Fuel accumulations in Piedmont loblolly pine plantations
Abstract
Weight of minor vegetation under unthinned loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations was closely related to stand age and basal area stocking. Weight of this vegetation peaked 3 years after clearcutting and planting, then diminished as the pine canopy became denser. Forest floor weight increased steadily through age 23, when it began to level off. Equilibrium forest floor weight on average Piedmont sites apparently is about 17,000 pounds per acre and is reached at about age 35.