Fraser Fir Mortality and the Dynamics of a Great Smoky Mountains Fir-Spruce Stand

ABSTRACT
Changes over the last 25 years in a Clingman’s Dome fir-spruce stand are quantified. Balsam woolly adelgid induced mortality of Fraser fir has resulted in a 47% decrease in live basal area of fir. Fir remains the dominant species comprising 57% of the stand basal area, and exhibits abundant recruitment. Minor increases in red spruce density and basal area are evident despite reports of radial growth reductions in spruce at this site.