Biological response of plantation cottonwood to spacing, pruning and thinning

R. J. Gascon; R. M. Krinard

Biological response of plantation cottonwood to spacing, pruning and thinning

Informally Refereed

Authors:

R. J. Gascon, R. M. Krinard

Year:

1976

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Southern Research Station

Source:

In: Symposium on eastern cottonwood and related species. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA. 385-391.

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Abstract

A literature review and a sampling of data obtained from cottonwood growers of the biological response of plantation-grown cottonwood trees to initial spacings in the Midsouth have indicated the following trends: as spacing increased, dbh increased, height of dominants not practically affected, total cubic volume decreased, basal area decreased, natural pruning decreased, and, regardless of spacing, mean annual diameter growth peaked in the second or third year. Thinnings have neither increased diameter growth of residual trees nor greatly changed total cubic volume yields. Pruning should be restricted to less than 50 percent of total tree height. Mid-growing season pruning seems to produce less branching than dormant or early season pruning.

Keywords

Populus deltoides, growth, artificial regeneration, increment

Citation

Gascon, R. J.; Krinard, R. M. 1976. Biological response of plantation cottonwood to spacing, pruning and thinning. In: Symposium on eastern cottonwood and related species. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA. 385-391.