions, corrections and amendments requested by workshop participants.
Conclusions and recommendations represent the consensus of the group, and provide a timely assessment of considerations and options for reforestation management in a changing environment.
