Crop-Tree Release Increases Growth of Black Birch (Betula lenta L.) in Southern New England

Abstract Black birch (Betula lenta L.) has become an increasingly important component of northeastern forests in recent decades. In 1996ߝ97, plots were established in five stands to examine diameter and volume growth response of black birch to crop-tree release. The stands were from 20 to 99 years old, and mean crop-tree diameters ranged from 4.8 to 13.8 in. Growth of crop trees was monitored for 8 years. Over the 8-year period, diameter and volume growth of completely released poles (4.6ߝ10.5 in. in diameter) were twice that of unreleased poles. Increased growth was noted the 1st year after release and showed no indication of decreasing after 8 years. Release did not affect diameter growth of small sawtimber crop trees (10.6ߝ13.5 in. in diameter) until the 3rd year after release. However, after 8 years, diameter and volume growth were nearly 40% greater than for unreleased trees. Release had negligible effect on diameter and volume growth of medium sawtimber crop trees (more than 13.5 in. in diameter). If crop-tree management was initiated in young stands of black birch poles (mean diameter of upper canopy trees was 4.5 in.), then the time required to grow those trees to diameters of 13.5 in. could be reduced by nearly 50%.

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Increased Individual Tree Growth Maintains Stand Volume Growth after B-Level Thinning and Crop-Tree Management in Mature Oak Stands

Forest Science ◽

10.1093/forsci/fxz042 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 65 (6) ◽

pp. 784-795

Author(s):

Jeffrey S Ward ◽

Jessica Wikle

Keyword(s):

Tree Growth ◽

Growth Response ◽

Volume Growth ◽

Diameter Growth ◽

Red Oak ◽

Individual Tree ◽

Stand Volume ◽

Tree Management ◽

Individual Tree Growth ◽

Partial Release

AbstractSix study areas were established in 80–125-year-old upland oak stands on average sites to compare stand and individual tree growth response following two active treatments (B-level thinning, crop tree) with an unmanaged control. Initial stocking of 104 percent was reduced to 62 percent and 60 percent on the B-level and crop-tree-management plots, respectively. Approximately 7,200 board feet per acre (International ¼) were harvested on the actively managed plots with upland oaks accounting for 81 percent of pre- and 86 percent of residual stand. Eleven-year diameter and volume growth of oak sawtimber trees was greater on actively managed plots. Growth response increased with degree of release and was maintained for the length of the study. Because of the increased individual tree growth of oaks in response to release, stand volume growth of oak sawtimber did not differ between treatments. In contrast to an 11-year decline of poletimber stocking on unmanaged plots, poletimber stocking increased on managed plots as diameter growth increased in response to partial release. This may increase difficulty of regenerating oak in the future. For those mature red oak stands where traditional regeneration prescriptions will not be implemented or will be delayed, commercial harvests can be conducted without compromising stand volume growth of oak.

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Growth Response of a Boreal Black Spruce Stand to Fertilizer Treatments

Northern Journal of Applied Forestry ◽

10.1093/njaf/3.4.142 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 142-144 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Neil W. Foster ◽

Ian K. Morrison ◽

H. S. D. Swan

Keyword(s):

Field Trial ◽

Growth Response ◽

Black Spruce ◽

Volume Growth ◽

Diameter Growth ◽

Northern Ontario ◽

Four Levels

Abstract Results are reported for a fertilizer field trial with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers in a 100-yr-old black spruce stand in the Lake Nipigon region of northern Ontario. A comparison of four levels of N (0, 112, 224, and 336 kg/ha) revealed significant effects (p = .05) of treatment on diameter growth. In a comparison of N (112 and 224 kg/ha) in combination with K and PK (74 and 93 kg/ha, respectively) the volume growth of fertilized trees, at the end of 5 and 10 years, was generally greater than that of controls, but not significantly greater (p = .05). The best 10- year growth response was to 224 kg N/ha, which produced 7.4 m3/ha of extra wood over controls. No additional growth was realized when K and PK were added with N. North. J. Appl. For. 3:142-144, Dec. 1986.

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Crop Tree Release Increases Growth of Mature Red Oak Sawtimber

Northern Journal of Applied Forestry ◽

10.1093/njaf/19.4.149 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 149-154 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Jeffrey S. Ward

Keyword(s):

Forest Cover ◽

Quercus Rubra ◽

Volume Growth ◽

Diameter Growth ◽

Red Oak ◽

Tree Management ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Tree Thinning ◽

Annual Volume ◽

Epicormic Branches

Abstract Crop tree thinning plots were established in five stands of mature red oak (Quercus rubra, Q. velutina, and Q. coccinea) sawtimber in 1995. Initial stand ages ranged from 74 to 94 yr old with mean crop tree diameters ranging from 10.9 to 15.4 in. Growth of crop trees was monitored for the next 6 yr. The upper age limit at which oaks respond to crop tree management (high thinning) is at least 90 yr old. Although there was no significant difference in diameter growth between released and unreleased trees for the first 2 yr after release, diameter growth of released trees was significantly greater during each of the subsequent 4 yr. Crop tree release increased diameter growth of sawtimber red oak by 53%. Annual volume growth (International 1/4) increases ranged from 95% for 11 in. trees to 25% for 20 in. trees. Growth of crop trees has not decreased, relative to control trees, 6 yr after release. Formation of new epicormic branches on the butt log was largely limited to the slowest growing trees. Crop tree management should be considered as a method of managing sawtimber oak stands where maintaining high forest cover and noncommodities attributes are important considerations.

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Response to Control of Competing Vegetation in Site-Prepared Slash Pine Plantations

Southern Journal of Applied Forestry ◽

10.1093/sjaf/7.1.38 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 38-45 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Leon V. Pienaar ◽

John W. Rheney ◽

Barry D. Shiver

Keyword(s):

Growth Response ◽

Current Trend ◽

Volume Growth ◽

Average Diameter ◽

Pinus Elliottii ◽

Slash Pine ◽

Diameter Growth ◽

The Past ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Over Time

Abstract In 9- to 15-year old site-prepared slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) plantations in the coastal flatwoods of Georgia and North Florida there was a significant growth response to complete elimination of competing understory vegetation over a four-year period. Average diameter growth increased 16 percent (0.06 in.) and 21 percent (0.15 in.) after two and four growing seasons, respectively. Volume growth increased by 7 percent (24 cu. ft./ac.) and 15 percent (100 cu. ft./ac.) after two and four years, respectively. If the current trend is sustained, the growth response will probably continue to increase over time as it has over the past four years. The response is most significant on soils which fall within the somewhat poorly to well-drained categories.

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