Survival and Growth of White Ash Families and Provenances 15 Years After Establishment in West Virginia

Book excerpt: The survival, growth, and stem form of 45 white ash (Fraxinus americana L.) families nested within 22 provenances were evaluated 1 5 years after establishment in North Central West Virginia. Geographic family origins encompassed a wide area in the eastern and central United States, including locations from Maine in the North to Mississippi in the South to Nebraska in the West. Significant differences were identified among provenances for survival, stem form, total height, and stem diameter and among families within provenances for stem form and total height. Latitude was a significant indicator of provenance performance with performance declining north and south of the plantation latitude. Performance gains may be realized by using proper provenances then identifying superior families within these provenances for white ash artificial regeneration activities.