Developments in Paraquat Treatment of Trees to Induce Lightwood Formation

Paraquat treatment has induced lightwood formation in all species of pines tested to date, but failed to cause a significant response in firs, spruces, hemlock and Douglas-fir. In a 40-year-old natural clash pine stand, paraquat concentrations as high as 24 percent caused only slight mortality. Aplications of paraquat to live phloem, cambium and xylem depth wounds all resulted in lightwood formation. After one and one-half years of a two-year study of paraquat treatment of 20-year-old slash pines, the lightwood formation continues to increase with time. A mill trial of 4000 cords of slash pine using paraquat treated wood at levels up to 25 percent of the total furnish gave no problems in the kraft pulping operations.

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