GEOGRAPHIC-VARIATION OF ABIES GRANDIS - PROVENANCES GROWN IN NORTHWESTERN GERMANY

In 3 field trials in northwestern Germany height and diameter growth a s well as mortality of 52 provenances of Grand fir (Abies grandis LIND L.) up to the age of 15 years were investigated. Fast growing provenan ces originate from the East of Vancouver Island and the Olympic Penins ula, the West of the Cascade Range and - with exceptions - from the co astal regions of Oregon. But provenances from the South of the last me ntioned region show the highest plant losses and a high percentage of forked trees. In general a rather large variation within provenances w as observed. The estimated correlation coefficients between height at age 15 and some geographic variables are weak. In the years after plan ting pronounced rank changes occurred. Height growth seems to stabiliz e at a plant age of about 7 or 9 years. Finally wood properties of Gra nd Gr and the silvicultural possibilities to influence them are discus sed.