Center for Bottomland Hardwoods Research

Slide 3 of 8

Presentation: New Hardwood Tree Classification System
Author(s): Steve Meadows

Slide Notes...

Our second tree class for sawtimber-sized trees is Desirable Growing Stock. These are also good trees that are desirable for meeting the goals of management. This class may contain trees of desirable species and trees of acceptable species. It is characterized by upper-crown-class trees that are in good condition and contain boles of at least medium quality. These trees are expected to remain in good condition to the end of the rotation with low risk of mortality or degrade in merchantability. They are also expected to increase in value over time. This sweetgum tree has a codominant crown, is in excellent condition, and exhibits good bole quality. However, because sweetgum is classified as an acceptable, rather than desirable, species for the production of high-quality sawtimber, this tree must be classified as Desirable Growing Stock.

New Hardwood Tree Classification System

Steve Meadows and Danny Skojac