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A 16-year evaluation of effects of ripping on shortleaf pine on a Missouri ozarks site

Informally Refereed

Abstract

A shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) ripping study was established by the Missouri Department of Conservation in March 1988 at the Logan Creek Conservation Area. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of ripping on survival, height, diameter, volume, crown spread, and free-to-grow status of planted shortleaf pine seedlings. Ripping improved survival by 4 percent during the first 3 growing seasons, and at age 16 the improvement in survival was 7.1 percent. It improved crown spread by 13.6 percent and free-to-grow status by 3.8 percent after 2 growing seasons. Ripping improved height, diameter, and volume by 14.2, 14.0, and 41.2 percent, respectively, after 2 growing seasons. However, at age 16, ripping had no effect on height, and it reduced diameter and volume by 5.3 percent and 10.2 percent, respectively. The results suggest that benefits of ripping are minor and short-term.

Parent Publication

Citation

Gwaze, David; Hauser, Carl; Johanson, Mark. 2006. A 16-year evaluation of effects of ripping on shortleaf pine on a Missouri ozarks site. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-92. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. pp. 195-199
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/23377