Using Acoustic Tomography to Infer Stem Wood Quality of Pine Forests Affected by a Fungal Pathogen in Different Latitudinal Regions and Plantation Densities

Diplodia pinea is a fungal pathogen that causes shoot blight in pines and widely spread red pine (Pinus resinosa) jack banksiana) forests Michigan. The objective of this study was to examine whether infection with D. compromises wood quality stands. Acoustic data collected using an acoustic tomographer from the stem region at breast height (1.3 m) trees across two categories forest health condition (control vs. Diplodia-affected), latitudinal regions (Lower Peninsula Upper Peninsula), levels initial stand density (low high). used infer (i.e., density) these tree species since material higher generally has sound velocity rates. Red had significantly velocities) compared Lower region. Within each region, velocities did not show significant differences between or levels. Jack showed no treatment categories. results indicate appears have more impact on than influence (presence blight) density. All analyzed factors (latitudinal condition, pine.