Clearcutting Central New York Northern Hardwood Stands

1989 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell S. Walters ◽  
Ralph D. Nyland

Abstract Clearcutting proved effective for regenerating central New York stands that were dominated by sugar maple along with American beech, black cherry, white ash, red maple, and basswood. Findings from five stands for periods of 7-13 years following clearcutting show densities equivalent to 2,400 to 9,400 saplings of commercial species per acre on 64-100% of the milacres sampled. In each stand, a minimum of 81% of the 6.6 ft radius sample plots were stocked with at least one sapling of a commercial species, suggesting that site occupancy will be fairly complete and uniform as these stands mature. All sites contained abundant regeneration of commercial species immediately after logging, ranging from 15,000 to 57,000 seedlings per acre, but as many as 90% of these were less than 1 ft tall. The species composition generally reflected the original forest with abundant sugar maple and American beech. However, large amounts of black cherry and white ash also appeared on some sites. Many bramble seedlings germinated during the first growing season after logging and developed into a dense uniform cover by the third year. However, the brambles declined as crown closure occurred in the new stands, and disappeared before the tenth year. Clearcutting should successfully regenerate stands of New York northern hardwoods having conditions similar to those of this study. North. J. Appl. For. 6:75-78, June 1989.

1990 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 1479-1484 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. A. Bazzaz ◽  
J. S. Coleman ◽  
S. R. Morse

We examined how elevated CO2 affected the growth of seven co-occurring tree species: American beech (Fagusgrandifolia Ehrh.), paper birch (Betulapapyrifera Marsh.), black cherry (Prunusserotina Ehrh.), white pine (Pinusstrobus L.), red maple (Acerrubrum L.), sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.), and eastern hemlock (Tsugacanadensis (L.) Carr). We also tested whether the degree of shade tolerance of species and the age of seedlings affected plant responses to enhanced CO2 levels. Seedlings that were at least 1 year old, for all species except beech, were removed while dormant from Harvard Forest, Petersham, Massachusetts. Seeds of red maple and paper birch were obtained from parent trees at Harvard Forest, and seeds of American beech were obtained from a population of beeches in Nova Scotia. Seedlings and transplants were grown in one of four plant growth chambers for 60 d (beech, paper birch, red maple, black cherry) or 100 d (white pine, hemlock, sugar maple) under CO2 levels of 400 or 700 μL•L−1. Plants were then harvested for biomass and growth determinations. The results showed that the biomass of beech, paper birch, black cherry, sugar maple, and hemlock significantly increased in elevated CO2, but the biomass of red maple and white pine only marginally increased in these conditions. Furthermore, there were large differences in the magnitude of growth enhancement by increased levels of CO2 between species, so it seems reasonable to predict that one consequence of rising levels of CO2 may be to increase the competitive ability of some species relative to others. Additionally, the three species exhibiting the largest increase in growth with increased CO2 concentrations were the shade-tolerant species (i.e., beech, sugar maple, and hemlock). Thus, elevated CO2 levels may enhance the growth of relatively shade-tolerant forest trees to a greater extent than growth of shade-intolerant trees, at least under the light and nutrient conditions of this experiment. We found no evidence to suggest that the age of tree seedlings greatly affected their response to elevated CO2 concentrations.


1986 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Laurane Stout

Abstract Planting of northern hardwood species interests forest landowners and managers who wish to continue growing pure or nearly pure stands of high-value species, enhance old-field conversion to preferred species, or reforest areas where natural regeneration has failed. Little data on planted hardwoods can be found, however. This paper reports on 22 years of growth of a northern hardwood plantation established in 1961 containing red maple, black cherry, sugar maple, and white ash. The data show that plantings of these species can succeed on good sites with weed control over the first few years, protection from animal predators, and close initial spacing. North. J. Appl. For. 3:69-72, June 1986.


1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd E Ristau ◽  
Stephen B Horsley

Pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica L.) develops an early height advantage over associated species. Data from three long-term studies, extending up to 70 years after complete overstory removal, were used to evaluate the effects of pin cherry density on associates. Survival of seedling-origin stems of black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), red maple (Acer rubrum L.), and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) at age 15 decreased as the density of pin cherry >1.5 m tall at age 3 increased. The regression of pin cherry with black cherry was particularly strong (R2 = 0.632). Height of the tallest black cherry and white ash (Fraxinus americana L.) at age 15 also decreased. If the density of pin cherry at age 3 was > 1 stem > 1.5 m tall per 0.0004 ha (high density), the number of black cherry fell below full stocking at age 15. When pin cherry occurred in high density, it lived longer than when it occurred at low density (< 1 stem > 1.5 m tall per 0.0004 ha). High pin cherry density early in stand development delayed the time when shade-intolerant and shade-intermediate species reached a stable proportion of the total basal area. In the long term, pin cherry reduced stand diameter and volume growth, particularly of black cherry.


2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 350-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonnie M. Brierton ◽  
Douglas C. Allen ◽  
Daniel T. Jennings

1977 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 515-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen B. Horsley

A comparison of paired field plots on poorly drained Allegheny hardwood sites demonstrated that the presence of hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtiapunctilobula Michx.), New York fern (Thelypterisnoveboracensis L.), short husk grass (Brachyelytrumerectum Schreb.), and club moss (Lycopodiumobscurum L.) was correlated with reduced numbers of black cherry (Prunusserotina Ehrh.) seedlings; numbers of red maple (Acerrubrum L.) seedlings were fewer where associated with the ferns and grass but not with club moss; numbers of sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.) seedlings were fewer with the ferns but not grass or club moss. Height of the 10 tallest black cherry seedlings on each plot was less with the ferns and grass but not with club moss. In a greenhouse study, foliage extracts of all four ground covers inhibited growth of black cherry seedlings that had exhausted cotyledonary reserves. Allelopathic interference by herbaceous ground cover species apparently played a strong role in inhibiting establishment and growth of black cherry seedlings on poorly drained Allegheny Plateau sites.


1985 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 881-889 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher S. Cronan ◽  
Marc R. DesMeules

The Integrated Lake–Watershed Acidification Study (ILWAS) was conducted using three forested watersheds (Panther, Sagamore, and Woods) in the central Adirondack Park of New York State. By comparing the biogeochemical behavior of these watersheds, the ILWAS investigators hoped to elucidate the major ecosystem parameters controlling the fate of strong acids introduced from the atmosphere to lake–watershed systems. The ILWAS vegetation research program was designed to compare the quantitative patterns of forest structure in these midelevation watersheds. Results showed that the ILWAS catchments contain closely related variants of the northern hardwood – spruce – fir complex of the Adirondack region. The dominant tree species in these watersheds are beech (Fagusgrandifolia Ehrh.), red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.), sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.), red maple (Acerrubrum L.), and yellow birch (Betulaalleghaniensis Britt.). On an areal basis, the watersheds contain 57–88% hardwood cover type and 5–29% spruce–fir cover type. Mean live basal area values range from 22 to 30 m2 ha−1 between catchments, while standing dead basal area values range from 4 to 8 m2 ha−1. Mean live stem densities range from 1400 to 1700 stems ha−1. Mean aboveground biomass projections for the tree stratum in the three watersheds range from 143 to 199 Mt ha−1, while estimated aboveground annual biomass increments range from 4.1 to 5.3% of standing biomass.


1988 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 815-819 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha A. Ferris ◽  
John D. Castello

Tissue samples from 15 woody and herbaceous plant species, including white ash (Fraxinusamericana L.), were collected monthly during the spring and summer of 1985 and indexed by ELISA for tomato ringspot virus. The virus was detected in 12 of 23 white ash indexed, most frequently in the roots. Of 88 white ash seedlings inoculated with purified tomato ringspot virus, the virus was detected by ELISA in 7 seedlings after two cycles of growth and dormancy, and in only 1 seedling after one cycle of growth and dormancy postinoculation. The virus was also detected in Fragariavirginiana Mill., Prunusvirginiana L., Rubusoccidentalis L., R. strigosus Michx., Solidagocanadensis L., Trifoliumpratense L., T. repens L., and Daucuscarota L. growing within 50 m of infected ash.


1968 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 31-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl H. Winget

Second-growth, tolerant hardwood stands developed rapidly and, almost entirely from shade-tolerant advance growth, regardless of cutting intensity. Non-commercial woody species were seldom important competitors. Sugar maple, associated with beech on upland and balsam fir on lowland sites, was the dominant species. Yellow birch, basswood and hemlock, important contributors to wood volumes harvested, were minor components of second-growth stands. Valuable minor species such as red oak, white ash, and black cherry had practically disappeared. The application of known techniques for regenerating disturbance-dependent species is urgently required.


1999 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura S. Kenefic ◽  
Ralph D. Nyland

Abstract Sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) height-diameter and age-diameter relationships are explored in a balanced uneven-aged northern hardwood stand in central New York. Results show that although both height and age vary considerably with diameter, these relationships can be described by statistically valid equations. The age-diameter relationship compares favorably to one reported by Tubbs (1977) for sugar maple in unmanaged (virgin) northern hardwoods, suggesting that periodic cuttings improved growing conditions in our stand. Deliberate attempts to control size-class distribution and tree spacing should continue to increase diameter growth rates and decrease the time needed to reach certain threshold tree sizes. Growth rates that can be reasonably expected in this and similarly structured stands are provided. Lastly, a wide range of heights and diameters are documented, confirming the structural complexity associated with the balanced selection system. An equation to predict sugar maple height from diameter is provided and may prove useful when assessing habitat or visual characteristics of complex uneven-aged stands. North. J. Appl. For. 16(1):43-47.


2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Chen Wang ◽  
Barry J. Kronenfeld ◽  
Chris P.S. Larsen

Changes in tree taxon composition and distribution in western New York over a 200 year time period ca. 1797–1993 were examined by comparing the presettlement land survey with the US Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) survey. To ensure data quality, biases in presettlement bearing tree selection and FIA plot location were assessed. A 6 mile × 6 mile grid of taxa abundance was then estimated using geostatistics. Overall, significant changes in taxon composition occurred, with the taxa most abundant in the presettlement land survey — beech (37.0%), sugar maple (21.0%), and eastern hemlock (8.3%) — being replaced by sugar maple (19.2%), ash (11.7%), and red maple (11.4%) in the FIA survey. Spatially resolved comparisons showed that the landscape changed from fairly spatially homogeneous to more heterogeneous; in the presettlement survey, the most abundant taxon in most of the 6 mile × 6 mile grid cells was beech, while in the present survey, the most abundant taxon in most of the cells was one of several early successional taxa that each displayed a distinctly clustered geographic pattern of dominance. The clusters of dominance of the different early successional taxa may correspond to environmental factors. This study demonstrates the insights available through spatially resolved analyses of changes in the forest landscape between presettlement and present.


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