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Forestry 1991 64(3):303-319; doi:10.1093/forestry/64.3.303
© 1991 by Institute of Chartered Foresters
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Using Distribution-Modifying Functions to Predict Variation in Frequency Distributions of Tree Heights during Plantation Establishment*

D. B. SOUTH1 and W. L. MASON2

1School of Forestry and Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn University Auburn, AL 36849-5418, USA
2Forestry Commission, Northern Research Station Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9SY, Scotland

The height growth of individual trees was followed during the establishment phase of four progeny tests (three with Picea sitchensis and one with Larixxeurolepis). The relationships between annual height increment and height at the start of the year (distribution-modifying functions; DMFs) were calculated for each year during establishment. These DMFs were used to produce simulated frequency distributions for tree height. Although it has been stated that changes in the frequency distribution of plant sizes can be predicted from DMFs, the reliability of the functions is not good since, with these data sets, the functions accounted for a low percentage of individual tree growth. While the functions do estimate the first moment of the distribution (the mean), they do not accurately predict the second and third moments (standard deviation and skew). The primary reason for the rapid spread in the frequency distribution is variation in growth of seedlings with similar heights. Successful modelling of the changes in frequency distribution can be accomplished only if variation in growth (of seedlings with the same initial height) is included with the DMF. However, calculation of DMFs can be useful in defining the duration of planting check.

Received 10 May 1990.
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