A 39 year old Black Spruce Plantation and the Importance of Mycorrhizal Fungi

Retired Forester Malcolm (Mac) Squires tell the story of early silviculture in Ontario by describing the establishment of Anders black spruce planation near Thunder Bay. After 39 years the site is doing remarkably well. Mac also discusses mycorrhizal associations with the trees which are likely responsible for the enhanced growth.
00:00 - Intro
00:35 - Background
02:28 - Context
02:58 - Silvicultural Treatments
06:59 - Results
08:17 - Mycorrhizae
11:47 - Why are These Trees Smaller?
13:48 - Potential Benefits of Residual Trees
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Disclaimer
Any opinions expressed in this video are mine and mine alone (and in this case my guest) and are not related to my employer or any other organization or individual. I have not been paid to make this video or to endorse a product. If I am ever paid for an endorsement or provided other compensation, I will state it clearly in the video. Any advice or demonstration I provide is just advice. The viewer should take responsibility for their own actions, follow any manufacturers warnings and directions and act safely and responsibly when travelling in the backcountry.

[@Winter8R1]

Always enjoy your vides when Mac joins you Kevin. Very educational to hear the history of a forest stand from someone who was involved in the initial planning of the site.

[@KevinOutdoors]

I absolutely agree, I could listen to him for hours. So much history, I am glad I captured some of it.

[@TheFleetcaptain210]

Great video Kevin! Thank you Malcolm for sharing your experiences and history from Ontario's near past. It is fascinating hearing about what was done then and how it became a foundation for today.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks for your comment. This is a bit of history in a time capsule for the future.

[@beingaware8542]

"If only humanity did that" so true. what a brilliant person. thanks for this video!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks for the comment. You are welcome!

[@eyetime9837]

Thank you Kevin! Such an informative video. I really appreciate the knowledge and wisdom that Mac brought to this video! Very interesting on the mycorrhizal fungi relationship to a healthy forrest.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Eyetime! Much appreciated!

[@schulme123]

Thanks again, Kevin! More great knowledge and Mac is a great story teller!

[@KevinOutdoors]

You bet! Much apprecaited.

[@Woodswalker1965]

I love it when a good plan comes together!😀 I enjoyed hearing the backstory on that stand and the innovations that were implemented. Take care buddy👍

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Wade. I always enjoy my day trips out to the forest with Mac.

[@toni-lynnmarcoux]

Another great video kevin, thank you for always keeping us educated and informed about our Ontario Forests. I always thought that the few trees left in a clearing were for the birds of prey habitat.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Toni-Lynn, The trees are left of wildlife habitat, this mycorrhizal relationship is something we are learning. Leaving trees helps the fungi for sure.

[@AJKPenguin]

Brilliant landscaping. The wisdom here, from this man, Mac, is phenomenal. Here's to the late Roy for throwing out the idea to keep some residual trees. : ) Forget about going to university while he is alive. You could get a doctorate just from his work. Thank you Kevin. : )

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks for that Adam. I feel lucky to be able to spend time with Mac. And I also knew and enjoyed Roy's company, he was quite the character too!

[@AJKPenguin]

@@KevinOutdoors You're most welcome : )

[@1967AJB]

Why do I feel like just sitting quietly at his feet and listening? Great video Kev!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Absolutely. And he does it all in one take. Thanks Andy.

[@pvesely299]

Super interesting. Malcom needs to come to Paradise,CA where I live. We had a giant fire in 2018 that burned 14,000 structures and thousands of trees. It will be many years before we have the forested town again.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Paul. Terrible to hear what happened where you are. Perhaps I need to take Mac on the road?

[@barneyewing2664]

Very interesting to see the differences in the two stands.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Absolutely. It is very interesting how important fungi can be.

[@poodwood]

I could listen to many more of these videos

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks. We'll try and make some more.

[@loggingroadking93]

Thanks Kevin. I just drove through an area that had been recently logged and noticed that they left a lot more mature trees. Now I know why. I have a great thirst for knowledge about the forest that I live in and find very little on video. Cheers from northeastern Ontario.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks for the comment. The trees are left for wildlife but we are learning that they also help retain mycorrhizae on the site.

[@loggingroadking93]

Yeah I heard they were left for the big birds, eagles, hawks, etc.

[@alanbierhoff6831]

Another wonderful video with Mac. He’s a great educator and a wealth of knowledge. I always learn so much from watching your videos with Mac. I call him “the Mors Kochanski of the forest” 😊 Thank you for this video

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks so much Alan, Mac is a wealth of knowledge and it is always a pleasure to go out to the forest with him.

[@ripplesandleaves]

So fascinating! Thank you so much for this.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@robbiemoore7128]

this was interesting .. thanks

[@KevinOutdoors]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Trythis837]

I live in Ottawa and we see a lot of drought killed trees. Most of the forests are almost completely absent of mycorrhizae mushrooms. I believe it’s a result of forests being replanted on farm land but no reintroduction of mycorrhizae fungus.

[@KevinOutdoors]

That's too bad about those trees. Mychrrhizae can certainly help trees access moisture in the soil.

[@ericulry4743]

Why away such great habitat for a black spruce plantation? I have a black spruce swamp essentially and I'm trying to figure out a way to convert it to exactly what this was before... any tips!?

[@KevinOutdoors]

Sorry I don't really understand your question.

[@Marco-nd1cp]

Im curious about the seed source (local genotype)for those black spruce trees or was it from cuttings?

[@KevinOutdoors]

The seed would have been from local sources. Mac and a few others were also pioneers in seedling production and getting the formula right for viable seedling stock production from nurseries.