Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Surfing the Koehler Curve: revisiting a method for the identification of longleaf pine stumps and logs

Formally Refereed

Abstract

Measurements of pith and second growth ring diameters were used by Koehler in 1932 to separate longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) timbers from those of several southern pines (e.g., loblolly, shortleaf). In the current study, measurements were taken from plantation-grown longleaf, loblolly and shortleaf pine trees, as well as old growth longleaf pine, lightwood, and turpentine stumps, to evaluate the method. Results presented here demonstrate that the Koehler method provides an effective means to identify longleaf pine timbers and stumps with applications in the conservation and forest products fields.

Citation

Eberhardt, Thomas L.; Sheridan, Philip M.; Reed, Karen G. 2009. Surfing the Koehler Curve: revisiting a method for the identification of longleaf pine stumps and logs. In: Bowersock, Elizabeth P., Hermann, Sharon M. and Kush, John S., comps. 2009. Forestry in a changing World: New Challenges and Opportunities. Proceedings of The Longleaf Alliance seventh Regional Conference and Forest Guild Annual Meeting. October 28-November 2, 2008. Sandestin, FL. Longleaf Alliance Report No. 14: 85-86
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/33611