ACCEPTABILITY OF THIRAM-TREATED CONIFERS TO SNOWSHOE HARES

During March of the first winter and November of the subsequent fall f ollowing application of thiram to white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss), treated twigs provided protection against snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus Erxleben) depredation (P = 0.000 1). Both experiments were conducted at Edmonton, Alta., with animals under restricted-feed condi tions. In March, thiram-treated trees were more resistant to hare clip ping of apical stems (P = 0.0001) and buds (P = 0.001), and barking of stem areas (P = 0.0001) compared with browsing of treated apical stem s (P = 0.058) and buds (P = 0.026), and barking of stem areas (P = 0.0 1 3) in November once current annual growth had emerged and substanti al weathering had occurred. Height of stems removed also differed betw een treatments during November (P = 0.0001). Overall, thiram treatment s may help increase conifer survival in reforestation areas supporting snowshoe hares if used in concert with other deterrent means until mo re effective control measures are developed.