E. deglupta spacing trial, Baku

Recently planted seedlings of E. deglupta (arrows) shown on a logged but unburned site at Gogol. They are about to be outgrown by the profuse growth of Macaranga sp. (plants with heart-shaped leaves) and other regrowth and the too wide spacing had placed them at a disadvantage from the start. In the Gogol too high an expectation was placed on the pioneer shade-intolerant E. deglupta adapted only to regenerate in the complete absence of competition (other than with itself) from weeds of any kind on recently deposited river alluvia, landslides, volcanic ejecta and intensely burnt areas in well-drained situations. An A4 sheet on a booking board behind the right hand arrow in front of a seedling of E. deglupta gives some idea of the scale.

E. deglupta spacing trial, Baku

A large replicated spacing trial was laid out and planted with Keravat provenance in Compartment 3 Baku in 1973. Because of the poor, variable site, it produced no usable results.

E. deglupta spacing trial, Compartment 3 Baku, soon after planting in 1973. After pulpwood logging the residual vegetation was clearfelled and burnt prior to planting in randomized blocks. In this photograph the trial was already adversely beset by waterlogging and affected by localized ash bed effects, with better growth of the few trees seen here on ash beds and/or slightly elevated positions. Surface water was visible in many places and had ponded next to the road at the top of the photograph (no culverts under the road?). This poor, uneven start meant the trial did not produce any statistically meaningful results.