Hybrid poplar productivity under high forest and short rotation woody crop systems under boreal conditions

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Hybrid poplars have the fastest growth potential of all tree species found in Canada. Their use is however relatively recent in the boreal zones of Canada, and some uncertainties remain in relation to their hardiness and growth performance under differing sites conditions and silvicultural management scenarios. Using already-established plantations, we first want to determine the effects of environmental factors and cultivation practices on the yields of fast growing hybrid poplar plantations. More specifically, we seek to 1) evaluate the yield potential of several hybrid poplar cultivars planted along a large pedo-climatic gradient covering the Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec regions and 2) determine the effects of cultural system (i.e. high forest plantation vs. short rotation coppice) and fertilization on plantation yields. Ultimately, we seek to determine the set of pedo-climatic conditions and cultivar characteristics (e.g. branch form, root system, physiology), and cultivation practices that are conducive to greater yields in the clay belt region or north western Quebec. Results of this project will allow the Canadian industry operating under boreal conditions to choose appropriate management practices to maximize biomass yields under high forest and short-rotation woody crops systems. The results will guide management (industrial and regulators) and materialize the use of these fast-growing plantations in the toolset of foresters to produce at least part of their timber supply, close to mills, and ultimately be less reliant on natural forests and alleviate wood shortages and harvesting limitations on public lands.