Aspen Stand Development Following Harvest in the Lake States Region

This paper summarizes the literature that reports factors influencing the development of aspen stands following harvest. It is intended primarily for forest managers in the Lake States region, although some work done in the western United States is included. Aspen stands generally regenerate to dense sucker stands after harvest. Competition, disease, and other injurious agents aid natural thinning in maturing stands. Although competition among stems is the primary cause of mortality in many stands, in some stands mortality caused by disease and injury may reduce expected yield. Forest managers should be aware of the factors that can affect aspen stand development, particularly when evaluating regeneration densities and rotation length, and when planning thinning operations. North. J. Appl. For. 6:178-183, December 1989