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Stand quality management in a late-rotation, red oak-sweetgum stand in east Mississippi: preliminary results following thinning

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Stand quality management is a new management strategy in which thinning prescriptions are based solely on tree quality rather than a quantitative level of residual stand density. As long as residual density falls within fairly broad limits, prescriptions are based on tree quality alone. We applied four thinning prescriptions based on stand quality management, along with an unthinned control, to a late-rotation, red oak-sweetgum (Quercus spp.- Liquidambar styraciflua) stand in east Mississippi during the fall of 2007. Prior to thinning, stand density averaged 105 trees and 117 square feet of basal area per acre. Quadratic mean diameter of the stand was 14.4 inches. Red oaks comprised 51 percent of stand basal area and had a quadratic mean diameter of 18.0 inches. Residual stand density immediately after application of the four thinning prescriptions ranged from 48 to 69 square feet of basal area per acre. Through the first 3 years after treatment, diameter growth of residual trees increased significantly following all four thinning prescriptions. Thinning had little or no effect on the production of new epicormic branches on the butt logs of residual trees, even among red oaks.

Parent Publication

Citation

Meadows, James S.; Skojac Jr., Daniel A. 2012. Stand quality management in a late-rotation, red oak-sweetgum stand in east Mississippi: preliminary results following thinning. In: Butnor, John R., ed. 2012. Proceedings of the 16th biennial southern silvicultural research conference. e-Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-156. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 221-229.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/41447