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First-year growth and quality response of residual ahrdwood poletimber trees following thinning in an even-aged sawtimber stand

Informally Refereed

Abstract

First-year diameter growth and epicormic branching responses of hardwood poletimber trees retained following thinning- in a sawtimber stand are reported. Poletimber trees were classified as either superior or inferior poletimber, and then retained on separate plots receiving identical thinning treatments. Comparison of responses by the two classes of poletimber was used to evaluate their future potential for grade sawtimber in the thinned sawtimber stand. Thinning treatments included an unthinned control, two levels of the desirable treatment (retained preferred and desirable sawtimber and either superior or inferior poletimber), and two levels of the acceptable treatment (retained preferred, desirable, and acceptable sawtimber and either superior or inferior poletimber). Preliminary results indicated that future sawtimber production from residual superior poletimber trees may be a realistic option but appears less likely from their inferior poletimber counterparts. The desirable treatment yielded significant first-year dianieter growth of superior poletimber trees (0.20 inches), but also stimulated greater production of new epicormic branches on the potentially more valuable superior poletimber trees. The acceptable treatment minimized the production of epicormic branches on superior poletimber trees (only 2.2 new branches) during the first year.

Citation

Skojac, Daniel A. Jr.; Ezell, Andrew W.; Meadows, James S.; Hodges, John D. 2007. First-year growth and quality response of residual ahrdwood poletimber trees following thinning in an even-aged sawtimber stand. Res. Note SE-13. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. 6 p.
Citations
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/28971