Hypotheses for common persimmon stand development in mixed-species bottomland hardwood forests
This article is part of a larger document. View the larger document here.Abstract
Common persimmon (Diospyros virginiana L.) is a shade-tolerant tree species found in southern bottomland hardwood forests. It is a desired species due primarily to its large fruit used by many wildlife species. While it has been observed as a component in natural reproduction, persimmon is rarely found as an overstory species in maturing bottomland hardwood stands. Unfortunately, little information exists regarding persimmon ecology and silviculture to develop silvicultural prescriptions to increase its stand density and development. Results from an archived dataset of stem analysis from a variety of bottomland hardwood species, personal observations of persimmon, and a conceptual model of tree species to plant with red oaks (Quercus rubra L.) in bottomland hardwood afforestation were used to develop hypotheses for future persimmon stand development research. These hypotheses are based on development in even-aged stands.