scholarly journals Thinning Red Pine Plantations and the Langsaeter Hypothesis: A Northern Minnesota Case Study

2005 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel W. Gilmore ◽  
Timothy C. O'Brien ◽  
Howard M. Hoganson
Keyword(s):  
Volume Growth ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Red Pine ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Tree Level ◽  
Computer Simulation Model ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Prediction Equations ◽  
Growing Stock ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract The Langsaeter hypothesis states, “The total production of cubic volume by a stand of given age and composition on a given site is, for all practical purposes, constant and optimum for a wide range of density of stocking. It can be decreased, but not increased, by altering the amount of growing stock to levels outside this range.” We used a multistep approach to test this hypothesis in a 46-year-old red pine plantation growing on a site of moderate quality in northern Minnesota. First, we used stem analysis data to construct tree-level red pine volume equations and compared them to existing equations. We then calculated stand-level volume. Doing this allowed us to evaluate the performance of two stand-level volume prediction equations, a growth and yield spreadsheet package, and a computer simulation model using 10-year pre- and post-thinning measurements. Tree volume prediction equations were similar to existing equations. For 10-year projections, the stand-level volume prediction equations and growth projection models provided volume estimates within 10% of actual volumes on average. Ten-year post-thinning measurements showed that a geometric, strip thinning to 100 ft2 of basal area resulted in a 40% volume gain, a crown thinning to 125 ft2 of basal area a 35% volume gain, and a low thinning to 140 ft2 of basal area a 30% volume gain, while an unharvested control had a 22% gain in volume relative to residual stand volumes. Although we found the 10-year volume growth varied less than 1 cord ac−1 between residual growing stock volumes retained in this study, we do not have strong evidence to support the Langsaeter hypothesis for red pine. North. J. Appl. For. 22(1):19–26.

Growth, yield, and structure of extended rotation Pinus resinosa stands in Minnesota, USA

2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 1000-1010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony W. D’Amato ◽  
Brian J. Palik ◽  
Christel C. Kern
Keyword(s):  
Volume Growth ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Pinus Resinosa ◽  
Red Pine ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Growing Stock ◽  
Ecological Objectives

Extended rotations are increasingly used to meet ecological objectives on forestland; however, information about long-term growth and yield of these systems is lacking for most forests in North America. Additionally, long-term growth responses to repeated thinnings in older stands have received little attention. We addressed these needs by examining the growth and yield of red pine ( Pinus resinosa Ait.) in a growing stock experiment in northern Minnesota. Stands were 85 years old at the onset of this experiment and were repeatedly thinned to five levels of basal area (13.8, 18.4, 23.0, 27.5, and 32.1 m2·ha–1) over 58 years. Cumulative volume production and volume growth were lowest within the lowest stocking treatment and similar across other stocking levels. Late-successional structural attributes, such as the density of trees with ≥40 cm diameter at breast height, was similar across stocking levels. The mean annual volume growth culminated between 130 and 140 years. Additionally, positive growth responses were observed within the highest stocking-level treatments after thinning at 138 years, demonstrating the ability of older red pine to respond to reductions in competition. These results illustrate that extended rotations with repeated thinnings in red pine help achieve ecological goals, including the restoration of old-forest structure, while also maintaining high levels of stand productivity.

scholarly journals Response of White Spruce Plantation to Three Levels of Thinning from Below 1958-1978

1980 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. M. Stiell
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Standing Crop ◽  
Volume Growth ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Field Site ◽  
Old Field ◽  
Stand Growth ◽  
Growing Stock

In 1958 a thinning experiment to examine the relation of stand growth of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) to density of residual growing stock was established at the Petawawa national Forestry Institute in a 33-year-old plantation growing on a sandy old-field site. A treatment series consisted of sample plots thinned from below to basal area levels of 18.4, 25.3 and 32.1 m2/ha, together with unthinned plots serving as controls. Two such replicates were established. The plots were remeasured and thinned again to the prescribed basal areas in 1968 and 1978. Diameter growth and form quotient were clearly related to degree of thinning. Volume growth was reduced at the lowest residual basal area. The untreated plots contained the highest volume in 1978 but mortality had reduced their total production of merchantable wood by about 10% compared with the thinnings plus standing crop of the two lighter treatments. Thinning to leave a basal area in the range of about 22 to 35 m2/ha should yield 11 to 60 m3/ha of merchantable wood, depending on plantation age and intensity of cut, without reducing stand growth.

The growth and yield responses of a high site quality red pine plantation to seven thinning treatments and two thinning intervals

1986 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 513-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hal O. Liechty ◽  
Glenn D. Mroz ◽  
David D. Reed
Keyword(s):  
Volume Growth ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Red Pine ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Pine Plantation ◽  
High Site ◽  
Yield Responses ◽  
Lower Site

Seven thinning treatments with residual densities between 60 and 160 ft3/acre (13.8 and 36.8 m2/ha) of basal area were applied to a highly productive (site index, 81 ft (24.7 m); base age, 50 years) red pine (Pinusresinosa Ait.) plantation. After 10 years, periodic basal area growth was maximized over a lower and much broader range of residual densities than previously found in lower site quality stands. Total and merchantable cubic foot volume growth for the 10 year period was not significantly different between treatments. Application of these thinning treatments on a 6- compared with a 10-year interval reduced total and merchantable cubic foot volume growth while increasing the average stand diameter.

Quantification of realised genetic gain in radiata pine and its incorporation into growth and yield modelling systems

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (12) ◽  
pp. 1676-1687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark O. Kimberley ◽  
John R. Moore ◽  
Heidi S. Dungey
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Genetic Gain ◽  
Genetic Improvement ◽  
Volume Growth ◽  
Radiata Pine ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Unit Increase ◽  
Using Data

Realised genetic gain for radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) was estimated using data from 46 installations of three series of block-plot trials spanning a wide range of site types throughout New Zealand. These trials contained 63 unique seedlots with different levels of genetic improvement. Realised genetic gain was quantified using two measures of productivity: site index and 300 Index (a measure of volume productivity). The level of genetic improvement of each seedlot was determined by its GF Plus rating, a genetic rating system based on breeding values used for New Zealand radiata pine. There was a positive relationship between GF Plus rating and both productivity measures. Differences of 25% in total standing volume at age 30 years and of 5.6% in site index were found between unimproved (GF Plus 9.9) and highly improved (GF Plus 25) seedlots. Each unit increase in GF Plus rating was associated with a 1.51% increase in volume growth rate. In absolute terms, the magnitude of the increase was greater on more productive sites compared with less productive sites, although in percentage terms, it varied little between sites or regions. Quantification of genetic gain in this manner enables it to be easily incorporated into existing growth and yield simulators.

Calibrating predicted diameter distribution with additional information in growth and yield predictions

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 430-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annika Kangas ◽  
Matti Maltamo
Keyword(s):  
Growth Models ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Diameter Distribution ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Forest Management Planning ◽  
Growing Stock ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Tree Models ◽  
Diameter Distributions

Diameter distribution of the growing stock is essential in many forest management planning problems. The diameter distribution is the basis for predicting, for example, timber assortments of a stand. Usually the predicted diameter distribution is scaled so that the stem number (or basal area) corresponds to the measured value (or predicted future value), but it may be difficult to obtain a distribution that gives correct estimates for all known variables. Diameter distributions that are compatible with all available information can be obtained using an approach adopted from sampling theory, the calibration estimation. In calibration estimation, the original predicted frequencies are modified so that they respect a set of constraints, the calibration equations. In this paper, an example of utilizing diameter distributions in growth and yield predictions is presented. The example is based on individual tree growth models of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Calibration estimation was utilized in predicting the diameter distribution at the beginning of the simulation period. Then, trees were picked from the distribution and their development was predicted with individual tree models. In predicting the current stand characteristics, calibrated diameter distributions proved to be efficient. However, in predicting future yields, calibration estimation did not significantly improve the accuracy of the results.

Towards a nationwide growth and yield model for radiata pine plantations in New Zealand

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 2533-2543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helge Dzierzon ◽  
Euan G Mason
Keyword(s):  
Hybrid Approach ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Radiata Pine ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Parameter Estimates ◽  
Yield Model ◽  
Climatic Regions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
A Site ◽  
Modelling Approaches

A study was designed to evaluate a forest stand modelling approach for management use that can be applied across a wide range of site types and climatic regions. Radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) plantations dominate New Zealand's forestry sector; thus, this species was the subject of the study. A major goal of the study was to compare different modelling approaches, which combine simplicity and site sensitivity. Therefore, two general modelling approaches were investigated: a site-stratified and a physiological hybrid approach. Both approaches were implemented by using difference equations. The investigation revealed more consistently improved fits of stratified models, although the fitting process showed potential bias of parameter estimates. On the other hand, the hybrid approach resulted in promising results, especially for stand basal area. The introduction of climate and site variables showed less improvement for mean top height than for basal area. The application of the model on regional scales resulted in an improved prediction in a region with plenty of growth limitations, but less precise results in a region where growth was limited primarily by light and temperature. In the whole, results of the hybrid approach will encourage further studies that incorporate more sophisticated approaches for depicting physiological processes.

RPGrow$: A Red Pine Analysis Spreadsheet for the Lake States

1994 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 141-145
Author(s):  
Carol A. Hyldahl ◽  
Gerald H. Grossman
Keyword(s):  
Financial Analysis ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Red Pine ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Management Scenarios ◽  
Stand Management ◽  
Lake States ◽  
Final Harvest

Abstract RPGrow$ is a spreadsheet that interactively projects standlevel growth and yield with financial analysis of red pine plantations in the Lake States. Three types of commonly found conditions related to red pine management can be analyzed: (1) an entire rotation from initial planting to final harvest; (2) an existing stand from any point in time until final harvest; and (3) conversion of an existing stand to red pine (marginal analysis). Stand growth projections are for 70 yr. User input includes site index, stand age, initial basal area, trees per acre, thinning regime, costs associated with establishment and culture, tax rates, inflation rate, and discount rate. RPGrow$ calculates and values pulpwood and sawtimber volumes from user-defined stumpage prices. The financial analysis uses discounted cash flow methods to calculate results both with and without tax effects. Different stand management scenarios and economic factors can be compared easily through sensitivity analysis. North. J. Appl. For. 11(4):141-145.

scholarly journals Consistency of Cone Production in Individual Red Pine

1988 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 480-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. M. Stiell
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Pinus Resinosa ◽  
Red Pine ◽  
Tree Size ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Crop Size ◽  
Cone Production ◽  
Production Area

A plantation of red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) produced heavy cone crops in 1970 and 1984. Established at 6.5 × 6.5 m, the stand was 18-years old in 1970 and still open-grown; crowns were closed before 1984. Cone production at the two dates was compared for 28 trees. While total production was similar for 1970 and 1984, distribution within the sample differed. Although 18% of the trees maintained their rank in 1984, some large changes in production ranking took place from one crop to the next. Despite a tendency at both dates for crop size to increase with current dbh, exceptions were evident and the largest trees did not necessarily bear the most cones. Crop size in 1970 was the variable most closely associate with 1984 crop size and was significantly correlated with it independently 1984 dbh. High cone production did not seem to depress tree growth, based on a comparison of 1970-72 basal area increment of more versus less prolific cone bearers. Before a stand has borne its first good cone crop, expectations for highest yields would have to be based on tree size. For subsequent crops, previous production by individuals would be the best guide. The two top cone bearers far surpassed all others in both crop years and would be the first individuals selected for seed trees in a seed production area.

Analysis of stand basal area development of thinned and unthinned Acer rubrum forests in the upper Great Lakes region, USA

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 645-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin L. Pszwaro ◽  
Anthony W. D’Amato ◽  
Thomas E. Burk ◽  
Matthew B. Russell ◽  
Brian J. Palik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mean Squared Error ◽  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Wide Range

Red maple (Acer rubrum L.), historically a common but not abundant tree species in North America, has increased in abundance throughout its range over the last several decades; however, it has received little attention in growth and yield studies. The objectives of this study were to (i) evaluate the effects of stocking level and stand density on overall patterns of red maple stand productivity and (ii) quantify these relationships across a wide range of stand age, site quality, geographic location, and climatic conditions. We used long-term measurements from 52 sites in Wisconsin and Michigan to examine growth responses of even-aged red maple stands to various levels of thinning. Using linear, mixed-effects modeling, future stand-level red maple basal area was modeled as a function of stand and plot characteristics and climatic variables. Growing season precipitation and its interaction with initial red maple basal area were significant predictors; however, they only collectively reduced the mean squared error by 2.1% relative to a base model containing solely stand and plot factors. Model projections indicated there was little difference in predicted future basal area for the range of climate conditions experienced by these stands highlighting red maple’s wide tolerance of environmental conditions across the region.

Stand development following precommercial thinning and fertilization treatments in a western redcedar (Thuja plicata) dominated forest

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constance A. Harrington ◽  
Warren D. Devine
Keyword(s):  
Volume Growth ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Thuja Plicata ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Western Redcedar ◽  
Large Trees ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Individual Trees ◽  
Area And Volume

Western redcedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don.) is an important North American tree species, but little information is available on its long-term responses to silvicultural treatments. Stand responses (mortality, ingrowth, basal area and volume growth, and distributions of trees by diameter and height classes) were followed for 25 years after thinning and fertilization treatments (alone and in combination) were applied to a naturally regenerated, low site quality western redcedar stand on the Olympic Peninsula in western Washington, USA. Mortality was low overall, but the densest stands experienced competition-related mortality. Thinning resulted in additional stem recruitment; after 25 years, the number of ingrowth trees exceeded the number of trees in the cohort left after thinning. Fertilization (with nitrogen and phosphorus) flattened size distributions and skewed them to larger size classes. Thinning plus fertilization resulted in the largest individual trees and the most large trees, but also many trees in a wide range of diameter classes. The recruitment of a second cohort did not result in a two-storied stand. Fertilization without thinning resulted in the greatest stand basal area and volume, as well as trees with fewer live lower branches.

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