Preharvest herbicide treatment improves regeneration in Southern Appalachian Hardwoods

Abstract

Preharvest herbicide treatment of undesirable and unmerchantable vegetation was compared to postharvest felling. Ten years after the clearcut harvesting, the preharvest treatment had increased the number and proportion of diserable stems and decreased the number and proportion of undesirable sprouts in the dominant stand. Stands that developed after the preharvest herbicide treatment are dominated by single-stemmed desirable species, and excellent future stocking is assured. Because of the presence of undesirable sprout clumps, plots receiving the postharvest felling have an uncertain future. An effective preharvest treatment that costs about the same as postharvest felling is recommended.

Citation

Loftis, David L. 2009. Preharvest herbicide treatment improves regeneration in Southern Appalachian Hardwoods. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry: 177-180