Age, size and regeneration of old growth white pine at Dividing Lake Nature Reserve, Algonquin Park, Ontario

The age, mode of regeneration and diameter growth of white pine were determined in an old growth stand near Dividing Lake, Algonquin Provincial Park. The white pine ranged in age from 267 to 486 years. There was no significant relationship between white pine age and diameter (DBH). The distribution of tree ages indicated that the white pine component in this mixed pinehardwood stand was multi- or all-aged. Most of the pine sampled regenerated during 2 periods (circa 1650 and 1710). However, some pine regeneration occurred throughout the period from 1507 to 1726. Cycles of relatively minor stand disturbances by surface fires or windthrow, with less frequent major disturbances by more intense fires, may have led to the development of this multiaged pine forest. The most common form of white pine regeneration was advanced reproduction. Ring width series have been developed for the Dividing Lake white pine.